DOCSLIB.ORG

The Density and Diversity of Birds on Farmland in West Africa

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Density and Diversity of Birds on Farmland in West Africa THE DENSITY AND DIVERSITY OF BIRDS ON FARMLAND IN WEST AFRICA Mark F. Hulme A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of St. Andrews 2007 Full metadata for this item is available in Research@StAndrews:FullText at: http://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/ Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10023/424 This item is protected by original copyright The Density and Diversity of Birds on Farmland in West Africa by Mark F. Hulme Submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the University of St Andrews September 2007 Thesis supervisor: Dr Will Cresswell School of Biology University of St Andrews for John and Rosemary Abstract The area of land farmed in Africa is predicted to double by the year 2050 yet very few African studies have investigated the impact of different farming intensities and regimes on bird communities. This study examined avian species richness and diversity along with the densities of some common bird species on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria, in relation to habitat features on farmland over a gradient of differing farming intensities. The study area exhibited a variety of different levels of farming which differed in the habitat available for birds. Birds normally associated with savanna woodland were more associated with less intensive farming, and open-country birds were more associated with more intensive sites, with more species of birds observed where farming was less intensive. Common species of birds using cultivated land associated with different crops, with acha and millet being the most commonly used. Tree density was the most important variable predicting avian species richness and diversity, with medium tree density predicting the highest species richness and diversity. The densities of two common farmland birds were predicted best by tree density, but varied in their responses to the habitat variables, with common bulbul, a savanna generalist, associating more with less intensive, wooded areas and red- cheeked cordon-bleu, an open savanna granivore, associating with medium intensity, more open farmland. Whinchats were common in open, intensively farmed areas with few trees and good herbaceous vegetation cover. The data presented indicates the importance of retaining natural features of savanna habitat in farmland in order to maintain high avian diversity on farmland. More detailed studies are needed in order to determine the mechanisms involved in the associations observed and collaborations between ecologists and social scientists will be necessary to develop effective policies to limit the impact of the intensification of agriculture in Africa on avian biodiversity. I, Mark F. Hulme, hereby certify that this thesis, which is approximately 50,000 words in length, has been written by me, that it is the record of work carried out by me and that it has not been submitted in any previous application for a higher degree. Date________________ Signature of candidate______________________________ I was admitted as a research student in October 2003 and as a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in October 2003; the higher study for which this is a record was carried out in the University of St Andrews between 2003 and 2007. Date________________ Signature of candidate______________________________ I hereby certify that the candidate has fulfilled the conditions of the Resolution and Regulations appropriate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the University of St Andrews and that the candidate is qualified to submit this thesis in application for that degree. Date________________ Signature of supervisor______________________________ In submitting this thesis to the University of St Andrews I understand that I am giving permission for it to be made available for use in accordance with the regulations of the University Library for the time being in force, subject to any copyright vested in the work not being affected thereby. I also understand that the title and abstract will be published, and that a copy of the work may be made and supplied to any bona fide library or research worker, that my thesis will be electronically accessible for personal or research use, and that the library has the right to continued access to the thesis. I have obtained any third-party copyright permissions that may be required in order to allow such access and migration. Date_________________ Signature of candidate____________________________ Acknowledgements I entered into this PhD with a great deal of trepidation but the help and support of the following people has resulted in it being an experience far less intimidating and far more inspiring than I could have imagined. As a supervisor Will Cresswell has been supportive, understanding and helpful and has allowed me to work independently with just the right amount of input to help me produce a thesis on time and of greater quality than would otherwise have been the case. In short, just the right sort of supervisor. The contributions of Juliet Vickery and Mark Whittingham have greatly enhanced my knowledge and understanding of the work I have been engaged in and I appreciate the time they have put in to advise me. Len Thomas, Steve Buckland, Louise Burt and Monique Mackenzie at CREEM all provided invaluable advise on data analysis. Ulf Ottosson provided much appreciated assistance and friendship in Nigeria. Shiiwua Manu and Georgina Mwansat made my work at APLORI more efficient and pleasant. All the students of APLORI have enhanced my experience in Nigeria and I thank them all along