INTRODUCTION:
My wife, Laura, browsed the internet for hours in order to determine the most convenient and cost effective way to fly to Gambia from Montreal, Canada. Royal Air Maroc, although not ideal , was our choice over Montreal to the U.K. or from other European sites, and then on to the capital of Gambia - Banjul.
November 4: We were scheduled to leave Montreal at 6:35 pm. While sitting in the airport watching passengers disembark from the Casablanca to Montreal flight which shortly was to be our mode of transport, a fire suddenly started under the plane with great billows of black smoke cascading over the tail structure of the aircraft while passengers scurried down a ramp into relative safety. Later we found out that the baggage unloading machine caught fire, but within minutes no less than 5 fire trucks were on site and the flames were quickly brought under control. It took several hours of waiting for the “ powers that be” to determine that our flight was cancelled until midnight the next day - a delay of some 30 hours. We were put up at a hotel near the airport with meal vouchers provided.
November 7: Arrived in Banjul at 2:30 am. (local time) after a long delay in Casablanca where we were put up at an hotel for a rest since the waiting period between flights was so long. The wifi connections were so poor at the airport and the hotel in Casablanca that we were not able to contact our guide - Ebou concerning our delay. The Banjul airport at this time of night was virtually abandoned, but we were able to fine someone with a cell phone who called Ebou in the middle of the night. We paid him for his service and about 30 minutes later we were finally driven to our hotel in Kotu which was to be our home base for the next 7 days. An unbelievable start to a birding vacation when you consider the flight time from Montreal to Casablanca is 7.5 hours and from Casablanca to Banjul is 3.5 hours - yet it took us over 2 days to reach our destination. No wonder that during the next week when we were asked where we came from and said Canada - a look of wonder appeared on the faces of the questioners. To get here is a hard and arduous task. However, over the next 14 days, having seen 230 species (139 of which were lifers) and a number that were rare or endangered , our flight problems became a distant, but unpleasant memory.
LOGISTICS, COSTS, ACCOMMODATION, ETC.
My wife and I (both 75 years of age) decided that we would like to visit Gambia to investigate the unique birdlife, the ideal weather at this time of year (start of the dry season) and the friendly attitude of its people without any fear of hostilities or personal danger. To a large extent these objectives were realized. Our 2 sons, both avid birders, will undoubtedly visit Gambia at some point in the future in order to experience these same objectives.
1. Having read numerous “Bird Reports” we decided to contact www.birdtoursgambia.com who then sent our email to Ebou Berry, with whom we made all the financial and logistical arrangements prior to our departure from Canada.
2. The arrangements included pick up and return to the airport, accommodation for 7 nights (with breakfast) at the Badala Park Inn, all guiding services, transport and entrance fees at coastal locations, transport and services plus accommodation up river for 5 nights plus 2 river tours. The only expenses we had were lunch and dinner daily.
3. Prior to our arrival in Gambia we paid Ebou (via Western Union) the equivalent of US$100 in local currency, ie. Dalasi in order to confirm our birding dates Nov. 7 - 20.
4. Ebou’s first choice for our one week coastal location was the Palm Beach Hotel, but he changed us to the Badala Park Inn, which proved to be in our estimation much superior. Our room on the second floor overlooked a potential garden, with mature trees and during our stay we identified 20 different species of birds while sitting on our balcony. The Badala has a large pool, 2 restaurants serving good food and a very friendly staff. The General Manager, Jargalai Mboge, was very helpful in assisting my wife with her internet concerns. The Badala with its location in Kotu , owns a sister hotel next door - Palm Beach Hotel, right on the ocean with swimming privileges extended. On one occasion we had dinner at the Palm Beach, but much preferred the quiet ambiance of the Badala.
5. A bonus, when staying at the Badala, is that you are within walking distance of some of the prime birding locations - the Kotu Creek, Fajara Golf Course, Kotu Ponds (sewage lagoons) and the Casino Track. You should be able to identify close to 100 species by yourself before even considering a bird guide.
6. On our 1st. day of birding I paid Ebou the balance of our costs which for 2 persons was US$2650. This works out to a little less than $100 daily per person - excluding lunch and dinner.
