Leaders: William Apraku and Paul Mensah
Participants: Mike Clarke, Andrew Crutchley, Gemma Crutchley, Tim Jones, John Wright,Vince Kinsler (Author).
Precis: As part of a larger circle of friends, with an affiliation to the Southend Ornithological Group, that have birded together home and abroad many times previously, we six embarked on a 10 day tour of southern Ghana. Having all visited The Gambia at least once each previously, along with various East African areas, we were familiar with many species and keen to explore some of the 40 Important Bird Areas that Ghana has to offer. By the end of the tour we had enjoyed great views of many stunning birds including, of course, the enigmatic Yellow-headed Picathartes, an absolute ‘must see’, it is in a genus of just two species and unlike any other bird any of us had ever seen before!
Cost/Organisation: MC admirably carried out all the arrangements/bookings from the UK and our ground agent in Ghana was Ashanti African Tours (www.ashantiafricantours.com).
Flights: British Airways: Heathrow to Accra return (7 hour flight) £550
Visa 3month tourist visa from Ghanaian Embassy (7 day postal turn round) £50
Tour: accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner and (endless) snacks, mineral water, transportation, fuel, driver/guide fees, Park entrance fees and several beers!! £1100
Field guide: Birds of Ghana by Nik Borrow, Ron Demey (Helm 2010)
Medical: Yellow fever vaccination is a requirement, although this was not checked. Anti-malarials are also necessary for a trip to the area.
Thursday 3rd November 2011
A 2:30pm flight from Heathrow finally took off at 3:45pm after a couple decided they wanted to get off the flight as it started to taxi! Landing at 9:45pm we were quickly through to be met by William, Paul and our driver, Alex Twumbarina. We loaded onto our 16 seater air-con bus and on to the Alexis Hotel, Tema, a 40 min drive from the airport. Time for an introductory talk by William and a welcome beer. We were instantly made to feel very welcome and were playfully trained in some basic Twi (the local language). MC, keen to express his new linguistic skills, repeatedly asked for another “akka-brooey!?” Puzzled looks ensued until it was realised that when he had complemented the beer, William had explained it was from the Accra brewery, MC mistakenly thinking this was still part of the Twi lesson! On that note it was off to bed for a comfortable but all too short 4 hours sleep!
Friday 4th November 2011 Very hot and sunny
Breakfast at 5am, the daily omelette and toast. Then onto a dry savannah reserve, Shai Hills resource Reserve by 5:45am. Familiar species like Cattle Egret, Laughing Dove, Black shouldered Kite and Pied Crows were noted as the sun rose, but as the air heated up so did the action. Displaying pairs of Gabar Goshawk and Shikra, and great views of Bataleur and Long crested Hawk-eagle were raptor highlights and dry forest/grassland species like Yellow mantled Widowbird, Ahanta Francolin, Red shouldered Cuckoo-shrike, Green headed Sunbird and Yellow fronted Tinkerbird noted. A Fine spotted Woodpecker was impressively called in and on reaching Sayu Cave a fine pair of Mocking Cliff Chats were great value along with our only Violet Turaco and on the return walk a ‘scoped Yellow winged Pytilia.
By 1115am it was very hot indeed and we headed back to the hotel for a lunch of fish, curried chicken and rice in the shade. Heading out again at 1230 we stopped at the coastal Sakumono Lagoon where some Palearctic terns, herons and waders boosted our trip total. Of note, our only White faced Whistling ducks, Purple Heron and Black Herons were seen here.
Departing at 2:20pm we spent the next 6 hours making slow progress through traffic jams in Acera travelling west to Cape Coast and then north to Kakum arriving at Rainforest Lodge, the last section of the journey seemingly punctuated by oversized rumble strips every 100 metres or so! Sadly, Rainforest Lodge is not within or in close proximity to any kind of forest but it was clean and comfortable and we were able to leave washing here for our return a few days later.
Saturday 5th November 2011 Hot and sunny
Breakfast at 5am and out onto the nationally famous Canopy Walkway at Kakum NP by 545am. The walkway is a series of platforms around huge trees linked by rope bridges 130 feet from the ground. It wasn’t initially teeming with birds but the variety became staggering as the morning progressed and some great views were obtained. Several African Grey Parrots put a bogey species to rest for some of us. Klaas & Emerald Cuckoos, Forest Wood-hoopoe, White crested, Brown cheeked, Yellow casqued and Black casqued Hornbills were top quality. There is something rather primeval in viewing one of the huge ‘casqued’ hornbills atop a giant tree within a pristine rainforest.
Other morning highlights were a stunning Blue Cuckooshrike and an African Piculet which appeared just feet from us.
We headed back to the Lodge late morning for a siesta and some lunch, before returning to Kakum around 330pm. A walk in the forest proved completely birdless, not a great surprise given that the walkway above us was full of very loud western tourists! Once the din had subsided we climbed back onto the walkway until dusk. We enjoyed views of a fine pair of Sharpes Apalis, Ashy Flycatcher, Forest Chestnut-winged Starlings, Johannas and Tiny Sunbirds, and pairs of Lemon bellied Crombec and Sabines Puffback. Lesser spot nosed Monkeys and Mona Monkeys kept us entertained and as dusk approached a wonderful Bat Hawk was watched successfully hunting. Finally on the approach road after dark a couple of Pottos were spotlighted. Dinner at 8pm.
Sunday 6th November 2011 Misty start, burning off. Clouds/shower pm
Up at 4:30am, a quick breakfast then to Antikwaa, near Kakum, for a cooler morning walk along a road through degraded forest and grassland.Our first real skulker, a Western Nicator gave itself up for a nice start and soon we had had a pair of Forest Penduline Tits, Red fronted Parrots, our first Crested Malimbe (the scarcest member of this eye-catching family during our trip), a Fire bellied Woodpecker, and our first Black and Rosy Bee-eaters of the tour plus an African Harrier-hawk using its long legs to reach into nest holes whilst clinging to a tree trunk!
Further along, a Forest Flycatcher, Grey Longbill and a group of the peculiar Bristle nosed Barbets were all memorable. Then as we reached a small copse at the end of the path there was a flurry of activity. Firstly a Honey Buzzard flew low in front of us, then ‘scope views of calling Hairy breasted Barbet and Red rumped Tinkerbird, and remarkably, a second great African Piculet view, this time at a tiny nest hole in the end of a tree branch. A mixed flock of mainly bulbuls produced our only Golden Greenbuls and our best views of Swamp-palm Greenbuls.
Back to the coach at 1130am then onto a quick midday stop at the village of Praso to look under the road bridge over the River Pra. Fortunately we could do this from the shade of riverside palm trees as the sun was now blistering. Our two targets here were Rock Pratincole, thirteen of which were resting on the shaded bridge supports and White throated Blue Swallow, surely a candidate for world’s smartest hirundine! A pair of these beauties were watched flying low over the river either side of the bridge.
Lunch was taken back at Rainforest Lodge at 1pm and time for a quick dip in the pool before heading out at 3:30pm to Ebkawopa Road for a walk in some more degraded forest and scrubland. Here we had our only Green Turacos and our first large flock of White throated Bee-eaters (80+).
Also on this walk we recorded our first Fanti saw-wings, Simple Greenbul, Red-faced Cisticola, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Vieillots Black Weavers and some fine male Pin-tailed Whydahs. After dark a Black-shouldered Nightjar eventually showed itself as it called from the top of roadside bushes. Back to Rainforest Lodge at 7:30pm and a sadly familiar meal of dried fish and rice was helped down by a few Star lagers.
