15/4/87 - 22/4/87 The Gambia

The Gambia      15^th April to the 22^nd April 1987

 

 

15^th April : Yundum Airport, Hotel Bakotu grounds, Bund Road, Cape Creek.

 

16^th April : Golf Course and Kotu Stream, Casino area, Sewage Farm, Upper Bridge at Kotu, Golf Course.

 

17^th April : Abuko Reserve.

 

18^th April : Abuko Reserve.

 

19^th April : Sewage Farm, Cape St. Mary, Cape Creek, Bund road, Banjul rubbish dump, Kotu Stream, Kabifita Forest Reserve.

 

20^th April : Taxi ride towards Tendaba but unfortunately the Taxi broke-down stranding us for 5 hours.

 

21^st April : Casino area, Sewage Farm, Golf Course and Cape Creek.

 

22^nd April : Golf Course, Sewage Farm and Yundum Airport.

 

 

Pink-backed Pelican - Pelecanus rufescens C

Seen at the Bund Road, the Kotu Stream and Abuko with 3 seen to be eaten by Crocodiles at the Abuko Pool. A daily maximum of 40 was recorded on each visit to the Bund Road.

 

Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo lucidus C

A party of 6 were seen on each visit to the Bund Road and 1 was seen at the Kotu Stream.

 

Long-tailed Cormorant - Phalacrocorax africanus africanus C

Seen in small numbers at the Bund Road, Abuko, the Kotu Sewage Farm and the Kotu Stream area with a daily maximum of 10 noted at the Bund Road on the 15^th.

 

Darter - Anhinga melanogaster rufa C

A single individual was seen in flight over the Bakotu Hotel on the 16^th.

 

Grey Heron - Ardea cinerea cinerea C

Seen every day but one with a daily maximum of 6 seen at the Bund road on the 15^th.

 

Black-headed Heron - Ardea melanocephala C

Seen at the Kotu Sewage Farm and at Abuko on each visit with a daily maximum of 10 seen at Abuko on the 17^th.

 

Goliath Heron - Ardea goliath C

A single individual was seen at the Kotu Stream on the 16^th.

 

Purple Heron - Ardea purpurea purpurea C

Singles seen at Cape Creek on the 15^th and at the Kotu Stream on the 19^th.

 

Great Egret - Ardea alba melanorhyncha C

Seen in small numbers on six dates with a daily maximum of 3 seen at the Kotu Stream on the 16^th.

 

Black Heron - Egretta ardesiaca C

A single individual was seen twice at Cape Creek on the 15^th.

 

Little Egret - Egretta garzetta gularis C

Western Reef Herons E.g.gularis were seen in good numbers on five dates with a daily maximum of 40 seen at the Bund Road on the 15^th. Clements and HBW lump this form with Little Egret. Little Egrets E.g.garzetta were seen at the Bund Road and the Kotu Stream in very small numbers with a daily maximum of just 2.

 

Squacco Heron - Ardeola ralloides C

Seen at the Bund Road and at Abuko with a daily maximum of 4 at the Abuko Pool on the 17^th.

 

Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis ibis C

Seen every day in good numbers with a daily maximum of 100 seen on the 19th.

 

Striated Heron - Butorides striatus atricapillus C

A single individual was seen at the mouth of the Kotu Stream.

 

Black-crowned Night-Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax C

Seen at Abuko and the Koyu Stream with a daily maximum of 8 seen at Abuko on the 17^th.

 

Dwarf Bittern - Ixobrychus sturmii C

A single was watched stood in full view on a grassy bank at the Abuko Pool on the 18^th.

 

Hamerkop - Scopus umbretta umbretta C

A pair were seen at Abuko Pool on the 18^th and 1 was seen opposite the entrance to Abuko on the 20^th.

 

Yellow-billed Stork - Mycteria ibis C

We saw 8 at the Bund road on the 15^th and 2 there on the 19^th.

 

Marabou Stork - Leptoptilos crumeniferus C

We saw 5 at Cape Creek on the 15^th, 6 at Abuko on the 17^th and 4 at Cape Creek on the 19^th.

 

Sacred Ibis - Threskiornis aethiopicus aethiopicus C

We saw 23 feeding at Bund Road on the 15^th and 16 resting at the small pool behind the rubbish dump on the 19^th.

