| Day 7 | Day 8 |
Species list |
List of species seen
|
Ahanta Francolin |
This is reputed to be a difficult bird to see,
presumably due to a retiring nature and low numbers. We were thus very
fortunate when 2 appeared from the forest and quietly searched the more open
leaf litter directly in front of us only ~20 metres from the education centre
at Abuko |
|
Double-spurred Francolin |
In contrast to the above, this species is
common and seen regularly, although the vast majority of sightings are of birds
breaking cover and flying to yet more cover – they do not seem to tolerate
close approach (~6 along cycle track pm; ~16 flushed Tendaba; 3 on journey to Farafenni Ferry; 2
Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 1 Wassu pool; 1 cycle track on second visit) |
|
White-faced Whistling Duck |
~200 over cycle track & Badala Park
Hotel; ~100 Kauur Wetlands |
|
Spur-winged Goose |
1 over rice fields at Sankulaykunda ferry
crossing; 5 flying over Wassu rice fields |
|
Knob-billed Duck |
~30 Kauur Wetland |
|
African Pygmy Goose |
A pair were on one of the roadside pools on
the journey from Wassu to Barra |
|
Little Grebe |
2 roadside pool between Wassu and Farafenni;
2 Badala Park pool |
|
Yellow-billed Stork |
5 over Tendaba mangroves, 1 feeding on mud at the same mangroves; 2 on a nest in the town centre of Farafenni, in a bare tree directly over the street stalls |
|
Marabou Stork |
2 circling over Sankulaykunda ferry crossing |
|
African Sacred Ibis |
1 over Kotu Creek; 1 feeding on mud at
Tendaba mangroves; ~15 over cycle track paddies, 1 perched in tree also at the
paddies |
|
African Spoonbill |
2 feeding on Tendaba mud at mangroves |
|
Black-crowned Night Heron |
5 juveniles at the opposite end of the main
pool at Abuko; 1 overhead at Lamin; 2 flying over Sankulaykunda ferry crossing |
|
Striated Heron |
~3 Kotu Creek on the first evening; 3
Tendaba mangroves; 1 in paddies behind Baobolong Lodge; 1 cycle track paddies
on the last day |
|
Squacco Heron |
This is generally a common bird throughout, and can be expected on almost any wetland or marshy habitat (1 cycle Track; 1 Abuko; 4 Tendaba airport; 3 in the paddies Baobolong Lodge area; 2 on journey to Basse; 3 Wassu rice fields; ~20 Baobolong wetlands; 1 Badala Park pool |
|
Western Cattle Egret |
Very common in places, and can be very
approachable in urban areas, such as within the market stalls of Kotu (1 Kotu
Creek; 5 from Senegambia Hotel; ~20 journey to Tendaba; small numbers journey
from Tendaba to Georgetown; fairly common Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; common
on journey from Baobolong lodge to Basse; common on North Bank journey; quite
common in Kotu area) |
|
Grey Heron |
Commonly seen, but usually in small numbers
at any one wetland site (1 Kotu Creek; 1 Abuko; 1 Brufut; 3 Tendaba airport; 1
Tendaba camp; ~35 Tendaba mangroves; ~6 Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 2
Baobolong Lodge area; 3 at Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 2 Wassu paddies; ~6
Baobolong wetlands; 1 Banjul ferry terminal) |
|
Black-headed Heron |
1 Rice Paddies, Kotu; 1 Lamin rice fields; 1
Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 1 at Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 1 at Bansang;
2 cycle track paddies on last day |
|
Goliath Heron |
We almost passed the single bird we saw on
the trip at Tendaba mangroves. Possibly too used to seeing the copious Grey
Herons here, we failed to take much notice of the silhouette of the bird
against the sky a short distance through a gap in the trees, but did reverse
the boat when we realised our mistake |
|
Purple Heron |
1 roadside pool between Wassu and Farafenni;
3 Baobolong wetlands; 1 Badala Park pool |
|
Western Great Egret |
