Rhino and Rollers & oxpeckers.

Above is the  Abyssinian Roller and below the Broad-billed Roller

both seen around the education and cafe area at the Fathala Game Reserve.

 

Rhino and Waterhogs.

Below the Rhino getting a little to close. 

 

 

Yellow-billed Oxpeckers hitching a ride on this Roan Antelope.

 Made a day trip to the Fathala Game Reserve, Senegal. I didn't bother taking my scope just the camera with a 300mm lens and my binoculars as i knew we would be in the jeep and wouldn't have room for the tripod. The ranger found this rhino which decide to get a little to close for comfort, i was surprised how fast it could move in a short time.

                http://www.gambia.co.uk/Docs/Gambia-Holidays/Excursions/Circle-Of-Life.aspx

Big Catch.

The main reason any birdwatcher visiting Abuko narture reserve is to hopefully see the Worlds largest Member of
the Kingfisher family the "Giant Kingfisher".

Approx the same size as a Dove, this  rather large beauty graced me with her presence
for a few seonds on my visit.

 

 

 

 

Kite flying

 

 

 

 

Kites are a very common raptor in The Gambia and on landing at Banjul international Airport it was the first bird i saw from my plane seat . The difference between the Black kite and the Yellow-billed kite is the bill colours

 

Herons umbrellas and Egrets.

                             Above is a Black Heron showing its bright orange feet the picture
                             below shows it feeding amongst the pelicans under the umbrella
                             that it makes with its wings.

                                   

Cattle Egret above and Great Egrets below feeding with a Woolly-necked stork.

 

Western reef heron above.  

Black headed Heron sitting on a tree top and below the Black-crowned night Heron.

preening in the shade at Abuko nature reserve Gambia.

Lamin rice fields produced this Striated Heron also known as the Green backed Heron

 early one morning with a African Jacana.

 

As i approached this tree on the north bank road i thought it was covered in blossom

then i realised it was covered with Egrets an unbelievable sight.

Beach club.

                     Blue-bellied Roller,s were seen most mornings as i walked along the beach.

Below Red-billed Firefinch feeding on the beach also common everyday. 

 

 

The Holiday beach club Kolio is in a great location. The complex is adjacent to the Bijilo National Park, which was ideal for early morning bird walks along the beach. And is also a good place to see the Red Colobus Monkey. I found the accomodation here to be of a good standard, here is a link: http://holidaybeachclubgambia.com/.