Koto Creek with Mallick Suso (Day 4 Gambia)

The main man of Gambian birding Mallick Suso

Greater Painted Snipe

Casino Cycle Track at dawn

Pied Kingfisher

Wood Sandpiper

Grey-headed Gulls

Little Bee-eater

Vinaceous Dove

Superb habitat

White-faced Whistling Duck

Pearl-Spotted Owlet

Buffalo Weaver

Blue-bellied Roller

Green Wood Hoopoe

Western Reef Heron

Wire-tailed Swallow

Pied Kingfisher

Long-tailed Cormorant

Common Wattle-eye

Striped Kingfisher

Little Bee-eater

Squacco Heron

Another species in the bag

Grey Woodpecker

Sewage ponds

Anyone for a Cattle Egret ?

Spur-winged Plover

Grey-headed Gull

Black-wing Stilt & African Jacana

Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird

Senegal Parrots

Great White Egret

Broad-billed Roller

When researching Gambian birding it is difficult to avoid the name Mallick Suso. Mallick is the head of the Gambia Birdwatching Association and has been a personal friend of Chris Packham for over 20 years. Mallick teams up with Chris each spring to undertake small tours of the Gambia. With not being to this part of the world before I was keen to secure the services of the top man well in advance and I was very pleased we got everything agreed months ahead.

Our first session was going to be a morning around Koto Creek which only about 5 minutes drive north of the hotel. The day couldn't have started better as we watched a dozen Great Painted Snipe from a special hide built by Mallick particularly for Chris Packham to photograph the species. This was one of my must see species of the trip so was delighted. The females are slightly larger and most definatley more colourful than the males. If this hide was closer to the hotel I would have sat in it for hours. Also showing well were a Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper.

Delighted with our great start we past through the rice fields and on to the old Casino track. Whilst watching a Vinaceais Dove, two Pink-backed Pelicans past over head. The next hour and a half was just amazing, I was struggling to keep up with recording the species as there was so many birds to see at close quarters. Intermediate Heron, White-face Whistling Duck, Squacco Heron, African Jacana, Great White Egret, Buffalo Weaver, African Silverbill and African Spoonbill were welcome new additions which were quickly followed by Lizzard Buzzard, Sacred Ibis, Rose-ring Parakeets and Senegal Parrots. 

Mallick then located my first African Owl a Pearl Spotted Owlett which is very similar to our Little Owl in some tall trees in a garden enclosure. Fantastic. Three Green Wood Hoopee's fed kept pace with us to the left of the path as Mallick told me of the days he had visited Cley and Titchwell in Norfolk. 

Two new Kingfishers were then seen, a Makachite and Striped, which the former was sat on a wire next to a Blue-bresasted Roller. It was really a case of fantasy birding. Upon reaching the famous Koto bridge over looking the creek, Mallick left me to my own devices for 10 minutes whilst he made a few calls about future bookings. The bridge allowed brilliant views of many species including Pied Kingfisher, Western Reef Heron, Redshank (how dull eh), Black-winged Stilt, Wire-tailed Swallow, Grey Heron, Wattled Plover, Little Grebe, Ring Plover, Long-tailed Cormorant and Grey Plover. 

Whilst taking a cool drink we added a Common Wattle-eye to the day list for good measure before crossing back over the bridge into some drier habitat. Four Little Bee-eaters flew around us feeding landing very close on occasions. 

I would say that my revision with the field guide paid dividends identifying the more common species however Mallick then found some superb birds that I was desperate to see starting with a Black-headed Heron, followed by an Olivacous Warbler and then a Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird. 

A part of the Barbet family, the yellow-fronted tinkerbird is approximately 11 cm (4.3 in) in length. It is plump, with a short neck, large head, and short tail. The adult has black upperparts heavily streaked with yellow and white. Its head has a strong black and white pattern, with a yellow forecrown spot. The underparts and rump are lemon yellow. Both sexes are similar in appearance, but young birds have a differentiating dark crown that lacks the distinct yellow spot.

At about 100 repetitions per minute, the Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird's call is a fast tink-tink-tink-tink. Many barbets perch prominently, but, unlike their larger relatives, the smaller tinkerbirds sing from cover and are more frequently heard than seen. The birds call carries long distances hence difficult to find. We not only found one but we also found the birds home.

