The Gambia in Style

Naturetrek Tour Report 12 - 19 April 2019

Report compiled by Richard Bashford

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

Tour Report The Gambia in Style

Tour participants: Richard Bashford (leader) and nine Naturetrek clients Local Guides Lamin, Sana, AJ and Mas

Introduction

An early start for everyone at Gatwick did not dampen the enthusiasm for the April Gambia in Style holiday – the last of the season. We’d all read previous trip reports with envy. How would ours go? This is a perfectly tailored holiday for those who want to base themselves in a wildlife rich spot and see as much wildlife as possible, or those who wanted to take it a little easier from time to time and enjoy the wildlife nearer the pool.

Day 1 Friday 12th April

Flight from UK Our flight arrived in Banjul at 12:55 local time with around a fifty-minute transit through the airport and another fifty minute transit to Mandina Lodge where we met Linda and had a welcome fruit juice as she gave us some background to the lodge. After we’d settled into our rooms, we agreed to make use of our prompt arrival and go for a local walk a little while later. We’d already noted a good number of species, with Hooded Vultures, Red- eyed and Laughing Doves at the roadside and a Red-billed Hornbill near the lodge itself. Birds around the lodge were pretty good too. A nesting Golden-tailed Woodpecker, White-throated Bee-eaters, Western Plantain eaters, three species of swallow splashing in the pool - Fanti Saw-wing, Red-breasted and Pied-Winged.

Just before 17:00, Sana and Lamin took us towards Tumana Gate and along one or tracks. We familiarised ourselves with some of the dove species including Blue-spotted and Black-billed Wood Doves and one of the more colourful residents, a Snowy-crowned Robin chat. The large and striking Pearl Charaxes butterfly perched well for photos and was nearly “bird of the day” except that the birding got better and better with Northern Crombec, African Grey Hornbill and a mixed flock of Red-cheeked Cordon Bleu, Red-billed Firefinch and Pin- tailed Wydah. But the real icing on the cake was a pair of magnificent Violet Turacos and a few minutes later, a pair of Green Turacos. We needed reminding that this was an extra walk on the first day. We need to save something for the rest of our trip…

Back at the lodge by 18:45 we freshened up and did our checklist over a beer before a fine meal compete with a banana fritter pudding.

Day 2 Saturday 13th April

Canoe ride to Bafulotu fields and short walk to water tanks, entrance gate & mudflats After tea and coffee at 07:00, we boarded canoes for the forty-five minute paddle to Bafulotu fields, passing a large troop of Guinea Baboons in the creekside mangroves. We also had nice views of Blue-breasted Kingfisher and African Darter. At Bafulotu, we disembarked by an oyster “factory” where local women processed the oysters under the trees. Birds were amazing and everywhere, the highlights including Piapiacs, Bearded Barbet and Blue-bellied Rollers. We found a group of Orange-breasted Waxbills and Black-capped Weavers, with Senegal Coucal nearby. At one stage we found ourselves using a Violet Turaco as a marker to point out where a Violet-backed Starling was – such was the quality of the birding. Back at the lodge for a mid-morning breakfast

The Gambia in Style Tour Report

(full English of course) and a few new birds such as Grey-headed Sparrow and Yellow-fronted Canary in the tree over the swimming pool – meaning we didn’t have to get up from the breakfast table.

After breakfast, a few opted for the “mad dogs” walk in the heat of the day, up to the water tanks and beyond. It was worth it with Lavender Waxbill, Lesser Honeyguide, Little Greenbul and a brief but welcome Yellow- crowned Gonolek. We were all back by 13:00 for a rest, with several trying out the pool or perhaps the odd cocktail until it cooled and we met Sana around 17:00 to walk to the mudflats. New trip birds as we walked through the forest were Collared and Green-headed Sunbirds. As we reached the more open mudflats, we saw Double-spurred Francolin briefly and Wattled Plover well. A Mottled Swift zoomed overhead and a Spur-winged Goose gave us a couple of fly pasts.

Around some irrigated fields we found Fine-spotted Woodpecker, White-billed Buffalo Weavers and two fine African Grey Hornbills. Our return journey through the fields themselves added African Jacana, Hammerkop, Black-headed Heron and Intermediate Egret. Sana managed to track down a fabulous Pearl-spotted Owlet before our walk back to the lodge where we squeezed in the checklist before our very welcome dinner.

