Our trip to Tendaba from 8th to 10th December, 2014, 2 nights 3 days, the guide of the week Lamin K Njie.
On the journey to Tendaba we stopped off at various places en route, birds seen included Brown Necked Parrot, Levaillant’s cuckoo, Red Winged Warbler, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Grasshopper Buzzard and white Backed Vulture.
Whilst at Tendaba we went on two river boat trips into the Bao Bolong Reserve with our guide Lamin, the highlights of this trip were:- Woolly Necked Stork, Goliath Heron, White throated Bee Eater, Montagu’s Harrier, White Backed Night Heron, Mouse Brown Sunbird and African Fish Eagle. The rest of the time was spent in Kiang West National Park where Lamin was trying to find an Abyssinian Ground Hornbill for us to see, he went back to the same area three times but to no avail, but he certainly showed his dedication to his work.
Birds of note in Kiang West:- African Hobby, Bush Petronia, Brown Rumped Bunting, Bateleur, Short Toed Eagle, Chestnut Backed Sparrow Lark, Cut-throat Finch, Chestnut Crowned Sparrow Weaver and Spotted Thick Knee,
The return journey to Farakunku produced African Hawk Eagle, another Bateleur, Hoopoe, Lanner Falcon and Verreaux’s Eagle Owl.
We therefore recommend Lamin to any one wishing to go on a birding trip in the Gambia, He has good character, respected, punctual hard working guide.
We saw 119 species in all, Raptors 22, including owls.
Stephen and Heather Chippendale