 

African Spoonbill - Platalea alba C

On each visit to Bund road we saw 8 and similarly 1 was ever present on the pool at Abuko.

 

White-faced Whistling-Duck - Dendrocygna viduata C

We saw 4 on each visit to the Kotu Sewage Farm.

 

Osprey - Pandion haliaetus haliaetus C

A single individual was seen at the mouth of Cape Creek on the 19^th.

 

Black-shouldered Kite - Elanus caeruleus caeruleus C

Seen at the Abuko extension on each visit and 2 in the Kotu Stream area near the Upper Bridge on each visit.

 

Black Kite - Milvus migrans C

Seen in small numbers on seven dates with a daily maximum of 4 seen on the 20^th.

 

African Fish-Eagle - Haliaeetus vocifer C

A single individual was seen at Abuko on the 17^th.

 

Palm-nut Vulture - Gypohierax angolensis C

Seen on six dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 5 seen in the Kotu Stream area on the 16^th.

 

Hooded Vulture - Necrosyrtes monachus C

Very common being seen daily.

 

African White-backed Vulture - Gyps africanus C

A single individual was seen at Yundum Airport on the 15^th.

 

Ruppell’s Griffon - Gyps rueppellii rueppellii C

A single individual was seen at Yundum Airport on the 15^th.

 

African Harrier-Hawk - Polyboroides typus pectoralis C

Seen on six dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 8 seen on the road to Tendaba on the 20^th.

 

Lizard Buzzard - Kaupifalco monogrammicus monogrammicus C

A single individual was seen at the Abuko Extension on the 17^th.

 

Dark Chanting-Goshawk - Melierax metabates metabates C

We saw 6 along the road towards Tendaba on the 20^th.

 

Shikra - Accipiter badius sphenurus C

A total of 3 were seen in the Kotu Stream areas on the 19^th and 21^st.

 

Wahlberg’s Eagle - Aquila wahlbergi C

We saw singles at the rubbish dump on the 19^th and along the road to Tendaba on the 20^th.

 

African Hawk-Eagle - Hieraaetus spilogaster C

A single individual was seen at the Kabafita Reserve on the 19^th.

 

Long-crested Eagle - Lophaetus occipitalis C

We saw 3 at Abuko on the 18^th.

 

Grey Kestrel - Falco ardosiaceus C

We saw 3 along the road towards Tendaba on the 20^th.

 

Double-spurred Francolin - Francolinus bicalcaratus bicalcaratus C

Seen every day but one with a daily maximum of 20 seen in the Kotu Stream area on the 21^st.

 

Stone Partridge - Ptilopachus petrosus petrosus C

We saw 4 at the Kabafita Reserve on the 19^th.

 

Black Crake - Amaurornis flavirostris C

We saw 2 at the Abuko pool on the 17^th and 3 there the following day. Superb.

 

African Jacana - Actophilornis africanus C

We saw 3 at the Abuko Pool on every visit.

 

Eurasian Oystercatcher - Haematopus ostralegus ostralegus C

A single individual was seen at Cape Creek on each visit.

 

Black-winged Stilt - Himantopus himantopus C

Seen on five dates in suitable areas with a daily maximum of 25 seen at Bund Road on the 19^th.

 

Senegal Thick-knee - Burhinus senegalensis C

We saw 2 at Cape Creek on the 15^th and 6 at the Kotu Stream on the 16^th.

 

Spur-winged Plover - Vanellus spinosus C

Seen every day in good nymbers with a daily maximum of 40 seen on the 19^th.

 

Black-headed Lapwing - Vanellus tectus tectus C

Always present in the Golf Course area with a daily maximum of 15 seen on the 14th.

 

Wattled Lapwing - Vanellus senegallus senegallus C

Seen in good numbers on four dates in the Kotu Stream and Golf Course area with a daily maximum of 40 seen at the Kotu Stream on the 21^st.

 

Grey Plover - Pluvialis squatarola C

Only seen at Bund Road and the Kotu Sewage Farm with a daily maximum of 10 seen at Bund Road on the 15^th.

 

Ringed Plover - Charadius hiaticula C

We saw 6 on each visit to Bund Road and 1 at Cape Creek on the 21^st.

 

Little Ringed Plover - Charadrius dubius C

A single individual was seen at Bund Road on the 19^th.

 

Kittlitz’s Plover - Charadrius pecuarius C

A superb individual was seen at the Kotu Sewage Farm on the 19^th.