Day 3 Sunday 14th April

Kartong Bird Observatory and beach After our 07:00 continental breakfast with extra hard boiled eggs and local ‘pancakes’, we hit the road with Baba (our driver for the day), and Sana, picking up Lamin in the town. By 08:30, we were watching Purple Swamphens and African Black Crakes in the marsh. Nearby were two new trip Rollers – Abyssinian and Rufous-crowned. We added Zitting Cisticola, Malachite Kingfisher, Grey Kestrel, European Turtle Dove, Black-crowned Tchagra, Grey-headed Kingfisher and Pink-Backed and White Pelicans.

At the beach by 10:45, we took a break and had fresh fruit juice from a local entrepreneur. Very refreshing indeed while watching the passing terns – Caspian, Gull-billed, Little, Sandwich, Royal and Lesser-crested. A light breeze help us as we walked along the beach in search of White-fronted Plover. We found two and saw them well alongside more familiar waders such as Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Sanderling and Greenshank.

Our next stop was Sanyang beach where we had a buffet lunch before a brief stop at the fishing centre at Tanji. An assault on all the senses as we saw, heard and smelt the action. We noted many Grey-headed and Slender- billed Gulls feeding with some stunning Bar-tailed Godwits. Those less into their fish visited the nearby lagoon and added Little Egret alongside some perched Royal Terns.

We returned to the lodge by 16:00 to relax before dinner. A few opted for a walk to the base camp and did a circuit through the nearby scrub. The walk added several new species to the trip list including Blue-cheeked Bee- eater, Klaas’s Cuckoo, African Pied Hornbill and Superb Sunbird with both Turacos also seen.

2 © Naturetrek April 19

The Gambia in Style Tour Report

Day 4 Monday 15th April

Canoe trip to Kembujeh Rice Fields, & Sunset boat trip/walk to Nyambukula We took a Canoe ride Kembujeh this morning turning right out of the lodge and passing Base Camp. Notable birds were Senegal Thick-knee, Striated Heron and Violet-backed Starling. At the rice fields themselves we saw a wealth of bird life including Green Wood-hoopoe, Village Indigobird, Little Swift, Brown Babblers, African Green Pigeon, Northern Black Flycatcher and Shikra. We also saw Golden-crowned Gonolek well, before boarding the canoes again for the paddle home to breakfast.

A short walk to the water tanks around midday was worth it for Ahanti Francolin, Buff-spotted Woodpecker and a Swallow-tailed Bee-eater. We also saw our first Snake – the charmingly named African Slender Beauty Snake.

We all relaxed during the heat of the day dipping in the pool or resting in our rooms before meeting at 16:30 and pre ordering our dinner with the chef. The group were splitting in two with five on the sunset cruise and five walking with Lamin. The sunset cruise party did well with Yellow-billed Storks, Pink-backed Pelicans, Goliath and White-backed Herons. The egret roost at sunset was spectacular with large numbers of the species we’d been seeing over the last few days plus Black Heron. The walk with Lamin produced several new trip birds including Senegal Eromomela, Black Scimitarbill, Stone Partridge and four Patas Monkeys when we reached the agricultural fields.

Day 5 Tuesday 16th April

Cultural market and Paul’s fields Our walk this morning was back along the drive and towards the approach road. Despite having done a fair bit of birdwatching in this area already, we added a welcome Pygmy Sunbird, Greater Honeyguide, a brief Yellow- throated Leaflove, and better views of Double-spurred Francolin and Stone Partridge. In trees by the craft market, Lamin found a White-faced Owl which was fantastic to see looking down at us. Nearby we saw a Cardinal Woodpecker excavating, tracked down White-capped Robin-chat before Noah came up trumps and found a pair of Senegal Batis in the car park. The walk back was warmer but still bird filled with two more Black Scimitarbills and a gorgeous Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike. Another late breakfast took us almost to lunchtime after which a short walk to the drive gave us another Buff-spotted Woodpecker and a Lesser Honeyguide.

After a relaxing middle part of the day, we gathered at 16:30 to make our dinner choices – papaya crumble being particularly popular. Half went on a walk with AJ adding Black-winged Bishop and Yellow-billed Shrikes to the trip list. The remaining five went on a sunset cruise where we saw a Piapiac on a pig (yes that really did happen…!), Black Herons, Senegal Thick Knee, Yellow-billed Stork and Goliath Heron before watching the egret roost in full swing.

