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.