with my fellow PhD students Miriam, Matt, Ross and Jared. The staff at APLORI have all helped my stay there to be the most comfortable that I have experienced thus far in Africa and also provided entertainment and friendship. Chris Nyam was my never-complaining field assistant throughout my field work. I thank him for his hard work collecting habitat data, translating and negotiating for me. Sam, Affan, John and Martha all provided great help in the field and thanks also to Mary, who assisted with the farmer questionnaires, and to Jule for helping to collect the whinchat data. Many thanks to the Chiefs, farmers and people of Laminga, Fobur, Vom and Maijuju, without whose consent I would not have been able to do any fieldwork and who were always so friendly, helpful and welcoming. My family have always supported me in whatever I do, however long it keeps me away from them, and I thank my Mum, Dad and sister Helen for their patience. Thanks also to my grandparents for all their help and support over the years. The support I have had from Alex over the period of my write-up in St Andrews has made it a pleasure rather than a chore and I thank her for turning a potentially nightmare year into a great one. Huge thanks to the Leventis Conservation Foundation for funding this research, Phil Hall for providing logistical support and, most of all, to Mr Tasso Leventis. Table of Contents Chapter 1 Introduction....................................................... 3 1.1. Anthropogenic habitat change ............................................................................3 1.2 Disturbance and Diversity – Could Farmland Host High Biodiversity? .............5 1.3 Farmland as a habitat for birds.............................................................................5 1.3.1 Biodiversity of farmland...............................................................................7 1.3.2 Farmland Birds and Agricultural Intensification ..........................................8 1.3.3 How agricultural practices affect bird abundance: a European case study...8 1.4 Farmland Birds in the Tropics and in Africa .....................................................12 1.4.1 Tropical Habitats and Conversion to Agriculture.......................................12 1.4.2 Birds and Agricultural Gradients in Africa.................................................13 1.5 Further research in agricultural ecosystems in Africa .......................................14 1.5.1 The Study Site.............................................................................................15 1.5.2 Density and Diversity of Farmland birds on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria........16 Chapter 2 Materials and Methods ................................... 18 2.1 Line Transect Surveys........................................................................................18 2.1.1 Survey Design.............................................................................................18 2.1.2 Transects Conducted...................................................................................20 2.2.2 Site Selection ..............................................................................................21 2.1.3 Transect Method .........................................................................................22 2.1.4 Environmental Data ....................................................................................23 2.1.5 Habitat Data ................................................................................................24 2.1.6 Validation Sites...........................................................................................26 2.1.7 Analysis of Line Transect Data...................................................................29 2.2 Farmer Questionnaires.......................................................................................39 2.3 Crop field observations......................................................................................41
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Spectacled Thrush Or Big-Eye Grieve)
    UWI The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago Behaviour Turdus nudigenis (Spectacled Thrush or Big-eye Grieve) Family: Turdidae (Thrushes) Order: Passeriformes (Perching Birds) Class: Aves (Birds) Fig. 1. Spectacled thrush, Turdus nudigenis. [http://www.hbw.com/species, downloaded 5 September 2016] TRAITS. This bird is known as big-eye grieve in Trinidad. It was also known as the bare-eyed thrush, however there is another African thrush species with the same common name, thus it is now known internationally as the spectacled thrush. Turdus nudigenis is about 23-24cm in length and weighs 60g. It is the only thrush in South America and the Lesser Antilles with a conspicuous bare yellow-orange eye ring (Hilty, 2003); the yellow part of the eye is skin that has no feathers. It also has a yellowish bill (Fig. 1). This thrush has a plain colour, it is greyish olive above, and the underparts are brownish grey with a throat that has dusky streaks (Bond, 1993). Males and females look alike, however the adult female has slightly paler underparts than the male (Clement and Hathway, 2000). Turdus nudigenis juveniles have flecks above and spots on their underparts (Hilty, 2003). They also have a thinner eye ring than their parents. UWI The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago Behaviour ECOLOGY. Turdus nudigenis can be found in the Lesser Antilles and South America mainly Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil. They are also very common in Trinidad and Tobago (Kenefick et al., 2011). The spectacled thrush resides in open habitats such as orchards, gardens, savannas and urban areas that are bushy and have trees (Hilty, 2003).