Day 6 Wednesday 17th April

Abuko Forest & Lamin Rice fields This morning we opted to head straight for Abuko Forest reserve with Lamin and Mas, arriving in good time and seeing Red Colobus Monkeys within a few minutes. Better was to come with a movement under some

The Gambia in Style Tour Report

bushes which revealed two or three Western Bluebills and a couple of Grey-headed Bristlebills. The Bluebills were fairly skulking but the Bristlebills eventually showed really well. A moment later Noah found a Broad-billed Roller and then Mas found a perched raptor which we identified as an African Goshawk. An amazing few minutes. We saw several Turacos – both Green and Violet - and Grey-backed Cameroptera – more obliging than the Oriole Warbler which sang but didn’t show. By mid-morning, we crossed the road and entered Lamin Rice fields. Some great birds here too with Yellow-billed Shrikes, White-billed Buffalo Weavers, African Spoonbill and a fly by Painted Snipe.

We boarded the bus at noon and headed to our lovely lunch spot at the Calypso Restaurant. We were able to watch Caspian Terns fishing among the crocodiles thanks to a small coastal pool we were overlooking. After our meal, Cyndy found a White-crested Helmet-Shrike which we followed to gain great views of a party of four. On a sign on the beach, Noah found the last species of roller for the trip, a European Roller!

We spent half an hour around Kotu Bridge on our way back, adding Wire-tailed Swallow to the list alongside a good range of species including a Black Heron “doing its thing” and holding its wings over its head to shade the water and seek prey. Also our first Nile Monitor swam across the river.

We arrived back in time for a drink before some of us walked to the Base Camp area. We took the opportunity to climb the tower giving lovely views over the mangroves. We saw Tawny-flanked Prinias, Black-capped Babbler, Pygmy Sunbird, Piapiac, and three White-faced Owls. On our walk back we saw several groups of Double-spurred Francolins – all flying away!

Day 7 Thursday 18th April

Kubuneh area Our last full day and another canoe ride. This time against the incoming tide so we had extra muscle with AJ and Mas paddling six and Lamin paddling two. We crossed the first creek and checked the area for White-backed Night Heron. We saw it…well bits of it as it was a little obscured by mangrove leaves. Onward to Kubunah and we were in for a treat. Things started well with our second Northern Puffback and Grey-headed Sparrows, but AJ was on a mission having heard Oriole Warbler calling. We tried searching but had no success until we were called by AJ and Lamin “Here, quickly!” In a small group of palms, we could hear the Oriole Warbler and see bits of the palm moving. After a few minutes, we had all seen this incredible and bizarre bird which even sang for us at one point. There were two present and, after we’d all got good views, some even managed photos. Wow! Why not cap it off with telescope views of African Golden Oriole too? Supporting cast of Yellow-billed Shrikes, Green Pigeons and Pearl-spotted Owlets were welcome.

Back on the canoes, we stopped again to see if the night herons were showing any better. Well they were but we were even luckier when some of us saw a White-crowned Tiger Heron – initially doing a bittern pose and holding its bill up, then it moved and flew up to taller mangroves. Not easy to see for all, but a bit of a rare thing to find. And, about two metres away, the White-backed Night Herons were showing a little better. Wow again! Time for breakfast.

4 © Naturetrek April 19

The Gambia in Style Tour Report

A select band went out in the midday sun for a walk to the mud flats. Although largely shaded, it was pretty warm. We were rewarded by our first Brown-flanked Skink eating what looked like a small cricket, some Yellow- breasted Apalis, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Violet-backed Sunbird and Grey-headed Bristlebill.

AJ and Mas met us at 16.40 for another walk to the mudflats via a different route. By now it had cooled and with AJ’s keen ear, we picked up a few things we were hoping to see. Three fabulous African Pied Hornbills perched on tree tops, occasionally calling, smaller birds included Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Senegal Eromomela, African Golden Oriole, Greater Honeyguide, Superb Sunbird and Green Turaco. As we entered the cashew plantation, AJ told us this was a good place to see Pygmy Kingfisher and within minutes, Noah had found one perched. What a little stunner! At the mudflats themselves, we saw our first Lanner Falcon of the trip. We returned in the cooler evening temperature in time for a beer before dinner. Another amazing day.

