After four days of being beach bums we decided on a stroll around the local forest park. We picked up a Birdwatching guide, Babu, from the Official Tourist Guide hut for half a day at 250 Dalasi. We later learnt on getting back to England that this was the hottest day of the holiday at 106°F.
Entering the park there was monkeys everywhere, Green Vervet and Red Colobus, no birds. Shikra soon floated over with the usual Hooded Vultures and Black Kites. Further in to the forest Little Bee-Eaters and Blue Bellied Rollers came in to view. A new bird for the Gambia for me in the form of a Common Kestrel was spotted high up in a Palm tree watching as we walked by. Blue Spotted and Black Billed Wood Doves seemed to be the common doves about. The usual Red Eyed and Vinaceous Doves were in evidence. We did then have a brief five minutes when birds seemed to be moving thru Snowy Crowned Robin Chat, Grey Backed Camaroptera and Oriole Warbler all giving excellent views and ID discussions.

On leaving the park a Yellow Fronted Tinkerbird flew up on to the wires proudly showing its self off. A slow start to the bird part of the Holidays due to the high heat but started it was. Trip Report 2008