 

White-fronted Plover - Charadrius marginatus mechowi C

A single individual was seen at the very end of the sand bar which runs south from the Hotel Sunwing on the 19^th.

 

Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa limosa C

We saw 2 at Cape Creek and 1 at the Kotu Sewage Farm.

 

Bar-tailed Godwit - Limosa lapponica lapponica C

We saw 15 at Bund Road on the 15^th.

 

Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus phaeopus C

Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen at Bund on the 15^th.

 

Common Redshank - Tringa totanus C

Seen in small numbers at Bund Road and the Kotu Sewage Farm.

 

Marsh Sandpiper - Tringa stagnatilis C

A single individual was seen at the Bund Road on the 15^th.

 

Greenshank - Tringa nebularia nebularia C

Seen in small numbers at suitable localities.

 

Wood Sandpiper - Tringa glareola C

Seen at both the Bund Road and the Kotu Sewage Farm in good numbers.

 

Common Sandpiper - Tringa hypoleucos C

Seen in suitable habitat on seven dates.

 

Turnstone - Arenaria interpres interpres C

Seen at Bund Road with a daily maximum of 25 seen on the 19^th.

 

Sanderling - Calidris alba C

Seen in small numbers at Bund Road and Cape Creek.

 

Little Stint - Calidris minuta C

Seen at Bund Road and at the Kotu Sewage Farm with a daily maximum of 25 seen at Bund Road on the 15^th.

 

Curlew Sandpiper - Calidris ferruginea C

At Bund Road we saw 2 on the 15^th and 8 on the 19^th.

 

Dunlin - Calidris alpina C

We saw a single individual at the Bund Road on the 15^th.

 

Ruff - Philomachus pugnax C

Seen at the Bund Road and at the Sewage Farm with a daily maximum of 30 seen at the Bund Road.

 

Lesser Black-backed Gull - Larus fuscus C

We always saw a single individual at the Kotu Sewage Farm.

 

Grey-headed Gull - Larus cirrocephalus poiocephalus C

Very common being seen every day.

 

Slender-billed Gull - Larus genei C

Seen at the Bund road, the Kotu Sewage Farm and along the coast with a daily maximum of 60 seen at the Bund road on the 19^th.

 

Gull-billed Tern - Sterna nilotica nilotica C

Always seen at Cape Creek with a daily maximum of 4 seen on the 15^th.

 

Caspian Tern - Sterna caspia C

Seen at the Bund Road, Cape Creek and along the coast with a daily maximum of 40 seen at Bund Road on the 15^th.

 

Lesser Crested Tern - Sterna bengalensis emigrata C

We saw 2 at Cape Creek on both the 15^th and 19^th.

 

Sandwich Tern - Sterna sandvicensis sandvicensis C

We saw singles at Cape Creek on the 15^th and at the Kotu Sewage Farm on the 16^th.

 

Royal Tern - Sterna maxima albididorsalis C

Seen on every visit to Cape Creek and Bund Road with a daily maximum of 60 seen on the 15^th.

 

Common Tern - Sterna hirundo hirundo C

We saw 3 at Cape Creek on the 19^th.

 

Little Tern - Sterna albifrons C

Seen on every visit to Cape Creek with a daily maximum of 30 seen on the 21^st.

 

White-winged Tern - Chlidonias leucopterus C

Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 200 seen at the Bund Road on the 15^th.

 

Black Tern - Chlidonias niger niger C

We saw singles at the Bund Road on the 15^th and at the Kotu Sewage Farm on the 16^th.

 

Speckled Pigeon - Columba guinea guinea C

Common being seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 100 seen at the Ground Nut Factory on the 15^th.

 

Eurasian Turtle Dove - Streptopelia turtur C

We saw 3 at Cape Creek on the 21^st.

 

Red-eyed Dove - Streptopelia semitorquata C

This species proved to be common being seen every day.

 

Vinaceous Dove - Streptopelia vinacea C

This species proved to be common being seen every day.

 

Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis senegalensis C

This species proved to be common being seen every day.

 

Black-billed Wood-Dove - Turtur abyssinicus C

This species was common being seen every day but two.

 

Blue-spotted Wood-Dove - Turtur afer C

This species was common being seen every day but one.

 

Namaqua Dove - Oena capensis capensis C

Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 8 seen on the 16^th.