2 Tendaba Airport; ~8 Tedaba mangroves; at least 1 Baobolong wetlands; 1 Kotu Creek |
|
Intermediate Egret |
1 Tendaba airport |
|
Black Heron |
As usual, the great attraction of these
birds is their unique cloaking action when looking for food in the water
beneath, although the only bird seen doing so was one on the cycle track pool
on both visits (2 cycle Track; 1 Kauur Wetlands; 1 at a roadside pool towards
Farafenni; ~12 in cycle track area on second visit; 1 on Badala Park pool) |
|
Little Egret |
1 from bus; 1 Tendaba airport; 1 Soma
Wetlands; common Baobolong wetlands |
|
Western Reef Heron |
This is a very common bird on most wetlands
and moist areas, with both dark and light phase birds being present (4-5 dark
phase, 1 light phase Brufut; 1 Tendaba Camp; ~40 Tendaba Wetlands; ~6 Soma
Wetlands; both light and dark phase common Baobolong wetlands; ~3 Kotu area) |
|
Hamerkop |
7 Tendaba airport; 1 Farafenni Ferry; ~15
rice paddies at Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 3 Baobolong Lodge area open
paddies; 1 rice fields Bansang; 3 Wassu paddies; 2 roadside pool between Wassu
and Farafenni |
|
Pink-backed Pelican |
2 with raptors over Abuko; 9 on Gambia
River, Tendaba; 5 Tendaba Camp; ~12 Tendaba mangrove mud; ~20 at rear of
Baobolong wetlands; 5 overhead Wassu paddies; 1 over Kotu Creek |
|
Reed Cormorant |
1 Kauur Wetlands; 1 over roadside pool
towards Farafenni; ~8 Kotu Creek; 1 Badala Park pool |
|
Great Cormorant |
~15 Baobolong wetlands; 4 from Barra to
Banjul ferry |
|
African Darter |
3 flew into the pool at Abuko; ~50 Tendaba
Wetlands |
|
Western Osprey |
1 Brufut; 1 Tendaba mangroves |
|
Black-winged Kite |
3 on wires near to Yundum; 1 journey to
Tendaba; 1 Tendaba mangroves; 1 journey on North Bank to Georgetown |
|
Black Kite |
Common to abundant throughout |
|
African Fish Eagle |
1 Bansang. This was one of the benefits of
not finding Bansang Quarry at the first attempt, with the only bird of the trip
being seen in the distance on a tree overlooking what must have been the river |
|
Palm-nut Vulture |
2 in tree next to beach at Brufut; 1 with
nest material at Abuko |
|
Hooded Vulture |
Abundant throughout |
|
White-backed Vulture |
Only the relatively small Hooded Vulture
seems to occur in the coastal area, so we started to take notice of gatherings
of vultures as we ventured further upriver. This paid off with the odd sighting
of single to groups of this species, although most stops still revealed Hooded.
(At least 1 on journey from Tendaba on South Bank; 1 from Sankulaykunda ferry
crossing ferry; ~40 around carcass on road from Bansang to Basse |
|
Griffon Vulture |
One of the larger gatherings of the above
vultures were feeding on a carcass on the ground a short distance from the
road. Most appeared to be White-backed Vultures, but closer inspection revealed
a couple of larger and more cinnamon backed Griffons |
|
White-headed Vulture |
Of all the potential vulture species we
could possibly encounter, this was probably the least likely due to its
scarcity. We were surprised that we did see one perched on a tree on the
journey from Tendaba on the South Bank, not far from a circling group of what
were presumably White-backed Vultures |
|
Short-toed Snake Eagle |
1 Tendaba mangroves |
|
Brown Snake Eagle |
1 Tendaba airport; 4 Sankulaykunda ferry
crossing, with 3 in sight at one time; 1 at top of tree on journey from Bansang
to Basse |
|
Western Marsh Harrier |
1 Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 1 over
Baobolong Lodge area paddies; 3 at Baobolong wetlands; 2 Wassu paddies |
|
Montagu's Harrier |
1 Tendaba mangroves; 2 on journey to Georgetown on North Bank; 1 over Sankulaykunda ferry crossing paddies; 1 near Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 1 over car near Wassu |
|