Monday 7th November 2011
As usual, breakfast at 5am then heading out birding before the sun becomes too strong. This morning we took a short drive to the Ebkawopa Road again and walked a different section to the previous afternoon. Our only sightings of Cassins Hawk Eagle, Black collared Lovebird , Blue-shouldered Robin-chat, Puvell’s Illadopsis, Whistling Cisticola, Shrike Flycatcher, Yellow spotted and Yellow billed Barbets, Yellow whiskered and White-throated Greenbuls plus African Emerald Cuckoo, Pygmy Kingfisher and Blue billed Firefinches meant that this was a truly unforgettable morning. However, what will stick most vividly in the memory was the fourteen Rosy Bee-eaters preening and chattering on a lofty branch in the bright sunlight. These gems are perhaps understated within the bee-eater family and yet one of the most stunning when seen well.
At lunch time we checked in at the San Court Hotel in Essipon and ate and cooled down. We were pleasantly surprised to find we had an air conditioned double room each! As we headed out again, this time to bird Nsuta Forest we were treated to a close pair of Lanner falcons hunting which included a successful high speed swoop into the hotel gardens!
Highlights of the afternoon/evening in Nsuta Forest were Sabines Spinetails, our first Piping Hornbills, Naked-faced Barbets, Square-tailed Saw-wing, Orange Weavers plus single Western Black-headed Oriole and a Dusky Blue Flycatcher.
An Akun Eagle Owl flew onto a tree bough at dusk to provide a fitting end to an impressive day.
A good buffet dinner followed with a few celebratory beers back at the San Court Hotel before turning in.
Tuesday 8th November 2012
Up and ready for an early 4.30am omelette which frustratingly didn’t arrive till 5am so a rapid feed and back onto the Nsuta Forest trails until 11.15am. An African Goshawk overhead got the ball rolling. Yellow billed Turacos and African Green Pigeons gave good views here and our only Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher and the subtle Finsch’s Flycatcher-thrush both showed well too. A stake out for White-spotted Fluff-tail gave most of us tantalising views of the most widespread member of this revered African family, but such is its legendary status we all left wanting more!
Further along the track a small band of Red-billed Helmet-shrikes called to each other in the low canopy and where we turned to head back we got great prolonged views of our only Honeyguide Greenbul as it fed on berries.
Driving on toward Ankasa we stopped at Takoradi at the Akroma Plaza for lunch. The food here was excellent, with both local and international food options on the menu, however, it was somewhat slow in arriving, the whole lunch stop taking nearly two hours!
Next stop Ankasa NP,this is Ghana’s only pristine wet evergreen Upper Guinea rainforest and was, we hoped, to be a highlight of the tour. We stopped at the junction 6km from the Park and transferred into two 4WD high clearance vehicles due to flooding and only unmade access into Ankasa. Our driver, Alex, who had been with us from the start remained with the coach until we met up again on Thursday. MC thanked him and wished him a restful couple of days off. A puzzled GC then pointed out the fact that Alex was across the road and MC was, much to his embarrassment, talking to a complete stranger! Cue merciless ribbing from the rest of us!
The journey into the park definitely required our new method of transport but on arrival at the camp we discovered it had already been set up by the Ashanti guys and so we couldn’t wait to get onto the trails and walked up to three forest pools by the side of the track. Our first Icterine Greenbul was less memorable than our first tiny White-bellied Kingfisher on a stump in a very picturesque forested pool. The sun was setting fast but still there was still time for more. A loud, nasal k-HAH, k-HAH above the forest was soon followed by a pair of the difficult to see Spot-breasted Ibis flying across the clearing. Fantastic!
On the return walk a couple of Akun Eagle Owls flew across the path and the mythical Nkulengu Rail called from a distant canopy. Maybe we should have cut a swathe through the undergrowth and headed in its direction as we were not to hear another.
A meal of Joloffe rice around the camp-fire was one of our best, especially considering the basic facilities! At 9pm we retired to our tents and managed variable success at sleeping in them.
Wednesday 9th November 2012
A 5am breakfast as the birds got on the move. If the ibises the previous dusk weren’t enough to justify the decision to camp in Ankasa to guarantee dawn/dusk in the forest, the calling Chocolate-backed Kingfisher in the camp-site canopy rubber stamped it. We walked up to near where the ibises had flown over and were surprised to hear a Black Cuckoo calling constantly. A brief search of the canopy of the enormous trees that lined the road traced the culprit, and another ‘once only’ species for the trip was under the belt. A Forest Robin became another member of this select group, deep in the undergrowth along with a pair of equally skulking Green-tailed Bristlebills.
One of the birds of the trip was the unmistakeable Long tailed Hawk. Yesterday we had several more than adequate views of this forest raptor but this morning we had a stunning chestnut fronted adult float low over our heads and alight in a tree bow above us. Simply breath-taking!
As we walked up to a fire break a fine Congo serpent-Eagle was hunting over the tree line and it was here on the pylon wires with another flock of White-throated Bee-eaters that we scoped three Blue throated Rollers and as we returned toward camp for lunch two shy Red-billed dwarf Hornbills eventually showed well leaving just the most difficult of Ghana’s 10 hornbills to go!
Lunch was quickly devoured as there was plenty of activity around the campsite and a mixed flock gave a chance to compare Yellow bearded and Western bearded Greenbuls plus prolonged views of Buff spotted Woodpecker and the attractive Green Hylia.
The afternoon was interrupted by an incredible downpour and confrmed that we were certainly in a rainforest! We sought shelter in the education centre…two ran there ahead of the rain, two got very wet and the other two traded staying dry under umbrellas for looking a bit camp!
The late afternoon highlights were a Black-bellied Seedcracker low over, a feeding Western Bluebill and at the pools a pair of Black-capped Apalis, Woodland, Blue-breasted and White bellied Kingfishers.
Again a fine meal was produced, a tuna curry and noodles and even a crate of beer had turned up too! Needless to say a better night’s sleep seemed to have been had all round.
Thursday 10th November 2012
TJ got up at 4am for a call of nature and literally that is what he got. The call of an African Wood Owl to be precise and with the help of his torch it was soon located. Who said beer is not good for you!
A last hike up to the three forest ponds to look for the rare and localised Hartlaub’s Duck which had so far eluded us. Pool One, again no ducks, Pool Two, same story and with the drama of that ‘this is our last chance’ moment we all crept in a tight group toward the final pool and peered round into the gap that revealed the vegetated water. “What’s that!” It was the drake splashing immediately out of view and not even identifiable to our majority. Then a pristine female Hartlaub’s Duck and ten(!) ducklings swam serenely from near us into the open water. Magic!
A quick hike back to load up the camp and we headed out toward the perimeter stopping to walk and bird as we went. This was very productive particularly when we discovered an ant swarm. Its attendants included a (relatively) showy pair of Red-tailed Bristlebills, Ansorges Greenbul, a pair of White-tailed Ant-thrushes and a very obliging White-tailed Alethe .
Further along a tiny Red-thighed Sparrowhawk was heard by William and duly located and set up in the scope way up in the highest canopy. An impressive find. Finally a pair of Brown-eared Woodpeckers was even new for our other guide, Paul!
Finally reaching the main road we said goodbye to Ankasa, having had a fantastic insight into its diversity, it is a special place that will live long in the memory.
We took a late lunch back at the Akroma Plaza, which thankfully wasn’t as lengthy an episode as our previous visit and then took a 90 minute drive to Brenu Akyinim, an area of agricultural grassland. Among the typical species of the habitat were Bar breasted Firefinch, Black rumped Waxbill, Red-winged Warbler, Mosque Swallow plus familiar winterers in the shape of Whinchat and Yellow Wagtail. The stand out birds were a fine Marsh Tchagra, a pair of impossibly bright Yellow-crowned Gonoleks, a Tropical Boubou and a couple of Wilson’s Indigobirds feeding close to us in stubble.
We then picked up the Ashanti CEO, Mark Williams, and, as night fell, stopped in the area around Brimso Reservoir where we saw up to six Long-tailed Nightjars and a Frasers Eagle Owl with its distinctive wing pattern. Arriving about 8pm back at good old Rainforest Lodge we collected our washing, had dinner and washed it down with a few complimentary beers. A comfy bed in an air-con room was most welcome after our camping trip!