    [Show full text]
  • Sierra Leone Rockfowl and Upper Guinea Specials 21St February to 7Th March 2022 (15 Days)
    Sierra Leone Rockfowl and Upper Guinea Specials 21st February to 7th March 2022 (15 days) White-necked Rockfowl by Adam Riley RBL Sierra Leone Itinerary 2 Sierra Leone is a core West African destination, offering visitors a diverse range of exciting Upper Guinea forest birds and mammals. Rockjumper pioneered this tour during reconnaissance trips in 2005 and then led three successful tours in the course of 2006; these being the first-ever birding tours to the country. Sierra Leone’s biologically rich rainforests support no less than 15 of the 16 Upper Guinea endemic bird species, including the fabled White-necked Rockfowl that will form the basis of our tour. Forest specialties abound and we will focus on finding the rare Gola Malimbe, Sierra Leone Prinia, Black-headed Rufous Warbler, Hartlaub’s Duck, Brown-cheeked Hornbill, Sharpe’s Apalis, Kemp’s Longbill, White-breasted Guineafowl and Red-cheeked Wattle-eye; while the wooded savannas are home to the stunning Emerald Starling, Crimson Seedcracker and Turati’s Boubou, to name but a few. THE TOUR AT A GLANCE… THE ITINERARY Day 1 Arrival in Freetown Day 2 Freetown and Western Peninsula Forest Reserve Day 3 Regent Forest and transfer to Tiwai Island Day 4 Tiwai Island Day 5 Tiwai Island to Kenema Day 6 Kenema to Lalehun and walk in to Gola North (Tourist Camp) Day 7 Gola North (Tourist Camp) Day 8 Gola North to Lalehun and transfer to Kenema Day 9 Kenema to Koidu Day 10 Koidu to Loma Mountains and walk to camp 1 Day 11 Loma Mountains – camp 1 Day 12 Loma Mountains – camp 1 to Koidu Day 13 Koidu to Makeni via Bumbuna area Day 14 Bumbuna area Day 15 Makeni to Lungi International airport and departure RBL Sierra Leone Itinerary 3 TOUR MAP… THE TOUR IN DETAIL… Day 1: Arrival in Freetown.
    [Show full text]
  • Table of Contents
    Table of Contents Page LIST OF ACRONYMS a EXECUTIVE SUMMARY I 1.0 Introduction 1 1.1 Scope of Study 1 1.2 Background – Volta River Authority 2 1.3 Proposed Aboadze-Volta Transmission Line Project (AVTP) 3 1.4 Legal, Regulatory and Policy Considerations 5 1.5 Future developments by VRA 8 2.0 Description of proposed development 10 2.1 Pre-Construction Activities 11 2.2 Construction Phase Activities 12 2.3 Operational Phase Activities 17 2.3.1 Other Operational Considerations 20 3.0 Description of Existing Environments 21 3.1 Bio-Physical Environment 21 3.1.1 Climate 21 3.1.2 Flora 25 3.1.3 Fauna 35 3.1.4 Water Resources 43 3.1.5 Geology and Soils 44 3.1.6 General Land Use 51 3.2 Socio-Economic/Cultural Environment 51 3.2.1 Methodology 53 3.2.2 Profiles of the Districts in the Project Area 54 3.2.2(a) Shama - Ahanta East Metropolitan Area 54 3.2.2(b) Komenda - Edina - Eguafo - Abirem (KEEA) District 58 i 3.2.2(c) Mfantseman District 61 3.2.2(d) Awutu-Effutu-Senya District 63 3.2.2(e) Tema Municipal Area 65 3.2.2(f) Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese 68 3.2.2(g) Ga District 71 3.2.2(h) Gomoa District 74 3.3 Results of Socio-Economic Surveys 77 (Communities, Persons and Property) 3.3.1 Information on Affected Persons and Properties 78 3.3.1.1 Age Distribution of Affected Persons 78 3.3.1.2 Gender Distribution of Affected Persons 79 3.3.1.3 Marital Status of Affected Persons 80 3.3.1.4 Ethnic Composition of Afected Persons 81 3.3.1.5 Household Size/Dependents of Affected Persons 81 3.3.1.6 Religious backgrounds of Affected Persons 82 3.3.2 Economic Indicators
    [Show full text]
  • Tour Report 1 – 8 January 2016
    The Gambia - In Style! Naturetrek Tour Report 1 – 8 January 2016 White-throated Bee-eaters Violet Turaco by Kim Taylor African Wattled Lapwing Blue-bellied Roller Report compiled by Marcus John Images courtesy of Kim Taylor & Marcus John Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk The Gambia - In Style! Tour Report Tour Participants: Marcus John (leaders) with six Naturetrek clients Summary The Gambia is an ideal destination for a relaxed holiday and offers a great introduction to the diverse and colourful birdlife of Africa. We spent the week at the stunning Mandina Lodges, a unique place that lies on a secluded mangrove-lined tributary of the mighty River Gambia. The lodges are situated next to the creek and within the Makasuto Forest, which comprises over a thousand acres of pristine, protected forest. Daily walks took us out through the woodland and into the rice fields and farmland beyond, where a great range of birds and butterflies can be found. It was sometimes hard to know where to look as parrots, turacos, rollers and bee-eaters all vied for our attention! Guinea Baboons are resident in the forest and were very approachable; Green Vervet Monkeys were seen nearly every day and we also found a group of long-limbed Patas Monkeys, the fastest primates in the world! Boat trips along the creek revealed a diverse selection of waders, kingfishers and other waterbirds; fourteen species of raptor were also seen during the week.