African Harrier-Hawk |
1
Cycle track |
|
Dark Chanting Goshawk |
2 journey to Tendaba; 1 Sankulaykunda ferry
crossing; 3 on journey from Bansang to Basse; 2 separate birds on journey from
Georgetown to Barra |
|
Gabar Goshawk |
Pair over paddies at Sankulaykunda ferry
crossing |
|
African Goshawk |
While watching a group of Oriole Warblers
and Blackcap Babblers in Abuko, I tried to get better views from further down
the path when this bird was disturbed, which didn’t take umbrage, and landed on
a branch not far into the forest |
|
Shikra |
1 over Badala Park Hotel; 1 Senegambia Hotel; 1 over town en route to Tendaba; 2 Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 1 at Bansang |
|
Lizard Buzzard |
We were surprised to wait until the last
morning to see this bird, when one was spotted flying from the cycle track
paddies in Kotu to land on a palm tree |
|
Grasshopper Buzzard |
Usually very difficult to catch up with in The Gambia, the one bird we saw at Tendaba airport was seen flying low over the open ground to then circle almost directly above us, displaying the distinctive rufous shading on the wing tips |
|
Tawny Eagle |
Pair mating Abuko, with 2 further separate
birds at a separate part of the reserve |
|
African Hawk-Eagle |
1 initially on the ground in a stubble
field, then in tree and flight between Farafenni and Barra |
|
Booted Eagle |
1 over car Farafenni to Barra |
|
Common Kestrel |
1 Wassu stone circles; 1 between Farafenni and Barra. Both birds were females |
|
Grey Kestrel |
Easily the most commonly seen of the falcons
(pair over Kotu Creek; 1 Brufut; 1 on journey to Georgetown on North Bank; pair
at Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 1 Baobolong Lodge area; at least 8 on journey
from Gerogetown to Barra; 2 over Kotu area |
|
Red-necked Falcon |
Pair perched next to Kotu Creek bridge; 1 at
Bansang |
|
Lanner Falcon |
An initial bird was seen flying over Lamin
rice field, but it was the pair at Brufut which provided one of the most
stunning experiences of the trip. The two had been seen along the shore as we
approached the lagoon, but took us aback when they started to stoop on a lone
Western Reef Heron at the far end, away from the anonymity of the rest of the wading
birds. They took quite a few tries at it, and the potential quarry nearly made
the wrong choice by flying, but the pair eventually left the seen empty clawed |
|
Black Crake |
6 roadside pool between Wassu and Farafenni;
1 with juvenile Badala Park pool |
|
Senegal Thick-knee |
This is a very regular bird, often in good
numbers, either alongside or in the vicinity of water throughout the country (2
Kotu Creek; 2 over rice paddies; ~50 Kauur Wetlands; 1 Tendaba mangroves; 2 dry
bush Baobolong Lodge area; very common on most wetlands between Georgetown and
Barra) |
|
Eurasian Oystercatcher |
2 Barra shoreline |
|
Black-winged Stilt |
~30 Kotu Creek; 2 Brufut; ~6 Tendaba
airport; ~12 Soma Wetlands; ~20 Kauur Wetlands; ~6 on walk back from
Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 1 Baobolong Lodge area paddies; fairly common at
wetlands between Georgetown and Barra; ~30 in Kotu area |
|
Spur-winged Lapwing |
This is probably the most common wader to be
seen, usually, but not always, near to water (2 Kotu Creek; 3 cycle Track; 1
Lamin; 6 Tendaba airport; quite common on journey from Tendaba to Georgetown;
common both sides of Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; common on journey from
Baobolong lodge to Basse; very common on journey in all habitats from
Georgetown to Barra; common Kotu area) |
|
Black-headed Lapwing |
1 on journey to Georgetown on North Bank; 2 Bansang; 3 at one of stops on North bank |
|
African Wattled Lapwing |
2 Tendaba Airport; 2 in bush at Tendaba; 1
paddies at Bansang; 3 cycle track paddies |