 

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri krameri C

Seen on three dates in small numbers.

 

Senegal Parrot - Poicephalus senegalus senegalus C

Seen in fair numbers every day but one with a daily maximum of 22 seen on the 19^th.

 

Guinea Turaco - Tauraco persa buffoni C

We saw 2 in Abuko on the 18^th.

 

Violet Turaco - Musophaga violacea C

We saw 5 in Abuko on the 18^th and 2 in the Kabafita Forest on the 19^th.

 

Western Plaintain-eater - Crinifer piscator C

This species proved to be common being seen every day but one.

 

Senegal Coucal - Centropus senegalensis senegalensis C

Seen every day with a daily maximum of 12 seen on both the 16^th and 21^st.

 

Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl - Bubo lacteus C

We saw 3 in the Abuko Extension on the 17^th and 1 there the following day. Superb.

 

Pearl-spotted Owlet - Glaucidium perlatum perlatum C

We found a single individual in a large tree along the Kotu Stream whilst walking from the Bakotu Hotel. We couldn’t relocate it on subsequent visits.

 

Mottled Spinetail - Telacanthura ussheri ussheri C

We saw up to 25 on both visits to Abuko and 2 at the Kotu Sewage Farm on the 19^th.

 

African Palm-Swift - Cypsiurus parvus parvus C

This species proved to be common being seen daily.

 

Little Swift - Apus affinis C

Seen on four dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen at the Kotu Sewage Farm on the 19^th.

 

Malachite Kingfisher - Alcedo cristata galerita C

A single individual was seen at Cape Creek on both the 15^th and 21^st.

 

African Pygmy-Kingfisher - Ispidina picta picta C

Singles were seen at the Abuko pool on the 18^th and at Kabifita on the 19^th. Superb.

 

Striped Kingfisher - Halcyon chelicuti chelicuti C

We saw 2 on both our visits to the Upper Bridge area of the Kotu Stream and 3 at Cape Creek on the 21^st.

 

Giant Kingfisher - Megaceryle maxima maxima C

We saw 2 at the Abuko Pool on the 17^th and 1 there on the 18^th. Superb.

 

Pied Kingfisher - Ceryle rudis rudis C

Seen daily in good numbers with a daily maximum of 15 seen on the 15^th.

 

Little Bee-eater - Merops pusillus pusillus C

This species proved fairly common with a daily maximum of 15 seen at the Casino on the 16^th.

 

Swallow-tailed Bee-eater - Merops hirundineus chrysolaimus C

Seen on four dates with a daily maximum of 7 seen on the 19^th.

 

European Bee-eater - Merops apiaster C

Singles were seen at the Casino on the 16^th and in Bakotu on the 19^th.

 

European Roller - Coracias garrulus C

A single individual was seen at the Kotu Stream on the 21^st.

 

Abyssinian Roller - Coracias abyssinica C

Seen on five dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 4 seen on the 15^th. Superb.

 

Rufous-crowned Roller - Coracias naevia naevia C

We saw 3 at Yundum town on the 19^th and 4 along the road to Tendaba on the 20^th.

 

Blue-bellied Roller - Coracias cyanogaster C

Seen in small numbers on six dates with a daily maximum of 6 seen on both the 19^th and 20^th. Superb.

 

Hoopoe - Upupa epops C

We saw 1 at the Casino on the 18^th and 2 there on the 21^st.

 

Green Woodhoopoe - Phoeniculus purpureus C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 18 seen at the Kotu Stream on the 16^th.

 

Red-billed Hornbill - Tockus erythrorhynchus erythrorhynchus C

Seen daily with a daily maximum of 10 seen at Abuko on the 17^th.

 

African Pied (Allied) Hornbill - Tockus fasciatus semifasciatus C

We saw 4 on both trips to Abuko.

 

African Grey Hornbill - Tockus nasutus nasutus C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen at Abuko on the 17^th.

 

Abyssinian Ground Hornbill – Bucorvus abyssinicus C

JFC & TEC saw 1 from the plane on arrival at Yundum Airport on the 15^th.

 

Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird - Pogoniulus bilineatus leucolaima C

A single individual was seen in Abuko on the 18^th.

 

Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird - Pogoniulus chrysoconus chrysoconos C

We saw 2 in scrub between the Kotu Stream and the Casino on the 21^st.

