Participants: Judith Burrell, Keith Crees, Pat Dandridge, Margaret Fisk, Jim Hillier, Hilary le Marie, Anita Pickles, John Wright (tour leader).
Background
I booked a two week package holiday for the group with Gambia Experience staying in the Hotel Senegambia on a bed and breakfast basis. The Senegambia is in the Kololi area. The serve yourself breakfast began at 07:00.
It was light enough to start birding around about 07:00 and it got dark at about 19:00. We usually had a break for lunch in the early afternoon when it got hot and most bird activity had ceased. Lunch was usually a light snack around the pool of the Senegambia.
As has been said on many occasions before the Senegambia Hotel grounds are very bird friendly and attract a good variety of bird species. It was ideal for early morning or late afternoon bird walks. It also has the advantage of only being a 10 minute walk from the Bijilo Forest reserve.
We used A Field Guide to Birds of The Gambia and Senegal by Barlow et al and A Birdwatchers’ Guide to the Gambia by Rod Ward,
This tour was designed as a relaxed paced birding trip and not one that involved traveling as much as possible to see as many species as possible. This was my third visit to Gambia (Nov/Dec 2004 trip report on Surfbirds) but, with the exception of one person, the first visit for the other participants. I have taken some of the participants on previous bird trips to Israel, India and Florida (Florida Jan/Feb 2005 trip report on Surfbirds).
I hired a local bird guide - Modou Colley (Email: mcolley99@yahoo.com) via the internet some months in advance of traveling and put together the itinerary which was mainly around the coastal sites but also included a trip to Tendaba. With the exception of a couple of changes we stuck pretty much to the itinerary. Modou was a good birder, very good on bird calls and songs and was adept at whistling the call of the Pearl-spotted Owlet to attract small birds. Modou knew all the sites we visited and was familiar with the tracks and trails which was, of course, a big help. He was quietly spoken, polite and with a good sense of humour. We hired him for 5 whole days, 4 half days and the 3 day (2 nights) stay at Tendaba. Transport was an 11 seater, 4x4 Toyota, driven by Maw Ceesay - a very amiable man (telephone mobile: (220) 993 71 99). I would have no hesitation in using Modou & Maw again on any future visits.
At the time of booking Modou charged £15 per person for a whole day and £10 per person for a half day which included the afore mentioned transport and driver. For the Tendaba 3 day package which included all transport, creek crawl, accommodation, breakfast and evening meals we paid £82 per person.
As a matter of interest I was told by some birders also staying at the Senegambia Hotel the prices the bird guides based in the grounds were charging. Unfortunately I can’t remember the actual tariffs but I remember thinking at the time that it was very high. If they are not careful they could price themselves out of the market. But then again it is a case of supply and demand.
As I noticed on my previous visits the Gambian people were friendly and always tried to be helpful and we didn’t encounter any unpleasantness. We were hassled in the coastal resorts just like any other tourist. Furthermore whenever we ventured out of the confines of the hotel with binoculars and scopes and without Modou, we were immediately pestered by would be guides, not all of which would take a polite no thank you for an answer. This can be a nuisance particularly if you are only going somewhere nearby like Bijilo Forest and don’t need a guide. However, having said that they are only trying to make a living and the bird guiding season in the Gambia is relatively short.
Itinerary
Friday 17th November
Arrived Banjul Airport from Gatwick mid afternoon and transferred to the Hotel Senegambia arriving at about 18:00.
Saturday 18th November
Bird watched the grounds of the Hotel Senegambia from 07:00 until about 08:30 when we met Modou in the hotel reception. After Breakfast we walked the short distance to Bijilo Forest arriving at about 10:00. Modou volunteered to come with us although he didn't officially start as our guide until the following day. It soon got hot and as everyone was rather tired we made our way back to the hotel around about 14:00. Had lunch at the hotel before bird watching the hotel grounds late afternoon until dusk.
