The way all birding will be

3. Birds
The following checklist is not exhaustive, and any errors are the result of me not scribbling notes quickly enough at the time. The number indicates the number of days on which we saw a species (not necessarily the number of sites). Unusually heavy and late rains in 2003 would appear to have made some of the sightings/ locations less typical than in recent years.

Little Grebe 2: Kotu Sewage Ponds, Pirang

Long-tailed Cormorant 4: Kotu Sewage Ponds, Pirang, Bund Road, Marakissa

African Darter 5: Pirang, Bao Bolon, Bund Road, Abuko. Marakissa

Great White Pelican 1: Bao Bolon

Pink-backed Pelican 6: seen regularly, usually within a few km of sea or river

Dwarf Bittern 1: Marakissa

Black-crowned Night-Heron 3: Bao Bolon, Bund Road, Abuko

White-backed Night-Heron 1: Bao Bolon

Squacco Heron 4: Kotu Sewage Ponds, Bao Bolon, Basse, Marakissa

Cattle Egret 9: seen regularly in rice fields

Striated Heron 3: Bao Bolon, Bund Road, Abuko

Black Egret 3: Kotu Creek, Bao Bolon, Bund Road

Western Reef Heron 6: dark morph seen regularly around ponds and rivers

Little Egret 2: only specifically noted at Bintang Bolon and Darsilami

Intermediate Egret 3: Kotu Sewage Ponds, Bao Bolon, Darsilami

Great White Egret 9: seen regularly in rice fields, mangroves and along river

Grey Heron 5: small numbers around most wetlands and some rice fields

Black-headed Heron 3: Georgetown, Basse, Abuko

Goliath Heron 2: Bao Bolon, Bund Road

Hamerkop 6: seen daily inland, only at Abuko and Marakissa near coast

Yellow-billed Stork 3: over Senegambia Hotel, Bao Bolon, Marakissa

Woolly-necked Stork 1: Bao Bolon

Marabou Stork 2: Sofanyama Bolon, Brikama BaSacred Ibis1: Bao Bolon

African Spoonbill 3: Bao Bolon, Tendaba Airfield, Darsilami

White-faced Whistling-Duck 2: Kotu Sewage Ponds, Casino Cycle Track, Abuko

Spur-winged Goose 1: Bao Bolon

Black-shouldered Kite 3: Brufut Woods, Basse, Yundum Woods

Black Kite 14: daily, though less abundant east of Bintang Bolon

African Fish-Eagle 2: Bintang Bolon, Bao Bolon

Palm-nut Vulture 11: widespread, in small numbers

Hooded Vulture 14: daily, in large numbers

White-backed Vulture 4: seen daily inland

European Griffon Vulture 1: several seen between coast and Tendaba

Lappet-faced Vulture 1: c.10 miles west of GeorgetownWhite-headed Vulture1: between Tendaba and the coast

Short-toed Eagle 1: several (of sedentary African form) around Basse

Brown Snake-Eagle 2: Kiang West National Park, Sofanyama Bolon

Western Banded Snake Eagle 2: Sofanyama Bolon, Marakissa

Bateleur 1: between Sibanor and Bintang Bolon

African Harrier-Hawk 8: common in savannah, also seen in grounds of Senegambia

Pallid Harrier 1: Bao Bolon

Montagu's Harrier 2: Bao Bolon, Tendaba Airfield

Eurasian Marsh Harrier 2: Bao Bolon, Brufut Woods

Gabar Goshawk 2: Sofanyama Bolon, Basse

Dark Chanting Goshawk 5: common inland, also at Yundum Woods

Shikra 6: common inland, also Casino Cycle Track and Marakissa

Ovambo Sparrowhawk 1: possible, at Marakissa

Grasshopper Buzzard 3: common inland

Lizard Buzzard 7: common inland, also Brufut Woods and Marakissa

Wahlberg's Eagle 2: Tendaba to coastAfrican

Hawk Eagle 2: Kiang West National Park, Sofanyama Bolon

Booted Eagle 1: BasseLong-crested Eagle1: Darsilami

Osprey 5: Brufut, Tendaba, Bao Bolon, Bund Road

Grey Kestrel 6: Senegambia Hotel, Casino Cycle Track, Marakissa, inland

Red-necked Falcon 1: Kiang West National Park

African Hobby 1: Pirang

Lanner Falcon 4: Kotu Sewage Ponds, Kiang West NP, Basse, Marakissa

Peregrine Falcon 1: outskirts of Brikama

Stone Partridge 4: heard only, at Brufut, Tendaba, Abuko and Bijilo

Ahanta Francolin 1: Bijilo Forest

Double-spurred Francolin 8: heard frequently, seen at several sites

Black Crake 1: Kotu Sewage Ponds

Common Moorhen 1: Marakissa

Black Crowned-Crane 1: Pirang

African Jacana 3: Kotu Sewage Ponds, near Kafutu, Marakissa

Eurasian Oystercatcher 1: Bund Road

Black-winged Stilt 6: at most sizeable wetlands

Senegal Thick-knee 3: Kotu Creek, Bao Bolon, Darsilami

Spotted Thick-knee 1: Batteling Track (Tendaba)

