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BIRDSEEKERS
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ATOL 6156
THE GAMBIA – Dec - 2003
261 Bird Species recorded Checklist starts on Page 6
Leaders Nick Bray & Soloman Jallow
Day 1 Friday 5th December
With the group arriving on different flights from Manchester, London and Bristol this afternoon,
Nick and I were on hand to meet everyone at Banjul Airport and accompany them to the wonderful
Senegambia Hotel. Most of the group managed an hours birding in the extensive grounds of the
hotel before dinner, where an African Harrier-Hawk gave good views, as African Palm Swifts
and Broad-billed Rollers passed overhead. Other exotic species included Western Grey
Plantain-eater and Green Wood-hoopoe, whilst a Yellow-crowned Gonolek performed
particularly well. As the light faded, an excitable group of Brown Babblers turned out to be
mobbing a Pearl-spotted Owlet. This bird, which belongs to the Pygmy Owl genus, perched
obligingly on a dead tree, rounding off the evening nicely. Over dinner on the terrace the group got
to know each other, and they were also introduced to the Gambian Epauletted Fruit Bats which fed
on the trees over our table every night.
Day 2 Saturday 6th December
We awoke to lovely clear blue skies and began the tour gently with a walk around Kotu Sewage
Pools (a classic birding venue!). A wader flock provided good comparisons between Marsh,
Wood, Green and Common Sandpipers, all new for our American friend Bill, whilst Black-
winged Stilts and Spur-winged Lapwings added some colour. A flock of White-faced Whistling
Ducks dropped in and a Sacred Ibis was an unusual find here. Away from the water we were
distracted by a host of unfamiliar species amongst the surrounding bushes and trees, including
Senegal Parrot, Blue-bellied Roller, Yellow-billed Shrike, Splendid Sunbird and Pearl-spotted
Owlet. After stopping for a Senegal Coucal and some Black Crakes, which gave excellent views,
we moved on adding Fine-spotted Woodpecker, Subalpine Warbler, Northern Crombec,
Beautiful Sunbird, Little Bee-eater and Senegal Thick-knee to the list as we entered Kotu Creek.
Several Western Reef Egrets and Whimbrels patrolled the creek and a couple Senegal Thick-
knees were seen skulking in the shadows of the mangroves. Nearby we encountered a stunning
summer-plumaged Northern Red Bishop, as well as a couple really close African Silverbills and
Variable Sunbird. Lunch was a leisurely affair at the Paradise Beach Club, which is a beautiful
location, being situated right on the beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. After a good meal and
some refreshing cold drinks, we took a short drive to Yundum – one of our favourite spots. As
usual the bush track here produced some exceptional birding. First up came Didric Cuckoo, a
species which has normally left The Gambia by December and had probably stayed late as a result
of the particularly heavy rains this year. More typical species were Black-crowned Tchagra,
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Pied-winged Swallow, Senegal Batis, Greater and Lesser Blue-eared
Glossy Starlings, Rufous-crowned Roller, Vieillot’s Barbet and Senegal Eremomela. Whilst a
flock of White-crested Helmet Shrikes, a rather unpredictable species, flew in and put on quite a
show.Shortly afterwards we located a flock of the elusive and rather smart Yellow-throated
Leafloves. Whilst watching these, Barrie found a splendid African Golden Oriole, which was
followed by a pair of Yellow White-eyes. Having soaked all this up, we carried on along the same
path for quite a way and heard some Stone Partridges calling nearby and we managed brief views,
but they remained un-cooperative. Turning back, Nick picked up the call of Yellow Penduline Tit
and there they were, both adults and three young birds, which had fledged since our last visit a
week ago (a close call indeed). This species has a limited global range and although it is fairly
widespread in The Gambia it is seldom seen, making it a real prize. Our return to the bus was
enlivened by a cracking Scarlet-chested Sunbird, a flock of White-billed Buffalo Weavers,
several Grey Woodpeckers and another Pearl-spotted Owlet. An odd find here was a very
attractive Green Turaco that perched out on a bare branch and remained in view for several
minutes.