Sunday 19th November
Full day with Modou. Started at the Palm Beach Hotel end of the Cycle Track and then onto Kotu Creek and Fajara Golf Course. Lunch at the Senegambia. In the afternoon we did the Kotu Sewage Ponds and then the Bund Road from about 17:30 until dusk.
For the rest of the trip we established a routine of breakfast at 07:00, on the road at about 07:30, lunch and rest period from about 13:00 – 16:00 and then bird watched till dusk.
Monday 20th November
Morning with Modou. Brufut Woods, Tanji lagoon and Tanji fishing beach. Lunch at the Senegambia. Late afternoon bird watched around the hotel grounds until dusk.
Tuesday 21st November
Full day with Modou. Pirang Shrimp Pools and nearby creek and mangroves and then Faraba Banta Bush Track.
Wednesday 22nd November
Morning with Modou. Abuko rice fields and Abuko Forest. Senegambia for lunch. Bird watched the hotel grounds late afternoon till dusk.
Thursday 23rd November
Start of our 3 day, 2 night, stay up river at Tendaba. Left the hotel at 07:40. Bird watched en route with a 50 minute stop at 09:30, a brief stop at 11:00 and then a brief stop for lunch. Arrived at Tendaba Camp about 15:00. Creek crawl on north bank from 16:00 till dark.
Friday 24th November
Drove from Tendaba to Soma wetland in the morning, birding en route. Returned to Tendaba late afternoon. From 18:00 till after dark walked and drove Batelling Bush Track for nightjars.
Saturday 25th November
After breakfast bird watched along the track to the east of Tendaba Camp, via the South East corner gate. At about 10:00 we started our journey back to the coast, via Batelling Bush Track and Brikama Forest. Arrived back at the Senegambia Hotel at 17:30.
Sunday 26th November
Full day with Modou. Took the 09:00 Banjul Ferry to Barra and Essau, as foot passengers, it left nearly 30 minutes behind schedule. Picked up a taxi the other side and bird watched the Bunaidou Woodland. Got the 15:00 ferry back to Banjul. Bird watched the Senegambia Hotel grounds late afternoon till dusk.
Monday 27th November
Full day with Modou. Marakissa all day. Using the Marakissa River Camp for lunch.
Tuesday 28th November
Full day with Modou. Yara Bamba and south Yundum in the morning. Hotel for lunch. North Yundum late afternoon till dusk.
Wednesday 29th November
Morning with Modou. Camaloo Corner and Cape Point and then onto Kachikally Crocodile Pool. Hotel for lunch. Bird watched the hotel grounds late afternoon till dusk.
Thursday 30th November
Final morning with Modou. Kotu Creek, Fajara Golf Course and the Cycle Track. Senegambia for lunch. Bird watched the hotel grounds late afternoon till dusk.
Friday 1st December
Bijilo Forest 08:00 till 10:30. Back at the hotel we finished packing, had lunch and relaxed until the coach picked us up at 14:00 to take us to Banjul Airport for our return flight to Gatwick.
Little Grebe
About 10 at Kotu sewage ponds.
Great White Pelican
40 at Soma and a total of about 50 in two flocks in the Tendaba area.
Pink-backed Pelican
Common, seen most days but in good numbers at Bund Road, Pirang, Soma, Tendaba.
Hammerkop
Common, seen at most wetlands/rice fields visited.
Great Cormorant
1 at Tendaba.
Long-tailed Cormorant
Small numbers seen most days.
African Darter
Small number noted at Kotu Creek, Bund Road, Marakissa and on the Tendaba creek crawl.
White-backed Night Heron
1 roosting in mangroves. Tendaba creek crawl.
Black-crowned Night Heron
3 at Bund Road, 4 at Abuko, 1 on the Tendaba creek crawl and 7 at Brumen Bridge.
Cattle Egret
Common.
Squacco Heron
Common, seen at most wetlands/rice fields visited.
