Trip Report for February 2008
Day 5
Another early start – after a quick stop at Tendaba airfield where we saw our first European Roller, we hit the bumpy roads again on our way to the ferry at Farafenni. En route stops added Grey Headed Bush Shrike, Marabou Stork, Tawny and Western Banded Snake Eagles to our list. We arrived at the ferry about mid-day and it was an unforgettable experience. Cars, lorries, bush taxis and horse drawn carts, many of them complete with chickens and goats aboard, jostled for position along a road crowded with hawkers selling everything from material to tapalapa. Eventually we reached the north bank – it was noticeably hotter and the habitat more desert like. We headed east (on tarred roads) to the pools at Panchang. Here we found Black Crake, Red Throated Bee-Eater, White-Fronted Plover and (a first for Phil) Purple Swamp Hen. This was the most easterly point of our trip and we made our way back towards the ferry with further stops one to see if we could flush bustards, and one at the Kaur wetlands where we had collared Pratincole, Sudan Golden Sparrow and a Pallid Harrier with a party of Montagu’s Harriers. We returned to Tendaba tired and dusty but very happy with our day out. That evening we all enjoyed a dance display given by the local villagers.
Species seen...
Great Cormorant |
Montuga’s Harrier |
Common Sandpiper |
European Roller |