Day 3 Sunday 7th December
A prompt start after breakfast, meant we would get the most out of our morning at Abuko Nature
Reserve - a small pocket of protected forest which harbours a number of species difficult or
impossible to see elsewhere in The Gambia. A showy Snowy-crowned Robin Chat and Yellow-
throated Leaflove were notched up en-route to the first hide which overlooks a small pool. From
our vantage point on the top floor, we saw a Giant Kingfisher fly in and land on a perch just a few
yards away from us. On the far side, some large palm trees held a Palm-nut Vulture and an
African Pied Hornbill, whilst one or two Fanti Saw-wings flew over, and a Black-crowned
Night Heron skulked deep within the shade of a densely foliaged tree. Then Pam found an African
Pygmy Kingfisher perched at the back of the pool and pandemonium ensued as everyone tried to
look at this difficult species through the telescope. Non-avian highlights included Bushbuck and
Nile Crocodile. Back on the trails, several Little Greenbuls and a pair of stunning Collared
Sunbirds were followed by a brief and very skulking Grey-headed Bristlebill. There were several
more Yellow-throated Leafloves around, whilst a tricky Green Hylia gave us all the runaround
before everyone managed to see it well. Other species around this area included several Common
Wattle-eyes, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher and a pair of stunning Violet Turacos. There was
also a truly spectacular Verraux’s Eagle Owl perched up at its daytime roost. Nearby Western Red
Colobus and Green Vervet Monkeys were seen. Lunch was at Lamin Lodge, which was
disappointing for birds but home to some huge Mudskippers - bizzare fish which inhabit mangroves
and are named for their habit of ‘walking’ on their pectoral fins. From Lamin we went to a roost
site for African Scops Owl but were unlucky as the bird was not in residence. Leaving here we
took a `back road’ and found a Klaas’s Cuckoo. We had really great views as the bird perched on
top of a small sapling for several minutes, its metallic green feathers really shining in the bright
sunshine. We then travelled back to a different part of Abuko, to a pool which we hoped might be
particularly attractive to birds in the heat of the afternoon. On our arrival, I sprinted back up the
track to check out a bird which may have been our principal target, Western Bluebill. It was indeed
an immature Western Bluebill but my thunder was somewhat stolen when I returned to find the
group watching a stunning adult male at the edge of the pool! An African Pygmy Kingfisher
showed superbly well here to everyone, and other visitors to the pool included Greater
Honeyguide, Green Turaco, Orange-cheeked Waxbill and Black-necked Weaver. On a tour
packed with highlights, the extraordinary views of difficult and attractive species here still stands
out. On the way back to the hotel a Double-spurred Francolin flew across the road in front of the
bus, to end a particularly great days birding.
Day 4 Monday 8th December
A very early start was required in order to catch the first Banjul-Barra Ferry across the River
Gambia and so begin our exciting journey ‘up-country’. This always proves to be a real highlight
of our week in this country, and today would prove no exception! A Black-headed Gull was a
familiar species to us but slightly unusual here, whereas Caspian, Royal and Lesser-crested Terns
are fairly common on the crossing. Once on the North bank, and clear of the hustle and bustle of
town, we started to find new birds. Our first stop was for a superb Bruce’s Green Pigeon which
was seen feeding in a large tree near to the road, and whilst looking at this we also found an
African Green Pigeon, our first Northern Anteater Chat, Village Indigobird, several Little
Weavers and some Mottled Spinetails.The next stop was for two vultures perched in a dead tree,
which turned out to be an adult Eurasian Griffon and an immature African White-backed.
Whilst here we picked up a very attractive Brubru, which gave really great views when it flew in
and landed on top of the tree right next to us, and we also saw a flock of European Bee-eaters.