Striated Heron
Seen in the rice fields adjacent to the Cycle Track, Kotu creek and Marakissa
Black Egret
Seen at Kotu creek, Pirang, Camalou Corner and Bund Road.
Intermediate Egret
Fairly common. Decent views ensured identification from the similar looking Great White Egret. But distant views or seen whilst driving past often meant - large egret sp.
Western Reef Heron
Common at the coastal sites.
Little Egret
Fairly common, seen at quite a few wetlands and rice fields.
Great White Egret
Common. Identification comments as for Intermediate Egret.
Black-headed Heron
Common.
Grey Heron
Small numbers noted at various wetlands.
Goliath Heron
2 on the Tendaba creek crawl.
Purple Heron
Singles seen at Pirang, Abuko rice fields, Tendaba and Marakissa.
Woolly-necked Stork
1 at Pirang and about 12 on the Tendaba creek crawl.
Yellow-billed Stork
1 at Bund Road on a shipwreck, 4 Brumen Bridge distantly in flight.
African Spoonbill
Two groups seen in flight: A group of 7 on the Tendaba creek crawl and 8 birds seen near Tendaba camp the following day.
Black Crowned Crane
3 in a tree at Pirang, albeit distantly.
Spur-winged Goose
18 on the Tendaba creek crawl, 8 Tendaba Airfield and a small group flying at dusk near Yundum.
White-faced Whistling Duck
Small parties in the Kotu Creek area and Abuko rice fields, including a pair with young. Large flocks seen at Pirang shrimp farm.
Sacred Ibis
1 at Cape Point.
Osprey
Singles at Tanji, Pirang and Brumen Bridge. Two at Tendaba - seen on the creek crawl.
African Harrier-Hawk (Gymnogene)
Common and widespread, including a very obliging immature occasionally joined by an adult, in the grounds of the Senegambia Hotel.
Palm-nut Vulture
Singles, sometimes a pair, flying over the Senegambia Hotel. Singles also seen at Marakissa, Pirang, Faraba Banta bush track and en route to Tendaba.
Pied Crow
Common, mainly coastal.
Hooded Vulture
Very common especially at the coast.
White-backed Vulture
10 birds spiraling with Hooded Vultures, en route to Tendaba.
Martial Eagle
A soaring adult seen well at the Faraba Banta bush track.
Tawny Eagle
A pair at Tendaba Airfield seen on 2 consecutive days.
Wahlberg's Eagle
Singles seen at Pirang, en route to Tendaba and near Soma.
African Hawk Eagle
A single seen en route to Tendaba gave great views.
Booted Eagle
Singles seen at Pirang and Yundum.
Long-crested Eagle
Singles and pairs seen at Tendaba Airfield and Marakissa.
Bateleur
2 Faraba Banta bush track a single en route to Tendaba and a single at Brikama Woods.
Brown Snake Eagle
1-3 seen at Faraba Banta bush track and the Tendaba area.
Western Banded Snake Eagle
1 at Tendaba airfield.
Beaudouin's Snake Eagle
1 Brikama Woods, 1 Marakissa and 2 at Yundum.
Black Kite
Common. Majority were the African yellow-billed race.
Grasshopper Buzzard
Small numbers at Faraba Banta bush track and en route to and from Tendaba.
Black-shouldered Kite
Singles seen at Pirang, en route to Tendaba, Tendaba creek crawl and Marakissa. 6 seen in the Yundum area one day with 4 noted in the same area the following day.
Eurasian Marsh Harrier
3 at Pirang.
Dark Chanting Goshawk
Small numbers noted en route to and from Tendaba as well as in the Tendaba area.
Shikra
Common with birds being seen at a number of locations.
Lizard Buzzard
Fairly common noted at a number of locations where its tameness ensured good views.
Lanner Falcon
1 near Yundum, 1 en route to Tendaba and 1 soaring over Bijilo Forest.
