Dave Williams's 2018 Big(Photo)Year!

[Dave Williams]

78) Common Greenshank

In Kotu  I found a great spot for getting up close and personal, something I have never been able to do in the UK.

Common Greenshank  Tringa nebularia by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Totally unfazed by my fairly close presence whilst out in the open too.

Common Greenshank  Tringa nebularia by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Surprisingly white body too, you tend to only notice the white flash between the wings when they fly.

Common Greenshank  Tringa nebularia by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

79) Grey Kestrel

I spotted this one sat in a dead Palm Tree on our way to Kartong. The only one I saw.

Grey Kestrel  Falco ardosiaceus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

80) Grey Plaintain Eater

Loud and noisy, they are common sights even in our hotel gardens although this shot was taken at Kotu Bridge.

Western Grey Plantain-eater  Crinifer piscator by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Although an attractive bird they are a bit ungainly in flight.

Western Grey Plantain-eater  Crinifer piscator ) by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

81) Grey Plover

Another species we actually find locally...or so I'm told. Never seen one in the UK myself! This was Kotu Creek where there are usually a couple whenever I have been.

Grey Plover  Pluvialis squatarola by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

82) Grey-headed Gull

This one was sat on a boat in Kartong

 

Grey-headed Gull  Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

but there were large numbers everywhere including Kotu Creek where those posts are unmistakable in shots taken of many species.I have some more to come I think. Unfortunately though other gull and tern species no longer seemed to join the roost here as they have in previous years when i have visited.

Grey-headed Gull  Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

83) Grey-headed Sparrow.

This was sat on a garden wall when I went inland on a guided trip. The only one I saw too.

Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

84) Grey Woodpecker

I have never seen as many as I did on this holiday! First one on a Palm Tree near our hotel.

African Grey Woodpecker  Dendropicos goertae by Dave Williams, on Flickr

This was probably the same one seen a week or so later

African Grey Woodpecker  Dendropicos goertae by Dave Williams, on Flickr

but this was in the grounds of the Senegambia Hotel where there may well be a nest build in progress.

African Grey Woodpecker  Dendropicos goertae by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

85) Green Wood-hoopoe

At a distance you would think the name is a misnomer as they appear to be black but with the light in the right direction you can see the colours.

Green Wood Hoopoe. Phoeniculus purpureus. by Dave Williams, on Flickr

More than just greens too.

Green Wood Hoopoe. Phoeniculus purpureus. by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

86) Hamerkop

What an odd looking bird!

Hamerkop Scopus umbretta goertae by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Quite common around Kotu. This one by the bridge ( the posts are a giveaway!) a popular spot for birders and guides to gather especially in the evening.

 

Hamerkop Scopus umbretta goertae by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

87) Hooded Vulture

Whereas there is a worldwide decline in Vulture numbers there is no shortage in and around both Kotu and the Senegambia Hotel where they are fed on a daily basis bringing in large numbers.

Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

I must admit I paid them scant attention, they deserved more!

Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

88) Intermediate Egret

I managed to photograph all three White Egrets in the same pond in Kotu on the same mound at one time or another.

Intermediate Egret    Mesophoyx intermedia by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

89) Little Egret

Same mound!

Little Egret  Egretta garzetta by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Looking fluffy for this shot on the edge of the pond.

Little Egret  Egretta garzetta by Dave Williams, on Flickr

and doing a spot of fishing too.

Little Egret  Egretta garzetta by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

90) Lanner Falcon

I saw one fly around Kotu but was annoyed that i wasn't aware that one had been sat in a tree near our hotel for most of an afternoon!

This flight shot was at Kartong.

Lanner Falcon  Falco biarmicus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

91) Laughing Dove

Plentiful , abundant even.

Laughing Dove   Streptopelia senegalensis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Like all Pigeons and Doves the males seem to have a one track mind but it wasn't his lucky day.

Laughing Dove   Streptopelia senegalensis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

92)Little Bee-eater

Another common species around the rice fields in Kotu Creek.

Little Bee-eater   Merops pusillus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

It's difficult resisting going back for more they make such good subjects.

Little Bee-eater   Merops pusillus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

There doesn't seem to be many Bees around Kotu but insect life is plentiful.

Little Bee-eater   Merops pusillus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

93) Little Swift

This was a long way off, seen at Kartong.

Little Swift   Apus affinis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

95) Lizard Buzzard

Another early morning bird seen on the wires on the way to Kartong.

Lizard Buzzard   Kaupifalco monogrammicus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

96) Long-crested Eagle

Seen as we left Kartong heading for home.

Long-crested Eagle   Lophaetus occipitalis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

The light was really tricky as it was a dark bird and back lit. It appears more brown than the black I associate with the species, 

Long-crested Eagle   Lophaetus occipitalis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

97)Marsh Harrier

A long distance shot at Kartong but as I didn't get one for last year's BY, I'll accept this one in case I don't get another chance!

Marsh Harrier    Circus aeruginosus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

At least it's a clear ID!

Marsh Harrier    Circus aeruginosus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

98) Long-tailed Glossy Starling

I nearly fell off a wall in Kotu Village as I balanced precariously to try and get a view over the branch to see the tail for this shot!

Long-tailed Glossy Starling   Lamprotornis caudatus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

They are not the most confiding of birds when it doesn't suit.

Long-tailed Glossy Starling   Lamprotornis caudatus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

These last two were taken around the Vulture feeding station at Kotu Bridge and just as I was getting somewhere one of the local fruit sellers, on her way home from her beach stall, spotted me trying to get a shot and deliberately clapped her hands to frighten them off. It was pay back for not buying any fruit earlier !!!

Long-tailed Glossy Starling   Lamprotornis caudatus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

I pretended I hadn't heard her!!!!

[Dave Williams]

99) Long-tailed Cormorant

One bird that posed without problems!

Long-tailed Cormorant  Microcarbo africanus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Most confiding in fact.

 

Long-tailed Cormorant  Microcarbo africanus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

I notice that some prefer to call it a Reed Cormorant but i have always used Long-tailed.

Long-tailed Cormorant  Microcarbo africanus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Trying to get action shots in the water is more difficult though.

Long-tailed Cormorant  Microcarbo africanus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

 

[Dave Williams]

100) Malachite Kingfisher

A beautiful little Kingfisher quite common around Kotu Bridge and surrounds.

Malachite Kingfishers  Alcedo cristata by Dave Williams, on Flickr

The bird guides have put up perches but they are some distance away even for the biggest lenses.

Malachite Kingfishers  Alcedo cristata by Dave Williams, on Flickr

better views can be had when they sit on the branches of the Mangroves near to the bridge.

Malachite Kingfishers  Alcedo cristata by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[TonyQ]

Lots of great additions. Superb photos of a real beauty to bring up your 100!

[Galana]

Great photos as usual and a lovely Malachite to bring in your first century. Congratulations.

[Peter Connan]

100 already! And a great bird to do it with. Beautiful!