Moving on, some small wetlands held Squacco Heron and both Yellow-billed and Woolly-necked
Storks which were good finds from the bus. However, the next stop was for a North Bank
specialty: a flock of Chestnut-bellied Starlings. As the bus screeched to a halt and we all piled out
to look at these stunning birds, a Red-necked Falcon flew over, and was a timely find as we had
already been to a couple of good localities for the species and missed it. Some kilometers further
along the same road, we stopped at the water hole we discovered last week and this paid off again
when the appropriately named and rather beautiful Exclamatory Paradise Whydah was seen
flying in. Also here was a flock of Grey-headed Sparrows perched in a bush on the far side of the
pool, and closer study of them revealed a couple Cut-throats, and several Bush Petronias. They
were joined by one or two Namaqua Doves, whilst several Chestnut-backed Sparrow Larks
landed at the water’s edge and began to drink and bathe. At a large wetland further east we sorted
through a variety of waders including Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint and Ruff, before pulling a
total of eight Kittlitz’s and one Kentish Plover out from the Ringed Plover flocks. Meanwhile,
Spur-winged Goose, Great Cormorant and African Darter were in residence and overhead
Montagu’s and Eurasian Marsh Harriers, Osprey and Gull-billed Tern competed for our
attentions with a solitary White-winged Tern. There was only one more stop before lunch, for a
perched Brown Snake Eagle and then we pulled up in the shade for well earned sandwiches and
drinks. After lunch we walked a short distance in to the neighbouring bush and were successful in
finding a single Temminck’s Courser. On the way back to the bus the leaders split up to look for a
very special bird: Savile’s Bustard, a species only occurring along a narrow band south of the
Western Sahara, and was only discovered in The Gambia in 1994. Since then it has only been seen
a few times, but diligent working of this area, where we discovered a female the previous week,
paid off handsomely with two birds. All this and we hadn’t even reached our primary objective -
the wetlands at Kaur. Just as we reached Kaur, Solomon called Little Green Bee-eater. The tree
was a long way off and it took us a few seconds to find the birds even after we had stopped - a
remarkable find from a moving vehicle and a stunning bird too. Just along the road were a total of
6 Egyptian Plovers including a couple of particularly confiding individuals walking on the road!
Other star birds here were 18 Kittlitz’s Plover and 33 Collared Pratincoles, the latter making a
fine sight as they swooped around the marshes in a classic exhibition of avian flying skills.
Satisfied with our success here, we began driving west towards the Farafenni Ferry only to stop at a
classic waterhole which normally attracts numerous birds. Almost immediately a Cinnamon-
breasted Bunting landed at the water’s edge to drink, whilst perched in the bushes on the far side
was another superb Exclamatory Paradise Whydah and a few Cut-throats. Moving on, a Red
Patas Monkeys crossed our path and behind us we left only an eerie dust cloud! The contemplative
mood was shattered by a joint effort from Rosemary and Pam at the back of the bus resulting in a
cry of ‘it looks like a Turkey’! Maybe Abyssinian Ground Hornbill we thought and indeed it
was! What a bird and what a day, the rare and difficult species just kept coming. Back at Farafenni
the wait for the ferry was enlivened by some Yellow-backed Weavers and an Olivaceous
Warbler. An hour and a half later we reached Tendaba camp but there was no rest for the
keen/crazy. After dinner those in the market for even more birds joined the leaders for a night drive
along a nearby bush track. The first Spotted Thick-knee was on the `main road’ as we drove to the
bush track and by the end of the night we tallied 6 sightings of at least 4 individuals of this species.
At one stage we got out of the bus and walked a little way along the track, hearing an African
Scops Owl calling in the distance, but it could not be enticed any closer. On the track itself were at
least 8 Standard-winged Nightjars including several truly spectacular males with full standards,
and we had stunning views of two Long-tailed Nightjars as they sat in the road. Watching Nick
creeping closer and closer to them to take photos was almost as entertaining as watching the birds
themselves! An appropriate end to the most incredible days birding.
Day 5 Tuesday 9th December
A relaxing boat trip across the river and a ‘creek crawl’ through the mangrove swamps - what a way
to spend a morning! Having located a pair of African Fish Eagles as we sailed upriver, we crossed
the river and entered the creek where Blue-breasted Kingfishers were immediately in evidence.