Red-necked Falcon
A pair frequented the Kotu creek/Fajara golf course area, plus a pair at Abuko rice fields and a single bird seen flying over the Senegambia Hotel on a few occasions.
Grey Kestrel
Fairly common
Common Kestrel
1 seen at Tendaba.
Double-Spurred Francolin
Common, some good views but often flight views only.
Helmeted Guineafowl
14 in the scrub along the west track out from the south west gate of Tendaba camp.
Four-banded Sandgrouse
At least 4 birds, including a very obliging male, seen along a sandy track on our main stop whilst en route to Tendaba. 6 birds flew over the Batterling bush track at dusk.
Common Moorhen
1 at a small pond en route to Tendaba.
Black Crake
Only seen at Abuko rice fields (2) and Marakissa (2).
Greater Painted-Snipe
3 males and 2 superb females showed well at the Abuko rice fields.
African Jacana
Commonly seen in suitable wet areas.
Black-bellied Bustard
At Yundum a female showed well in flight after being disturbed from a field by a farmer. A search was made in the field where it dropped in but it couldn’t be re-located.
Egyptian Plover
2 of these fantastic birds were at the Soma wetlands.
Senegal Thick-Knee
Common around the tidal creeks and mangroves.
Black-headed Plover
Excellent views of up to 10 birds on Fajara golf course.
Spur-Winged Plover
Common.
Wattled Plover
Common, seen at a number of locations throughout.
Grey Plover
Up to 5 seen at Kotu Creek and Tanji but at least 15 noted at Bund Road.
Little Ringed Plover
1 Tendaba Airfield and 1 at Cape Point.
Ringed Plover
Fairly common on the coast such as Kotu Creek, Cape Point, Tanji.
White-fronted Plover
1 at Tanji lagoon.
Eurasian Curlew
1-3 seen at each of the following sites: Bund Road, Tanji lagoon and Cape Point.
Whimbrel
Fairly common and widespread for example seen at Kotu creek, Pirang, Tanji lagoon and Cape Point.
Bar-tailed Godwit
Up to 10 seen at Kotu Creek, Camaloo Corner and Tanji but at least 50 noted at Bund Road.
Greenshank
Common, seen at most wetlands, creeks and rice fields.
Marsh Sandpiper
3 at Soma wetland and 1 at Cape Point.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
1 at Pirang shrimp pools (22nd November). First authenticated record for Gambia, found the previous day by Brian Small and the Limosa Group.
Common Sandpiper
1-4 birds seen at each of the following sites: Kotu Creek, Abuko rice fields, Kotu sewage ponds, Soma wetland, Marakissa and Cape Point.
Green Sandpiper
1-3 seen at each of the following sites: Kotu Creek, Cape Point and Soma wetland.
Wood Sandpiper
1 or 2 at Kotu rice fields with 30 at Kotu sewage ponds.
Common Redshank
Fairly common. Seen at Kotu Creek, Pirang and Tendaba.
Spotted Redshank
1 Kotu Creek.
Oystercatcher
2 at Bund Road.
Black-winged Stilt
Good numbers at Kotu sewage ponds with smaller numbers noted at Kotu Creek,
Ruff
5 at Pirang shrimp ponds.
Ruddy Turnstone
Seen at Pirang, Tanji and Bund Road.
Red Knot
Only seen at Tanji and Bund Road.
Sanderling
Common at Tanji Beach and Bund Road.
Pomarine Skua
Up to 6 showed well from the Banjul – Barra Ferry, mainly the Banjul side of the estuary.
Grey-headed Gull
Common along the coast.
Slender-billed Gull
2 at Tanji fish beach, 6 flew over Cape Point.
Kelp Gull
7 at Tanji fish beach - 4 adults and 3 immature.
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Seen at Tanji reserve, Tanji fish beach and Bund Road.
Caspian Tern
Common on the coast e.g. Tanji but also seen at Pirang and Tendaba.