Day 8 Friday 19th April

Walk to Pauls fields area and departure back to Gatwick Our last walk was excellent as expected. Getting new trip birds on the last day of a tour is no mean feat but Lamin, AJ and Mas were there to help with their knowledge of sights, sounds and habitats. Our usual Pygmy Sunbird showed well by the entrance gate, followed by a Klaas’s Cuckoo, African Golden Oriole and African Pied Hornbill. The quality birds continued with Stone Partridge, Cardinal Woodpecker, Black-winged and Red Bishop, Little Weaver, Black-crowned Tchagra, Black Scimitarbill and a very brief Sulphur-breasted Bush-Shrike. Quite an amazing last walk. Our last breakfast was notable not only for the food, but also for the Senegal Chameleon seen in nearby trees.

By noon, we gathered to say our goodbyes to the staff including the guides who had made our stay so perfect. We made it to the airport in good time saying goodbye to Cyndy, Jenn and Carole who were staying in Gambia for another four days. Lucky them!

We arrived in Gatwick at 22:20 bidding farewells and heading home. An amazing trip with amazing wildlife throughout.

Receive our e-newsletter

Join the Naturetrek e-mailing list and be the first to hear about new tours, additional departures and new dates, tour reports and special offers. Visit www.naturetrek.co.uk to sign up.

The Gambia in Style Tour Report

Species Lists

Birds (✓=recorded but not counted; H = heard only) April Common name Scientific name 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1 Stone Partridge Ptilopachus petrosus 2 6 5 8 2 Double-spurred Francolin Pternistis bicalcaratus 3 6 6 10 2 1 3 Ahanta Francolin Francolinus ahantensis 2 2 4 Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis 1 5 Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis 2 1 6 African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus 2 11 4 5 3 7 White-backed Night Heron Gorsachius leuconotus 2 1 8 White-crested Tiger Heron Tigriornis leucolopha 1 9 Striated Heron Butorides striata 1 2 10 Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides 5 1 3 2 11 Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 12 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1 5 13 Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala 1 2 14 Goliath Heron Ardea goliath 1 2 3 1 15 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 1 16 Great Egret Ardea alba 2 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1 17 Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia 1 1 2 1 18 Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca 2 3 3 1 19 Little Egret Egretta garzetta 1 1 1 20 Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis 1 3 2 ✓ ✓ ✓ 2 21 Hamerkop Scopus umbretta 1 1 1 2 1 22 White Pelican Pelicanus onocrotalus 4 23 Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens 20 5 6 1 24 Reed Cormorant Microcarbo africanus 1 5 3 ✓ ✓ ✓ 2 25 White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus 1 1 26 African Darter Anhinga rufa 1 1 1 ✓ ✓ 1 1 27 Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus 2 1 28 Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 29 Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis 1 3 2 4 3 1 1 30 Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 31 Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 1 1 1 1 32 African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus 1 5 3 4 5 1 2 33 Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar 1 34 Shikra Accipiter badius 2 35 African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro 1 36 Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus 1 1 1 1 1 37 Grey Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus 1 38 Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus 1 39 Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostra 10 1 5 40 African Purple Swamphen Porphyrio madagascariensis 5 41 Senegal Thick-Knee Burhinus senegalensis 1 3 6 5 42 Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus 5 4 1 14 40 2 43 African Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus 6 2 2 44 Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 1 2 1 6 1 45 Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 2 2 1 3 46 White-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus 2 47 Greater Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis 1