Several dazzling Malachite Kingfishers were found low down in the mangroves, and a few
Mouse-brown Sunbirds were seen. A number of Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters were followed by a
White-throated Bee-eater, and a few rather shy Grey-headed Kingfishers. An African Blue
Flycatcher remained elusive but a Goliath Heron sat still long enough for everyone to get a really
good look at it. Both Northern Puffback and Common Redstart came next, but then there was a
short pause. The tide was low and we had to wait for it to rise before we could access the narrower
tributaries in search of our main quarry here. After a half-hour wait, we set off and almost
Snake Eagle and
immediately encountered a parade of raptors. A Short-toed Eagle, a Beadouin’s Long-tailed Nightjar
an African Hawk Eagle came overhead within minutes of each other. Round the corner a flock of
African Spoonbills had picked up a single Eurasian Spoonbill, whilst Woolly-necked Storks
roamed the open grassy areas. Shortly after this we found our key target species, a pair of White-
backed Night Herons perched very nicely in the open. We returned to Tendaba Camp for some
refreshing drinks, before leaving and heading back to the coast. As we left the camp a small flock of
Stone Partridge sat obligingly on a side track but this was the last stop before lunch. We rejoined
the main road, and finally stopped for lunch during which an immature Bataleur patrolled the
nearby wetland. We also had good views of Black-rumped Waxbill, Senegal Eremomela, Pearl-
spotted Owlet, and an immature male Greater Honeyguide. Shortly after lunch, a rapid pull over
for a group of vultures produced a Rüppell’s Griffon among the African White-backed Vultures.
There was no further excitement on the journey and the travel weary group got back to the hotel in
time to take advantage of the swimming pool for once! In the evening we were re-united with the
group members who had taken the leisurely option of staying on the coast, had another sumptuous
buffet meal and retired to our beds for a well earned rest.
Day 6 Wednesday 10th December
Our first port of call today was the woodland at Marakissa. Stops along the way meant we had
already seen Violet Turaco, African Green Pigeon, Northern Puffback, Yellow-throated
Leaflove and Shikra before we arrived. The star birds of the morning were undoubtedly a pair of
Red-shouldered Cuckoo Shrikes which performed splendidly allowing everyone scope views of
both sexes, before we moved on to Darsilami. Here, we were fortunate to have good views of a
Plain-backed Pipit, but African Quail Finch and Zitting Cisticola were only seen in flight. Both
Long-crested and Beadouin’s Snake Eagles gave good views, but the best raptor was a perched
melanistic Gabar Goshawk. Before lunch we went to a site for Spotted Honeyguide, and after a
fairly brief search the bird was located and gave excellent views through the scope. Whilst here, a
Levaillant’s Cuckoo was a nice bonus bird. After lunch at a nearby lodge we headed off for Tanji
on the coast. Scanning hard for raptors along the way paid off with a superb Whalberg’s Eagle and
a pair of Lanner Falcons. At Tanji, we walked down to the beach where the tern flock provided a
superb opportunity to get to grips with the identification of Royal and Lesser Crested Terns, and
there were also Caspian and Sandwich Terns providing useful size comparisons. A couple of
Slender-billed Gulls were much appreciated, but waders were disappointing with Bar-tailed
Godwit being the only new species for the tour. A short walk inland resulted in a few Yellow-
crowned Gonoleks, African Green Pigeon and Bearded Barbet.
