Mfuwe's second year.

[Galana]

Thanks.

The Gambia did what I hoped it would do. The disappointment is that circumstances prevented me from exploiting the potential that was there.

But yes, I gained a fair few ticks nevertheless and saw most of the birds that I had on my target list as the following posts will show.

Here are another four.

 

149. White-throated BeeEater.

 

150. Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat.

 

151. Little Greenbul.

 

152. Green-headed Sunbird.

 

[Dave Williams]

My sympathies have vanished... I think you have a couple of lifers for me in the TG series! You got some great views of some excellent birds!

[Galana]

1 hour ago, Dave Williams said:

My sympathies have vanished.

Sob! e tu Brute?

I have revised down my lifers from 31 to 22 after checking 'life list' as it appeared I saw some of them in Ghana and Uganda already.

I think I may have some more for you as my posts developed. It is strange that having checked both your posts and @TonyQ's we saw so many different species (usual suspects excepted) and still racked up a decent score each.

Stay tuned!

153. African Paradise Flycatcher. Poorly lit male was the only one seen. The second is a hybrid with Red-bellied I presume.

 

154. Ahanta Francolin. (Lifer for me)

 

155. Green-headed Bristlebill. Seen twice. Captured once.

 

156. Grey Kestrel.

[Dave Williams]

I'm not so sure that's hybrid Fred. In my book it's the blue chest that hybrids appear to have. No white on the wings on that of yours either. I wouldn't argue against Red-bellied.

[Galana]

3 hours ago, Dave Williams said:

I wouldn't argue against Red-bellied

Thanks Dave.

You were not to know but the primaries were white and the chest is showing blue.

Interesting activity of this lady in that she haunted the same spot (near the water tanks where I placed my chair) and was there each visit. I noted some room cleaners dumping rubbish inside a concrete "well" and no doubt this attracted flies. The bird was using this as a feeding station and any human activity, such as this old chap waving a camera, stimulated her to activity. She was quite tame. I am saying 'she' but this is an assumption.

Don't worry about the RB. He comes in 25 pics later! .

Edited April 11, 2018 by Galana
Correcting text.

[Galana]

I need to keep this thread moving or I may be off again before I have finished.

So.....let's head down to some wetlands. At least the light may be better...

 

157. Greater Painted Snipe. Is there a lesser I ask? Male.

 

158. Black Crake.

159. Squacco Heron.

 

160. African Jacana.

[TonyQ]

Well done with the Painted Snipe. 

Are  you off on another trip?

[Galana]

1 hour ago, TonyQ said:

Are  you off on another trip?

Yes. I have been at home a whole week now.

Seriously. I am booked to visit Western Scotland in May returning via Ladakh in mid June. That's where @xelas get's his "birding on three continents" idea to compute a 'target ' for the BY.

[elefromoz]

11 hours ago, Galana said:

I am booked to visit Western Scotland in May returning via Ladakh in mid June.

Thats a fair detour? will be very keen to see/hear about both locations anyways. Wondering how the Scottish weather is in late May. 

[Galana]

21 minutes ago, elefromoz said:

Wondering how the Scottish weather is in late May. 

Historically, statistically indeed, it is often mild and settled especially the western coast and isles. ON the other hand those Atlantic houlies are never far away and the weather can change very quickly which is a total contradiction of what I first wrote! So I got the balance right.

I am packing the same gear for both Hebrides and Himalayas so that should cover it.

[Galana]

This group of four include a special for @Dave Williams

 

161. Purple Glossy Starling.

 

162. Long-crested Eagle.

 

163. Giant Kingfisher.

 

164. Either Batmobile or a Goliath Heron. How's that Dai bach?

 

 

[Dave Williams]

14 minutes ago, Galana said:

 

 

164. Either Batmobile or a Goliath Heron. How's that Dai bach?

 

 

 

Love it, it's worse than mine!!

[elefromoz]

1 hour ago, Galana said:

I am packing the same gear for both Hebrides and Himalayas so that should cover it.

 

Oh dear, don't let the OH read that, Ill never get him there, he's a 'Pina Colada under a Palm tree, between snorkels" kinda guy.

[Galana]

2 hours ago, Dave Williams said:

Love it, it's worse than mine!!

They usually are!

 

1 hour ago, elefromoz said:

he's a 'Pina Colada under a Palm tree,

Not much of that in Invercockieleekie!

More a straight 'half' of Lagavulin in front of a reekin fire kind of place.

[Soukous]

10 minutes ago, Galana said:

They usually are!

 

Not much of that in Invercockieleekie!

More a straight 'half' of Lagavulin in front of a reekin fire kind of place.

 

Lang may yer lum reek

[Galana]

1 hour ago, Soukous said:

Lang may yer lum reek

Aye. I appreciate the sentiment but ma current But n ben dinna even ha' a lum to reek. Bloddy Central Heating.

[Galana]

Introducing a bit more colour to the list with the next four.

 

165. Little BeeEater.

 

166. Violet Turaco.

 

168. Brown Babbler.

[Dave Williams]

You might put the Latin names to the birds for the benefit of non English speakers but translations of local dialect would be much appreciated by even those that can!!

 

[Galana]

Efallai eich bod yn byw yn hir ac yn dda, Dai bach.

As requested for Sassenachs,

"reek" is smoke, 'lum' is chimney.

So when

10 hours ago, Soukous said:

Lang may yer lum reek

he was wising me long life and prosperity (a Scots toast) by hoping my chimney continued to smoke for some time.

I have just wished "Dai bach", @Dave Williams much the same. "May you live long and well" in Welsh. (I think)

Perhaps we should stick to birds?

[Dave Williams]

Birds are an aside, this is a social thread!

Thanks for the good wishes in Welsh although Google struggled to translate. It came out as:-

Perhaps you live long and well, small house

 

I think I prefer the Scottish version. Last time my personal chimney continued to smoke for some time was probably in India!

[elefromoz]

Thats the last time I ask ''hows the weather in Scotland"

[PeterHG]

Your Gambia score is quite impressive. Some beauties are waiting out there: Violet Turaco, Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat , White- fronted Bee-eater. Colourful additions!

[Galana]

51 minutes ago, PeterHG said:

Your Gambia score is quite impressive. Some beauties are waiting out there:

Thanks Peter,

No doubt about the colourful birds already posted. Ironically the three you mention were not lifers for me, not that I pursue numbers for that reason. Stay tuned. Without appearing immodest (Moi?) I think the best are still to come as I edge towards >200..

@elefromoz

It does get better although today is miserable. Fair Dreichit!

Others. I forgot to translate But nBen. (But and Ben). A humble two room cottage.

 

[Galana]

Where was I?

Oh yes. Birds in big Year.

A pretty drab bunch I am afraid.

Very near Senegal of course,

 

169. Senegal Coucal.

 

170. Red-cheeked Cordon-bleau.

 

171. White-billed Buffalo Weaver.

 

172. Pin-tailed Whydah. Not yet in his finery.

 

173. Blue-cheeked BeeEater. Nicely perched up sun. No chance to re-position as 'somebody at the Lodge' needed the boat. Sheesh!

[Dave Williams]

The Pin-tailed Whydah is an interesting plumage.It's amazing how many very distinctive birds in their breeding finery become totally nondescript  little brown jobs for the rest of the year. For me an ID nightmare.