BIRDS FROM THE BROWN STUFF

The last outing with Modou took us to the Kotu area taking in the   " golf course" sewage farm and the Kotu stream bridge.
Starting in the paddy fields adjoining the golf course greenshank,wood sandpiper,green and common sandpipers were found, then a blue bellied roller flew across our path into a nearby tree,I made my way a bit closer but could not get on the sunny side of the bird so my best efforts had to be lightened unfortunately.

BLUE BELLIED ROLLER

A Fine Spotted Woodpecker then alighted on a nearby palm tree,this time I managed to get to the right side

FINE SPOTTED WOODPECKER.
There was hardly a blade of grass on the fairways of the golf course and the greens were in fact rolled sand,no sign of any golfers either surprisingly,but three Black Headed Plovers were in the rough.

BLACK HEADED PLOVER
It was very hot now the tropical afternoon sun beating down relentlessly,when this cheeky chappy appeared :-
YELLOW FRONTED TINKERBIRD

I had seen one in the hotel garden the day before and had missed the chance to photograph it,so was happy to get another chance,it has a vivid red crown which sadly cannot be seen here.
On to the highlight of the trip,the part that Cathy has been telling all her pals about,the sewage farm!

BLACK WINGED STILT,Happy as a stilt in ****

SACRED IBIS

SPUR WINGED PLOVER.

AFRICAN SPOONBILL

BLACK CRAKE

After this treat we walked down to the bridge over the Kotu stream where we were treated to fabulous views of pied kingfishers

 

PIED KINGFISHER

BLACK HEADED HERON

WHITE BILLED BUFFALO WEAVER.

BRONZE WINGED MANNIKINS

PIED CROW

WHITE CAPER,the most common butterfly at this time of year.

NILE MONITORS prowled the hotel lawns in the afternoon,some were three feet long.
That just about finishes off the holiday snaps,I would certainly reccomend The Gambia for a winter break for birders or if you just want to lay in the sun or like us a bit of both.

THE END.

ABUKO

On Monday we went to the ABUKO reserve with Yusuph who we had met on the first day at Bijilo,starting in the rice fields where there were lots of egrets, herons, kingfishers, and a few waders.

SENEGAL THICK KNEE

 

SPUR WINGED PLOVER

GREEN BACKED HERON

BLACK EGRET

SQUACCO HERON

AFRICAN SPOONBILL

AFRICAN JACANA
Moving on to the main reserve this lizard buzzard was sitting on the roadside wires no doubt looking for lizards.

LIZARD BUZZARD

LIZARD BUZZARD

RED BELLIED PARADISE FLYCATCHER

COMMON WATTLE EYE

GIANT KINGFISHER

SQUACCO HERON

GREY HEADED BRISTLEBILL

GREEN TURACO

SWALLOW TAILED BEE EATER.

LANNER FALCON.
There were many more birds that didn`t make the camera here like the western bluebill,malachite&pygmy kingfishers,grey kestrel,and yellow breasted apalis,and theres only one more post from Gambia to come you`ll be relieved to hear.

JUNGLE BOOK

Sunday morning up with the gonolek,early breakfast and off to BRUFUT FOREST with Modou the guide from the hotel,the sun was still quite low when we arrived,but straight away an African Golden Oriole arrived calling,and this Bearded Barbet and its mate perched nearby,it was in deep shadow,this photo has been lightened somewhat.

 

BEARDED BARBET

This pair of YELLOW THROATED LEAFLOVES were showing off nearby.

ThisVIOLET TURACO put in a brief appearance

AFRICAN GREEN PIGEON

Into the forest now lead by a local guide as well as Modou he took us to the roosting site of a pair of Eagle Owls.Initially they were difficult to see  but he manouvered us into position to see them properly.

VERREAUXS EAGLE OWL

VEO EYES WIDE SHUT.Weird.

Leaving the wise old owls to their slumbers we were off to find another night bird.

This LONG TAILED NIGHTJAR was just a few feet away from the path and took no notice of us at all apart from the occasional blink,did he think we had not seen him I wonder?

A few more birds were seen on the walk back to the car,it was now pretty hot,and time for a drink back at the hotel.

GREEN WOOD HOOPOE

SHIKRA

SPLENDID SUNBIRD

CARDINAL WOODPECKER

 

RED CHEEKED CORDON BLEU a lovely little bird

BLACK NECKED or SPECTACLED WEAVER