Friday 11th November 2012
Today is the big day! A 5am breakfast was notable in itself in that each of us having been competitive throughout the trip in the token number of baked beans we received with our omelettes could only look on in envy as TJ posted a record count, never to be beaten, of 33!
Later than planned, we headed to West Kakum-Aboabo arriving at 7am. However it was still very misty and bird activity was slow. Our only Bronze-naped Pigeon, three showy Didric Cuckoos chasing each other and a fine Kemps Longbill were worthy of mention.
Back on the bus we celebrated the unique time of 11secs past 11 minutes past the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of Two thousand and Eleven in typically ridiculous fashion, before taking a packed lunch stop at a small roadside stream which, we were told, was a good sight for Preuss’s Cliff Swallow. A single WoodlandKingfisher cut a lonely figure with no hirundines to be seen. A few minutes passed and the air was suddenly filled with around 200 of our target species loafing overhead. There is no substitute for local knowledge!
Early afternoon, we arrived at the village of Bonkro and were greeted by the local children who were very excited to see us. We happily gave over all the biscuits, sweets, snacks and pens we could find within our bus to the little ones. We were then shown through the village to some scrubland where a Yellow-throated Tinkerbird and two fabulous Black Bee-eaters caught our attention before we ascended through the middle of the day in ferocious heat and humidity to a forested ridge at Bereku.
For 2.5 hours we waited fairly motionless on a rock by a small cave, partly due to the heat and partly not to spook anything. William lay snoring behind us for the early part and TJ literally used twigs to prop open his eyes-lids in a bid to stay awake! At 4:20 though, the nervous anticipation turned to frantic desperation as a whisper from my left of “There’s one!” reached my ears. We were all jammed into a tight space and no-one dared move and risk scaring the bird. The shady forest floor that sloped away below us was a mass of tree trunks and vine tangles interspersed with smooth rocks. “It’s sitting on that vine.” was the next whisper, then “It’s moving right” “Have you got it?” interspersed with lots of “wow!” and pretty much every term of endearment you could think of to describe such a sought after creature! After what seemed like forever, my insides were now churning, I was thinking “I’m going to miss this, everyone else can see it and I can’t. Why now, why this bird, this is the one I so wanted to see!” Then a movement down below, ’bins’ up, still there sitting in the ‘U’ of a vine close to the ground. Anguish vanished, briefly replaced by relief and in turn by a more lengthy period of awe! A YELLOW-HEADED PICATHARTES sat quietly, then bouncily hopped onto a rock, then onto the forest floor. Unlike any other bird I had ever seen. A perfect sheen to its back making no individual feather discernible, long legs, long tail, a remarkably large black eye a strong, thick black beak and strange black ‘ear muffs’ stood out against the bright yellow head, this colour subtlely washing into the pure white underparts around the neck. Transfixed, and with now a full compliment of elated souls, we soaked up every view as the bird bounded silently about its business before exiting stage right. As a finale, another two birds took the same route some twenty minutes later and were equally absorbing. A wonderful experience!
As the sun began to set we began our descent and nearing the village we had some nice views of a Rufous-sided Broadbill with its comical display, a whirring sound as it flies up in a short loop to return to its exact same perch within a second of taking off. Ordinarily a contender for ‘bird of the day’, but not today! Back at the village we said our goodbyes and headed to our digs, Hotel Rexmar, Kumasi. An excellent dinner of beef in oyster sauce and, of course, a celebratory beer or two rounded off a memorable day!
A wonderful hat-trick of the best of Ghanaian birding, and all this afternoon!
Saturday 12th November 2012
This morning we were up, fed and gone by 5:45am and arrived at Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary by 7am. The next four hours were spent walking/birding the trails and for those with even the slightest interest in Lepidoptery, the numbers and most noticeably the number of different species of butterflies here was quite staggering. In fact Ghana currently boasts a staggering 928species of butterfly and here they were everywhere!
Birding was pretty good here too and a shy pair of Black-throated Coucals in a large bamboo clump, a more showy pair of Green Wood-hoopoes, a Tessman’s Flycatcher and a calling Narina’s Trogon eventually tracked down to a lofty perch in the tallest canopy, were birds we saw nowhere else. It was however, the final bit of our 10 piece hornbill jigsaw, and Africa’s rarest to boot, which took the plaudits. A fine Black Dwarf Hornbill flew from perch to perch in the tall trees above our heads giving a fine performance, much to the relief of its audience!
Back onto the coach for a cool down and off for lunch via a quick unscheduled stop en route at Oframuase for some impressive local pottery as souvenirs. This was the first time I had ever haggled upwards on a potential purchase as I felt the vendor was definitely selling herself short!
A quick lunch at Linda D’or Service Station before checking in at our final night’s accommodation, the Royal Bleumich Hotel, Akim-Tafo at 3:30pm. We quickly headed straight back out to nearby Atewa fora some scrub/farmland birding for the last couple of hours daylight. News birds still kept coming, in the form of a perched African Hobby , a Palm-nut Vulture, Yellow White-eyes, Magpie Mannikins, a Broad-billed Roller and a fine pair of stocky Black and White Flycatchers. Two declining summer visitors to the UK, Garden Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher were also present here and the best bird was a very attractive and unexpected Cassin’s Honeybird.
Dinner of chicken or fish, a couple of beers to aid our last night’s sleep and lights out at 10.30pm.
Sunday 13th November 2012
Decent nights sleep followed by our last omelette then back to Atewa, this time to climb up to the forested ridge above the village. We set out at 5:45 and reached the top at 11:30 birding as we went. The first top drawer bird, and what a stunner, was the seldom seen Yellow-throated Cuckoo. It sang and showed very well flying between trees in the area we had visited the previous evening.
There was a slight hiccup as I stopped to photo the cuckoo when unbeknown to me at the time I missed the fork in the track where everyone else had gone on left and I continued right! My increasingly frequent alarm calls went unheeded, whilst some of the crew tried to tempt out an elusive Illadopsis, and once the chance of a new species had ebbed away from them, my rescue became the priority!
As the path plateaued out a pair of aptly named Many-coloured Bush-shrikes hopped out of a vine tangle, whilst Tit-hylia, Olive-green Camaroptera, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Brown chested Alethe and three Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrikes were also excellent finds.
As we began to descend William was cursing his luck. “I think we’ve missed the (Blue-headed) Bee-eater. We are too low now.” Not too dejected, having just seen some fantastic birds, we mumbled that it was a shame, being such a striking and local species and an air of slight anti-climax descended with us.
A Wood Warbler and a couple of Red chested Swallows were late additions to the trip and then in a wonderfully dramatic finale, a stunningly vivid Blue-headed Bee-eater sat on an exposed branch not far above us sallying to and fro, much to our delight! This was a real high point of the trip and was certainly way beyond ‘last chance saloon’!
Unfortunately, with highs there come lows, and when AC tripped on a vine across the path torso first onto a protruding sharp sapling trunk we were all deeply concerned. The Ashanti guides dealt with the situation by dousing him head to toe in water which, if nothing else brought some humour to the situation! Fortunately we were all able to, albeit gingerly, carry on and with the last of our drinking water still dripping off of the injured party we headed straight back to the coach!
A very nice take away pizza back at Linda D’Or and then back to the hotel for a shower before loading up and heading to the airport. A quick stop at a small pool near Accra gained us Moorhen and Black Crakeas our final new trip birds. Finally reaching the airport we enjoyed a last meal with William, Paul and Alex where we were presented with Ashanti tee shirts . We then said an emotional goodbye to TJ who was flying back to his home of over 10 years in Sydney, Australia having spent much of his life as an active SOG member. Always entertaining company it was great to be able to get together with him again. The logistics of getting back to Oz meant that he had an extra day with the Ashanti boys and spent it at Shai Hills once again.