|
Common Ringed Plover |
2 Tendaba airport; ~6 Soma Wetlands; 2 Kauur
Wetlands |
|
Kittlitz's Plover |
1 Kauur Wetlands |
|
Kentish Plover |
1 Soma Wetlands |
|
Egyptian Plover |
This was the bird we had been waiting so
long to see. We had checked that they were still present at this time of year,
but it was apparent that they tend to move upriver early in the year. There was
no great surprise when cursory checks of the usual haunts along the South bank
were ploverless, so looked forward to the journey to Basse, which is about 2½
hours drive from our base on Georgetown. After negotiating the packed streets of
Basse, a boat was hired to deliver us to the river banks away from the throng,
but not before the bird was spotted a little way down river on the opposite
bank with a pair of Spur-winged Lapwings. We eventually crept to within a
stone’s throw of this dapper bird |
|
Greater Painted Snipe |
1 flew from the stream into Wassu paddies |
|
African Jacana |
1 next to cycle Track; 1 Abuko; at least 100
Wassu ponds; ~6 Bansang paddies; ~20 on pond on journey from Bansang to Basse;
common on wetlands of North bank; 2 Badala Park pool |
|
Common Snipe |
1 flew from the marsh at Sankulaykunda ferry
crossing; 1 at Wassu paddies |
|
Whimbrel |
4-5 Kotu Creek; 1 Brufut; ~40 Tendaba
Wetlands; 2 Barra shoreline; 1 Kotu
Creek |
|
Common Redshank |
~6 Tendaba mangroves |
|
Marsh Sandpiper |
1 Tendaba mangroves; 3 Kauur Wetlands |
|
Common Greenshank |
1 Kotu Creek; 1 Brufut; 2 Tendaba airport;
~12 Tendaba mangroves; 1 Baobolong wetlands; 1 Badala Park pool |
|
Green Sandpiper |
1 Kotu Creek; 2 Sewage works |
|
Wood Sandpiper |
2 Tendaba airport; 1 Wassu pool; ~7 Kotu
area |
|
Common Sandpiper |
1 Brufut; ~20 Tendaba mangroves; 1 on creek
Baobolong Lodge area bush; 1 in paddies on walk back from Sankulaykunda ferry
crossing ferry; 1 Wassu pool; 1 Baobolong wetlands; 1 roadside pool between
Wassu and Farafenni; ~4 Kotu area |
|
Ruddy Turnstone |
At least 8 seen at Tendaba Camp |
|
Sanderling |
~8 Soma Wetlands |
|
Ruff |
~8 Kauur Wetlands |
|
Collared Pratincole |
~25 Kauur Wetlands; 1 at roadside pool
between Wassu and Farafenni |
|
Grey-hooded Gull |
A mix of both breeding and non-breeding
plumaged birds were seen (very common at Brufut, both on the pool and on the
sea; common on ferry journey and terminals between Barra and Banjul; ~70
Baobolong wetlands; few over Kotu Creek) |
|
Kelp Gull |
4 at Brufut; ~20 from Barra to Banjul ferry |
|
Gull-billed Tern |
1 Lamin Rice Fields; ~20 Tendeaba airport;
~5 Tendaba mangroves; 2 Baobolong wetlands; ~6 from Barra to Banjul ferry |
|
Caspian Tern |
Some of the birds seen were initially
confusing, since they sported more of a yellow than deep orange bill (~30
Brufut; 1 Tendaba airport; 1 Soma Wetlands; 1 Tendaba; ~4 from Barra to Banjul
ferry; 1 over Kotu Creek) |
|
Royal Tern |
1 Brufut |
|
Lesser Crested Tern |
~4 from Barra to Banjul ferry |
|
Sandwich Tern |
1 Lamin Lodge; 1 Brufut; 1 Baobolong
wetlands |
|
Pomarine Skua |
1 light phase and 2 dark phase near Banjul
ferry terminal |
|
Arctic Skua |
3 near Banjul ferry terminal |
|
Speckled Pigeon |
Quite common Kotu and from the transfer bus;
few Lamin; few on journey to Tendaba; 2 on journey from Tendaba; ~4
Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; ~6 on journey from Baobolong lodge to Basse;
occasional on journey along North bank; small flocks over Barra to Banjul
ferry; ~6 Kotu area |
|
African Collared Dove |
At least 1 identified in the village at
Baobolong Lodge area |
|
Mourning Collared Dove |
As mentioned in the guide books, this
species was only seen in the proximity of water. It has a more obvious grey
crown than other doves seen (quite common Tendaba mangroves; ~12 Wassu paddies) |
|
Red-eyed Dove |
