Tunisia

[Matra Man]

I just wondered if anyone knows of any good places to watch wildlife in Tunisia.

Are reptiles and amphibians still about in October ?? If so, where ??

Also, any good beaches for marine life, including washed-up shells ? Or is the water 'too clean' and devoid of life ?

Thanks, Colin.

[Matra Man]

Well, we survived the trip to Tunisia, including a camel ride in the Northern Sahara !

As I suspected, there was quite a lot of wildlife about, although accessing it was a bit of a problem as we didn't hire a car, and local people knew virtually nothing about wildlife ....... only how to kill it and/or eat it, it seemed !

However, a desert oasis gave us some fine Painted Frogs, of all colours and patterns, and Moorish Geckos could be seen most nights on the perimeter wall of our hotel, as well as on the outside walls of a first-floor apartment !

Sadly, we were on the 4th floor, and it was a little too far for their "sticky pads' to manage !

So these are my first contributions, but we also saw several bird species, as well as a variety of insects. I'll post more later.














Best wishes, Colin.

[goosey]

Originally Posted by Matra Man

Well, we survived the trip to Tunisia, including a camel ride in the Northern Sahara !

As I suspected, there was quite a lot of wildlife about, although accessing it was a bit of a problem as we didn't hire a car, and local people knew virtually nothing about wildlife ....... only how to kill it and/or eat it, it seemed !

However, a desert oasis gave us some fine Painted Frogs, of all colours and patterns, and Moorish Geckos could be seen most nights on the perimeter wall of our hotel, as well as on the outside walls of a first-floor apartment !

Sadly, we were on the 4th floor, and it was a little too far for their "sticky pads' to manage !

So these are my first contributions, but we also saw several bird species, as well as a variety of insects. I'll post more later.


.

OK - when do we get to see a picture of you on a camel?

Did you go to Tunisia expecting to see plenty of wildlife or just hoping to get the chance to see something different whilst enjoying the weather? How frustrating no one was able to poit you in the right direction, especially where you are based in Hungary has so much to offer.

I look forward to see more of your images though, your geckos are so sweet .

[Matra Man]

Well ......... there IS a shot of me on a camel, but it was taken by the 'official' camel-ride photographer, and therefore still needs scanning. In the meantime, please make-do with this mystical shot of the Sahara.



Actually, I spent quite some time tonight writing a detailed reply to your questions, then got in a muddle transferring the pic to this post, and I lost all my work ! Aarghh !!

So, I'll abort on this for tonight (this morning ??), and try again, maybe tomorrow (today ??). Bye for now, Colin.

[goosey]

Originally Posted by Matra Man

Well ......... there IS a shot of me on a camel, but it was taken by the 'official' camel-ride photographer, and therefore still needs scanning. In the meantime, please make-do with this mystical shot of the Sahara.

Oh goody - I look forward to seeing that! Camels look so uncomfortable to ride and I am sure people must feel travel sick riding them.

I love your sand storm image - I bet all that sand stung like mad and took forever to get out of your clothes!

Originally Posted by Matra Man

Actually, I spent quite some time tonight writing a detailed reply to your questions, then got in a muddle transferring the pic to this post, and I lost all my work ! Aarghh !!

I sympathise! I have done that before and on longer posts or ones trying to fit images in.
Now I write anything, which I may have to return to or check out other things for, and especially longer posts in "Outlook" and copy and paste my finished post into the forum reply. I also find it easier to have two WATW pages open at the same time - one for the post and the other for images.

Don't give up on your Tunisia report, it should make interesting reading .

[Matra Man]

Hello again Goosey ! I'll try again !

The trip was very much a last-minute decision, and I knew absolutely nothing about Tunisia until I started a frantic internet-swot a few days prior to departure. However, I soon downloaded some species lists and trip reports and was quite impressed with the amount of species recorded there.

When we arrived, it was as if the bird species were queuing-up to say hello, as, close to the hotel, we soon saw Spanish Sparrows, Palm Doves, Southern Great Grey Shrike, Spotless Starlings (their mum used 'Tide'), Hoopoe, Barbary Partridges, Avocets, Spoonbills, Black-winged Stilt, and Flamingos.

A 2-day Sahara trip gave us the delightful House Buntings, but little else was seen in that area, mainly due to the hectic list of pre-arranged visits. We could have done with 2 or 3 hours (instead of 1 hour) to quietly explore the oasis areas. I think many more birds, reptiles and amphibians could have been added to the list.

We were intrigued to find out which fish species inhabit the Med around Tunisia, and so we headed to Sousse fish market. Although something of a deafening culture shock with all the shouting, bartering, and arguments, we found numerous fish species on display, and I set about photographing as many as possible for our survey. No one tried to sell us any fish as we were instantly recognised as silly tourists without cooking facilities. In amongst all the shouting I managed to persuade a couple of the traders to turn over some fish so that I could photograph both sides !

Years ago, I bought a copy of the excellent 'Hamlyn Guide to the Flora and Fauna of the Mediterranean Sea' - a snappy title, that ! I found it in a second-hand book shop, and enjoyed flicking through it from time to time, but I never realised that, one day, it would be of practical use. Since our return, I've been able to identify many of my pics of 'dead fish', and it really has given us a better idea of what is in the local waters.

Some of the fish seen were: Garfish, Red Scorpionfish, Painted Wrasse, Red Mullet, Gilthead, and the delightful little Diplodus vulgaris. Also seen were: Common Octopus and Sagittal Squid.

Forays along the beach and in the beautifully clear sea gave us several species of crab, including Hermit and Marbled (incredible markings), and we came home with a large collection of shells, most of which have still to be identified.

If we return to Tunisia, we will head to the northernmost area, which is greener, and has the most important protected area, Lake Ichkeul. I would also try to make contact with the local conservation professionals prior to a visit, since trying to tell 'locals' that we want to go to 'off the beaten track places' to watch birds, reptiles and amphibians just doesn't register on their radar !

More pics soon, Colin.

[frostfire]

Sounds like you had a interesting holiday! I had never of thought as Tunisia being a good place for wildlife, except for what lives in the deser. But it seems that you saw a lot of interesting species, despite the locals not being very clued up and the lack of knowledge of what could be found where in the area.
Will be looking out for your other pictures as I've enjoyed the reptiles that you have put on. Especially love the sandstorm picture!

~*~Frostfire~*~

[Matra Man]

If you're using one of the revolutionary new 'scratch 'n' sniff' browsers, you're probably wondering where the smell of fish is coming from. I must admit that I'm to blame as I've been busily uploading some more sea-life pics from Tunisia ! Enjoy the pics, and nose-pegs are available on request !