Trip Report for February 2008
Day 6
Our day began with a boat trip across the river and along mangrove lined creeks. As we set out the mist was still hanging over the river and we had good views of Fish Eagles, Pink Backed Pelicans and a Spur-winged Goose flying past. Once we reached the creeks, the sun was fully up and the birds more active. Soon we had spotted Mouse-brown Sunbirds, Woolly-Necked Storks and Red Billed Quelea. We had a superb view of a White backed Night Heron with its distinctive large eyes showing well. Our best sightings came towards the end of this trip; we rounded a corner to see a Goliath Heron get up right in front of us and shortly after that we came so close to an African Finfoot that it was almost within touching distance.
Once back on dry land, it was time to head ‘home’ for Halcyon. We found a White fronted Black Chat on one of the tracks and a kill on the road gave us an excellent opportunity to study the differences between European Griffon Vultures, Hooded Vultures and Ruppell’s Griffon Vultures at close quarters. We kept our eyes on the sky hoping to see a Bateleur that was missing from our list. We had no luck, but we more than made up for it by finding three Abyssinian Ground Hornbills! We returned to Halcyon tired and dirty, but very glad to have undertaken the trip inland. Our minds were still buzzing with all the sights and sounds of Gambian rural life, let alone the birds that we had seen.
Species seen...
Pink-backed Pelican Hamerkop |
Palm Nut Vulture |
Whimbrel |
Senegal Parrot |