Definitely more common than those reported,
this species suffers from the abundance of Vinaceous & Laughing Doves,
leaving no hunger for more specific identification than is necessary (~20
Abuko, fairly common elsewhere; 2 Kotu area) |
|
Vinaceous Dove |
Probably the most abundant bird both seen and
heard |
|
Laughing Dove |
2 Rice Paddies; 2 Abuko; 2 Lamin; quite
common South of river; very common on journey from Tendaba to Georgetown; quite
common Sankulaykunda ferry crossing and Baobolong Lodge area; common Kotu area |
|
Black-billed Wood Dove |
Many Wood Doves were seen flying throughout
the journey, but most were unable to be specifically identified (1 Abuko; 2
Lamin rice fields; probably common at Tendaba mangroves - 1 definite; 3
identified in bush at Baobolong Lodge area; probably this species regularly
from road on journey from Baobolong lodge to Basse) |
|
Blue-spotted Wood Dove |
2 Abuko |
|
Namaqua Dove |
2 pairs Lamin rice fields; ~8 on journey to
Georgetown on North Bank; 1 Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 4 on journey from
Baobolong lodge to Basse; ~15 on North bank journey |
|
Bruce's Green Pigeon |
2 Tendaba track; 1 in tree Sankulaykunda
ferry crossing; 2 at Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 3 at Wassu pool |
|
African Green Pigeon |
1 Lamin rice fields |
|
Rose-ringed Parakeet |
1 over Badala Park Hotel; 1 Lamin rice
fields; 6 Tendaba; ~15 on journey from Tendaba to Georgetown; ~4 Sankulaykunda
ferry crossing; 2 Baobolong Lodge area; 3 Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 2 over
Kotu area |
|
Senegal Parrot |
Pair in tree at rice paddies; 2 Lamin rice
fields; ~25 Tendaba track; 2 Wassu; 1 Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 1 Baobolong
Lodge area; 2 near Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 2 along river track; ~8 Wassu
pool; 2 roadside pool between Wassu and Farafenni; 2 over Kotu paddies |
|
Violet Turaco |
3 in one palm tree at Abuko |
|
Western Plantain-eater |
Pair at top of tree next to Kotu Bridge; 1
Abuko; 2 town en route to Tendaba; 4 Tendaba track; 2 Baobolong Lodge area; 2
in hotel grounds, Baobolong Lodge area; ~4 Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 2
along river track from Basse; ~6 on journey from Georgetown to Barra; ~8 Kotu
area |
|
Senegal Coucal |
~12 in Kotu Creek area; 1 Brufut; 1 Lamin; 4
Tendaba track; 1 Tendaba Wetlands; 1 Kauur Wetlands; common both sides of
Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 1 journey from Basse to Bansang; occasional on
North bank journey; ~10 Kotu area |
|
Klaas's Cuckoo |
1 Abuko |
|
African Palm Swift |
Quite common over rice paddies early
evening; few over Lamin; ~6 on journey to Georgetown on North Bank; quite
common Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; common over Bansang and Basse; quite
common on North bank journey; small numbers over Kotu area |
|
Common Swift |
1 over Wassu paddies |
|
Pallid Swift |
~6 on journey to Tendaba |
|
Little Swift |
2 Abuko; 1 over Gambia River; ~6 over
Bansang; abundant over Banjul ferry terminal; small numbers over Kotu area |
|
Purple Roller |
1 on wires on journey to Tendaba; 2 on
journey from Tendaba to Georgetown; 4 separate birds on journey from Georgetown
to Barra |
|
Abyssinian Roller |
A familiar sight throughout the country,
with 8 being seen in one field in one particular area. They are both very
common and approachable (1 Kotu Creek; 1 Tendaba airport; 3 Tendaba track; at
least 25 on journey from Tendaba to Georgetown; very common both sides of
Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; common on journey from Baobolong lodge to Basse;
very common on North bank journey 2 in
Kotu area; 2 on transit journey to airport) |
|
Blue-bellied Roller |