The different birds he recorded on 14th Nov ’11 demonstrate the diversity on offer and included Lizard Buzzard, Stone Partridge, Levaillants Cuckoo, Rufous-crowned and Blue bellied Rollers, Double toothed Barbet, Grey Woodpecker and White crested Helmet-shrikes.
Overall
Ghana was a very friendly, safe country to bird and search for Upper Guinea specialities. The accomodations were modest and the food generally fine (just the odd gastric issue!) and the climate mainly hot and humid. The diversity of fauna was often spectacular and there are sites, particularly Ankasa and Kakum, that would be well worth longer attention. There is no doubt that we maximised our time by having Ashanti African Tours as our ground agent. We cannot speak highly enough of William and Paul, who were not only very sharp in the field, both with eyes and ears, but were great company and constantly ensured that all our needs were met, from the moment we woke to well into the evening nothing was too much trouble. We also met up with the company boss, Mark Williams, a few times during the tour and again found him very attentive to our wishes, (and very generous at the bar!).
As long as you don’t expect 5 star luxury, you will enjoy Ghana, its people, its beautiful natural areas and its varied and diverse fauna.
All records below seen by 1 or more members of our group. Heard only records (19) added at the end, followed by additional species seen on TJ’s 1 day extension.
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) 2 on drive Ankasa to Kakum on 10/11.
Long-tailed Cormorant (Phalacrocorax africanus)
Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11, Bobiri on 12/11.
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11,Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11, Nsuta Forest on 07/11, drive Ankasa to Kakum on 10/11.
Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
(African) Great Egret (Ardea alba melanorhynchos) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
Black Heron (Egretta ardesiaca) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
Intermediate Egret (Egretta intermedia) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11,Brenu Akyinim on 10/11, drive Ankasa to Kakum on 10/11,1 at Bobiri on 12/11,Adawso on 13/11
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11, drive Ankasa to Kakum on 10/11.
Western Reef Egret (Egretta gularis) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11/, 1 on Drive Ankasa to Kakum on 10/11
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) Very common
Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
Spot-breasted Ibis (Bostrychia rara) 2 at Ankasa on 08/11 Heard calling at dusk then thankfully flew over the gap above us.
White-faced Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna viduata) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
Hartlaub's Duck (Pteronetta hartlaubii) 1 pair with 10 ducklings at Ankasa on 10/11.
European Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus) 1 at Kakum on 05/11.1 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11.
Bat Hawk (Macheiramphus alcinus) 1 at Kakum on 05/11.
Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus) 1 at Shai Hills on 04/11, drive Ankasa to Kakum on 10/11, 1 at Atewa on 13/11.
Yellow-billed Kite (Milvus migrans aegyptius/parasitus)Very common throughout
Palm-nut Vulture (Gypohierax angolensis) 1 at Atewa on 12/11.
Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) Common throughout
Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) 1 adult at Shai Hills on 04/11.
Congo Serpent Eagle (Dryotriorchis spectabilis) 1 at Ankasa on 09/11.
Eurasian Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
African Harrier-hawk (Polyboroides typus) Fairly common in suitable habitat. Seen most days.
Gabar Goshawk (Micronisus gabar) 2 at Shai Hills on 04/11.
Red-chested Goshawk (Accipiter toussenelii) 1 at Nsuta Forest on 08/11, Ankasa on 10/11, 2 at Atewa on 13/11.
Shikra (Accipiter badius) 2 at Shai Hills on 04/11.
Red-thighed Sparrowhawk (Accipiter erythropus) 1 at Ankasa on 10/11.
Black Sparrowhawk (Accipiter melanoleucus) 1 at Ebekawopa Road on 06/11.
Long-tailed Hawk (Urotriorchis macrourus) 1 (Rufous form) at Nsuta Forest on 08/11. after initial brief sighting, eventually came back over giving prolonged views.1 at Ankasa on 09/11. Again the bird gave good views in flight and perched briefly.
Red-necked Buzzard (Buteo auguralis)
1 at Shai Hills on 04/11, drive Ankasa to Kakum on 10/11, 1 at Atewa on 13/11.
Long-crested Eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis) 3 at Shai Hills on 04/11.
Cassin's Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus africanus) 1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11. (Plus another 2 brief unidentifed hawk eagles seen during tour)
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) Kakum on 05/11,1 on drive Ankasa to Kakum on 10/11,1 at Shai Hills on 04/11,Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11/.
Grey Kestrel (Falco ardosiaceus) 1 at Nsuta Forest on 08/11,1 at Brenu Akyinim on 10/11, 1 at Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11,2 at Atewa on 12/11
African Hobby (Falco cuvierii) 1 at Atewa on 12/11,2 at Atewa on 13/11
Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus) 2 at Shai Hills on 04/11,2 at Nsuta Forest on 07/11,1 at Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11,2 at Atewa on 12/11.
Ahanta Francolin (Francolinus ahantensis) 1 at Shai Hills on 04/11,2 at Atewa on 13/11.
Double-spurred Francolin (Francolinus bicalcaratus)8 at Shai Hills on 04/11,1 at Brenu Akyinim on 10/11.
White-spotted Flufftail (Sarothrura pulchra) Heard at Nsuta Forest on 07/11,1 at Nsuta Forest on 08/11, giving brief but tantalizing views. A star bird.Heard at Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11.
Black Crake (Amaurornis flavirostra) Heard at Ankasa on 09/11, 1 at Adawso on 13/11
Eurasian Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) 1 at Adawso on 13/11
African Jacana (Actophilornis africanus) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11Kakum on 05/11
Nsuta Forest on 08/11, 1 at Adawso on 13/11
Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
Senegal Thick-Knee (Burhinus senegalensis) 1 at Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) 2 at Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
Rock Pratincole (Glareola nuchalis) 13 at Praso on 06/11. Roosting on concrete bridge supports.
Spur-winged Lapwing (Vanellus spinosus) 4 at Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
African Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus senegallus) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11, 10 at Adawso on 13/11.
Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) 2 at Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11,
Praso on 06/11,1 at Brenu Akyinim on 10/11 rather oddly on a vegetable patch!
drive Ankasa to Kakum on 10/11,1 at Adawso on 13/11.
Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis) 1 at Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
Little Stint (Calidris minuta) 2 at Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
Little Tern (Sternula albifrons) 2 at Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) 1 at Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis sandvicensis) 2 at Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11.
Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus albididorsalis) Drive Ankasa to Kakum on 10/11.
Rock Dove (Columba livia) Feral pigeons present in most towns
Western Bronze-naped Pigeon (Columba iriditorques) 1 at Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11.
Red-eyed Dove (Streptopelia semitorquata) Fairly common – seen most days
Vinaceous Dove (Streptopelia vinacea) Shai Hills on 04/11.
Laughing Dove(Streptopelia senegalensis) Very common
Blue-spotted Wood Dove (Turtur afer) Shai Hills on 04/11,Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,Nsuta Forest on 08/11,1 at Brenu Akyinim on 10/11,Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11,1 at Atewa on 13/11.
Tambourine Dove (Turtur tympanistria) 1 at Kakum on 05/11,Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,Nsuta Forest on 08/11,1 at Ankasa on 10/11,1 at Atewa on 13/11.
Blue-headed Wood Dove (Turtur brehmeri) Heard at Kakum on 05/11,1 at Ankasa on 09/11, Heard at Ankasa on 10/11, Heard at Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11, 1 at Bobiri on 12/11,2 at Atewa on 13/11
African Green Pigeon (Treron calvus) Fairly common, seen most days in suitable habitat
Black-collared Lovebird (Agapornis swindernianus) 1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11. Heard calling and seen flying over a clearing very fast!
Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus) 6 at Kakum on 05/11,5 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11.
Red-fronted Parrot (Poicephalus gulielmi) Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,Nsuta Forest on 08/11,1 at Bobiri on 12/11,Atewa on 13/11.
Senegal Parrot (Poicephalus senegalus) Shai Hills on 04/11.
Green Turaco (Tauraco persa) 1 at Ebekawopa Road on 06/11.