7. On our trip up river we initially were to stay 2 nights Tendaba, 2 nights Baobolong , I night Basse. This was changed to 1 night Tendaba, 3 nights Baobolong and final night back at Tendaba. We found no problem with this since the birding was very good around the Baobolong location.
8. US dollars, UK pounds and Euros may be easily changed at locations around the coast - more difficult and expensive up river. Exchange rate was 38D per Us dollar. Hotel rate was 37D.
ITINERARY
Nov. 7 - After a few hours sleep we met our guide Ebou at 7:30 am to bird around the Kotu creek, rice fields, Kotu Ponds and the Fajara Golf Course. In late pm. We walked the Casino Cycle Track.
Nov. 8 - 7:30 to 12:00 - Abuko Nature Reserve
4:00 to 7:pm - Tanji Sea Front and the Bird Reserve. We stopped birding around 6pm. as Ebou was experiencing the onset of malaria - a common and widespread disease in Gambia.
Nov. 9 - 7:30 - 12:00 - Brufut Woods
4:00 - 6 pm. - This proved to be the least productive of any of our birding ventures. I got the distinct impression that Ebou was attempting to tire us out - tramping through knee deep wet rice fields with never a bird in sight. We walked along the main highway for a km or so in order to see an African Jacana before we told him to walk back , pick up the car and drive us to our hotel.
Nov. 10 - 7:30 -18:30 - Madinaba, Pirang Shrimp Farm and Bonto Forest. - Since this was a full day trip with lunch provided , Ebou took us to his family home, where his sister provided a very delicious curry beef meal. He was still feeling the effects of malaria so we decided to omit the Farasutu Forest and the Faraba Bantang Bush Track that was scheduled for the pm. We returned to our hotel around 2:30pm.
Nov. 11 - 7:30 - 18:30 - Another full day was scheduled for Marakissa and Darsilami. The road to Darsilami proved to be impassable for Ebou’s car so we only visited the Marakissa Woods. In the pm. we birded the Bund Road, having told Ebou that we were unprepared to do any more extensive walking through wetland rice fields.
Nov. 12-For some reason Ebou suggested that we would go to the Tendaba Camp up river. We were insistent that he follow the prescribed itinerary, which was to the Tujering Woods in the am. and Bijilo Forest in the pm. We suggested to him to combine both in the morning and we would spend the pm around the pool at our hotel.
Nov. 13 - 7:30 - 18:30 - Another full day was scheduled. At this point we were quite satisfied to bird only in the am. and to return to the Badala for the pm. We birded the Farasutu Forest area before returning to Kotu in the early pm.
Nov. 14 - Ebou picked us up at 7:30 for our 5 night up river trip. He had hired a driver- Jerry, so he would be able to spot raptors along the journey. This was one of Ebou’s strong points as we were able to identify over 20 species of raptors during this 2 week trip. In the evening after arriving at Tendaba, we birded the Kiang West National Park in order to search for the Ground Hornbill and the Standard-winged Nightjar.
Nov. 15 - After breakfast we drove from Tendaba to the ferry crossing to the North Shore of the Gambia River, stopping at Soma for the Egyptian Plover. The 115 Km. drive from Farrafenni to Georgetown was very bird friendly. We arrived at the Baobolong River Camp for a 3 night stay late in the afternoon Nov. 16 - After breakfast we crossed the Gambia River to the North side again in order to some roadside birding around Wassu. In the afternoon we drove east to the town of Basse, stopping at Bansang to see the Red-throated Bee-eater colony. In late pm a trip along the Gambia River and creek tributary was very productive.
Nov. 17 - After breakfast we recrossed the Gambia River again in order to search for the Northern Carmine Bee-eater. We found not only the the Bee-eaters but 2 magnificent Martial Eagles and a female Black-bellied Bustard.
Nov. 18 - After breakfast at Baobolong we went to the Jahally Rice Fields where Painted Snipe, Quailfinch, Black Coucal were identified. We drove back on the south side of the Gambia River to reach Tendaba around 4:00pm. for our final night up river. I suspect Ebou failed to make definite reservations and we were forced to drive to a much more basic lodge at Kalagi.