Egyptian Plover 2: Soma Wetland, Basse

Little Ringed Plover 1: Bao Bolon

Common Ringed Plover 1: Bao Bolon

Kentish Plover 1: Bao Bolon

Kittlitz's Plover 1: Soma Wetland

Wattled Plover 5: common around small pools and recently cut fields

Black-headed Plover 4: Tendaba, Basse, Yundum Woods

Spur-winged Plover 6: common around small pools and recently cut fields

Sanderling 1: Tanji Beach

Ruff 1: Bao Bolon

Black-tailed Godwit 1: Bund Road

Bar-tailed Godwit 2: Tanji Beach, Bund Road

Whimbrel 5: common in small numbers on beach and larger wetlands

Spotted Redshank 1: Darsilami

Common Redshank 3: Kotu Creek, Bao Bolon, Darsilami

Marsh Sandpiper 3: Kotu Creek, Bao Bolon, Darsilami

Common Greenshank 5: common in small numbers around rivers and large wetlands

Green Sandpiper 1: Kotu Sewage Ponds

Wood Sandpiper 1: Kotu Sewage Ponds

Common Sandpiper 5: common in small numbers around rivers and large wetlands

Ruddy Turnstone 1: Tanji Beach

Arctic Skua 1: off Kololi Beach

Grey-headed Gull 6: common around coast

Black-headed Gull 2: Tanji Beach, Bund Road

Slender-billed Gull 1: Bund Road

Lesser Black-backed Gull 2: Tanji Beach, Bund Road

Kelp Gull 1: Tanji Beach

Gull-billed Tern 1: Bund Road

Caspian Tern 5: Tanji Beach, Pirang, Bao Bolon, Bund Road, Darsilami

Lesser-crested Tern 2: Tanji Beach, Bund Road

Sandwich Tern 5: common along coast

Four-banded Sandgrouse 2: Tendaba, flushed from road between Bansang and Tendaba

African Green-Pigeon 1: Marakissa

Bruce's Green-Pigeon 3: Georgetown, Bansang, Tendaba Airfield

Blue-spotted Wood-Dove 5: most numerous at Bijilo Forest and Abuko

Black-billed Wood Dove 5: Bijilo Forest, Abuko, Yundum Woods

Namaqua Dove 2: Sofanyama Bolon, Bansang

QuarrySpeckled Pigeon 14: common around Senegambia Hotel and forest sites

Red-eyed Dove 14: common around Senegambia Hotel and savannah

African Mourning Dove 7: most numerous in savannah and forest sites

Vinaceous Dove 4: probably more abundant, but we gave up looking!

Laughing Dove 14: common at Senegambia Hotel and probably elsewhere

Senegal Parrot 6: common inland, and also at Bijilo Forest and Abuko

Rose-ringed Parakeet 10: present at most sites

Green Turaco 1: Abuko

Violet Turaco 4: Abuko, Brufut, Marakissa

Western Grey Plantain-eater 12: common everywhere

Levaillant's Cuckoo 2: Abuko, Marakissa

African Cuckoo 1: Kiang West National Park

Senegal Coucal 14: common everywhere

African Scops Owl 1: heard only, near Tendaba

White-faced Scops-Owl 3: heard only, at Senegambia Hotel

Spotted Eagle-Owl 2: Batteling Track (Tendaba) and on main road near Tendaba

Verreaux's Eagle Owl 2: Abuko

Pearl-spotted Owlet 3: Brufut, Tendaba

Long-tailed Nightjar 1: Batteling Track (Tendaba)

European Nightjar 1: Batteling Track (Tendaba)

Standard-winged Nightjar 1: Batteling Track (Tendaba)