    [Show full text]
  • Frugivorous Bird Species Diversity in Relation to the Diversity of Fruit
    ISBN: 2141 – 1778 jfewr ©2016 - jfewr Publications E-mail:[email protected] 80 FRUGIVOROUS BIRD SPECIES DIVERSITY IN RELATION TO THE DIVERSITY OF FRUIT TREE SPECIES IN RESERVED AND DESIGNATED GREEN AREAS IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, NIGERIA 1Ihuma, J.O; Tella, I. O2; Madakan, S. P.3 and Akpan, M2 1Department of Biological Sciences, Bingham University, P.M.B. 005, Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria Email:[email protected] 2Federal University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria, Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management. 3University of Maiduguri, Borno, Nigeria, Department of Biological Sciences ABSTRACT The diversity of frugivorous bird species in relation to tree species diversity was investigated in Designated and Reserved Green Areas of Abuja, Nigeria. The study estimated, investigated and examined trees species and avian frugivore in terms of their diversity. Point-Centered Quarter Method (PCQM) was used for vegetation analysis while random walk and focal observation was used for bird frugivore identification and enumeration. data was collected from six locations coinciding with the local administrative areas within the Federal Capital Territory. These were, the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali. AMAC is designated as urban while the remaining five sites are designated as sub-urban. The highest number of fruit tree species was encountered in AMAC (30), followed by Abaji (29) while 27, 25, 19 and 11 fruit tree species were encountered in Kwali, Bwari Gwagwalada and Kuje respectively. The similarity or otherwise dissimilarity in fruit tree species composition between each pair of the enumerated sites showed Gwagwalada and Kuje as the most similar, and the similarity or otherwise dissimilarity in frugivorous bird species composition between each pair of the enumerated showed higher species similarity between the AMAC and each of the other sites, and between each pair of the sites than that of the fruit trees in the respective sites.
    [Show full text]
  • Disaggregation of Bird Families Listed on Cms Appendix Ii
    Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals 2nd Meeting of the Sessional Committee of the CMS Scientific Council (ScC-SC2) Bonn, Germany, 10 – 14 July 2017 UNEP/CMS/ScC-SC2/Inf.3 DISAGGREGATION OF BIRD FAMILIES LISTED ON CMS APPENDIX II (Prepared by the Appointed Councillors for Birds) Summary: The first meeting of the Sessional Committee of the Scientific Council identified the adoption of a new standard reference for avian taxonomy as an opportunity to disaggregate the higher-level taxa listed on Appendix II and to identify those that are considered to be migratory species and that have an unfavourable conservation status. The current paper presents an initial analysis of the higher-level disaggregation using the Handbook of the Birds of the World/BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World Volumes 1 and 2 taxonomy, and identifies the challenges in completing the analysis to identify all of the migratory species and the corresponding Range States. The document has been prepared by the COP Appointed Scientific Councilors for Birds. This is a supplementary paper to COP document UNEP/CMS/COP12/Doc.25.3 on Taxonomy and Nomenclature UNEP/CMS/ScC-Sc2/Inf.3 DISAGGREGATION OF BIRD FAMILIES LISTED ON CMS APPENDIX II 1. Through Resolution 11.19, the Conference of Parties adopted as the standard reference for bird taxonomy and nomenclature for Non-Passerine species the Handbook of the Birds of the World/BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World, Volume 1: Non-Passerines, by Josep del Hoyo and Nigel J. Collar (2014); 2.