 

Bearded Barbet - Lybius dubius C

Seen at Abuko, Cape Creek, the Casino and the Kotu Golf Course with a daily maximum of 4 seen in the Abuko Extension on the 18^th. Bizarre.

 

Spotted Honeyguide - Indicator maculatus maculatus C

A single individual was seen in Abuko on the 18^th.

 

Greater (Black-throated) Honeyguide - Indicator indicator C

We saw 3 in Abuko on the 18^th.

 

Fine-spotted Woodpecker - Campethera punctuligera punctuligera C

We saw 2 in Abuko on the 18^th and 1 in the Casino area on the 19^th and 21^st.

 

Buff-spotted Woodpecker - Campethera nivosa nivosa C

We saw 1 at Abuko on the 17^th and 2 there the following day.

 

Cardinal Woodpecker - Dendropicos fuscescens lafresnayi C

We saw a single individual at the start of the Abuko extension on the 18^th.

 

Grey Woodpecker - Dendropicos goertae goertae C

Seen at Abuko and at the Kotu Golf Course with a daily maximum of 5 seen on the 17^th.

 

Crested Lark - Galerida cristata senegallensis C

Seen on three dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen in the Casino area on the 21^st.

 

Red-chested Swallow - Hirundo lucida lucida C

Presumably what now represents this species which is regarded as abundant in the Gambia (and formerly treated as conspecific with Barn Swallow which is a possibility in April) was seen on four dates with a daily maximum of 40 seen on the 19^th.

 

Wire-tailed Swallow - Hirundo smithii smithii C

Seen at the Lower Bridge which crosses the Kotu Stream and also at the bridge at the Pumping Station at Bund Road with a daily maximum of 5 seen at the Kotu Stream.

 

Pied-winged Swallow - Hirundo leucosoma C

We saw a party of 8 whilst birding the area of scrub between the Casino and the Kotu Stream.

 

Mosque Swallow - Hirundo senegalensis senegalensis C

We saw 3 at Cape Creek on the 15^th and 6 at the Kotu Sewage Farm on the 19^th.

 

House Martin - Delichon urbica C

We saw 1 at the Kotu Sewage Farm on the 22^nd.

 

Fanti Sawwing - Psalidoprocne obscura C

We saw 30 on each visit to Abuko.

 

Yellow Wagtail - Motacilla flava C

Various forms were seen on three dates with a daily maximum of 28 seen on the 19^th.

 

Yellow-throated Longclaw - Macronyx croceus C

We saw 2 in fields between the Kotu Stream and the Casino.

 

Plain-backed Pipit - Anthus leucophrys ansorgei C

We saw 2 in fields between the Kotu Stream and the Casino.

 

Red-throated Pipit - Anthus cervinus C

We saw 2 at the Banjul Rubbish Dump on the 19^th.

 

Common Bulbul - Pycnonotus barbatus inornatus C

Common being seen daily.

 

Little Greenbul - Andropadus virens erythropterus C

At Abuko seen in good numbers but never encountered elsewhere.

 

Yellow-throated Leaflove - Chlorocichla flavicollis flavicollis C

We saw 2 in trees on the Golf Course just behind the Bakotu Hotel.

 

African Thrush - Turdus pelios chiguancoides C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 15 seen at Abuko on both the 17^th and 18^th.

 

Singing Cisticola - Cisticola cantans swanzii C

We saw 3 in the Kotu Stream area.

 

Zitting Cisticola - Cisticola juncidis uropygialis C

We saw 5 in the Kotu Stream area.

 

Tawny-flanked Prinia - Prinia subflava subflava C

Seen on four dates with a daily maximum of 25 seen in the scrub between the Kotu Stream and the Casino on the 16^th.

 

Yellow-breasted Prinia - Apalis flavida caniceps C

We saw 4 in Abuko on the 18^th.

 

Oriole Warbler (Moho) - Hypergerus atriceps C

A pair were seen in small bushes behind the children’s playground in the Hotel Bakotu. Superb.

 

Green-backed Camaroptera - Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata C

Seen at Abuko, Kabifita and the Casino with a daily maximum of 10 seen at Abuko on the 18^th.

 

Sedge Warbler - Acrocephalus schoenobaenus C

We saw a single individual along the Kotu Stream on the 18^th.

 

Reed Warbler - Acrocephalus scirpaceus C

We saw 1 at the Bund road and 2 that were always present at Kotu Stream which were in worn plumage and singing. Were they African Reed Warblers ?