Day 7 Thursday 11th December
After a fairly short journey we arrived at Pirang, an old shrimp farm which is now home to the
spectacular Black-crowned Crane. As we left the bus we were treated to excellent views of Wire-
tailed, Rufous-chested and Mosque Swallows as they sallied over the flats. Then we started to
walk out between the ponds, but did not have to go far before finding a pair of stately Black-
crowned Cranes, a truly elegant bird. As we walked further out, both Crested Larks and African
Quail Finches crept among the vegetation and a variety of common water birds were on view. At
one stage, we were called forward by one of the local guides who had located a Long-tailed
Nightjar with a chick on the side of a raised bank. It was interesting to see this bird in natural light
having recently seen it at night. We took advantage of our early success at Pirang and pushed on to
the Faraba-Banta Bush Track. During a short walk across `the bush’ we flushed a pair of Four-
banded Sandgrouse, and had excellent views of Red-winged Warbler, Singing Cisticola and a
Striped Kingfisher. Although it is a colourful species, a Whinchat was put well and truly in the
shade by a stunning Scarlet-chested Sunbird. Both Little Weaver and Long-crested Eagle were
also seen before we carried on along the track, stopping on the edge of a wooded area for our picnic
lunch. This brought a bonus in the form of a cracking Sulphur-breasted Bush Shrike, which
eventually gave some superb scope views as it called from the top of a nearby tree. Before we left,
Geoff re-located the bird in the tree right above our bus and, in fact, it would just not leave us alone!
From here we ‘popped in to Senegal’: really a question of going a hundred metres in to a kind of
no-mans land which requires no customs clearance. The purpose of this excursion was to look at the
Selety water hole. Black-winged Red Bishop, Mottled Spinetail, African Harrier Hawk,
Whalberg’s Eagle and Levailant’s Cuckoo were the highlights here, but the water hole was not at
its best as cattle had recently been in attendance. Finally we headed back to the hotel, stopping to
admire a beautiful pair of White-faced Scops Owls at a daytime roost.
Day 8 Friday 12th December
There was just time on our final day to get in a birding session at Brufut Woods - and what a
session it turned out to be! A fly-catching Lesser Honeyguide started the ball rolling, before we
had double views of a really smart Cardinal Woodpecker. A couple Pin-tailed Whydahs flew
into the tree above us, and although they were in non-breeding plumage were still very smart birds.
As we followed the path through the tall grassland, we noticed a small flock of White-throated
Bee-eaters, and one perched quite close to us. Solomon said it had been many years since he last
saw this species here. Further along the path, the vegetation became more open and we could scan
the far trees, where a pair of Senegal Batis was seen, and whilst we were watching them, they flew
towards us and landed very close. What stunning little birds they are! Other birds seen on our walk
included Melodious Warbler, Common Nightingale, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, and a skulking
Siffling Cisticola. A perfect way to go out! Returning to the hotel, we said goodbye to our
Gambian guide Solomon and our skillful driver Aladdin. As usual Solomon had impressed
everyone with his super sharp eyesight and outstanding knowledge of where to find birds. So after a
farewell lunch, we all took our respective flights back home to a decidedly cold, but festive
England.
Checklist starts on next page -
BIRDLIST FOR THE GAMBIA 5th – 12th December 2003
Highest daily count
No of C.= Common
SPECIES LC = Locally Common
days out
Scientific Name of 8 H.= Heard only
N/C.= No count
recorded
1. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 1 N/C
2. Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus 3 N/C
3. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus 1 7+
4. African Darter Anhinga rufa [melanogaster] 4 5+
5. White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus 1 300+
6. Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens 4 LC
7. Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca 1 2
8. Little Egret Egretta garzetta 5 C
9. Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis [garzetta] 6 C
10. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 5 C
11. Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala 3 12+
12. Goliath Heron Ardea goliath 1 1
13. Great White Egret Egretta alba 5 C
14. Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia 3 LC
15. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 6 C
16. Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides 2 3
17. Striated Heron Butorides striatus [striatus] 3 1
18. Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 2 6+
19. White-backed Night Heron Gorsachius leuconotus 1 2