The sewage works didn't add any new birds to the list but I got to see birds like Wood Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilt, Wattled Plover, Grey-headed Gulls and Cattle Egrets within a few feet. 

Mallick continued in his pursuit to find more great birds and was pleased to find me my first Grey Woodpecker & Fork-tailed Drongo as we headed back to the car. What a morning. 

April patch delights

It felt like it was going to be a good weekend. I had planned to have a morning on the Somerset levels and take in the reported White Stork before it showed more anti-social tendencies and took of to head north.  I made the most of the time & had three patch visits.

As soon as I got out the car a male Blackcap was in full voice on the edge of the plantation, after a couple of minutes of patience the bird showed very well. My target of the morning was most definatley Wheatear as it’s a species that passes through and then becomes almost impossible to catch up with.  We have some very shallow flashes in the middle of the pits that seems to be the hotspot and it paid dividends again. It started off by my finding a stonking male then I found another three females keeping him company. I called Paul who joined me as I watched them for about an hour and tried to get a couple of records shots.

Three Little Ringed Plover are flying around Pophills and the middle areas. I managed to photograph one as I was waiting for the Wheatears. The Green Sandpipers seem to have dropped to just two at the moment, with the water level very high our change of wading birds is diminishing this spring. On Snipe meadow it seemed the local Hare population are enjoying the new habitat, I’m guessing it has to please someone.

Sunday was WEBS count day so John and I set off around 8am. Heading back from the main pit was Ann & Noel who had seen a Yellow Wagtail but sadly we couldn’t find it. As we caught up with the gossip the first of two Red Kites came into view heading west towards the village. The second Kite (a different one) was hunting the landfill areas where I caught up in the action above our heads. When does a bird become a trash bird for your site ? 5 sightings on the bounce, certainly indicate its heading towards that category.

Whilst on the main pit all three hirundines could be seen in good numbers including my first House Martins of the year. Swallows kept moving through all morning.  A White Wagtail flew into the main island  around the busy Oystercatchers. It was good to meet Andy Woodhouse who was around the south pools and reports two Avocets on Friday. That’s a species a few of us need to see at the site. After that is was a pretty tame end to the morning other than 17 Buzzards on view and a Sparrowhawk.

Complete sightings care of Jon as I'm phone ran out of battery  :- 16 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 6 Mute Swan, 14 Greylags, 32 Canada Geese, 4 Shelduck, 31 Gadwall, 24 Teal, 83 Mallard, 12 Shoveller, 85 Tufted Duck, 2 Red Kite, 1 Sparrowhawk, 17 Buzzard, 2-3 Kestrel, 12 Moorhen, 74 Coot, 2 Oystercatcher, 4 LRP, 25 Golden Plover, 1 Lapwing, 1 Redshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, 12 LBB Gull, 5 Herring Gull, 20 Sand Martin, 3 House Martin, 10 Swallow, 6 Meadow Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1

White Wagtail, 2 Wheatear, 3 Blackcap, 1 Raven, 50 Linnet, 3 Siskin.

The good lady fancied a walk on Sunday afternoon so we headed to Abbots Salford for a quick lap of the area. As it turned out it wasn’t a quick lap at all as we found a male Redstart on the northern side of the pool. I made every effort to get a record shot but the bird was way to smart for me. Other sightings included Willow Warblers, two Blackcaps and two Wigeon.

Crocodiles, Terns & Paradise Beach (Gambia Day 3)

Abyssinian Roller

Crocodiles sit with mouths open to cool down

Just a few of the crocs

Paradise beach

Lesser Crested Terns

I do love a nice Tern

Plenty of waders in beach pools 

Tanji Beach

Tanji Beach

Boys with Moses (Big & small)

Our third day in the Gambia would be spent visiting three different places shown to us my our local guide Moses (introduced by a friend in the UK). As always the bins and camera were firmly by my side in case of any additional sightings.

First stop was the Kachikally Museum & Crocodile Farm. After learning about the different tribes & history of Gambia we walked round to the Crocodile pool where over 100 crocodiles lived. The crocodiles had always lived here and the population increased as habitats vanished around the park. The parks manager explained how its difficult to feed so many crocodiles with stretched resources. We duly left a donation on top of our entrance fees. The crocodiles could be seen at close quarters and we were even persuaded to stroke one. Lets hope the reputed healing powers sort my dodgy hernia's out.