The Gambia in Style Tour Report

April Common name Scientific name 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 48 African Jacana Actophilornis africanus 10 6 5 3 49 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 15 50 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 4 10 3 ✓ ✓ 2 ✓ 51 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 1 H H H 52 Common Redshank Tringa totanus 1 1 5 53 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 1 1 1 1 1 1 54 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 5 55 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1 1 ✓ ✓ 2 ✓ 56 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 30 57 Slender-billed Gull Chroicocephalus genei 15 58 Grey-headed Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus ✓ 10 59 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 1 60 Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 1 1 2 2 61 Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia 10 ✓ 2 4 1 62 Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus 20 63 Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis 5 64 Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis 1 15 1 65 Little Tern Sternula albifrons 4 66 Rock Dove Columba livia ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 67 Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea 1 3 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 68 Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 5 2 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 69 Mourning Collared Dove Streptopelia decipiens ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 70 European Turtle Dove Strepopelia turtur 1 71 Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 72 Vinaceous Dove Streptopelia vinacea 2 10 5 2 ✓ ✓ 73 Black-billed Wood Dove Turtur abyssinicus 2 4 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 74 Blue-spotted Wood Dove Turtur afer 2 2 ✓ 1 ✓ ✓ 75 Namaqua Dove Oena capensis 1 2 1 1 76 African Green Pigeon Treron calvus 15 7 77 Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri 2 6 5 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1 78 Senegal Parrot Poicephalus senegalus 7 6 6 4 6 4 8 1 79 Guinea Turaco Tauraco persa 2 2 2 1 2 2 80 Violet Turaco Musophaga violacea 2 1 8 3 7 6 3 1 81 Western Plantain-eater Crinifer piscator ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 82 Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis 4 2 2 1 2 2 1 83 Klaas's Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas 1 2 84 Northern White-faced Owl Ptilopsis leucotis 1 3 85 Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum 1 1 3 86 Mottled Spinetail Telacanthura ussheri 1 87 African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus 20 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 88 Little Swift Apus affinis 10 1 2 89 Purple Roller/Rufous-crowned Roller Coracias naevius 3 1 90 Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinicus 5 91 European Roller Coracias garrulus 1 92 Blue-bellied Roller Coracias cyanogaster 3 8 1 4 1 3 93 Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus 1 94 Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala 1 95 Blue-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon malimbica 1 2 1 2 6 2 2 2 96 African Pygmy Kingfisher Ispidina picta 1 97 Malachite Kingfisher Corythornis cristatus 2 2 1 1 98 Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima 1 1 2 1 1 1

The Gambia in Style Tour Report

April Common name Scientific name 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 99 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis 3 5 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1 100 Swallow-tailed Bee-Eater Merops hirundineus 2 1 1 3 1 101 Little Bee-Eater Merops pusillus 1 4 2 6 2 1 102 White-throated Bee-Eater Merops albicollis ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1 103 Blue-cheeked Bee-Eater Merops persicus 1 12 ✓ 1 104 European Bee-Eater Merops apiaster 4 5 1 1 105 Green Wood Hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus 10 8 5 106 Black Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus aterrimus 1 2 2 107 African Pied Hornbill Tockus fasciatus 3 3 1 108 African Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus 2 3 4 7 9 2 2 2 109 Western Red-billed Hornbill Tockus kempi 4 15 ✓ ✓ ✓ 4 ✓ ✓ 110 Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus 2 2 H 1 1 2 1 111 Bearded Barbet Lybius dubius 5 2 5 1 6 4 112 Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor 1 3 5 2 1 113 Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator 1 1 114 Fine-spotted Woodpecker Campethera punctuligera 1 115 Golden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni 2 1 2 3 1 2 1 116 Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens 1 1 2 117 African Grey Woodpecker Dendropicos goertae 2 1 3 2 1 118 Buff spotted Woodpecker Campethere nivosa 1 1 119 Brown-throated Wattle-Eye Platysteira cyanea 3 5 2 2 2 1 5 120 White-crested Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus 4 121 Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegalus 2 1 122 Sulphur-breasted Bush Shrike Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus 1 123 Northern Puffback Dryoscopus gambensis 2 3 124 Yellow-crowned Gonolek Laniarius barbarus 1 6 6 1 2 125 Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike Campephaga phoenicea 1 126 Yellow-billed Shrike Corvinella corvina 5 7 6 3 127 African Golden Oriole Oriolus auratus 1 2 2 5 1 128 Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis 1 1 1 2 3 129 Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone rufiventer 4 1 3 2 ✓ 1 3 1 130 African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis 1 1 2 131 Senegal Batis Batis senegalensis 2 132 Piapiac Ptilostomus afer 8 12 1 6 6 133 Pied Crow Corvus albus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 134 Yellow throated Leaflove Chlorocichla flavicollis 1 135 Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 136 Little Greenbul Eurillas virens 1 1 2 2 1 137 Grey-headed Bristlebill Bleda canicapillus 2 1 138 Fanti Saw-Wing Psalidoprocne obscura 10 10 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 139 Red-chested Swallow Hirundo lucida 10 ✓ 1 ✓ ✓ 1 140 Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii 1 141 Pied-winged Swallow Hirundo leucosoma 5 5 3 ✓ 5 2 2 1 142 Northern Crombec Sylvietta brachyura 4 2 1 143 Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 1 144 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 1 145 Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta 1 146 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis 1 147 Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava 1 2 1 148 Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida 1 2 2 1 149 Oriole Warbler Hypergerus atriceps H H 2