20. Hamerkop Scopus umbretta 5 N/C
21. Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis 2 25+
22. Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus 3 10+
23. Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus 3 12+
24. Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 1 1
25. African Spoonbill Platalea alba 1 20+
26. White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata 3 33
27. Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis 1 1
28. Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus 3 2
29. Black Kite Milvus migrans 7 C
Yellow-billed Kite Milvus migrans parasiticus 5 C
30. African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer 1 2
31. Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis 4 4
32. Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus 8 C
33. African White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus 2 8+
34. Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture Gyps rueppelli 1 1
35. European Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus 1 1
36. Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus 1 1
37. Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle Circaetus beaudouini 2 1
38. Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus 3 2
39. Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus 1 1
40. Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 4 N/C
41. Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus 2 1
42. African Harrier-hawk Polyboroides typus [radiatus] 7 C
43. Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus 3 2
44. Dark Chanting Goshawk Melierax metabates 5 N/C
45. Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar 1 1
46. Shikra Accipiter badius 2 1
47. Grasshopper Buzzard Butastur rufipennis 4 N/C
48. Wahlberg's Eagle Aquila wahlbergi 2 1
49. African Hawk Eagle Hieraaetus spilogaster [fasciatus] 1 1
50. Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis 2 2
51. Osprey Pandion haliaetus 5 LC
52. Grey Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus 3 2
53. Red-necked Falcon Falco chiquera 1 2
54. Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo 1 1
55. Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus 1 2
56. Double-spurred Francolin Francolinus bicalcaratus 3 + 2H 3
57. Stone Partridge Ptilopachus petrosus 2 5
58. Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostra 1 2
59. Black Crowned Crane Balearica pavonina 1 2
60. Savile’s Bustard Eupodotis savilei 1 2
61. African Jacana Actophilornis africanus 4 3+
62. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 3 LC
63. Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 1 3
64. Senegal Thick-knee Burhinus senegalensis 5 6+
65. Spotted Thick-knee Burninus capensis 2 4+
66. Egyptian Plover Pluvianus aegyptius 1 5+
67. Temminck’s Courser Cursorius temminckii 1 2
68. Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola 1 33
69. Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 1 N/C
70. Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 1 N/C
71. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 1 1
72. Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius 1 26
73. Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 1 1
74. Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus 5 C
75. Black-headed Lapwing Vanellus tectus 1 N/C
76. Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus 3 LC
77. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 2 N/C
78. Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 1 N/C
79. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 5 LC
80. Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 1 + 1H 1
81. Common Redshank Tringa totanus 5 LC
82. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 3 2
83. Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 4 LC
84. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 4 LC
85. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 2 N/C
86. Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleucos 5 N/C
87. Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 2 8+
88. Little Stint Calidris minuta 1 N/C
89. Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea 1 N/C
90. Ruff Philomachus pugnax 2 N/C
91. Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1 1
92. Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 2 5+
93. Grey-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus 4 LC
94. Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 1 1
95. Slender-billed Gull Larus genei 1 2
96. Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica 1 3
97. Caspian Tern Sterna caspia 4 20+
98. Royal Tern Sterna maxima 2 30+
99. Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis 2 15+
100. Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 2 N/C
101. Little Tern Sterna albifrons 1 8+
102. White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus 1 1
103. Four-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles quadricinctus 1 4
104. Feral Pigeon Columbia livia domesticus 7 C
105. Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea 8 C
106. Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 8 C
107. African Mourning Dove Streptopelia decipiens 3 N/C
108. Vinaceous Dove Streptopelia vinacea 7 N/C
109. Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata 8 C
110. Black-billed Wood Dove Turtur abyssinicus [chalcospilos] 3 N/C
111. Blue-spotted Wood Dove Turtur afer 4 N/C
112. Namaqua Dove Oena capensis 1 LC
113. Bruce's Green Pigeon Treron waalia 2 N/C
114. African Green Pigeon Treron calva [australis] 3 N/C
115. Senegal Parrot Poicephalus senegalus 2 N/C
116. Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri 6 C
117. Green Turaco Tauraco persa 2 3
118. Violet Turaco Musophaga violacea 2 4
119. Western Grey Plantain-eater Crinifer piscator 8 C
120. Levaillant’s Cuckoo Oxylophus levaillantii 3 2
121. Klaas’ Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas 1 1
122. Diederik Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius 1 2
123. Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis 6 C
African Scops Owl Otus senegalensis 1H
124. White-faced Scops Owl Otus leucotis 1 2
125. Verreaux's Eagle Owl Bubo lacteus 1 1
126. Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum [passerinum] 4 2
127. Long-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus climacurus 2 2
128. Standard-winged Nightjar Macrodipteryx longipennis 1 8+
129. Mottled Spinetail Telacanthura ussheri 2 N/C
130. African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus 4 LC
131. Pallid Swift Apus pallidus 1 3
132. Little Swift Apus affinis 5 C
133. Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata 2 10+
134. African Pygmy Kingfisher Ispidina picta 1 2
135. Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala 1 2
136. Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis 1 1
137. Blue-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon malimbica 2 20+
138. Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti 1 1
139. Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima 2 1
140. Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis 5 LC
141. Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus 5 C
142. Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus 3 N/C
143. White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis 2 4
144. Little Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis 1 4
145. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus [superciliosus] 1 15+
146. European Bee-eater Merops apiaster 2 N/C
147. Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinica 4 LC
148. Rufous-crowned Roller Coracias noevia 4 LC
149. Blue-bellied Roller Coracias cyanogaster 7 C
150. Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus 8 C
151. Green Wood Hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus 6 C
152. Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus 8 C
153. African Pied Hornbill Tockus fasciatus 2 4
154. African Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus 3 N/C
155. Abyssinian Ground Hornbill Bucorvus abyssinicus 1 1
156. Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus 2 + 1H 2
157. Vieillot's Barbet Lybius vieilloti 3 + 1H 2
158. Bearded Barbet Lybius dubius 3 5+
159. Spotted Honeyguide Indicator maculates 1 1
160. Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator 2 1
161. Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor 1 1
162. Fine-spotted Woodpecker Campethera punctuligera [nubica] 2 N/C
163. Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens 1 1
164. Grey Woodpecker Dendropicos goertae 2 4+
165. Chestnut-backed Sparrow-lark Eremopterix leucotis 1 6+
166. Crested Lark Galerida cristata 2 3
167. Red-chested Swallow Hirundo lucida [rustica] 5 LC
168. Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii 2 N/C
169. Pied-winged Swallow Hirundo leucosoma 2 N/C
170. Rufous-chested Swallow Hirundo semirufa 1 N/C
171. Mosque Swallow Hirundo senegalensis 1 N/C
172. Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica 1 N/C
173. House Martin Delichon urbica 2 N/C
174. Fanti Saw-wing Psalidoprocne obscura 2 3
175. Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys 1 1
176. White Wagtail Motacilla alba 2 N/C
177. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 1 5+
178. Red-shouldered Cuckoo-Shrike Campephaga phoenicea 1 2
179. Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus 8 C
180. Little Greenbul Andropadus virens 1 6+
181. Yellow-throated Leaflove Chlorocichla flavicollis 3 2
182. Grey-headed Bristlebill Bleda canicapilla 1 2
Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos H only
183. Snowy-crowned Robin-chat Cossypha niveicapilla 1 + 1H 1
184. White-crowned Robin-chat Cossypha albicapilla 4 3
185. Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 1 1
186. Whinchat Saxicola rubetra 1 1
187. Northern Anteater Chat Myrmecocichla aethiops 1 4
188. African Thrush Turdus pelios [olivaceus] 4 N/C