Royal Tern
Fairly common - seen at Tanji lagoon, Tanji beach and Bund Road with a few individuals elsewhere e.g. Tendaba.
Sandwich Tern
Common at the coast e.g. Tanji, Bund Road.
Gull-billed Tern
Common at the coast but also seen at Pirang.
Common Tern
A small flock offshore of the Senegambia Hotel beach one late afternoon. Plus 1 from the Banjul - Barra Ferry.
Black Tern
1 offshore of the Senegambia Hotel beach (with Common Terns) and 1 from the Banjul - Barra Ferry.
Little Tern
About 10 at Pirang shrimp pools.
Whiskered Tern
1 from the Banjul - Barra Ferry.
Laughing Dove
Common, seen every day at nearly all locations.
Black-billed Wood Dove
Seen at Bund Road, Brufut Woods, Faraba Banta, Tendaba and Yundum.
Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove)
Common around human habitation.
Speckled Pigeon
Very common
African Green Pigeon
2 birds only whilst on a stop en route to Tendaba.
Bruce's Green Pigeon
6 in a tree just outside Tendaba Camp.
Namaqua Dove
Singles and/or pairs seen at the following sites: Pirang, Tendaba, Brikama Woods, Bunaidou Woodland, Marakissa and Cape Point.
Red-eyed Dove
Common
African Mourning Dove
Seen in the Tendaba area. Probably overlooked elsewhere.
Vinaceous Dove
Common
Piapiac
Common in the coastal region with family parties obvious at most sites.
Senegal Coucal
Common, 1 to 8 seen most days at widely scattered sites.
Levaillant's Cuckoo
A brief flight view of one between Soma and Tendaba. 3 at Bijilo Forest on our last morning.
Jacobin Cuckoo
2 immatures being fed by their host parents - Brown Babblers – in the grounds of the Senegambia Hotel.
Greyish Eagle Owl
A pair roosting in a Palm tree - Faraba Banta bush track.
Barn Owl
A rather difficult to see individual roosting in a building at Marakissa River Camp.
White-faced Scops Owl
1 roosting in a tree at the entrance to Brufut Woods.
Pearl Spotted Owlet
A pair at the Cycle track and a single at Marakissa. Heard at the Senegambia.
Long-tailed Nightjar
A brief view of a nightjar during the morning at Brufut Woods was probably this species. 1 briefly seen in flight at the Batterling Bush Track at dusk.
Standard-winged Nightjar
Superb close views of one on the ground at the Batterling Bush Track at dusk. Unfortunately it didn’t have ‘standards’.
Little Swift
Common
Pallid Swift
About 4 at Pirang shrimp pools and about 10 en route to Tendaba.
Mottled Spinetail
Small parties seen en route to Tendaba and near Soma.
African Palm Swift
Common
Black Wood Hoopoe
A pair showed well in the Bunaidou Woodland on the North bank.
Green Wood Hoopoe
Common at Bijilo, Brufut, Abuko, the Cycle track and the Senegambia.
Giant Kingfisher
A pair at Marakissa and a single at Cape Point.
Woodland Kingfisher
Singles seen at the Senegambia Hotel grounds, Brufut Woods, Tendaba and Yara Bamba.
Blue-breasted Kingfisher
Singles seen in the grounds of the Senegambia Hotel, en route to Tendaba, Tendaba and the Kachikally Crocodile Pool.
Striped Kingfisher
Singles at Abuko, Faraba Banta bush track, Batterling bush track and Brikama Woods.
Grey-headed Kingfisher
1 seen on the Tendaba creek crawl.
Pied Kingfisher
Common.
African Pygmy Kingfisher
1 in the grounds of the Senegambia Hotel.
Malachite Kingfisher
Singles seen at the Cycle Track and Pirang. 2 on the Tendaba creek crawl.