Yellow-billed Turaco (Tauraco macrorhynchus) Fairly common. Seen or Heard at most locations
Violet Turaco (Musophaga violacea) 1 at Shai Hills on 04/11.
Western Grey Plantain-Eater (Crinifer piscator) Shai Hills on 04/11,Ebekawopa Road on 06/11,Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,Brenu Akyinim on 10/11,Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11.
Black Cuckoo (Cuculus clamosus) 1 at Ankasa on 09/11.
Yellow-throated Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx flavigularis) 1 at Atewa on 13/11/2011. This excellent bird showed very well and in the end we walked away from it.
Klaas's Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx klaas) Heard at Shai Hills on 04/11,1 at Kakum on 05/11,Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,Bobiri on 12/11,Heard at Atewa on 13/11.
African Emerald Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus) 1 at Kakum on 05/11, 1 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11, 1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11, 1 at Nsuta Forest on 08/11.Heard Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11and at Atewa on 13/11
Didric Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx caprius) Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11.
Yellowbill (Ceuthmochares aereus) 5 at Kakum on 05/11,Nsuta Forest on 08/11,Bobiri on 12/11, 3 atAtewa on 13/11.
Black-throated Coucal (Centropus leucogaster) Fairly common but very secretive bird. Heard at most forest locations but only glimpsed by a couple of the group at Bobiri on 12/11.
Senegal Coucal (Centropus senegalensis) Again fairly common, but in more open scrubhabitat than the former species and not as secretive!
Fraser's Eagle-Owl (Bubo poensis) 1 at Kakum on 10/11 responded to tape and spotlighted in obscured cover.Heard at Bonkuro on 11/11.
Akun Eagle-Owl (Bubo leucostictus) 1 at Nsuta Forest on 07/11 responded to tape and showed very well on an open branchgiving scope views.2 at Ankasa on 08/11 - flew out of cover and over a clearing at dusk.
African Wood Owl (Strix woodfordii) Heard at Nsuta Forest on 07/11,Heard at Ankasa on 09/11,1 at Ankasa on 10/11. Seen by TJ on a late night toilet visit!
Black-shouldered Nightjar (Caprimulgus nigriscapularis) 1 at Ebekawopa Road on 06/11.
Long-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus climacurus) 6 at Kakum on 10/11.
Black Spinetail (Telacanthura melanopygia) 1 at Ankasa on 10/11.
Sabine's Spinetail (Rhaphidura sabini) Kakum on 05/11,2 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,
Nsuta Forest on 08/11, 1 at Ankasa on 09/11, 1 at Atewa on 13/11.
Cassin's Spinetail (Neafrapus cassini) Kakum on 05/11,Nsuta Forest on 08/11,Ankasa on 10/11,Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11,Bobiri on 12/11.
African Palm Swift (Cypsiurus parvus) Common in suitable habitat
Common Swift (Apus apus) Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,Ebekawopa Road on 07/11, Nsuta Forest on 08/11, Ankasa on 09/11, Ankasa on 10/11.
Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus) 1 at Ankasa on 10/11. According to the range map not meant to be in this area, but we found this bird in a flock of A.Apus.
Little Swift (Apus affinis) Common. Seen at most sites.
Bates's Swift (Apus batesi) Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,Ankasa on 09/11 and 10/11.
Narina Trogon (Apaloderma narina) 1 at Bobiri on 12/11,Heard at Atewa on 13/11/2011.
Chocolate-backed Kingfisher (Halcyon badia) 1 at Ankasa on 09/11,Heard at Atewa on 13/11
Blue-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon malimbica) Heard at Ankasa on 08/11,1 at Ankasa on 09/11, 1 at Ankasa on 10/11
Woodland Kingfisher (Halcyon senegalensis) Commonest kingfisher, seen at most sites and along roadsides
African Pygmy Kingfisher (Ceyx pictus) 1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11.
1 at Bobiri on 12/11
White-bellied Kingfisher (Alcedo leucogaster) 1 at Ankasa on 08/11,1 at Ankasa on 09/11, 2 at Ankasa on 10/11.
Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11
Blue-headed Bee-eater (Merops muelleri mentalis) 1 at Atewa on 13/11. Seen very well perched over the track - A real gem and a fitting end to our trip!
Black Bee-eater (Merops gularis) 3 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,3 at Bonkuro on 11/11.
White-throated Bee-Eater (Merops albicollis) Very common, seen in good numbers at most sites
European Bee-Eater (Merops apiaster) Shai Hills on 04/11.
Rosy Bee-Eater (Merops malimbicus) Kakum on 05/11,Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,
Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,Nsuta Forest on 08/11. Somenicely perched individuals finally gave us a good look at his lovely species.
Blue-throated Roller (Eurystomus gularis) Ankasa on 09/11.
Broad-billed Roller (Eurystomus glaucurus) 1 at Atewa on 12/11.
Forest Woodhoopoe (Phoeniculus castaneiceps)1 at Kakum on 05/11
White-headed Woodhoopoe (Phoeniculus bollei) 2 at Bobiri on 12/11
African Pied Hornbill (Tockus fasciatus) Common – seen at most sites and on journeys.
African Grey Hornbill (Tockus nasutus) Shai Hills on 04/11
Black Dwarf Hornbill (Tockus hartlaubi) 1 at Bobiri on 12/11
Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill (Tockus camurus) 1 at Ankasa on 09/11
White-crested Hornbill (Tropicranus albocristatus) 4 at Kakum on 05/11,1 at Bobiri on 12/11,Heard at Atewa on 13/11
Piping Hornbill (Bycanistes fistulator) 3 at Nsuta Forest on 07/11,Ankasa on 08/11,Nsuta Forest on 08/11,Ankasa on 09/11,Ankasa on 10/11,Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11.
Brown-cheeked Hornbill (Bycanistes cylindricus) Kakum on 05/11
Black-casqued Hornbill (Ceratogymna atrata) 2 at Kakum on 05/11
Yellow-casqued Hornbill (Ceratogymna elata) 2 at Kakum on 05/11
Yellow-billed Barbet (Trachyphonus purpuratus) 1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11, Heard at Atewa on 13/11
Bristle-nosed Barbet (Gymnobucco peli) Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11
Naked-faced Barbet (Gymnobucco calvus) 4 at Nsuta Forest on 07/11,2 at Nsuta Forest on 08/11,Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11,Bobiri on 12/11.
Speckled Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus scolopaceus) Fairly common – seen at most sites in small numbers
Red-rumped Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus atroflavus) Heard at Kakum on 05/11,1 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,Heard at Atewa on 13/11.
Yellow-throated Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus subsulphureus) 1 at Kakum on 05/11,Heard at Ankasa on 09/11,1 at Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11
Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus bilineatus) 1 at Atewa on 13/11
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus chrysoconus) 2 at Shai Hills on 04/11.
Yellow-spotted Barbet (Buccanodon duchaillui) 1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11.
Hairy-breasted Barbet (Tricholaema hirsuta) 1 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,1 at Nsuta Forest on 08/11,1 at Ankasa on 10/11,1 at Bobiri on 12/11.
Vieillot's Barbet (Lybius vieilloti) 2 at Shai Hills on 04/11
Cassin's Honeybird (Prodotiscus insignis) Heard at Nsuta Forest on 08/11,1 at Atewa on 12/11
Thick-billed Honeyguide (Indicator conirostris) 1 at Kakum on 05/11.
African Piculet (Sasia africana) 1 at Kakum on 05/11,1 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11
Fine-spotted Woodpecker (Campethera punctuligera) 1 at Shai Hills on 04/11
Little Green Woodpecker (Campethera maculosa) 1 at Kakum on 05/11
Buff-spotted Woodpecker (Campethera nivosa) 1 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,2 at Nsuta Forest on 08/11, 2 at Ankasa on 09/11,1 at Atewa on 13/11
Brown-eared Woodpecker (Campethera caroli) 2 at Ankasa on 10/11
Melancholy (Gabon) Woodpecker (Dendropicos lugubris) 2 at Kakum on 05/11,1 at Bobiri on 12/11,1 at Atewa on 13/11
Fire-bellied Woodpecker (Dendropicos pyrrhogaster) 2 at Kakum on 05/11,1 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11.