Mottled Spinetail 4: Kotu Sewage Ponds, Sibanor, Tendaba, Yundum Woods

African Palm-Swift 10: common along coast, scarcer inland

Pallid Swift 3: small numbers along coast, most at Kotu Sewage Ponds

Common Swift 3: small numbers along coast, most at Kotu Sewage Ponds

Little Swift 2: Kotu Sewage Ponds, Bund Road

Grey-headed Kingfisher 1: Bao Bolon

Blue-breasted Kingfisher 3: Bao Bolon, Abuko, Marakissa

Woodland Kingfisher 1: Bao Bolon

Striped Kingfisher 4: Brufut, several upriver from Tendaba

African Pygmy-Kingfisher 1: Abuko

Malachite Kingfisher 3: Bao Bolon, Bund Road, Darsilami

Giant Kingfisher 3: Tanji Beach, Abuko, Marakissa

Pied Kingfisher 12: common over any running water and larger wetlands

Little Bee-eater 5: Bijilo Forest, Brufut Woods, Basse, Abuko

Swallow-tailed Bee-eater 3: Brufut Woods, Tendaba, Abuko

Red-throated Bee-eater 1: Bansang Quarry

Little Green Bee-eater 1: main road near Sofanyama Bolon

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater 1: Bao BolonEuropean Bee-eater2: several sites around Tendaba, Bund Road

Northern Carmine Bee-eater 1: Basse

Rufous-crowned Roller 4: common inland, Yundum Woods

Blue-bellied Roller 5: Bijilo Forest, Pirang, Brufut Woods, Marakissa and inland

Abyssinian Roller 6: common inland, also Kotu Sewage Ponds, Marakissa

Broad-billed Roller 10: common over Senegambia Hotel and elsewhere

Green Wood Hoopoe 7: small number at most coastal sites, including Senegambia

Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill 1: Darsilami

Red-billed Hornbill 14: common everywhere, including Senegambia Hotel

African Pied Hornbill 2: Brufut Woods, Marakissa

African Grey Hornbill 5: Brufut, Marakissa, Abuko, common inland

Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird 6: nesting on the terrace at Senegambia, also at Brufut Woods

Vieillot's Barbet 3: Brufut Woods and several sites inland

Bearded Barbet 7: Senegambia Hotel, Kotu Sewage Ponds, Darsilami

Greater Honeyguide 1: Abuko

Lesser Honeyguide 1: Abuko

Fine-spotted Woodpecker 4: Brufut, Bao Bolon, Tendaba Airfield

Buff-spotted Woodpecker 1: Abuko

Grey Woodpecker 5: Senegambia Hotel, Fajara, Abuko, Marakissa

Crested Lark 1: Pirang

Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark 1: main road east of Sofanyama Bolon

Fanti Saw Wing 3: Brufut Woods, Abuko

Mosque Swallow 1: Pirang

Red-rumped Swallow 4: common at wetland sites inland

Wire-tailed Swallow 4: Kotu Sewage Ponds/Creek, Pirang, Bao Bolon, Marakissa

Red-chested Swallow 8: common at wetland sites

Barn Swallow 4: specifically noted at Kotu, Bao Bolon, Bansang, Brufut

Common House Martin 2: with other hirundines over inland villages and Bao Bolob

Yellow Wagtail 1: heard only, at Bao Bolon

White Wagtail 2: Soma Wetland, Bund Road

Plain-backed Pipit 2: Tendaba Airfield, Darsilami

Yellow-throated Longclaw 1: Darsilami

Little Greenbul 2: Abuko

Yellow-throated Leaflove 3: Abuko,

MarakissaCommon Bulbul 14: daily around Senegambia and at most sites

Nightingale 2: heard only, at Brufut Woods

Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat 3: Abuko, Bijilo Forest

White-crowned Robin-Chat 8: regularly around Senegambia Hotel

Redstart 2: Tendaba and a roadside site en route to Georgetown

African Thrush 10: common around Senegambia and most woodland sites

Sedge Warbler 1: heard only, at Bao Bolon

Reed Warbler 2: heard only, at Bao Bolon and Brufut Woods

Great Reed Warbler 1: heard only, at Bao Bolon

Olivaceous Warbler 3: Tendaba, Bund Road

Melodious Warbler 5: Brufut Woods, Tendaba, Abuko, Marakissa

Singing Cisticola 2: Yundum Woods, Marakissa

Plaintive Cisticola 1: Basse

Zitting Cisticola 3: several inland sites, most common at Bansang Quarry

Tawny-flanked Prinia 8: common at woodland and scrub sites

Red-winged Warbler 1: Brufut Woods

Yellow-breasted Apalis 2: Abuko

Grey-backed Camaroptera 6: Kotu Sewage Ponds, Brufut Woods, Bund Road, inland

Green-backed Eremomela 5: Brufut Woods, Abuko, several inland sites

Northern Crombec 3: Casino Cycle Track, Brufut Woods, several inland sites

Oriole Warbler 3: Bijilo Forest, also heard at Senegambia Hotel

Green Hylia 3: seen at Abuko, also heard at Brufut Woods

Willow Warbler 2: heard at inland sitesChiffchaff1: heard at Bijilo ForestBlackcap1: Brufut Woods