Broad-billed Roller
Common. Seen in good numbers hawking for insects in the early evening over the Senegambia Hotel although numbers appeared to drop during the 2nd week.
Blue-bellied Roller
Common. Singles and pairs seen in a variety of locations, mainly coastal.
Rufous-crowned Roller
A single at Brufut, a pair between Tendaba and Soma and singles at Brikama Woods and Yarabama.
Abyssinian Roller
Fairly common with singles and pairs being seen at a number of locations.
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater
Seen in small numbers at Bijilo, Tanji, Brufut Woods and Tendaba.
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Parties seen at Fajara golf course, Bund Road, Pirang, Tendaba and the Cycle Track.
European Bee-eater
Seen on the Tendaba creek crawl and in the Tendaba area in general, plus Bunaidou Woodland, North Bank.
Little Bee-eater
This delightful Bee-eater was common and easily seen, usually in pairs.
White-throated bee-eater
About 4 seen on the Tendaba creek crawl, 6 Batterling Bush Track and 6 at Bijilo Forest.
Rose-ringed Parakeet (Ring-necked Parakeet)
Common
Senegal Parrot
Common
Brown-necked Parrot
3 birds seen in flight at Pirang.
Violet Turaco
2 at Abuko Woods, 2 Brufut woods, 4 en route to Tendaba and 2 at Marakissa.
Western Grey Plantain-eater
Common
Green Turaco
Unfortunately only 1 seen and that was all to brief, at Abuko.
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird
Small numbers seen at a number of locations including the grounds of the Senegambia Hotel.
Bearded Barbet
Fairly common. Singles and pairs seen at a variety of locations including an obliging pair in the Senegambia.
Vieillot's Barbet
2 at Faraba Banta bush track and 4 at Tendaba.
African Pied Hornbill
1 Bijilo Forest, 1 Brufut Woods, 5 together between Tendaba and Soma, 4 Marakissa.
Red-billed Hornbill
Common
African Grey Hornbill
Common
Grey Woodpecker
Fairly common and often seen in the grounds of the Senegambia Hotel.
Fine-spotted Woodpecker
Singles seen at Yundum and Fajara golf course.
Lesser Honeyguide
1 Brufut Woods and a recently fledged bird at Marakissa.
Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark
5 at Soma wetland were rather flighty but eventually a pair showed well along the edge of the road.
Crested Lark
Seen in small numbers at Pirang and Tanji.
Plain-backed Pipit
A pair at Pirang shrimp farm.
Fanti Saw-Wing
Small numbers seen at Bijilo, Brufut, Abuko and Yundum.
Red-rumped Swallow
Common.
Pied-winged Swallow
A single at the Abuko rice fields, 3 Bunaidou Woodland and 2 at Yundum.
Wire-tailed Swallow
Common.
Mosque Swallow
Seen in small numbers at Pirang.
Barn Swallow
A few noted but probably overlooked amongst the commoner and similar looking Red-chested Swallows.
Red-chested Swallow
Common
House Martin
A few seen en route to Tendaba.
Sand Martin
Seen at Pirang shrimp pools.
African Golden Oriole
Fairly common, including the odd bird or two in the grounds of the Senegambia Hotel.
White-breasted Cuckoo-Shrike
A pair of this uncommon and elusive resident showed well along the Faraba Banta bush track.
Red-shouldered Cuckoo-Shrike
A male seen briefly in the mangroves at Tendaba.
Fork-tailed Drongo
Common
White Wagtail
Fairly common. Up to 30 birds roosting on a shipwreck at Bund Road at dusk.
Common Bulbul
Common!!
Yellow-throated Leaflove
Some elusive individuals at Marakissa but about 4 obliging birds at the Kachikally Crocodile Pool.
Little Greenbul
2 seen at Abuko.
Oriole Warbler
1-3 seen at each of the following sites: Abuko, Bijilo, Kachikally Croodile, Senegambia Hotel grounds.