189. Singing Cisticola Cisticola cantans 1 2
190. Siffling Cisticola Cisticola brachyperus 1 1
191. Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis 1 3
192. Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava 4 2
193. Red-winged Warbler Heliolais erythroptera 1 2
194. Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida 1 5
195. Oriole Warbler Hypergerus atriceps 1 1
196. Western Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais opaca 2 1
197. Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata [brachyura] 2 2
198. Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta 1 1
199. Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans 2 1
200. Senegal Eremomela Eremomela senegalensis 4 4
201. Northern Crombec Sylvietta brachyura 2 2
202. Green Hylia Hylia prasina 1 1
203. Northern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis edolioides 3 4
204. Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone rufiventer 1 N/C
205. Blackcap Babbler Turdoides reinwardtii 2 5
206. Brown Babbler Turdoides plebejus 7 C
207. Yellow Penduline Tit Anthoscopus parvulus 1 5
208. Mouse-brown Sunbird Anthreptes gabonicus 1 6+
209. Collared Sunbird Anthreptes collaris 1 2
210. Pygmy Sunbird Anthreptes platurus 1 3
211. Scarlet-chested Sunbird Nectarinia senegalensis 2 4
212. Variable Sunbird Nectarinia venusta 4 4+
213. Splendid Sunbird Nectarinia coccinigastra 3 N/C
214. Beautiful Sunbird Nectarinia pulchella 6 C
215. African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis 3 4
216. African Golden Oriole Oriolus auratus 2 2
217. Brubru Nilaus afer 1 1
218. Northern Puffback Dryoscopus gambensis 3 4
219. Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegala 2 + 1H 2
220. Yellow-crowned Gonolek Laniarius barbarus 5 C
221. Sulphur-breasted Bush Shrike Telophorus sulfureopectus 1 + 1H 1
222. White-crested Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus 4 8+
223. Senegal Batis Batis enegalensis 2 2
224. Common Wattle-eye Platysteira cyanea 2 + 1H 5+
225. Yellow-billed Shrike Corvinella corvina 7 C
226. Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis 3 LC
227. Piapiac Ptilostomus afer 7 C
228. Pied Crow Corvus albus 8 C
229. Purple Glossy Starling Lamprotornis purpureus 6 C
230. Bronze-tailed Glossy Starling Lamprotornis chalcurus 1 4+
231. Greater Blue-eared Glossy Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus 1 N/C
232. Lesser Blue-eared Glossy Starling Lamprotornis chloropterus 2 N/C
233. Long-tailed Glossy Starling Lamprotornis caudatus 6 C
234. Chestnut-bellied Starling Lamprotornis pulcher 1 8+
235. Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus 1 2
236. House Sparrow Passer domesticus 3 N/C
237. Grey-headed Sparrow
C Passer griseus 7 C
238. Bush Petronia Petronia dentata 2 N/C
239. White-billed Buffalo-weaver Bubalornis albirostris 6 25+
240. Little Weaver Ploceus luteolus 2 2
241. Black-necked Weaver Ploceus nigricollis 3 15+
242. Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus 7 C
243. Yellow-backed Weaver Ploceus melanocephalus 1 2
244. Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea 1 1
245. Black-winged Red Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus 1 2
246. Red Bishop Euplectes franciscanus [orix] 5 LC
247. Western Bluebill Spermophaga haematina 1 1
248. Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala 7 C
249. Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu Uraeginthus bengalus 6 C
250. Lavender Waxbill Estrilda caerulescens 4 LC
251. Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda 1 15+
252. Black-rumped Waxbill Estrilda troglodytes 1 12+
253. African Quailfinch Ortygospiza atricollis 2 4+
254. African Silverbill Lonchura cantans 1 2
255. Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata 7 C
256. Cut-throat Finch Amadina fasciata 1 10+
257. Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata 1 N/C
258. Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura 1 4
259. Exclamatory Paradise Whydah Vidua interjecta 1 6+
260. Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus 4 LC
261. Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi 1 1
OTHER
Agama Lizard Fiddler Crab Mud Skipper
Bushbuck Western Red Colobus Green Vervet Monkey
Red Patas Monkey Nile Crocodile Gambian Sun Squirrel
Nile Monitor Gambian Epauletted Fruit Bat African Monarch
African Swallowtail
Please note that our checklists do not include species seen by leaders only.
We also do not include single observer sightings or very poor views.
We do not count heard only or subspecies, although they are noted.
This we believe gives us a very honest accurate group total.
With this in mind we welcome you to compare our lists with other companies, check out our high standards and above
all our prices which offer the very best value for money.
Check out our gallery for photos from this and other tours
Phone: 01752 342001
e-mail: info@birdseekers.com
www.birdseekers.co.uk
ATOL No. 6156