Rufous-sided Broadbill (Smithornis rufolateralis) 1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,
Heard at Kakum on 05/11, at Nsuta Forest on 08/11 and at Ankasa on 09/11 &10/11,1 at Bonkuro on 11/11,1 at Atewa on 13/11.
Flappet Lark (Mirafra rufocinnamomea) Shai Hills on 04/11
Preuss's Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon preussi) Adeomra on 11/11
Square-tailed Saw-wing (Psalidoprocne nitens) Nsuta Forest on 07/11,1 at Nsuta Forest on 08/11,Ankasa on 10/11,Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11,Atewa on 13/11.
Fanti Saw-Wing (Psalidoprocne obscura) Kakum on 05/11,1 at Ebekawopa Road on 06/11,Ebekawopa Road on 07/11.
Common Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) 2 at Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11,Praso on 06/11.
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Very common
Red-chested Swallow (Hirundo lucida) 2 at Atewa on 13/11/2011.
White-throated Blue Swallow (Hirundo nigrita) 2 at Praso on 06/11
Lesser Striped Swallow (Cecropis abyssinica) 1 at Kakum on 05/11,Praso on 06/11,
1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11
Mosque Swallow (Cecropis senegalensis)2 at Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11,
1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,Brenu Akyinim on 10/11.
Yellow-throated Longclaw (Macronyx croceus) 4 at Shai Hills on 04/11.
African Pied Wagtail (Motacilla aguimp) 3 at Kakum on 05/11,1 at Praso on 06/11.
Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) drive from Sukomona Lagoon to Kakum on 04/11.
Blue Cuckoo-Shrike (Coracina azurea) 2 at Kakum on 05/11,1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,1 at Bonkuro on 11/11,2 at Bobiri on 12/11.
Red-shouldered Cuckoo-Shrike (Campephaga phoenicea) 1 at Shai Hills on 04/11
Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike (Campephaga quiscalina) 1 adult male, 1 adult female, 1 immature at Atewa on 13/11
Common Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) Common throughout
Little Grey Greenbul (Andropadus gracilis) Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,Ebekawopa Road on 07/11
Ansorge's Greenbul (Andropadus ansorgei) 2 at Ankasa on 09/11,2 at Ankasa on 10/11
Plain (Cameroon Sombre) Greenbul (Andropadus curvirostris) 1 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,1 at Ankasa on 09/11,1 at Ankasa on 10/11,1 at Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11.
Slender-billed Greenbul (Andropadus gracilirostris) Fairly common, seen at most sites.
Yellow-whiskered Greenbul (Andropadus latirostris)1at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,
Heard at Kakum on 05/11, at Nsuta Forest on 08/11, at Bonkuro on 11/11 and at Atewa on 13/11.
Little Greenbul (Andropadus virens)1 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,Heard at Kakum on 05/11 and at Ankasa on 09/11,1 at Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11,1 at Atewa on 12/11
Golden Greenbul (Calyptocichla serina) 2 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11
Honeyguide Greenbul (Baeopogon indicator) Heard at Kakum on 05/11, at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11, at Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11 and at Bobiri on 12/11, 1 at Nsuta Forest on 08/11 showed well in a low isolated tree – usually a high canopy species.
Spotted Greenbul (Ixonotus guttatus) Kakum on 05/11,Ebekawopa Road on 07/11.
Simple Greenbul (Leaflove) (Chlorocichla simplex) 1 at Ebekawopa Road on 06/11, 2 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,1 at Brenu Akyinim on 10/11,1 at Atewa on 12/11,1 at Atewa on 13/11
Swamp Palm Greenbul (Bulbul)(Thescelocichla leucopleura) Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,Heard at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11.
Icterine Greenbul (Phyllastrephus icterinus) 1 at Nsuta Forest on 08/11,Ankasa on 09/11,Ankasa on 10/11,Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11,Bobiri on 12/11,1 at Atewa on 13/11
White-throated Greenbul (Phyllastrephus albigularis) Heard at Kakum on 05/11,Ebekawopa Road on 07/11.
Red-tailed Bristlebill (Bleda syndactylus) 1 at Atewa on 13/11
Green-tailed Bristlebill [eximius] (Bleda eximius) 1 at Ankasa on 09/11,Heard at Ankasa on 10/11,2 at Atewa on 13/11
Western Bearded Greenbul (Criniger barbatus) 3 at Ankasa on 09/11,1 at Atewa on 13/11
Red-tailed Greenbul (Criniger calurus) Heard at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,Ankasa on 09/11,Ankasa on 10/11,Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11,Bobiri on 12/11,Atewa on 13/11
Yellow-bearded Greenbul (Criniger olivaceus) 2 at Ankasa on 09/11,1 at Ankasa on 10/11.
Western Nicator (Nicator chloris) 1 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,1 at Nsuta Forest on 08/11,1 at Ankasa on 10/11,Heard at Atewa on 13/11.
Finsch's Flycatcher-Thrush (Stizorhina finschi) Heard at Kakum on 05/11,1 at Nsuta Forest on 08/11,1 at Ankasa on 09/11,Heard at Atewa on 13/11.
White-tailed Ant Thrush (Neocossyphus poensis) Heard at Kakum on 05/11 and at Ankasa on 09/11, 2 at Ankasa on 10/11. Showed superbly – feeding on the entrance road occasionally!1 at Atewa on 13/11.
African Thrush (Turdus pelios) 1 at Shai Hills on 04/11.
Brown-chested Alethe (Pseudalethe poliocephala) 1 at Atewa on 13/11.
White-tailed Alethe (Alethe diademata diademata) Heard at Kakum on 05/11,1 at Ankasa on 10/11. Showed superbly – feeding on the entrance road occasionally!
Mocking Cliff Chat (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris [cinnamomeiventris-group]) 3 at Shai Hills on 04/11.
Forest Robin (Stiphrornis erythrothorax) 1 at Ankasa on 09/11.Heard at Kakum on 05/11, at Ankasa on 08/11 and at Atewa on 13/11.
Blue-shouldered Robin-chat (Cossypha cyanocampter) 1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11.
Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat (Cossypha niveicapilla) 2 at Shai Hills on 04/11.
Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra) 1 at Shai Hills on 04/11,1 at Brenu Akyinim on 10/11,1 at Atewa on 12/11
Fraser's Forest Flycatcher (Fraseria ocreata)1 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,2 at Ankasa on 10/11
Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) Shai Hills on 04/11,Atewa on 12/11 and 13/11
Ashy Flycatcher (Muscicapa caerulescens) 1 at Kakum on 05/11.
Cassin's Flycatcher (Muscicapa cassini) 1 at Ankasa on 10/11.
Olivaceous Flycatcher (Muscicapa olivascens) 1 at Atewa on 13/11.
Dusky-blue Flycatcher (Muscicapa comitata)1 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,
1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,1 at Atewa on 13/11.
Tessmann's Flycatcher (Muscicapa tessmanni) 1 at Bobiri on 12/11.