Blackcap Babbler
Common. Usually singles or pairs, very easily seen in the grounds of the Senegambia Hotel.
Brown Babbler
Common. Noisy groups were easy to see in the grounds of the Senegambia Hotel.
Whinchat
A single bird seen along the Batterling Bush Track and up to 5 at Yarra Bamba.
Northern Wheatear
3 or 4 at Yarra Bamba.
Northern Anteater Chat
A family party of 5 in typical habitat just outside Essau, on the North Bank.
White-crowned Robin-Chat
2 or 3 pairs in the ground of the Senegambia were always very obliging. Also seen at Abuko, Kachikally Crocodile Pool and Marakissa.
Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat
1 seen in the grounds of the Senegambia Hotel and a pair at the Kachikally Crocodile Pool.
Common Redstart
3 Bunaidou Woods and 1 Tendaba.
African Thrush
Although common and widespread it was rather shy and elusive at times. However, it was far from shy in the grounds of the Senegambia where it showed well every day.
Western Olivaceous Warbler
Fairly common with up to 3 birds seen in a day at a number of locations.
Melodious Warbler
Singles seen at Brufut woods, Bunaidou Woods and Yara Bamba.
Blackcap
1 in the Senegambia and 1 at Camaloo Corner.
Subalpine Warbler
Fairly common and seen at a number of locations.
Chiffchaff
Fairly common.
Bonelli’s Warbler
2 at Yarabamba and 1 at Yundum.
Zitting Cisticola
Common in suitable habitat e.g. Cape Point and Pirang.
Singing Cisticola
After some brief views at Brufut Woods some good views were had of a number of birds at Yarrabamba.
Red-Winged Warbler
Small numbers seen at Brufut Woods, en route to Tendaba and at Yarrabamba.
Tawny-Flanked Prinia
Fairly common and seen at a number of locations.
Green-Backed Eremomela
1 or 2 birds seen at each of the following sites: The grounds of the Senegambia Hotel, Brufut Woods, Tendaba, Bunaidou Woodland, Yundum and Marakissa.
Northern Crombec
2 at Brufut Woods and 2 at Batterling bush track.
Grey-backed Camaroptera
Singles at the Cycle Track, Brufut Woods, Abuko, Senegambia, Tendaba and Kachikally Crocodile Pool.
Yellow-bellied Hyliota
For an uncommon and elusive species it was really good to have a male perform brilliantly for us at Bunaidou Woods, the North Bank.
Common Wattle-Eye
1-2 birds seen at Brufut Woods, Abuko and Tendaba.
Senegal Batis
A pair at a roadside stop en route to Tendaba.
Pied Flycatcher
1 in the grounds of the Senegambia.
Northern Black Flycatcher
Singles or pairs seen at the following sites: The Senegambia, the Faraba Banta bush track, Brufut Woods, Abuko rice fields and en route to Tendaba.
African Paradise Flycatcher
Singles seen on the Tendaba creek crawl, Abuko and at the Kachikally Crocodile pool.
Red-Bellied Paradise Flycatcher
Singles seen at the Senegambia and Abuko.
Pygmy Sunbird
Brief views of a male in Brikama Woods and then excellent views of a male at Yundum.
Variable Sunbird
Common.
Mouse-Brown Sunbird
Brief views on the Tendaba creek crawl and in the mangroves near Tendaba camp.
Scarlet-chested Sunbird
Fairly common.
Western Violet-backed Sunbird
A female at Brufut Woods.
Splendid Sunbird
Fairly common.
Beautiful Sunbird
Common.
Black-crowned Tchagra
Single birds seen at Brikama Woods and Faraba Banta bush track. Often heard but not seen.
Northern Puffback
A pair at the Faraba Banta bush track and a pair seen in the grounds of the Senegambia.
Yellow-crowned Gonolek
Fairly common but often elusive. However, was always obliging and far from shy in the grounds of the Senegambia.
