Birdfinders in The Gambia 10–24 November 2006

Birdfinders enjoyed another exceptional tour of The Gambia in 2006 with a group of sixteen highly motivated birders all contributing to an extremely successful and well-humored tour. Highlights were many and difficult to list here, but included Savile’s and Black-bellied Bustards, Allen’s Gallinule, White-crowned Lapwing, Greyish Eagle Owl, a complete set of all the possible sunbirds in The Gambia. Some excellent views of the rarer raptors, such as Martial Eagle and White-headed Vulture, were also enjoyed.


Our flight to Banjul was smooth with only a fifteen minute delay at Gatwick, landing on time in Banjul. The Manchester party had already arrived at the hotel and we met in the cooler hours of late afternoon for an hour’s birding on the Casino Cycle Track. Here we were introduced to our first birds such as Long-tailed Cormorant, Black-headed Heron, Hamerkop, White-faced Whistling Duck, Hooded Vulture, African Harrier-hawk, Double-spurred Francolin, and a nice selection of doves including Speckled Pigeon, Red-eyed, Vinaceous and Laughing Doves. These birds would become daily fare throughout the tour, but the best bird of the evening was the now difficult Yellow-throated Longclaw ‘teed’ up in the scope. It was the only sighting of the tour.

The first full day in the field was an extremely productive one but at a relaxed pace. Birding around the Kotu sewage ponds, Kotu River and nearby golf course yielded some quality birds but not before a Violet Turaco was seen in the palms above the breakfast table at the hotel! At Kotu sewage ponds the real highlight was the discovery of two roosting Northern White-faced Owl in an Acacia. Other good birds included Lizard Buzzard, Fine-spotted Woodpecker, and Lesser and Greater Blue-eared Starlings perched up together for a great comparison. On the golf course Eurasian Whimbrel, Spur-winged, Black-headed and Wattled Lapwings all gave great views along with a couple of exquisite Blue-bellied Rollers.

For us European folk, the afternoon seemed exceptionally humid and after attempting to cool off for a few hours, we made our first excursion by bus, meeting our driver Aladdin who was to remain our faithful driver for the entire two-week tour. We explored a new site recommended by Solomon at Tujerang woods and had a lively couple of hours including fine views of Grey Kestrel, Levaillant’s, Red-chested, and Didric Cuckoos, Bearded Barbet, Singing Cisticola, Senegal Eremomala. Northern Crombec, White-fronted Black Chat, White-shouldered Black Tit, Purple Glossy Starling and several Village Indigobirds. Remarkably, Levaillant’s Cuckoos were seen on a further four days during the tour.

This spectacular, yet unrushed start to the tour yielded an impressive 115 species, setting the rhythm for a fine trip. Many of ours days would produce a tally of over one hundred species.

 


Senegal Thicknee - Darisalam



Swallow-tailed Bee-eater - Abuko


Violet Turaco - Abuko. Seen almost daily at Badala Park.


White-shouldered Black Tit - Tujerang.



Black-headed Lapwings - Kotu golf course.


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