THE GAMBIA TOUR 2 - DAY 4 - 19TH NOVEMBER 2012

BRUFUT WOODS & TANJI BIRD RESERVE

The 40 minute drive to Brufut took through the suburbs of southern Banjul and through the village itself. The track was bumpy and full of large dips and rises but we got to the woods in one piece. As usual there was a flurry of activity during the first hours or so and then it petered off as the day warmed up.

We walked the broad sandy track which had hedges of mature trees and shrubs, in the one of the first mature palm trees we found a Tawny-flanked Prinia, Splendid Sunbird and a Fine-spotted Woodpecker. A Bearded Barbet came next and was followed by Beautiful Sunbird, Shikra, African Green Pigeon Band a small flock of Bronze Mannikins.

We searched a large Baobab tree for quite a while before we located a Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, which blinked at us showing off its pink eye-lids. One fruiting tree held both, the Green, and the Violet Turacos, as well as African Thrush, African Golden Oriole, Bearded Barbet, Yellow-Throated Leaflove and lots of Common Bubuls. 

Our walk took us into the thickest part of the forest where we searched for and found Long-tailed Nightjar; we then came into some open areas of grassland where we watched some superb Red Bishop Birds in full breeding plumage. A Red-winged Warbler showed well as did a couple of Little Bee-eaters. A Black-winged Kite gave a nice display as it hunted over the fields and a Black-crowned Tchagra called but failed to show.

Back in the woods we settled down in a makeshift shelter to drink cold beverages whilst watching many birds came to drink from trays provided for them. We had a great time watching a couple Pygmy Kingfishers; they would dive in quickly, take a drink and be off in a flash. We also enjoyed Lavender and Orange-cheeked Waxbills, Brown Babblers, Red-cheeked Cordonbleu, Red-billed Firefinch and both species of Wood-Doves.

It was soon time for lunch so we jumped into the bus and drove to Tanji Beach but before we got there we stopped to look at a Black Wood-hoopoe that was perched nicely on top of a small tree. During that stop we also found a pair of Black-crowned Tchagra, two White-backed Vultures and a Variable Sunbird.

At Tanji beach we sat on a terrace and looked over the mouth of a river as it made its’ final approach to the sea. It was high tide so there were not too many species on show, a couple of Whimbrel, a single Common Sandpiper, Pied Kingfisher, Grey-headed Gull and Caspian Tern were all noted nearby. A small colony of Wire-tailed Swallows were nesting under the bridge that spanned the main road, we also saw Red-chested Swallow, Little Swift, White Wagtail and several House Sparrows!

After lunch we walked onto the beach and down to river mouth where a large roost of gulls, waders and terns were loafing. With a great number of Lesser Black-backed Gulls we found two Kelp Gulls and amongst the many Sandwich Terns there were 4 Common Terns, a dozen or so Royal Terns and two lesser Crested Terns. Waders seen included: Bar-tailed Godwit, Common Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Ruddy Turnstone, Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel. A single Western Reef Heron and a Grey heron joined the gull roost at one stage.

After an hour or so we decided to head back to the hotel for an early shower because tomorrow we will be heading upriver for four nights, so there was also packing for us to do.