Nov. 19 - After breakfast at 6 am. we drove back to Tendaba for the river trip and were joined by 2 other birders. Ebou acted as primary guide, although an assistant was very helpful in showing us a White-backed Night-Heron. We drove back to the coast after an unproductive venture into Kiang West National Park.
Nov. 20 - A much needed day of rest at Badala Ebou picked us up at 11pm. for the trip to the airport.
Nov. 21 - Around 2 am, we started our long trip home again.
BIRD GUIDE, GRATUITIES AND MISC.
1. We gave Ebou a pair of used Nikon binoculars after he emailed us prior to our departure asking if we could get him a pair of binoculars since the ones he owned were very poor. His claim was that he did not want to miss any birds during our trip.
2. Having birded on several continents with a variety of Bird Guides over the past 20 years, Ebou proved to be one of the best spotters that we ever have encountered. However, he is far from being an excellent Bird Guide. He could learn a lesson from the wardens at Brufut Woods and Bonto Forest who were both considerate and patient with respect to our age and eyesight as we attempted to locate unfamiliar birds in unfamiliar forests. Typically, Ebou would point to the location of the bird in question, and then left you to find it on your own. He is equipped only with binoculars and an expert eye.
3. If you are young with good eyesight and willing to keep up the hurried pace that Ebou maintains, then you will see many species .
4. I consider that the binoculars that we gave him to be more than adequate as a gratuity for his birding services. His driver (Jerry) for the up river part of our trip, the wardens at Brufut and Bonto, plus the boat drivers and bird spotters up river were all rewarded accordingly for their services.
5. The best birding locations which would merit a return visit during your one week stay at the coast would be, in our estimation: A) Abuko Nature Reserve
B) Brufut Woods
C) Pirang Bonto Community Forest
6. Both our river trips (Tendaba and Georgetown) were excellent, providing a relaxing atmosphere with the opportunity to see many bird species.
7. In our opinion, the following strategy would be a course of action to follow for a 2 week birding trip in Gambia.:
A) upon arrival in Banjul take a taxi to your hotel of choice. As an example, the Badala Park Inn had plenty of rooms available at 1600D per night for a double, including breakfast. Exchange at 38D per US$1 works out to approximately $US 42:00 Good birding locations are within walking distance.
B) There are many birding guides looking for clients around the Kotu area. By using your own powers of intuition and conversation , hire a guide for a half day at an agreed price in order to see if he meets your expectations. By doing so, you will find a guide and a price that will be satisfactory for your up river trip to Tendaba and Georgetown the following week.
C) This plan will allow you to bird on your own if you wish, and will eliminate having a guide that is incompatable with your interests and objectives..
8. Make sure your guide knows the meaning of “All Inclusive” . Ebou used this phrase in an email to describe the up river portion of our trip. To Northern Americans, All Inclusive means not only accommodation but also all meals. This proved not to be the case, and after a heated discussion about this issue we were forced to pay for our meals (excluding breakfast) .
9. Make sure that your guide has pre-booked accommodations for your trip up river to Tendaba. Ebou failed to do this (although he insists that Tendaba Lodge was in error) and we were forced to drive to Kalagi some distance away to a much more basic lodge for our last night accommodation up river.
10. The weather at this time of year (end of rainy season) is ideal but to many North Americans - too hot. Protect yourself from the sun and remember the phrase “only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid-day sun”. Take the afternoon off for rest, relaxation and a cool Julbrew.
11. VERY IMPORTANT: make certain to take precautions against malaria, a very common disease in West Africa.
12. If you are birding on your own, never walk through a village on your way to a birding destination. Many, many children will surround you, all attempting to hold your hand in friendship with the objective of receiving a gift from you. If you give to one, all will want a gift. Then you could easily spend all your time fending off the approaches of the children. Choose your own course of action.
13. Books: We used “ Lonely Planet” - Gambia and Senegal Rough Guide 4th Edition, published in 2009. I was comfortable using “ A field Guide to the Birds of Gambia and Senegal” by Barlow and Wacher, as was Ebou. My wife preferred “Birds of Senegal and The Gambia” by Borrow and Demay - published in 2011.
Top 10 Birds of the Trip
1. Martial Eagle: Rare - located on 3 separate occasions on our up river trip. An adult and an immature perched in a roadside Baobab tree was an unforgettable experience.