 

Melodious Warbler - Hippolais polyglotta C

We saw 1 in the Abuko Extension on the 18^th, 1 at the Golf course on the 19^th and 6 there on the 21^st.

 

Senegal (Smaller Green-backed) Eremomela - Eremomela pusilla C

We saw 10 at Kabifita on the 19^th.

 

Northern Crombec - Sylvietta brachyura brachyura C

We saw 2 at the Hotel Bakotu on the 17^th, 4 in the Abuko Extension on the 18^th and 3 at Kabifita on the 19^th. Superb.

 

Green Hylia - Hylia prasina prasina C

We saw a single individual at Abuko on the 18^th.

 

Willow Warbler - Phylloscopus trochilus C

We saw 1 at Kotu on the 18^th, 6 along the Bund road on the 19^th and 1 at the Kotu Sewage Farm on the 21^st.

 

Bonelli’s Warbler - Phylloscopus bonelli bonelli C

A single individual was seen at the Kotu Stream on the 21^st.

 

Blackcap - Sylvia atricapilla C

We saw 2 at the Kotu Stream on the 21^st.

 

Garden Warbler - Sylvia borin C

We saw a single individual at the Kotu Stream on the 21^st.

 

Whitethroat - Sylvia communis C

We saw a single individual at the Kotu Stream on the 16^th and 18^th.

 

Subalpine Warbler - Sylvia cantillans cantillans C

A single individual was seen at the Kotu Stream on the 21^st.

 

Red-winged Warbler (Prinia) - Prinia erythroptera erythroptera C

We saw a single individual in scrub bordering the cycle track leading to the Casino.

 

Northern Black-Flycatcher - Melaenornis edolioides edolioides C

Seen at Abuko and near the Casino in fair numbers on five dates.

 

Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat - Cossypha niveicapilla niveicapilla C

We saw 7 at Abuko on the 17^th and 4 at Kabifita on the 19^th.

 

White-crowned Robin-Chat - Cossypha albicapilla albicapilla C

We saw 2 in trees bordering the Kotu Stream on the 16^th and 1 at the Sewage Farm on the 18^th.

 

Common Redstart - Phoenicurus phoenicurus phoenicurus C

A single individual was seen at the Kotu Stream on the 16^th.

 

Brown-throated Wattle-eye - Platysteira cyanea cyanea C

At Abuko we saw 15 on the 17^th and 12 there on the 18^th. Superb.

 

Senegal Batis - Batis senegalensis C

We saw 3 at Kabifita on the 19^th. Superb.

 

Red-bellied Paradise-flycatcher - Terpsiphone rufiventer rufiventer C

We saw 15 on our first trip to Abuko and 6 the following day and 2 at Kabifita on the 19^th.

 

African Paradise-Flycatcher - Terpsiphone viridis viridis C

Singles were seen on both trips to Abuko.

 

Blackcap Babbler - Turdoides reinwardtii reinwardtii C

Seen at Cape Creek and the Kotu Golf Course with a daily maximum of 6 seen at Cape Creek on the 15^th.

 

Brown Babbler - Turdoides plebejus platycircus C

Seen every day but one in good numbers with a daily maximum of 20 seen on the 21^st.

 

Western Violet-backed Sunbird - Anthreptes longuemarei longuemarei C

We saw a pair near the entrance to Abuko on the 17^th.

 

Collared Sunbird - Hedydipna collaris subcollaris C

We saw 1 in the scrub between the Casino and the Kotu Stream on the 16^th, 8 in Abuko on the 17^th and 4 there the next day.

 

Scarlet-chested Sunbird - Chalcomitra senegalensis senegalensis C

We saw 2 males on each visit to Abuko and 2 males at Kabifita.

 

Beautiful Sunbird - Cinnyris pulchellus pulchellus C

Fairly common in the grounds of the Hotel Bakotu and around the Golf Course with several males present. A daily maximum of 6 were seen on the 19^th.

 

Splendid Sunbird - Cinnyris coccinigaster C

Mainly adult males seen with 2 seen in the scrub between the Casino and the Kotu Stream on the 16^th, 6 there on the 19^th and 2 seen at Abuko on the 17^th.

 

Variable Sunbird - Cinnyris venustus venustus C

Only males seen with 4 seen in the Abuko extension on the 18^th and 1 at Kabifita on the 19^th.

