Dave Williams's 2018 Big(Photo)Year!

[Dave Williams]

133) Scarlet-chested Sunbird.

This one is changing coats.

Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

and this is the female.

Scarlet-chested Sunbird   Chalcomitra senegalensis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Can't remember where I saw them though! I think it was inland from Pirang on my guided trip.

[Dave Williams]

134) Sandwich Tern

Taking a bath with a Royal Tern at Kartong. I should get better views in the UK during the summer but I didn't manage it last year so I'm putting this one in now!

Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

135)Senegal Eremomela

Also known as Green-backed Eremomela ( try saying that in a hurry!)

 

Senegal Eremomela       Eremomela pusilla by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

136)Senegal Parrot

This one was in Kotu.

Senegal Parrot   Poicephalus senegalus 22018-01-21 by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Usually at the top of a tree

Senegal Parrot   Poicephalus senegalus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

137) Senegal Coucal

 

Common, sometimes out in the open sometimes very furtive.

Senegal Coucal   Centropus senegalensis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

They seem to like the dried up rice fields in Kotu.

Senegal Coucal   Centropus senegalensis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

138) Senegal Batis

A noisy little bird, this one was on my first guided trip, somewhere inland.

Senegal Batis   Batis senegalensis 52018-01-29 by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Responded well to imitating Owlet calls!

Senegal Batis   Batis senegalensis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

139) Senegal Thick-knee

Always seen near Kotu Bridge and the Creek area

Senegal Thick-knee   Burhinus senegalensis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

They never seem to be doing too much though!

Senegal Thick-knee   Burhinus senegalensis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

A shake of the wings as good as it gets!

Senegal Thick-knee   Burhinus senegalensis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

140) Shikra

I saw this adult when it briefly landed in a tree in Kotu.

Shikra   Accipiter badius by Dave Williams, on Flickr

This juvenile was on the wires by the roadside when on our way to Kartong.

Shikra   Accipiter badius by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

141) Slender-billed Gull

Numerous at Kartong too, these were taken on the beach at Tanji.

Junior

Slender-billed Gull    Larus genei by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Changeling

Slender-billed Gull    Larus genei by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Fully adult!

Slender-billed Gull    Larus genei by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

142) Spur-winged Goose

Seen distantly at Kartong

Spur-winged Goose  Plectropterus gambensis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

143) Splendid Sunbird

Up the same tree at the Scarlet-breasted Sunbird, Eremenola,Brubru,Batis and a Brown-backed Woodpecker. Some tree!

Splendid Sunbird   Cinnyris coccinigastrus. by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

144) Speckled Pigeon

Two landed right in front of me, same spot as the Stilts,Greenshank,Marsh Sandpiper, Painted Snipe. Some pond!

Speckled Pigeon  Columba guinea by Dave Williams, on Flickr

A hot day and a thirst to quench.

Speckled Pigeon  Columba guinea by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Even a pigeon looks good in water!

Speckled Pigeon  Columba guinea by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

145) Spur-winged Plover

These birds seem to be everywhere in The Gambia and they can be really annoying to a photographer trying to sneak up on a subject as they are the first to fly causing everything else to go in to panic mode with their alarm calls.

Spur-winged Plover  Vanellus spinosus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

When you are just trying to photograph them they seem very co-operative. Maybe they get jealous!

Spur-winged Plover  Vanellus spinosus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

146) Squacco Heron

For a change this one totally ignored me, coming within a few feet as it had had it's attention caught elsewhere.

Squacco Heron   Ardeola ralloides by Dave Williams, on Flickr

In flight they totally change becoming mostly white and a challenging photo in to the bargain on a bright day!

Squacco Heron   Ardeola ralloides by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

147) Striated Heron

In the same local pond as the Squacco but a lot more furtive.

Striated Heron   Butorides striata by Dave Williams, on Flickr

I snuck up behind it and wasn't noticed lying on the bank!

Striated Heron   Butorides striata by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

148) Village Indigobird

This female was the only one I saw, feeding at the Bird Guides hut at Kotu Bridge.

Village Indigobird  Vidua chalybeata by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Not a particularly memorable bird either!

Village Indigobird  Vidua chalybeata by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

149) Variable Sunbird.

The only one again, it was in a distant tree with so many other species that arrived to investigate our guides Owlet calls somewhere inland.

Variable Sunbird  Cinnyris venustus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

150) Village Weaver

So common I only took about 6 shots of the species and regret it now I have returned home!

Village Weaver  Ploceus cucullatus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

They are not unattractive.

Village Weaver  Ploceus cucullatus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

151) Northern Red Bishop

This is the only shot I can find of this ever common bird. Out of breeding plumage not really worth spending time over but they are an additional number in the BY!

Northern Red Bishop  Euplectes franciscanus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

152) Ruddy Turnstone

A common wader here in the UK, this was taken at Tanji  Beach.

Turnstone    Arenaria interpres by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

153) Tawny-flanked Prinia

This was seen on the local golf course adjoining our hotel.

Tawny-flanked Prinia   Prinia subflava by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Easier to hear than see sometimes, they certainly let you know when they are around with their rasping calls.

Tawny-flanked Prinia   Prinia subflava by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

154)Western Olivaceous Warbler

A bonus when staking out the Painted Snipe!

Western Olivaceous Warbler   Iduna opaca by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

155) Wester Reef Egret.

Frequently seen anywhere with water, this one was in Kotu

Western Reef Egret   Egretta gularis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Unmistakably at Kotu Bridge on the old pillars.

Western Reef Egret   Egretta gularis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

One of the nice things around Kotu is getting reflections of different colours on the water.

Western Reef Egret   Egretta gularis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

 

[Dave Williams]

156) Whimbrel

A bit scarce in the UK and you can rarely get close but The Gambia it's different!

Whimbrel  Numenius phaeopus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Must be as good as anywhere to see them and they are immune to approach!

Whimbrel  Numenius phaeopus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Whimbrel  Numenius phaeopus by Dave Williams, on FlickrWhimbrel  Numenius phaeopus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Their favourite diet appears to be crabs which need handling with care.

Whimbrel  Numenius phaeopus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Sadly the poor crab suffers a brutal end with all the legs shaken from the body before being devoured.

 

 

Edited February 13, 2018 by Dave Williams

[Dave Williams]

157)Whinchat

A summer visitor to the UK where they breed on upland moors. Winter spent in sunnier climes!

Whinchat   Saxicola rubetra by Dave Williams, on Flickr