White-crested Helmet Shrike
A group of 8 birds at Bunaidou Woodlands and a small party at Marakissa.
Woodchat Shrike
Singles seen at Fajara Golf Course, Faraba Banta bush track, Yarrabamba, Yundum and Cape Point.
Yellow-billed Shrike
Common. Family groups frequently seen at a variety of locations including the Senegambia.
Greater Blue-eared Glossy Starling
Common. Easily seen in the grounds of the Senegambia.
Lesser Blue-eared Glossy Starling
Common. As with the last species easily seen in the grounds of the Senegambia.
Purple Glossy Starling
Common.
Bronze-tailed Glossy Starling
2 birds were in seen in the Senegambia grounds but only on one day.
Long-tailed Glossy Starling
Common
Yellow-billed Oxpecker
A group of about 10 birds were seen on cattle between Tendaba and Soma.
White-billed Buffalo-Weaver
Common. With the Cycle track area being particularly good due to the nearby breeding colony. But also seen in good numbers at Tendaba.
Yellow-fronted Canary
Fairly common with singles and pairs seen in a scattering of locations.
House Sparrow
Fairly common around human habitation.
Grey-headed Sparrow
Common.
Bush Petronia
1 Brufut Woods and up to 10 seen in the area west of Tendaba Camp.
Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver
1 showed well at Batterling bush track near Tendaba.
Northern Red Bishop
Common in suitable habitat.
Black-winged Red Bishop
Displaying males seen with females at Faraba Banta bush track and en route to Tendaba.
Village Weaver
Very common.
Little Weaver
1 or 2 birds seen en route to Tendaba, 2 on the Tendaba creek crawl, 2 west of Tendaba Camp and 2 at Yundum.
Black-necked Weaver
Singles and pairs seen at the following sites: Bijilo Forest, Abuko and the Senegambia.
Orange-cheeked Waxbill
2 on the roadside stop en route to Tendaba.
Lavender Waxbill
Fairly common, seen at the Senegambia, Brufut Woods and Tendaba.
Black-rumped waxbill
Small numbers seen en route to Tendaba, plus along the track east of Tendaba Camp and a single bird near Soma.
Red-cheeked Cordon-Bleu
Common
Red-billed Firefinch
Common
African Silverbill
2 in the grounds of the Senegambia Hotel.
Bronze Mannikin
Small groups were common and seen at most locations.
Pin-tailed Whydah
A non-breeding plumaged male was seen briefly en route to Tendaba.
Village Indigobird
A male with 2 females showed well on the edge of the road as we walked to Bijilo Forest from the Senegambia and then apart from a few brief drive-by sightings a female showed well along the Batterling bush track.
Cutthroat Finch
A single bird at the Tendaba airfield.
Quail-Finch
A single bird showed briefly at Pirang shrimp pools.
Western Bluebill
Abuko Forest: 2 very vocal males fighting, presumably a territorial dispute, just past the Darwin Centre and a female from the ‘photographers hide’ at the animal orphanage.
Total number of species = 252
OTHER WILDLIFE
Amphibians & reptiles
Square-marked Toad
African Bull Frog
African Reed Frog
Nile Crocodile
Nile Monitor
Agami Lizard
House Gecko
Skink sp.
Lizard sp.
Snake sp.
Mammals
Gambian Giant Rat
Gambian Sun Squirrel
Striped Ground Squirrel
Gambian Fruit Bat
Epulatted Fruit Bat
Scrub Hare
Patas Monkey
Vervet Monkey
Red Colobus
Warthog
Butterflies
Citrus Swallowtail
African Swallowtail
Guineafowl
Blue Pansy
Yellow Pansy
Butterflies sp.
Interesting Insects
Rhinocerous Beetle
Nephila Spider
Stick Insects sp.
Preying Mantis sp.
Dragonflies sp.
John Wright
Email: johnpw2@tiscali.co.uk