2. White-spotted Flufftail: Restricted. The warden at the coastal Pirang Bonto Community Forest patiently called in this wonderful rail to within several feet from us. Extirpated from Abuko, it is now only found here.
3. Egyptian Plover: Restricted, but locally common. This iconic bird of Gambia is, in my opinion, the most beautiful of all the plovers. Found at Soma prior to crossing on the ferry to Ferafenni, and at 2 other roadside wetlands.
4. White-backed Night Heron: Uncommon and nocturnal. Two birds were seen in flight at the coastal Farasuto Community Nature Reserve. Best seen in the mangroves on the Tendaba creek cruise with the large eye and rich chestnut chest clearly visible.
5. African Finfoot: Locally and seasonally uncommon. Spotted by our guide Ebou on the Georgetown creek. Missed on our South African trip in 2008 but seen well in the mangroves and in flight across the water.
6. African Wood Owl: Rare. The Pirang-Bonto Community Forest holds fourspecies of Owls - this one seen high in a coastal tree with its finely barred underparts and yellowish bill evident.
7. Abyssinian Ground Hornbill: Locally common. Often not seen on birding tours, it was located after being missed in Kiang West National Park, a site -faithful location. Our guide Ebou spotted three of these Hornbills perched in trees while on the Tendaba creek. When flying the prominent white primaries were visible.
8. Exclamatory Paradise Whydah: Locally common.in dry savanna woodland. Breeding male unmistakable with long tail feathers in full plumage. Seen on two occasions on the up river trip
9. Abyssinian Roller: Common to abundant, both coastal and inland. Most beautiful of all the rollers. Often perched on hydro wires, this bright azure-blue roller with swallow-like outer tail feathers is unmistakable.
10: Northern Carmine Bee-eater: Seasonally common. After the better part of one day on our up river trip searching for this bird, our guide Ebou located several perched on a wire. Of all the bee-eaters, this one is undoubtedly the most visually striking with a well defined facial hood.
The species list below chronologically follows “A Field Guide to the Birds of The Gambia and Senegal, which is most often used by Gambian bird guides