1 on journey to Tendaba; 1 on a bush at
Baobolong Lodge area; 3 together around what may have been a nest hole next to
Kotu Creek |
|
Broad-billed Roller |
This group of ~10 at the Senegambia Hotel
were initially an enigma, rolling into a treat as the penny dropped. We picked
up the first 6 or so overhead in the orange evening light, and this gave their
colour a rich brick red glow. The shape was also reminiscent of a bird of prey,
apart from the forked tail. Being directly above us, they evaded a good overall
look until they were seen to land at the top of one of the trees in the
grounds, when their identity was straight forward |
|
Striped Kingfisher |
1 Tendaba airport |
|
Blue-breasted Kingfisher |
~7 at Tendaba mangroves; 1 Sankulaykunda
ferry crossing |
|
Malachite Kingfisher |
~12 Tendaba mangroves; 1 on creek Baobolong
Lodge area |
|
Giant Kingfisher |
1 Abuko; 3 at roadside pool between Wassu
and Farafenni |
|
Pied Kingfisher |
1 Kotu Creek; 1 Brufut; 2 Tendaba Camp; very
common at Tendaba mangroves; 1 Soma Wetlands; 3 Koma Wetlands; 1 Wassu pools; 1
roadside pool between Wassu and Farafenni; 1 Baobolong wetlands; ~6 Kotu area |
|
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater |
3 Abuko; 1 Tendaba mangroves |
|
Little Bee-eater |
Common Abuko, Brufut, and Lamin |
|
Red-throated Bee-eater |
Lamin assured us that he knew of the
location of Bansang Quarry, a known location for this species. After it became
apparent that he didn’t, we persuaded him to drive back to where we thought it
may be, and the first of ~15 called above the cut in the rocks that held the
road. We then walked up one of its banks to find the quarry itself |
|
White-throated Bee-eater |
~6 Tendaba mangroves |
|
Green Bee-eater |
4 in village at Sankulaykunda ferry
crossing; 1 on journey from Basse to Bansang |
|
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater |
1 definite, possibly many more in the
distance at Lamin Lodge; ~15 Tendaba mangroves; occasional on journey from
Georgetown to Barra |
|
European Bee-eater |
~20 Tendaba track; ~6 Tendaba mangroves |
|
Eurasian Hoopoe |
1 on journey to Georgetown on North Bank |
|
Green Wood Hoopoe |
These were usually in roving flocks, moving
from bases and lower parts of trees, but were generally difficult to approach
(~20 in a flock at Lamin woods; 1 town en route to Tendaba; 2 on journey from
Tendaba on North Bank; ~8 in bush at Baobolong Lodge area; ~8 Wassu pool; 3
cycle track paddies) |
|
African Pied Hornbill |
1 Kotu sewage works |
|
African Grey Hornbill |
2 Lamin, pair Brufut; 4 Tendaba track; 3 on
journey from Tendaba to Georgetown; ~10 Sankulaykunda ferry crossing ~20 on
journey from Baobolong lodge to Basse; ~20 on North bank journey; 2 Kotu area |
|
Western Red-billed Hornbill |
2 Kotu rice paddies; 1 Brufut; ~20 Tendaba;
~8 on journey from Tendaba to Georgetown; ~4 Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; ~12
Baobolong Lodge area; ~10 on journey from Baobolong lodge to Basse; ~8 on North
bank journey; ~6 Kotu area |
|
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill |
Pair perched in trees between Farafenni and
Barra |
|
Bearded Barbet |
2 rice paddies along cycle track; 2 Tendaba
track; 1 on bush while waiting for early morning ferry at Sankulaykunda ferry
crossing; 2 on roadside stop on the North bank |
|
Fine-spotted Woodpecker |
1 Lamin rice fields; 1 in open bush at Sankulaykunda ferry crossing |
|
Cardinal Woodpecker |
1 Senegambia Hotel; 2 on track to river between Basse and Bansang |
|
African Grey Woodpecker |
1 en route to Tendaba |
|
Brown-throated Wattle-eye |
5 Abuko; 2 Brufut |
|
Northern Puffback |
1 Wassu pool |
|
Yellow-crowned Gonolek |
1 Senegambia Hotel; 1 Tendaba track; 1 along
track at Baobolong Lodge area; 1 in village at Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 2