 

Copper Sunbird - Cinnyris cupreus cupreus C

We saw 6 males at Kabifita on the 19^th.

 

African Golden Oriole - Oriolus auratus auratus C

We saw 1 along the road to Tendaba on the 20^th.

 

Woodchat Shrike - Lanius senator C

We saw singles at the Kotu Stream on the 21^st and at the Golf Course on the 22^nd.

 

Yellow-billed Shrike - Lanius corvina corvina C

Very common being seen every day but one with a daily maximum of 30 being seen on the 21^st.

 

Northern Puffback - Dryoscopus gambensis gambensis C

We saw 2 at Abuko on the 18^th and 3 at Kabafita on the 19^th.

 

Black-crowned Tchagra senegala senegala C

We saw 2 at Kabifita on the 19^th.

 

Common Gonolek - Laniarius barbarus barbarus C

This species proved fairly common being seen on six dates often in the vicinity of the Hotel.

 

Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike - Telephonus sulfureopectus sulfureopectus C

We saw a superb individual in the Abuko extension on the 18^th.

 

White Helmetshrike - Prionops plumatus plumatus C

We saw 8 at Abuko on the 17^th and 2 along the road to Tendaba on the 20^th.

 

Fork-tailed Drongo - Dicrurus adsimilis divaricatus C

At Abuko we saw 1 on the 17^th and 2 on the 18^th and at Kabifita we saw 2 on the 19^th.

 

Piapiac - Ptilostomus afer C

Common being seen on all but one day with a daily maximum of 15 seen on the 16^th and 21^st.

 

Pied Crow - Corvus albus C

Very common being seen daily.

 

Greater Blue-eared Glossy-Starling - Lamprotornis chalybaeus chalybaeus C

A single individual was tentatively identified along the road to Tendaba on the 20^th.

 

Purple Glossy-Starling - Lamprotornis purpureus C

Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 50 seen on the 20^th.

 

Long-tailed Glossy-Starling - Lamprotornis caudatus C

Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 15 seen on the 20^th.

 

Violet-backed Starling - Cinnyricinclus leucogaster C

We saw 4 at the start of the Abuko Exension on the 17^th, 1 at the entrance to Abuko on the 18^th and 4 between the Casino and the Kotu Stream on the 21^st.

 

Yellow-billed Oxpecker - Buphagus africanus C

Seen on four dates with a daily maximum of 15 seen in the Casino area on the 16^th.

 

Grey-headed Sparrow - Passer griseus griseus C

Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen on the 18^th.

 

Little Weaver – Ploceus luteolus luteolus C

A single male was seen at Kabifita on the 19^th.

 

Black-necked Weaver – Ploceus nigricollis brachypterus C

Seen at Abuko, the Golf Course and at the Hotel Bakotu. Most were in good plumage with a daily maximum of 50 seen at Abuko on the 18^th.

 

Village Weaver – Ploceus cucullatus cucullatus C

One of the commonest species encountered with a few full-plumaged males seen.

 

Bishop sp.

Seen often around the Casino but also elsewhere but none were in identifiable plumage.

 

Western Bluebill – Spermophaga haematina haematina C

A single individual was seen at the Abuko pool on the 18^th. Superb.

 

Red-billed Firefinch – Lagonosticta senegala C

Seen daily in small numbers often in the grounds of the Hotel Bakotu.

 

Red-cheeked Cordonbleu – Uraeginthus bengalus bengalus C

Often seen in the grounds of the Hotel Bakotu or on the nearby small rubbish tip. We noted a daily maximum of 10 on both the 18^th and 21^st.

 

Lavender Waxbill – Estrilda caerulescens C

Seen in the vicinity of the Hotel Bakotu on five dates.

 

Orange-cheeked Waxbill – Estrilda melpoda melpoda C

We saw 2 in the grounds of the Hotel Bakotu on the 16^th and 4 at the nearby small rubbish tip on the 21^st.

 

African Silverbill – Lonchura cantans cantans C

We saw 3 on the small rubbish tip adjacent to the Hotel Bakotu on the 16^th.

 

Bronze Mannikin – Lonchura cucullata cucullata C

Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 50 seen at Abuko on the 17^th.

 

Village Indigobird – Vidua chalybeata chalybeata C

We saw 3 males at the Golf Course on the 16^th.