1. Little Grebe - Common - A single seen on the last day on Kotu Pond (sewage lagoon)
2 Great White Pelican - Common - Widely distributed along the coast
3. Pink-backed Pelican - Common - First seen in Lagoon along Bund Road
4. Hamerkop - Common - Widely distributed. eg. Kotu Creek, Abuko
5. Long-tailed Cormorant - Common - Widely distributed
6. Little Bittern - Uncommon - Only sighting was on Georgetown creek trip
7. African Darter - Common - Seen in most wetland locations
8. White-backed Night Heron - Uncommon/local - Seen on 2 occasions - Farasutu and Tendaba
9. Black-crowned Night Heron - Common - Kotu and Abuko
10. Cattle Egret - Abundant - Common throughout
11. Squacco Heron - Common -Near water throughout
12. Striated Heron - Common - Near water throughout
13. Black Egret (Heron) - Common - First seen in wetland near Palm Beach Hotel
14. Intermediate Egret - Common - Around all wetlands
15. Western Reef Egret - Common - Beaches, Mangroves, Swamps
16. Little Egret - Common - Found in all aquatic habitats
17. Great White Egret - Common - Throughout suitable habitat
18. Black-headed Heron - Common - First seen perched at Abuko
19. Gray Heron - Common - Ubiquitous in aquatic habitats
20. Goliath Heron - Frequent/Common - Only seen on a few occasions during the Tendaba creek trip
21. Purple Heron - Frequent/Common -Seen on both river trips Tendaba/Georgetown
22. Woolly-Necked Stork - Common, Local - Seen well on Tendaba creek Trip, not seen along coast
23. Marabou Stork - Frequent-Common - Seen once on drive to Tendaba in a nest
24. Yellow-billed Stork - Frequent-Common - Seen both on the coast and during our river trip
25. African Spoonbill - Common - Seen as a fly-over at Farasutu
26. Spur-winged Goose - Common - Only seen once as a fly-over during our upriver trip
27. White-faced Whistling Duck - Common, local - Kotu Pond (sewage lagoon)
28. Sacred Ibis - Common, local - Pirang Shrimp Farm
29. Hadaba Ibis - Common, local - Jahally rice fields (near Georgetown)
30. Osprey - Common - Mostly coastal but also interior
31. African Harrier Hawk - Common - Seen almost daily at all locations
32. Palm-nut Vulture - Common - Seen most days coastal & interior
33. Pied Crow - Abundant - Observed daily - fewer inland
34. Hooded Vulture - Abundant - Observed every day. Daily feeding at Senegambia Hotel
35. Ruppell's Griffon Vulture - Common - Seen only once perched along the main road - Georgetown area
36. White-backed Vulture - Common - Seen in flight among Hooded Vultures on several occasions
37. Martial Eagle - Rare - See 'list of top 10 birds for details'
38. African Fish Eagle - Common - Frequent along the Gambia River - often perched
39. Tawny Eagle - Frequent - Seen once at Marakissa, high overhead
40. Wahlberg's Eagle - Frequent - Perched some distance away at Mandinaba
41. African Hawk Eagle - Frequent - Farasuto Forest and Georgetown area
42. Ayre's Hawk Eagle - Very Rare - Georgetown, unable to ascertain status when seen by our guide
43. Long-crested Eagle - Frequent - Seen in flight at Marakissa, seen perched Georgetown.
44. Brown Snake Eagle - Common inland - Along the road between Tendaba and at Georgetown
45. Short-toed Eagle - Infrequent -Seen aloft with Hooded Vultures at Abuko
46. Black-billed Kite - Abundant - Both sub-species of Black-billed
47. Yellow-billed Kite - Frequent - Seen everywhere
48. Grasshopper Buzzard - Common, local -Seen well perched at Kiang West
49. Eurasian Marsh Harrier - Common - Widespread in wetlands, mangroves and reed beds
50. Dark Chanting Goshawk - Common - Often seen along roadsides
51. Gabar Goshawk - Widespread - Both forms, including melanistic seen around Georetown
52. African Goshawk - Common - Seen perched in Farasutu Forest
53. Shrika - Common - Often perched in large trees or on telephone wires
54. Lizard Buzzard - Common - Very approachable - often located on telephone wires
55. Lanner Falcon - Infrequent - Only seen on our drive to Tendaba
56. Gray Kestrel - Common - First located in the Farasutu Forest
57. Common Kestrel - Common, local -Dead on the road close to Tendaba
58. Double-spurred Francolin - Common - First seen along a bush road near Wassu
59. Stone Partridge - Common -Often seen along paths in well wooded areas with good cover
60. Four-banded Sandgrouse - Seasonally common - Seen well along a track in Kiang West National Park