    [Show full text]
  • The Birds (Aves) of Oromia, Ethiopia – an Annotated Checklist
    European Journal of Taxonomy 306: 1–69 ISSN 2118-9773 https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2017.306 www.europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu 2017 · Gedeon K. et al. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. Monograph urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A32EAE51-9051-458A-81DD-8EA921901CDC The birds (Aves) of Oromia, Ethiopia – an annotated checklist Kai GEDEON 1,*, Chemere ZEWDIE 2 & Till TÖPFER 3 1 Saxon Ornithologists’ Society, P.O. Box 1129, 09331 Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany. 2 Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise, P.O. Box 1075, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. 3 Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Centre for Taxonomy and Evolutionary Research, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany. * Corresponding author: [email protected] 2 Email: [email protected] 3 Email: [email protected] 1 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:F46B3F50-41E2-4629-9951-778F69A5BBA2 2 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:F59FEDB3-627A-4D52-A6CB-4F26846C0FC5 3 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:A87BE9B4-8FC6-4E11-8DB4-BDBB3CFBBEAA Abstract. Oromia is the largest National Regional State of Ethiopia. Here we present the first comprehensive checklist of its birds. A total of 804 bird species has been recorded, 601 of them confirmed (443) or assumed (158) to be breeding birds. At least 561 are all-year residents (and 31 more potentially so), at least 73 are Afrotropical migrants and visitors (and 44 more potentially so), and 184 are Palaearctic migrants and visitors (and eight more potentially so). Three species are endemic to Oromia, 18 to Ethiopia and 43 to the Horn of Africa. 170 Oromia bird species are biome restricted: 57 to the Afrotropical Highlands biome, 95 to the Somali-Masai biome, and 18 to the Sudan-Guinea Savanna biome.
    [Show full text]
  • Mission to Democratic Republic of Congo, September 29 – October 21, 2006
    Mission to Democratic Republic of Congo, September 29 – October 21, 2006 Trip Report for International Programs, USDA Forest Service, Washington, D.C. Version: 21 May 2007 Bruce G. Marcot, USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, 620 S.W. Main St., Suite 400, Portland, Oregon 97205, 503-808-2010, [email protected] John G. Sidle, USDA Forest Service 125 N. Main St., Chadron, Nebraska 69337, 308-432-0300, [email protected] CONTENTS 1 Summary ……………………………………………………………………………………… 3 2 Introduction and Setting ………………………………………………………….…………… 3 3 Terms of Reference ……………………….…………………...……………………………… 4 4 Team Members and Contacts ………………………………………………….……………… 4 5 Team Schedule and Itinerary …………………………………………..….………...………… 4 6 Main Findings ................................…………………………………………….……....……… 5 7 Discussion and Recommendations ........………………………...…….......................….……... 10 8 Acknowledgments...…………………………………………………………………..….……. 15 Appendices 1. Terms of reference ..…………………………...…………………...………...………. 16 2. Team members and contacts made ..…………………………………...…......……… 19 3. Observations on biodiversity at Salonga National Park and environs ........................... 22 4. Forest Service presentation on planning at Kinshasa workshop ................................... 27 5. Suggested glossary terms for Salonga National Park Management Plan ...................... 31 6. Interviews with various personnel and local officials ................................................... 32 Disclaimer of brand names and Web links The use of trade, firm,
    [Show full text]
  • Of Larks, Owls and Unusual Diets and Feeding Habits V
    Of larks, owls and unusual diets and feeding habits V. Santharam Santharam, V. 2008. Of larks, owls and unusual diets and feeding habits. Indian Birds 4 (2): 68–69. V. Santharam, Institute of Bird Studies & Natural History, Rishi Valley Education Centre, Rishi Valley 517352, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Email: [email protected] Mss received on 17th December 2007. A day with the larks the presence of the distinctly long crest, which when flattened, 18th January 2007: Suresh Jones and I were off on waterfowl reached the upper nape. There were at least four birds present counts at some wetlands near Rishi Valley, (Andhra Pradesh, that morning. India). It was a cool and crisp morning with clear skies. After a The last species of the day was the common Ashy-crowned year of rains the wetlands had begun drying up. We knew there Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix grisea, which was noticed in the more would be fewer birds for us to count this year. We were least drier, open country. The prized sighting that morning was an bothered since we were sure to find other interesting birds. albino specimen fluttering about in the stiff breeze like a sheet of I was just telling Suresh that I have, in the past, seen Indian paper (which we mistook it for, initially!). Its plumage, including Eagle-Owls Bubo benghalensis perched on roadside electric posts, the beak, was pinkish white. Its eye appeared darker and there when a dead Indian Eagle-Owl, on the road, drew our attention. was a faint pinkish wash on its breast and tail.