Common Whitethroat 1: heard only, Brufut Woods

Northern Black Flycatcher 4: Casino Cycle Track, Senegambia Hotel, Brufut, Yundum

Common Wattle-eye 3: Bund Road, Abuko

Red bellied Par-Flycatcher 3: Abuko, Brufut Woods

African Paradise Flycatcher 2: Abuko

Brown Babbler 10: common around Senegambia Hotel and woodland sites

Blackcap Babbler 2: Brufut Woods, Abuko

Yellow Penduline-Tit 1: Tendaba

Mouse-brown Sunbird 1: Bao Bolon

Pygmy Sunbird 2: Tendaba, plus several sites en route to Basse

Scarlet-chested Sunbird 2: Basse and several other roadside stops

Variable Sunbird 5: Brufut Woods, Abuko, Marakissa and several inland sites

Splendid Sunbird 4: Brufut Woods and several roadside stops

Beautiful Sunbird 14: common around Senegambia and all sites

African Golden Oriole 3: Abuko, Tendaba and several seen from main road to Basse

Yellow-billed Shrike 10: common around Senegambia Hotel, Kotu, Brufut Woods

Brubru 2: heard at several inland sites, but seen only at one

Northern Puffback 3: Tendaba, Marakissa and several roadside stops

Black-crowned Tchagra 2: Brufut Woods

Yellow-crowned Gonolek 9: common in Senegambia Hotel, also Bijilo Forest and Brufut

White-crested Helmet Shrike 1: Brufut WoodsFork-tailed Drongo5: small number present at various sites inc Yundum, Kotu

Piapiac 7: Senegambia Hotel and various other sites

Pied Crow 14: common everywhere

Purple Glossy Starling 2: Bansang Quarry, Darsilami

Gtr Blue-eared Gls-Starling 11: regular around Senegambia Hotel and other sites

Lssr Blue-eared Gls-Starling 6: around Senegambia Hotel, Brufut Woods and other sites

Long-tailed Glossy-Starling 8: around Senegambia Hotel, Brufut Woods, Marakissa

Yellow-billed Oxpecker 1: road between Basse and Tendaba

House Sparrow 1: noted only at Paradise Beach Hotel, near Kotu

Grey-headed Sparrow 12: daily around villages and most sitesBush Petronia2: Kiang West National Park, Tendaba

Chestnut-crowned Sp-Weaver 1: Tendaba

White-billed Buffalo-Weaver 8: colonies common around coastal villages

Little Weaver 1: Yundum Woods

Black-necked Weaver 5: Brufut Woods, Abuko, Marakissa

Vitelline Masked Weaver 2: Brufut Woods

Village Weaver 14: daily around villages and most sites

Yellow-backed Weaver 1: Bund Road

Yellow-crowned Bishop 1: Basse

Northern Red Bishop 5: Brufut Woods, Marakissa and various inland sites

Yellow-shouldíd Widowbird 1: Darsilami

Western Bluebill 1: Abuko

Red-billed Firefinch 14: daily around Senegambia Hotel and most grassland sites

Red-cheeked Cordonbleu 14: daily around Senegambia Hotel and most grassland sites

Lavender Waxbill 12: daily around Senegambia, forest and grassland sites

Orange-cheeked Waxbill 2: Brufut Woods

Black-rumped Waxbill 2: Bansang Quarry, Tendaba Airfield

Quail-Finch 1: Darsilami

Bronze Mannikin 12: daily around Senegambia, forest and grassland sites

Cut-throat Finch 1: somewhere in the savannah between Basse and BansangVillage

Indigobird 2: several in villages east of Tendaba

Pin-tailed Whydah 1: Brufut Woods

Exclítory Paradise Whydah 1: Bansang Quarry

Yellow-fronted Canary 1: Kiang West National Park

Ortolan Bunting 1: Bansang Quarry

Cinnamon-breasted Bunting 1: Bansang Quarry

Brown-rumped Bunting 1: Tendaba Camp