61. Black Crake - Common - At Abuko at first waterhole after the entrance
62. White-spotted Flufftail - Rare - Called in by the warden at the Pirang Bonto Forest
63. Greater Painted Snipe - Common, local - Up to a dozen seen at Jahally rice field
64. African Jacana - Abundant, local - Widespread in appropriate habitat
65. African Finfoot- Uncommon, local - Seen once very well on the Tendaba creek trip
66. Black-bellied Bustard - Uncommon - One female flushed from a roadside location near Georgetown
67. Egyptian Plover - Common, local - First seen at Soma Wetlands and again on 2 other occasions
68. Collared Pratincole - Common, local - up to 2 dozen seen between Tendaba and Georgetown
69. Senegal Thick-knee - Common - Widespread in wet habitats - coastal and up river
70. Black-headed Plover - Common - Missed at Kotu, several seen in fields on our upriver trip
71. Spur-winged Plover (lapwing) - Common - Kotu Area
72. Wattled Plover (lapwing) - Common - Kotu Area
73. Gray Plover - Common - Kotu Area
74. Ringed Plover - Common - Kotu Area
75 Eurasian Curlew - Common - Single seen from ocean view next to penitentiary - Bund Road
76. Whimbrel - Abundant - Beaches & mangroves. Many seen on the Tendaba creek trip
77. Black-tailed Godwit - Common - Ocean view from penitentiary - Bund Road
78. Bar-tailed Godwit - Common - Ocean view from penitentiary - Bund Road
79. Common Greenshank - Common - All wetland types
80. Marsh Sandpiper - Common - Ocean view from penitentiary - Bund Road
81. Common Sandpiper - Common - All wetland types
82. Green Sandpiper - Common - Several located in sheltered wetland near Tendaba Camp
83. Wood Sandpiper - Abundant - Kotu and all wetland types
84. Common Redshank - Common - All wetland types
85. Eurasian Oystercatcher - Common - Single seen from ocean view- Bund Road
86. Black-winged Stilt - Abundant - Kotu Ponds (sewage lagoons)
87. Gray Phalarope (Red Phalarope) - Rare - Although mainly pelagic, it was seen on the Tendaba creek trip
88. Sanderling - Common - Seen at the Tanji Bird Reserve
89. Dunlin - Common - A flock flying over the Jahally rice fields
90. Gray-headed Gull - Abundant - Tanji Bird Reserve
91. Kelp Gull - Uncommon - Tanji Bird Reserve
92. Yellow-legged Gull - Uncommon - Tanji Bird Reserve
93. Lesser Black-backed Gull - Abundant - Tanji Bird Reserve
94. Caspian Tern - Abundant -Tanji Bird Reserve
95. Royal Tern - Abundant -Tanji Bird Reserve
96. Lesser Crested Tern - Common -Tanji Bird Reserve
97. Sandwich Tern - Abundant -Tanji Bird Reserve
98. Gull-billed Tern - Common - Ocean view from penitentiary - Bund Road
99. Laughing Dove - Abundant -Widespread and common
100. Black-billed Wood Dove - Common - Dry savanna woodland - seen often
101. Speckled Pigeon - Common - open country & urban places
102. Feral (Rock) Pigeon - Common - Frequently seen around Gambian villages
103. Bruce's Green Pigeon - Common -local - Seen inland around Bird Safari Camp
104. African Green Pigeon - Common - local - A coastal bird - seen at Brufut Woods
105. Namaqua Dove - Common - First seen at Pirang Shrimp Farm
106. Red-eyed Dove - Abundant - Most habitats
107. African Mourning Dove - Common - Associated with water and seen at Abuko National Park
108. Vinaceous Dove - Abundant - Most habitats
109. Piapiac - Common - Often called the African Magpie - seen throughout
110. Black Coucal - Uncommon/local - With a restricted range- observed at Jahally rice fields
111. Senegal Coucal - Common/abundant - Ubiquitous in all habitats. First seen at Kotu
112. Levaillant's Cuckoo - Common - Found in well wooded areas and gardens
113. African Cuckoo - Common - Seen as a flyover in Kiang West National Park
114. Diederik's Cuckoo - Common - Georgetown area plus heard at Brufut Woods
115. Verreaux's Eagle-Owl - Frequent/local - A site-faithful Owl - seen at Pirang Bonto Forest
116. African Wood Owl - Rare - Found in coastal forests - seen at Pirang Bonto Forest
117. White-faced Scops Owl - Common - local - The warden at Brufut Woods knows the site for this Owl
118. Pearl-spotted Owl - Frequent/common - Ebou found this Owl for us along the Casino cycle track
119. Long-tailed Nightjar - Common - local - Seen in Brufut Woods and in Kiang West National Park
120. Standard-winged Nightjar - Common - local - Several females in flight and on the ground in Kiang West National Park
121. Pallid Swift - Common - Pirang Shrimp Farrn is a good place to see this Swift