Above the crocodiles I saw my first Hammerkops that were nest buiding. The pre-historic looking bird is one you first notice in the field guide but they are fairly common in the right habitat. As we drove to Paradise Beach I picked up a number of lifers including Black Egret, Spur-winged Plover, Rufous-crowned Roller and the stunning Abyssinian Roller which was a species I was desperate to see. Its always more satisfying when you find a bird like this yourself.

After a couple of hours chilling on the stunning Paradise Beach we headed to the village of Tanji to see the fishing boats return. Now this was a site we will all remember. There were thousands of people catching fish, landing boats, selling fish, you had to be careful where you stood. Bird wise it was very good with Lesser Crested, Caspian, Common & Royal all hunting for food above us plus thousands of terns. In addition there were Turnstones, Greenshanks, Pied Kingfisher, Wood Sandpiper, Sanderling the list goes on. After registering my first Skira on a wire on the journey home the trip list had moved to 69. Not bad for a non birding day.

After work treble at RSPB Sandwell Valley

 Common Scoter

Ring Ouzel

Wheatear

A quick check on the RBA App paid dividends as I left work as a Common Scoter had been reported at RSPB Sandwell Valley. Despite it being rush hour I flew down to junction 1 in 10 minutes. 

Parking by the farm, I only had to walk through to the slope where the locals feed the ducks to see the Scoter 150 metres in front of me. Just as I was trying to get a record shot the wind picked up and delivered a freezing hail storm. After a quick chat with local legend Hughie King I headed over to the other side of the road to the horse paddocks to see my first Ring Ouzel and Wheatear of the year. 

Spring migrants pick up pace……finally

I managed four consectitive days at the pit after returning from The Gambia which was rewarded with 60 Sand Martins and 3 Swallows. Although I haven't seen a Red Kite myself they have been observed by Paul, Lee and Jon all independently. I did have a longer session on Saturday however unfortunately I failed to pick up any of the national passage of Ospreys or Sandwich Terns.

Other sightings included :- 18 Little Grebe, 6 Shelduck, 38 Gadwall, 57 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 105 Tufted Duck, 3 Sparrowhawks (pair displaying), Water Rail heard calling, 2 Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 male Wheatear (on concrete blocks along main track near south end of main pit, also recorded by Paul on 28th), 1 Blackcap singing, 6 Willow Warbler, 17 Chiffchaff, 2 Raven, 7 Siskin over and 17 male Reed Buntings on territory. The Linnets are also back singing on the broken roots as the gorse bushes have all been removed. 

Bijilo Forest Park (Day 2)

 Forest Park Entrance

Little Bee-eater

 Green Vervet Monkey

Western Red Colobus Monkey

Grey-backed Camaroptera

Northern Crombec

@buramakeita

Pipiac

 Western Grey Plantain Eater

 Red-billed Hornbill

Beautiful Sunbird

Common Bulbul

 Blue Breasted Kingfisher 

Bronze Manakin

Bijilo Forest Park & Nature Trail (Monkey Park) lies in the coastal zone, next to the beach, about a five minute walk from the hotel. With over 133 bird species recorded there I booked local guide @buramakeita. Burama had been guiding for ten years and without his help I would have really struggled in the thick scrub of the forest. 

On the way to the park we stopped at what looked to be a small hectare of waste land where we picked up a number of great birds including Tawny-flanked Prinia, Grey-headed Sparrow, Red-cheeked Cordon Bleu, Green Wood Hoopoe and Long-tailed Glossy Starling.

The entry fee was 250 Dalsai (£2.20) for both of us. Within our first few seconds inside the park we picked up a Snowy-crowned Robin-chat, Yellow Crowned Gonolek, 
two Oriole Warblers and a Western Red Colobus Monkey.

As the forest opened up I managed to see my first Bee-eaters, first the common Little Bee-eaters then a Swallow tailed Bee-eater. Off shore a Caspian Tern flew north whilst I found it very interesting to watch two Northern Crombec at close quarters. These birds are very similar to our Nuthatches and were formally called Nuthatch Warblers. Another first was the stunning Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher feeding by a watering station. Two more regular species seen were a Common Kestrel & a Peregrine. We had to work hard to see a Grey-backed Camaroptera to start with but then had extended views at close quarters. Our final bird was an Ahanta Francolin shuffling through the under growth. 

A brilliant session of birding which took my species count up to 51.