TonyQ Big Year 2018 (The Third)

[TonyQ]

13.G3. African Golden Oriole  Oriolus auratus 

Marakissa        17.01.2018

We only had a brief view of one during the trip - so the best of a not very good bunch. Recognisable I think.

[TonyQ]

14.G4. African Green Pigeon  Treron calvus 

 

Marakissa        17.01.2018

[TonyQ]

15.G5. African Grey Hornbill   Tockus nasutus                      

(m) Kairaba Hotel  16.01.2018

     

(f) Mandina Lodge           20.01.2018

[TonyQ]

16.G6. African Harrier Hawk   Polyboroides typus                 

Abuko Forest   14.01.2018

Abuko Forest   14.01.2018

[TonyQ]

17.G7. African Jacana  Actophilornis africanus

Abuko Forest   14.01.2018

     

(Juvenile) Kartong       22.01.2018

There were quite a few juveniles her. We had never seen the youngsters before - I think they are very pretty.

[TonyQ]

18.G8. African Mourning Dove  Streptopelia decipiens

Abuko Forest   14.01.2018

As @Dave Williams says, there are a lot of Doves, and it is easy to forget to check them out.

Edited February 7, 2018 by TonyQ

[TonyQ]

Double Post

 

Edited February 7, 2018 by TonyQ

[TonyQ]

19.G9. African Palm Swift  Cypsiurus parvus

Abuko Forest   14.01.2018

Abuko Forest   14.01.2018

 

I struggled to even get them in the frame - they fly so fast and seemingly erratically. I think the shape, especially of the tail is reasonably clear.....

[TonyQ]

20.G10. African Pied Hornbill  Tockus fasciatus

Marakissa        17.01.2018

     

Mandina Lodge           23.01.2018

[xelas]

The Gambia is quickly becoming a destination for serious ST birders! Great photos so far, @TonyQ!

[Dave Williams]

Great stuff! Envious of the Pied Hornbill, failed getting a Darter shot but saw one and the Mourning Dove, well I'll have another look , might have taken one without noticing!

The reason for my speedier approach this time is that I'm not too bothered about the PP.

[lmSA84]

@TonyQ - great photos! I'm really looking forward to this series and your thoughts on The Gambia. 

[Galana]

Welcome back @TonyQ  a great start.

[TonyQ]

@xelas @Galana @Dave Williams Thank you

@ImSA84   (I don't know why I can't "tag" you!) Thank you. I will write a very short trip report on The Gambia. We really liked it - I think it is a great Winter destination - easy to get to (certainly from the UK) - the birding was really enjoyable. I can see us returning!

[TonyQ]

21.G11. African Pygmy Kingfisher  Ceyx pictus

 

Abuko Forest   14.01.2018     

 

We saw this, the smallest of the kingfishers in The Gambia, on a couple of occasions.

Edited February 8, 2018 by TonyQ

[TonyQ]

22.G12. African Scops Owl  Otus senegalensis                    

Lamin Rice Fields       14.01.2018

Only viewable from directly underneath it - so a bit of a strange angle!

[TonyQ]

23.G13. African Spoonbill  Platalea alba

Kotu     13.01.2018

We only saw these a couple of times -once very distant, and once this fly past.

[TonyQ]

24.G14. African Thrush  Turdus pelios

Kairaba Hotel  19.01.2018

Very Common

[TonyQ]

25.G15. African Wattled Lapwing  Vanellus senegallus                    

Mandina Lodge           23.01.2018

[TonyQ]

26.G16. African Wood Owl  Strix woodfordi   

Pirang Forest  15.01.2018

 

Pocal guides know where these birds roost. I found it difficult to see even when it was pointed out to me!

[TonyQ]

27.G17. African Yellow White-eye  Zosterops senegalensis 

Brufut  18.01.2018

 

A number of places have "jungle bars". You can buy a cold drink, or in one case a coffee, and sit in the shade watching the birds that come in to drink at the containers filled by the owner. Not the most photogenic background, but they are good places to rest in the heat of the day.

[TonyQ]

28.G18. Allen's Gallinule  Porphyrio alleni 

Kartong           22.01.2018

Kartong           22.01.2018

Adults have red beak and legs. Babies are black and fluffy (supposedly). I think this one is on the verge of adulthood.

Here is a glimpse of an adult showing of red legs!

Kartong           22.01.2018

[TonyQ]

29.G19. Bar-tailed Godwit  Limosa lapponica

 

Tanji    18.01.2018

[TonyQ]

30.G20. Bearded Barbet  Lybius dubius

Mandina Lodge           20.01.2018

     Marakissa        17.01.2018

 

Seen quite frequently, but never able to get very close.

It is an amazing bird - it looks like the winner of a children's "design a bird" competition.

[Dave Williams]

1 hour ago, TonyQ said:

@xelas @Galana @Dave Williams Thank you

@ImSA84   (I don't know why I can't "tag" you!) Thank you. I will write a very short trip report on The Gambia. We really liked it - I think it is a great Winter destination - easy to get to (certainly from the UK) - the birding was really enjoyable. I can see us returning!

 

 

It's a lower case L in @lmSA84  Tony.