122. Little Swift - Common/abundant - First seen over Kotu Ponds
123. Mottled Swift (Spinetail) - Common - local - Over Baobab plantations - seen at Mindinaba
124. African Palm Swift - Common/abundant - Seen at Tanji
125. Giant Kingfisher - Frequent/local - Female at Abuko, male at Marakissa
126. Woodland Kingfisher - Common - First seen along Cycle Track - found in light woodland June-Nov.
127. Blue-breasted Kingfisher - Frequent/common - Kotu Creek - often perched in mangroves
128. Gray-headed Kingfisher - Frequent/common - Only sighting was on the Tendaba creek trip
129. Pied Kingfisher - Abundant - Widespread in all suitable aquatic habitats
130. African Pygmy Kingfisher - Frequent - Found in forest thickets. Only seen at Mandinaba
131. Malachite Kingfisher - Common - All aquatic habitats. Seen at Kotu and both river trips
132. Broad-billed Roller - Common - Kotu area and Georgetown area
133. Blue-bellied Roller - Common - Abuko, perched on wires along coastal roads
134. Rufous-crowned Roller - Seasonal - Only seen once along Bund Road
135. Abyssinian Roller - Abundant - May be found anywhere, coastal and inland
136. Swallow-tailed Bee-eater - Common ? local - A party of several seen on Bijilo forest walk
137. Northern Carmine Bee-eater - Frequent to common - Near Wassu in dry grassland habitat
138. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater - Seasonally abundant - Mostly along coast - seen on Bund Road
139. European Bee-eater - Frequent/local - Only seen once on Tendaba creek tour
140. Little Bee-eater - Common - Often near marshes and mangroves - seen at Kotu
141 White-throated Bee-eater - Frequent to common - Perched roadside on the way from Farafenni to Georgetown
142. Red-throated Bee-eater - Common - Inland - Many seen at the Bansang Quarry
143. Little Green Bee-eater - Common - Inland - Roadside location on road to Georgetown
144. Rose-ringed Parakeet - Common - Found in all appropriate habitat
145. Senegal Parrot - Common to abundant - First seen in Abuko Forest
146. Brown-necked Parrot - Uncommon/local - 2 birds perched in savanna woodland around Farasutu Forest
147. Violet Turaco - Frequent to common - First seen around Kotu, also at Abuko
148. Green Turaco - Uncommon/local - Seen through the canopy at Abuko
149. Western Gray Plantain-eater - Common - Widespread throughout - first seen at Fajara Golf Course
150. Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird - Common - Only seen once in the Brufut Woods
151. Bearded Barbet - Common - Seen in the Farasutu Forest and along the road to Tendaba
152. African Pied Hornbill - Common - local - Pirang Bonto Forest, scattered coastal forests
153. Red-billed Hornbill - Abundant - Widespread and seen on Badala Hotel Grounds
154. African Gray Hornbill - Common - Seen in Brufut Woods and other wooded locations
155. Abyssinian Ground Hornbill - Uncommon/local - Three seen on one occasion - on Tendaba creek boat trip
156. Green Wood-hoopoe - Common - Widespread and seen on Badala Hotel Grounds
157. Gray Woodpecker - Common - Most common Woodpecker. First seen on Casino Cycle track
158. Fine-spotted Woodpecker - Common - First seen at Brufut Woods
159. Greater Honeyguide - Frequent to common - Seen once at West Kiang National Forest
160. Lesser Honeyguide - Frequent/local - Seen once at Tujering Woods
161. Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark - Common - Several at Soma Wetlands
162. Crested Lark - Common - Along the beach at the Tanji Seafront
163. Fanti Saw-wing - Common - local - Frequent at Abuko - all wooded areas over water
164. Red-rumped Swallow - Common - Pirang Shrimp Farm
165. Wire-tailed Swallow - Common - local - Associated with waterside habitats and bridges. Seen at Kotu
166. Mosque Swallow - Common - Largest swallow - seen at Pirang Shrimp Farm
167. Red-chested Swallow - Abundant - First seen perched on wires in Georgetown area
168. African Golden Oriole - Frequent to common - Brufut Woods
169. Fork-tailed Drongo - Common - First seen on Casino Cycle Track
170. White Wagtail - Common - Pirang Shrimp Farm
171. Common Bulbul - Abundant - Ubiquitous. Seen at Badala Hotel
172. Yellow-throated Leaflove - Common - local - Coastal and riparian. Seen at Tanji and Baobolong
173. Little Greenbul - Abundant - Confined to coastal forest patches. Seen at Abuko
174. Oriole Warbler - Restricted and vulnerable - At coastal sites near fresh water. Seen at Kotu