Wassu pool;1 cycle track pool |
|
Yellow-billed Shrike |
1 from bus on transit from airport to hotel;
3 cycle track rice paddies; 1 Lamin woods; 3 Tendaba track; 1 alongside village
at Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 3 at a roadside stop between Wassu and
Farafenni |
|
Woodchat Shrike |
1 late evening in open bush at Baobolong
Lodge area |
|
Fork-tailed Drongo |
1 Kotu Creek; 1 rice paddies at cycle track;
2 Lamin rice fields; 1 Tendaba track; 2 on journey to Georgetown on North Bank;
1 at Bansang |
|
Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher |
2 Abuko; 1 Brufut |
|
African Paradise Flycatcher |
1 Abuko |
|
Piapiac |
Small groups of 5-6 from bus and in Kotu
Creek area; 1 on journey to Tendaba; 3 rice paddies at Sankulaykunda ferry
crossing; 2 on North bank journey |
|
Pied Crow |
Quite common from bus transfer to hotel and
Kotu Creek area; quite common South of river on journey to Tendaba; 2 Tendaba;
2 between Bansang and Basse; common between Barra and Banjul; common Kotu area
on last morning |
|
Crested Lark |
2 Baobolong wetlands |
|
Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark |
~4 Bansang Quarry; ~6 roadside pool between
Wassu and Farafenni; 4 Wassu stone circle |
|
Common Bulbul |
Quite common around Badala Park Hotel; ~15
Tendaba Camp; ~8 Baobolong Lodge area; ~6 Bansang; 2 Wassu pool; common Kotu
area |
|
Little Greenbul |
6 Abuko |
|
Fanti Saw-wing |
1 Abuko; 3 Lamin |
|
Sand Martin |
Quite common over Wassu paddies |
|
Red-chested Swallow |
12 in mixed swallow flock perched on wires
before Wassu; ~6 over Banjul ferry terminal; 5 Kotu Creek |
|
Wire-tailed Swallow |
~8 Kotu Creek on first visit; 1 without
streamers at Lamin; 4-5 River Gambia checkpoint; 2 Kotu Creek on last morning |
|
Mosque Swallow |
27 in mixed swallow flock perched on wires
before Wassu |
|
Red-rumped Swallow |
~6 over Tendaba airport; ~4 at Soma
Wetlands; quite common over paddies at Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 1 on
journey from Basse to Bansang; ~10 in mixed swallow flock perched on wires
before Wassu |
|
Eurasian Reed Warbler |
1 Wassu paddies next to the small river
bridge |
|
Melodious Warbler |
1 Tendaba track; 1 in bush on walk from
Sankulaykunda ferry crossing to Baobolong Lodge area |
|
Zitting Cisticola |
1 Cycle track |
|
Tawny-flanked Prinia |
1 Kotu Creek; ~15 Tendaba track; ~5
alongside road at Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 3 Bansang; ~6 Wassu stone
circle; group of ~6 cycle track |
|
Oriole Warbler |
Group of ~5 around track with Little
Greenbuls in Abuko for some time. This was likely to be a family party of two
adults feeding fully grown but not yet independent juveniles |
|
Green-backed Camaroptera |
1 Brufut; 1 Tendaba airport |
|
Senegal Eremomela |
2 Tendaba airport; 2 in bushes on walk back
from Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 2 Bansang |
|
Blackcap Babbler |
2 Abuko in mixed flock with Oriole Warblers;
2 Senegambia |
|
Brown Babbler |
1 Senegambia Hotel; 3 Wassu pool; 4 Kotu
area |
|
Subalpine Warbler |
1 Wassu pool; 1 Wassu paddies |
|
Greater Blue-eared Starling |
Particularly common upriver, where large
gatherings could be found, often near to human habitation (1 Lamin woods; 2
journey to Georgetown on North Bank: at least 30 in paddies at Sankulaykunda
ferry crossing; ~10 Baobolong lodge; common journey from Baobolong lodge to
Basse; abundant in places on North bank journey) |
|
Lesser Blue-eared Starling |
~40 Tendaba |
|
Bronze-tailed Starling |
~6 in mixed group identified at
Sankulaykunda ferry crossing paddies |
|
Purple Starling |
6 on journey to Georgetown on North Bank; 2
in mixed group identified at Sankulaykunda ferry crossing paddies; ~4 Baobolong
lodge |