Ussher's Flycatcher (Muscicapa ussheri) Kakum on 05/11,2 at Nsuta Forest on 08/11,
Ankasa on 09/11,Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11
Grey-throated Flycatcher (Myioparus griseigularis) 1 at Atewa on 13/11
European Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) 1 at Shai Hills on 04/11
Shrike-flycatcher (Megabyas flammulatus) 1at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,
Heard at Atewa on 13/11
Black-and-white Flycatcher (Bias musicus) 2 at Atewa on 12/11
Red-cheeked Wattle-Eye (Dyaphorophyia blissetti) 1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,Heard at Atewa on 13/11
Chestnut Wattle-eye (Dyaphorophyia castanea) 1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,1 at Nsuta Forest on 07/11,1 at Ankasa on 09/11,Bobiri on 12/11,1 at Atewa on 13/11
Common Wattle-eye (Platysteira cyanea) 1 at Shai Hills on 04/11,Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11
Red-bellied Paradise-flycatcher (Terpsiphone rufiventer) 2 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,Ankasa on 09/11,Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11,Bobiri on 12/11,Atewa on 13/11
Chestnut-capped Flycatcher (Erythrocercus mccallii) Kakum on 05/11,Nsuta Forest on 08/11,Bobiri on 12/11
Tawny-flanked Prinia (Prinia subflava) Shai Hills on 04/11,Heard at Antwi Kwae Road and Ebekawopa Road on 06/11 and Ebekawopa Road on 07/11
Red-winged Warbler (Heliolais erythropterus) 2 at Brenu Akyinim on 10/11
Red-faced Cisticola (Cisticola erythrops) 1 at Ebekawopa Road on 06/11,1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,2 at Atewa on 12/11
Whistling Cisticola (Cisticola lateralis) 1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11
Croaking Cisticola (Cisticola natalensis) Shai Hills on 04/11
Short-winged Cisticola (Cisticola brachypterus) Shai Hills on 04/11
Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis) Shai Hills on 04/11
Black-capped Apalis (Apalis nigriceps) 1 at Ankasa on 09/11,Heard at Atewa on 13/11
Sharpe's Apalis (Apalis sharpii)2 at Kakum on 05/11,Heard at Ankasa on 10/11, at Bobiri on 12/11 and at Atewa on 13/11.
Grey-backed Camaroptera (Camaroptera brachyura) Heard at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11, at Brenu Akyinim on 10/11and at Shai Hills on 04/11,2 at Atewa on 12/11
Yellow-browed Camaroptera (Camaroptera superciliaris)1 at Kakum on 05/11,1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,1 at Nsuta Forest on 08/11,Heard at Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11 and at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11
Olive-green Camaroptera (Camaroptera chloronota) Heard at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11 and at Nsuta Forest on 08/11,1 at Atewa on 13/11
Kemp's Longbill (Macrosphenus kempi) Heard at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11 and at Atewa on 13/11,1at Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11
Grey Longbill (Macrosphenus concolor) 1 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,1 at Nsuta Forest on 08/11,Heard at Ankasa on 09/11 and at at Atewa on 13/11
Green Hylia (Hylia prasina) 1 at Kakum on 05/11,1 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,
Ankasa on 09/11,Ankasa on 10/11,Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11,Heard at Nsuta Forest on 08/11 and at Atewa on 13/11
Wood Warbler(Phylloscopus sibilatrix) 1 at Atewa on 13/11
Senegal Eremomela (Eremomela pusilla) Shai Hills on 04/11
Rufous-crowned Eremomela (Eremomela badiceps) Kakum on 05/11
Green Crombec (Sylvietta virens) 1 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,1 at Nsuta Forest on 08/11,Ankasa on 10/11,Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11
Lemon-bellied Crombec (Sylvietta denti) 1 at Kakum on 05/11,1 at Atewa on 13/11
Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin) 1 at Atewa on 12/11
Yellow-headed Picathartes (Picathartes gymnocephalus) 3 at Bonkuro on 11/11/2011.
Puvel's Illadopsis (Illadopsis puveli) 1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,Heard at Nsuta Forest on 08/11
Brown Illadopsis (Illadopsis fulvescens) Heard at Nsuta Forest on 08/11,1 at Atewa on 13/11
Brown Babbler (Turdoides plebejus) Shai Hills on 04/11
White-shouldered BlackTit (Parus guineensis) 1 at Shai Hills on 04/11
Forest Penduline Tit (Anthoscopus flavifrons) 3 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11
Tit-hylia (Pholidornis rushiae) 1 at Atewa on 13/11
Fraser’s Sunbird (Deleornis fraseri) 1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,1 at Atewa on 13/11
Brown Sunbird (Anthreptes gabonicus) 2 at Praso on 06/11,1 on drive Ankasa to Kakum on 10/11
Little Green Sunbird (Anthreptes seimundi) Kakum on 05/11,Bobiri on 12/11
Green Sunbird (Anthreptes rectirostris rectirostris) Kakum on 05/11
Collared Sunbird (Anthodiaeta collaris) Kakum on 05/11
Green-headed Sunbird (Cyanomitra verticalis) 1 at Shai Hills on 04/11
Blue-throated Brown Sunbird (Cyanomitra cyanolaema) 1 at Kakum on 05/11,1at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,1 at Ankasa on 10/11
Olive Sunbird (Cyanomitra olivacea) Kakum on 05/11,1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,Nsuta Forest on 08/11,Ankasa on 09/11 and 10/11,Atewa on 13/11
Buff-throated Sunbird (Chalcomitra adelberti) 6 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,
Atewa on 12/11 and 13/11
Olive-bellied Sunbird (Cinnyris chloropygius) Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,Bobiri on 12/11,Atewa on 13/11
Tiny Sunbird (Cinnyris minullus) Kakum on 05/11,Nsuta Forest on 08/11,1 at Ankasa on 09/11,Bonkuro on 11/11
Splendid Sunbird (Cinnyris coccinigastrus) Shai Hills on 04/11,drive Ankasa to Kakum on 10/11
Johanna's Sunbird (Cinnyris johannae) 2 at Kakum on 05/11,Nsuta Forest on 08/11,Atewa on 13/11
Superb Sunbird (Cinnyris superbus) 2 at Kakum on 05/11,1 at Nsuta Forest on 08/11,
1 at Ankasa on 09/11,Bobiri on 12/11,Atewa on 13/11
Copper Sunbird (Cinnyris cupreus) Shai Hills on 04/11,1 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,Drive Ankasa to Kakum on 10/11
Yellow White-eye (Zosterops senegalensis) 2 at Atewa on 12/11
Western Black-headed Oriole (Oriolus brachyrhynchus) 1 at Kakum on 05/11,
Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,1 at Ankasa on 09/11 and 10/11
Black-winged Oriole (Oriolus nigripennis)3 at Kakum on 05/11,Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,Nsuta Forest on 08/11,Bobiri on 12/11,1 at Atewa on 13/11
Common Fiscal (Lanius collaris)Fairly common in more open areas and along roadsides.
Yellow-billed Shrike (Corvinella corvina) Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11
Black-crowned Tchagra (Tchagra senegalus) Shai Hills on 04/11,1 at Brenu Akyinim on 10/11,1 at Atewa on 12/11
Marsh Tchagra (Tchagra minutus) 1 at Brenu Akyinim on 10/11,1 at Atewa on 13/11
Sabine’s Puffback (Dryoscopus sabini) 1 at Kakum on 05/11,1 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,1 at Nsuta Forest on 08/11,2 at Bobiri on 12/11
Northern Puffback (Dryoscopus gambensis) 2 at Shai Hills on 04/11,2 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,2 at Atewa on 12/11
Tropical Boubou (Laniarius aethiopicus) 1 at Brenu Akyinim on 10/11
Yellow-crowned Gonolek (Laniarius barbarus) 2 at Brenu Akyinim on 10/11
Many-coloured Bushshrike (Chlorophoneus multicolor) 2 at Atewa on 13/11
Red-billed Helmetshrike (Prionops caniceps) Nsuta Forest on 08/11,Ankasa on 10/11,Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11,Bobiri on 12/11,Heard at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11 and at Atewa on 13/11.