    [Show full text]
  • Bird Checklists of the World Country Or Region: Ghana
    Avibase Page 1of 24 Col Location Date Start time Duration Distance Avibase - Bird Checklists of the World 1 Country or region: Ghana 2 Number of species: 773 3 Number of endemics: 0 4 Number of breeding endemics: 0 5 Number of globally threatened species: 26 6 Number of extinct species: 0 7 Number of introduced species: 1 8 Date last reviewed: 2019-11-10 9 10 Recommended citation: Lepage, D. 2021. Checklist of the birds of Ghana. Avibase, the world bird database. Retrieved from .https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?lang=EN&region=gh [26/09/2021]. Make your observations count! Submit your data to ebird.
    [Show full text]
  • Avibase Page 1Of 6
    Avibase Page 1of 6 Col Location Date Start time Duration Distance Avibase - Bird Checklists of the World 1 Country or region: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 2 Number of species: 588 3 Number of endemics: 0 4 Number of breeding endemics: 0 5 Number of introduced species: 1 Recommended citation: Lepage, D. 2021. Checklist of the birds of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Avibase, the world bird database. Retrieved from .https://avibase.bsc- eoc.org/checklist.jsp?lang=EN&region=ug04uu01&list=howardmoore&format=2 [12/05/2021]. Make your observations count! Submit your data to ebird.org - Legend: [x] accidental [ex] extirpated [EX] extinct [EW] extinct in the wild [E] endemic [e] endemic (country/region) Egyptian Goose Tambourine Dove Black Cuckoo Hottentot Teal Namaqua Dove African Cuckoo African Black Duck Montane Nightjar African Crake Red-billed Teal Mottled Spinetailed Swift Black Crake Comb Duck Cassin's Spinetailed Swift White-spotted Flufftail Helmeted Guineafowl Scarce Swift Buff-spotted Flufftail Crested Guineafowl African Palm Swift Red-chested Flufftail Blue Quail Alpine Swift African Finfoot Scaly Francolin Mottled Swift Grey Crowned Crane Red-necked Spurfowl White-rumped Swift Great Blue Turaco Handsome Francolin Horus Swift Eastern Grey Plantain-eater Crested Francolin Little Swift Bare-faced Go-away-bird Ring-necked Francolin African Swift Ruwenzori Turaco Little Grebe Common Swift Black-billed Turaco Speckled Pigeon Blue-headed Coucal Ross's Turaco Afep Pigeon White-browed Coucal Marabou African Olive Pigeon African Black
    [Show full text]
  • The Gambia: a Taste of Africa, November 2017
    Tropical Birding - Trip Report The Gambia: A Taste of Africa, November 2017 A Tropical Birding “Chilled” SET DEPARTURE tour The Gambia A Taste of Africa Just Six Hours Away From The UK November 2017 TOUR LEADERS: Alan Davies and Iain Campbell Report by Alan Davies Photos by Iain Campbell Egyptian Plover. The main target for most people on the tour www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] p.1 Tropical Birding - Trip Report The Gambia: A Taste of Africa, November 2017 Red-throated Bee-eaters We arrived in the capital of The Gambia, Banjul, early evening just as the light was fading. Our flight in from the UK was delayed so no time for any real birding on this first day of our “Chilled Birding Tour”. Our local guide Tijan and our ground crew met us at the airport. We piled into Tijan’s well used minibus as Little Swifts and Yellow-billed Kites flew above us. A short drive took us to our lovely small boutique hotel complete with pool and lovely private gardens, we were going to enjoy staying here. Having settled in we all met up for a pre-dinner drink in the warmth of an African evening. The food was delicious, and we chatted excitedly about the birds that lay ahead on this nine- day trip to The Gambia, the first time in West Africa for all our guests. At first light we were exploring the gardens of the hotel and enjoying the warmth after leaving the chilly UK behind. Both Red-eyed and Laughing Doves were easy to see and a flash of colour announced the arrival of our first Beautiful Sunbird, this tiny gem certainly lived up to its name! A bird flew in landing in a fig tree and again our jaws dropped, a Yellow-crowned Gonolek what a beauty! Shocking red below, black above with a daffodil yellow crown, we were loving Gambian birds already.
    [Show full text]