|
Long-tailed Glossy Starling |
Very common throughout |
|
Yellow-billed Oxpecker |
5 on journey to Tendaba; 2 on donkeys in
paddies at Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 3 on cattle at Bansang; 3 on cattle at
Wassu stone circle |
|
African Thrush |
Common Abuko, Brufut, and Lamin; 1 cycle
track |
|
Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat |
4 Abuko |
|
White-crowned Robin-Chat |
Pair Badala Park Hotel; 1 Senegambia Hotel;
pair in village at Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; group of 4 in Badala Park
gardens on last morning |
|
Northern Wheatear |
1 on journey to Georgetown on North Bank; 3 Wassu stone circle |
|
Northern Black Flycatcher |
1 Senegambia Hotel |
|
Swamp Flycatcher |
2 were seen from the bridge over the stream
at Wassu paddies |
|
Mangrove Sunbird |
~20 Tendaba mangroves |
|
Pygmy Sunbird |
~5 on stop from Basse to Bansang |
|
Scarlet-chested Sunbird |
1 Bansang; 1 on journey from Basse to
Bansang |
|
Beautiful Sunbird |
2 next to Kotu Creek; ~10 Lamin; 4 Tendaba;
~10 in flowering tree on walk back from Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; ~6 in
grounds of Sankulaykunda ferry crossing hotel, with pair feeding young in nest;
~10 Kotu area on last morning |
|
Variable Sunbird |
2 females Abuko; 1 male Lamin; 1 Tendaba
mangroves; 2 Kotu Creek |
|
House Sparrow |
~6 Kotu area |
|
Northern Grey-headed Sparrow |
1 Brufut; 1 Kotu Creek |
|
Bush Petronia |
~6 Bansang Quarry; 1 at a roadside pool stop
after Farafenni |
|
White-billed Buffalo Weaver |
~10 in tree along track at Sankulaykunda
ferry crossing; 1 Baobolong lodge; 1 over Wassu paddies; ~50 in one tree cycle
track paddies |
|
Black-necked Weaver |
Very common Abuko |
|
Village Weaver |
Abundant throughout |
|
Red-billed Quelea |
1 Tendaba airport; 1 in mixed flock Sankulaykunda ferry crossing |
|
Northern Red Bishop |
Small to sometimes very large flocks of small finches in non-breeding plumage were regularly encountered. These cannot be identified usually with any great deal of accuracy unless a breeding plumaged male is present. One or two of the flocks allowed some scrutiny, but this was the only species which could be identified with any certainty |
|
Green-winged Pytilia |
1 on stop from Basse to Bansang |
|
Cut-throat Finch |
2 Bansang Quarry |
|
Red-billed Firefinch |
~10 Abuko; ~20 Tendaba track; quite common
both sides of Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; ~15 Kotu area |
|
Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu |
At least 1 in mixed flock in bush at
Baobolong Lodge area; 3 at Wassu pool; 2 next to Kotu Creek |
|
Black-rumped Waxbill |
~20 Tendaba airport; some present in mixed
flocks both sides of Sankulaykunda ferry crossing; 3 at Bansang Quarry; 2 at
Wassu paddies |
|
Black-faced Quail-Finch |
5 Tendaba airport |
|
Bronze Mannikin |
Quite common around Kotu Creek; quite common
Abuko & Senegambia Hotel; ~10 Bansang Quarry; ~30 Kotu area |
|
Village Indigobird |
2 at village near to the Sankulaykunda ferry
crossing; 1 along creek at Sankulaykunda ferry crossing |
|
Exclamatory Paradise Whydah |
1 juvenile on stop from Basse to Bansang; 1
full breeding plumaged male with ~10 females between Wassu and Farafenni. This
was originally seen from the road, but luckily a track led to the 5 favoured
perches as it displayed to its admiring onlookers. An impossible but beguiling
bird |
|
Western Yellow Wagtail |
2 Tendaba airport; ~4 Sankulaykunda ferry
crossing paddies; 2 Baobolong wetlands; 1 Wassu paddies |
|
White Wagtail |
2 Tendaba Camp; ~6 Soma Wetlands; 1 Baobolong wetlands |
|
Yellow-fronted Canary |
2 on stop from Basse to Bansang |
|
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting |
1 Bansang Quarry |
| Day 7 | Day 8 |
Species list |