Shining Drongo (Dicrurus atripennis) 1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,Bobiri on 12/11,1 at Atewa on 13/11
Fork-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis) Shai Hills on 04/11
Velvet-mantled Drongo (Dicrurus modestus) Fairly common – seen at most sites
Piapiac (Ptilostomus afer) Shai Hills on 04/11,Accra on 13/11
Pied Crow (Corvus albus) Very common
Violet-backed Starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster)
Shai Hills on 04/11,Kakum on 05/11,Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,Nsuta Forest on 08/11,Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11
Forest Chestnut-winged Starling (Onychognathus fulgidus) Kakum on 05/11,1 at Atewa on 13/11
Splendid Glossy Starling (Lamprotornis splendidus) Common – seen at most sites
Lesser Blue-eared Glossy Starling (Lamprotornis chloropterus) 2 at Sukomona Lagoon on 04/11
Copper-tailed Glossy Starling (Hylopsar cupreocauda) Kakum on 05/11,Heard at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,Ankasa on 08/11 and 09/11 and 10/11, Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11
Northern Grey-headed Sparrow (Passer griseus) Common around settlements
Black-winged Bishop (Euplectes hordeaceus) Ebekawopa Road on 06/11,Brenu Akyinim on 10/11
Yellow-mantled Widowbird (Euplectes macroura) Shai Hills on 04/11,
Brenu Akyinim on 10/11
Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus) Common
Orange Weaver (Ploceus aurantius) 2 at Nsuta Forest on 07/11,Nsuta Forest on 08/11,
drive Ankasa to Kakum on 10/11
Vieillot's Black Weaver (Ploceus nigerrimus) Ebekawopa Road on 06/11 and 07/11, Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11, Atewa on 12/11 and 13/11
Black-necked Weaver (Ploceus nigricollis) 1 at Shai Hills on 04/11,Ebekawopa Road on 06/11,Atewa on 13/11
Yellow-mantled Weaver (Ploceus tricolor) Kakum on 05/11, Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11Bobiri on 12/11,Atewa on 13/11
Preuss' Weaver (Ploceus preussi) 4 at Kakum on 05/11
Maxwell's Black Weaver (Ploceus albinucha) Kakum on 05/11,4 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,Nsuta Forest on 08/11,Ankasa on 09/11 and 10/11
Crested Malimbe (Malimbus malimbicus) 1 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,2 at Nsuta Forest on 08/11,1 at Ankasa on 09/11,Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11,Bobiri on 12/11
Blue-billed (Grey's) Malimbe (Malimbus nitens) Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,Ankasa on 09/11 and 10/11,Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11
Red-headedMalimbe (Malimbus rubricollis) Kakum on 05/11,Bobiri on 12/11
Red-vented Malimbe (Malimbus scutatus) Kakum on 05/11,1 at Ankasa on 09/11 and 10/11,Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11,Atewa on 13/11
Pin-tailed Whydah (Vidua macroura) Kakum on 05/11,Ebekawopa Road on 06/11 and 07/11,Nsuta Forest on 08/11,Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11,Atewa on 12/11
Wilson’s Indigobird (Vidua wilsoni) 3 at Brenu Akyinim on 10/11
White-breasted Negrofinch (Nigrita fusconotus) Kakum on 05/11,Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11
Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch (Nigrita bicolor) Kakum on 05/11,Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,1 at Nsuta Forest on 08/11,Ankasa on 09/11 and 10/11,Bobiri on 12/11
Grey-headed Negrofinch (Nigrita canicapillus) Fairly common – seen at most sites
Orange-cheeked Waxbill (Estrilda melpoda)Shai Hills on 04/11,Ebekawopa Road on 06/11 and 07/11, Brenu Akyinim on 10/11,Atewa on 12/11 and 13/11
Black-rumped Waxbill (Estrilda troglodytes) Brenu Akyinim on 10/11.
Black-bellied Seedcracker (Pyrenestes ostrinus) Heard at Ebekawopa Road on 06/11,1 at Ebekawopa Road on 07/11,1 at Ankasa on 09/11,1 at Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11
Western Bluebill (Spermophaga haematina) 1 at Antwi Kwae Road on 06/11,1 at Ankasa on 09/11, Heard at Atewa on 13/11
Yellow-winged Pytilia (Pytilia hypogrammica) 1 at Shai Hills on 04/11
Bar-breasted Firefinch (Lagonosticta rufopicta) Kakum on 05/11,Brenu Akyinim on 10/11
Blue-billed Firefinch (Lagonosticta rubricata) Ebekawopa Road on 07/11
Bronze Mannikin (Spermestes cucullata) Fairly common in grassy or crop areas.
Magpie Mannikin (Spermestes fringilloides) 2 at Atewa on 12/11
Black-and-white Mannikin (Spermestes bicolor) Ebekawopa Road on 06/11 and 07/11,Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11,Atewa on 12/11 and 13/11
The extra day Tim spent at Shai Hills and Sukomona Lagoon on 14th November yielded the following species not seen on the main tour:
Lizard Buzzard, Peregrine, Stone Partridge, Grey Plover, Green Sandpiper, Sanderling, Ruff, Levaillant’s Cuckoo, Striped Kingfisher, Rufous-crowned Roller, Blue-bellied Roller, Double-toothed Barbet, Cardinal Woodpecker, GreyWoodpecker, Grey-headed Bristlebill, Singing Cisticola, Northern Black Flycatcher, Variable Sunbird, White-crested Helmet-shrike, Purple Glossy Starling and Northern Red Bishop (21 species)
Heard Only Records (19 species)
Forest Francolin (Francolinus lathami) Ebekawopa Road on 06/11
Nkulengu Rail (Himantornis haematopus) Ebekawopa Road on 06/11, Ankasa on 08/11
Red-chested Cuckoo (Cuculus solitarius) Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11, Bonkuro on 11/11,Atewa on 13/11
Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo (Cercococcyx olivinus) Ebekawopa Road on 07/11, Aboabo (Kakum) on 11/11
Red-chested Owlet (Glaucidium tephronotum) Ankasa on 09/11
Brown Nightjar (Caprimulgus binotatus) Kakum on 05/11, Nsuta Forest on 07/11
Least Honeyguide (Indicator exilis) Bobiri on 12/11
Grey-headed Bristlebill (Bleda canicapillus) Fairly widespreadand heard in most places…..but never got more than untickable glimpses!
Forest Scrub Robin (Erythropygia leucosticta) Atewa on 13/11 in deep thicket – ashame as we would have loved to seen this one!
Blue-headed Paradise-flycatcher (Trochocercus nitens) Fairly widespreadand heard in most places…..but never got a glimpse!
African Blue Flycatcher (Elminia longicauda) Ebekawopa Road on 07/11
Singing Cisticola (Cisticola cantans) Shai Hills on 04/11, Brenu Akyinim on 10/11
Oriole Warbler (Hypergerus atriceps) Shai Hills on 04/11,Brenu Akyinim on 10/11
Black-capped Illadopsis (Illadopsis cleaveri) Atewa on 13/11. Despite chasing into thicket this species eluded us!
Rufous-winged Illadopsis (Illadopsis rufescens) Atewa on 13/11. Despite chasing into thicket this species eluded us!
Pale-breasted Illadopsis (Illadopsis rufipennis)Ankasa on 09/11
Sooty Boubou (Laniarius leucorhynchus) Ebekawopa Road on 06/11 and 07/11
Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike (Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus) Brenu Akyinim on 10/11
Green-backed Twinspot (Mandingoa nitidula) Heard at Atewa on 13/11 – again frustrating as a species we would all have loved to see.
Tour 306 species seen
Plus 21 (Shai Hills extension)
Plus 19 (Heard only)
TOTAL 346 species recorded
Mammals of note:
Olive Baboon (Papio Anubis) Shai Hills on 04/11
Mona Monkey (Cercopithecus mona) Kakum on 05/11
Lessser Spot-nosed Monkey (Cercopithecus petaurita) Kakum on 05/11
Potto (Perodicticus potto) 2 spot-lighted at Kakum on 05/11
Fire-footed Rope Squirrel (Funisciurus pyrropus) Ankasa on 10/11
Green Squirrel (Paraxers poensis) 1 at Atewa Hills on 13/11
Slender tailed Squirrel (Protoerus aubinnii) 2 at Aboaba Forest on 10/11
Pel’s Anomalure (Anomalurus peli) 1 at Aboaba on 10/11, seen flying!
Common Cusimanse Crossarchus obscurus) 1 at Atewa on 09/11