175. Blackcap Babbler - Common - Seen at Abuko and Badala Hotel
176. Brown Babbler - Common - Seen at Brufut and Badala Hotel
177. Northern Wheatear - Uncommon - Perched in shrub along the beach at Tanji
178. White-fronted Black-Chat - Uncommon/local - Seen at Tujering Woods
179. White-crowned Robin-Chat - Uncommon/local - Senegambia Hotel grounds and Badala Hotel
180. Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat - Frequent/common - Seemingly a resident near Kotu Bridge
181. African Thrush - Common - Seen on trail at Abuko
182. Willow Warbler - Frequent/local - Tujering Woods
183. Singing Cisticola - Common - Calling continuously in Brufut Woods and seen well
184. Red-winged Warbler - Uncommon/local - An adult non-breeding species seen at Tujjering
185. Tawny-flanked Prinia - Common - Found at low level in Marakissa woodland
186. Green Crombec - Uncommon/local - Seen moving quickly through branches at Bonto Forest
187. Northern Crombec - Common/abundant - First seen at Brufut Woods
188. Gray-backed Camaroptera - Common/abundant - Kotu Area
189. Yellow-breasted Apalis - Uncommon/local - Seen at Abuko
190. Yellow White-eye - Common/abundant - Found in all coastal woodlands eg. Brufut Woods
191. Swamp Flycatcher - Common - local - Along waterways - seen on Georgetown creek tour
192. Common Wattle-eye - Common - An immature seen at Abuko
193. Northern Black Flycatcher - Common - Seen at Abuko
194. African Paradise Flycatcher - Common - Located at the first bird hide at Abuko
195. Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher - Common - local - Seen once in Brufut Woods - (also seen Hybrid Paradise Flycatcher)
196. Variable Sunbird - Common - local - On a trail opposite the Tanji Seafront
197. Mouse-Brown Sunbird - Common - local - On the Georgetown creek tour
198. Scarlet-chested Sunbird - Common - At a Wetland near Basse
199. Splendid Sunbird - Common - Kotu Area
200. Beautiful Sunbird - Common - Casino Cycle Track
201. Copper Sunbird - Common - local - At Brufut Woods
202. Black-crowned Tchagra - Common - Tujering Woods
203. Northern Puffback - Common - Brufut Woods
204. Yellow-crowned Gonolek - Common - Widespread; seen at Tanji and Brufut Woods.
205. Yellow-billed Shrike - Common - First seen in the Marakissa woodland
206. Greater Blue-eared Glossy Starling - Common/abundant - Seen the first day on the Badala Hotel grounds
207. Lesser Blue-eared Glossy Starling - Common - First seen in Brufut Woods
208. Purple Glossy Starling - Common/abundant - Along the road on the way to Tendaba
209. Bronze-tailed Glossy Starling - Common ? local - Seen the first day on Hotel grounds - Badala Hotel
210. Long-tailed Glossy Starling - Common - Kotu Area
211. Yellow-billed Oxpecker - Common - local - Seen only once on the back of cattle up river
212. Yellow-fronted Canary - Common - On the drive from Banjul to Tendaba
213. House Sparrow - Common - Near all urban settlements
214. Gray-headed Sparrow - Common/abundant - Widespread throughout
215. Bush Petronia - Common - local Inland - near Wassu in woodland track
216. Northern Red Bishop - Common/abundant - Widespread in agricultural and fallow areas
217. Black-winged Red Bishop - Common - First seen at Makakissa
218. Yellow-crowned Bishop - Common - In wetland area across the road from the Tanji seafront
219. White-billed Buffalo Weaver - Common/abundant - Kotu rice fields
220. Vitelline Masked Weaver - Common ? local - inland near Wassu in woodland track
221. Village Weaver - Abundant - Kotu area near bridge
222. Little Weaver - Local - Kotu Area
223. Black-necked Weaver - Common/frequent - First encountered at Abuko, also seen at Bijilo
224. Lavender Waxbill - Common - local - Brufut Woods, Bijilo
225. Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu - Abundant - Kotu, Pirang and Bijilo
226. Red-billed Firefinch - Common/abundant - Widespread throughout
227. Bronze Mannikin - Common/abundant - Kotu area
228. Exclamatory Paradise Whydah - Common - local - Seen roadside on drive from Ferafenni to Georgetown
229. Village Indigobird - Common - Kotu Area
230. Cut-throat Finch - Frequent/local - First seen at Bijilo, then roadside Ferafenni to Georgetown
231. Red-billed Quelea - Uncommon/local - Seen on the drive from Fenafenni to Georgetown
232. Quail-finch - Common/local - On a track at the Jahally rice fields