The Gambia in Style Tour Report

April Common name Scientific name 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 150 Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 151 Senegal Eremomela Eremomela pusilla 3 1 4 4 152 Blackcap Babbler Turdoides reinwardtii 10 2 2 153 Brown Babbler Turdoides plebejus 6 5 4 154 Greater Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus 4 3 10 155 Purple Starling Lamprotornis purpureus 2 ✓ 10 ✓ ✓ 2 156 Long-tailed Glossy Starling Lamprotornis caudatus 10 4 10 1 157 Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster 2 3 2 6 4 158 Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus 159 African Thrush Turdus pelios 5 3 10 10 5 1 2 1 160 Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat Cossypha niveicapilla 1 2 2 5 1 4 1 1 161 White-crowned Robin-Chat Cossypha albicapillus 1 2 162 Northern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis edolioides 1 163 Mangrove Sunbird Anthreptes gabonicus 1 5 1 2 3 1 2 164 Western Violet-backed Sunbird Anthreptes longuemarei 1 2 165 Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris 2 166 Green-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra verticalis 3 1 1 167 Pygmy Sunbird Hedydipna platura 1 1 1 168 Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis 1 1 1 3 4 2 1 169 Beautiful Sunbird Cinnyris pulchellus 15 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 170 Splendid Sunbird Cinnyris coccinigastrus 1 2 2 1 2 171 Variable Sunbird Cinnyris venustus 1 172 Copper Sunbird Cinnyris cupreus 1 173 House Sparrow Passer domesticus 7 2 2 174 Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus 1 3 175 White-billed Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis albirostris 30 15 15 15 176 Little Weaver Ploceus luteolus 1 177 Black-necked Weaver Ploceus nigricollis 2 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 178 Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 179 Black-winged Red Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus 25 2 180 Northern Red Bishop Euplectes franciscanus 8 181 Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala 3 5 ✓ 15 ✓ 8 10 3 182 Western Bluebill Spermophaga haematina 3 183 Red-cheeked Cordon-Bleu Uraeginthus bengalus 10 2 ✓ 2 2 8 2 184 Lavender Waxbill Estrilda caerulescens 2 1 5 10 4 8 1 185 Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda 5 2 186 Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata 30 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 10 10 187 Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata 20 188 Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura 1 2 189 Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 3 190 Yellow-fronted Canary Crithagra mozambica 1

Mammals

1 Western Red Colobus Monkey Procolobus badius ✓ 2 Guinea Baboon Papio papio ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 3 Green Vervet/Callithrix Monkey Chlorocebus sabaeus 5 2 5 10 4 Patas Monkey Erythrocebus patas 4 5 Gambian Epauletted Fruit Bat Epomophorus gambianus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 6 Peter's Dwarf Epauletted Fruit Bat Micropteropus pusillus ✓ ✓ 7 Striped Ground Squirrel Xerus erythropus 1 1 8 Gambian Sun Squirrel Heliosciurus gambianus 1 1 2 2 2

The Gambia in Style Tour Report

April Common name Scientific name 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 9 Marsh Mongoose Atilax paludinosus 2 1 10 Bushbuck Antelope Tragelaphus scriptus 1

Butterflies 1 Common Grass Yellow Eurema hecabe ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 2 African Emigrant Catopsilia florella 1 3 Pea Blue/Long-tailed. Blue Lampides boeticus 1 4 Savannah Pied Pierrot Tuxentius cretosus nodieri 1 5 Common Scarlet Axiocerses harpax 1 1 3 6 African Tiger Danaus chrysippus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 7 Common Evening Brown Melanitis leda 8 Pearl Charaxes Charaxes varanes 1 1 1 9 Dark Blue Pansy Junonia oenone 5 1 10 Large Spotted Acraea Acraea zetes 1 11 Grey Elfin Sarangesa laelius

Dragonflies 1 Broad Scarlet Crocothemis erythraea 1

Reptiles 1 Orange-flanked Skink Mabuya perrotetii 1 2 Nile Monitor Lizard Varanus niloticus 2 3 Agama Lizard Agama agama 1 1 4 West African Crocodile Crocodylus suchus 3 1 6 5 Brown-flanked Skink Mabuya affinis 1 6 Senegal Chameleon Chamaeleo senegalensis 1

Miscellaneous

1 West African Mangrove Oyster Crassostrea tulipa ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 2 Atlantic Mudskipper Periophthalmus papillo 2

Social Media

We’re social! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and be the first to hear about the launch of new tours, offers and exciting sightings and photos from our recently returned holidays.