Bushtrackgambia

Welcome to our website

The purpose of this website is to draw the attention of travelling birdwatchers and photographers the benefits and rewards for small birding and indivuals visiting the Gambia.I have personally visited the Gambia now on ten occassions and have been fortunate enough on each trip to both record and photograph new species for my list.

In my experiance I have allways found it essential to choose a good well trained bird guide for your excursions.There are plenty of good official guides which are instantly recognised by their distinctive badge.Besides the obviouse problems with identification and knowledge of the local birding sites your guide is also essential for taking care of any problems with the local population which can be both tiresome and offputting particulary around the hotel/touristy areas.

Pa Jallow has been my guide and companion now for the last 10 years and over that time he has matured into a first class bird guide,not only in the obviouse duties of identification but also in the basic needs of birders and bird photographers.He posseses a good knowledge of all the available hostelries and i have allways found my accomodation both comfortable and problem free.

Thios is particulary valuable when one undertakes a trip up river to places like Georgetown where conditions can become a liitle less comfortable.

In addition to spending time guiding birders and photographers PA is also very active in his role as trainer for all the new and upcoming bird guides in the West African Bird Association and he is also responsible for dealing with any disciplinary problems which occurr from time to time with the guides.There is a strict code of practice in place (as there needs to be when the public are been offered a service) and it is PAs responsibility to make sure that these practices are followed.

25/3/10

Here is a brief list of highlights from our latest gambia trip from the 16th of march to the 22nd of March.

Brufoot Woods on the 18th of March sightings included Short Toed eagle circling with several Hooded vultures Greater Honeyguide drinkink at the feeding station regulary Long tailed Nightjar roosting next to main path to the hide Pin tailed wydha Northern Rede Bishop White helmet shrike 6 Black Shouldered Kite in display flight.Bearded Barbet Pigmy Kingfisher 5 Stone Partridge .White Fronted scops Owl with 3 young, Splendid Sunbird, Northern Crombec and African Whiteeye.Also several Swallow Tailed Bee Eaters and African Thrushes.

Also on Saturday the 20th of March at Tuggarey. 3 White Sided Black Tits(see photo gallery) Fine spotted woodpecker 95 Great white pelicans soaring overhead 3 Northern Crombecs 3 European Hoopoes 10 Red Winged Warblers, Woodchat Shrike Little weaver Pigmy Sunbird, Barn Owl and Mottled Spinetailed Swift.

At Tanji on the17th of march over 1200 Royal Terns present.

Latest news

Pels Fishing Owl at Tendaba for a couple of days W/c 9th April

16/04/2012 07:36

A Pels Fishing Owl was sighted on the mangroves at Tendaba camp for a couplr of days last week.The bird was first sighted by a local guide then watched by several observers on the boat trips arund the Mangrove area.

Kelp Gulls showing well on Tanji Beach 12/02/2012

06/03/2012 13:29

3 Adult plumaged Kelp Gulls in full adult plumage were on Tanji beach on the 12th of February 2012.These greater Black acked size Gulls stood out alongside the similar plumaged but noticeably smaller Lesser Black Backed type Gulls with its jet black mantle and olive green legs (see photo...

Egyptian Plovers showing well this at the moment.

01/01/2012 20:02

Anyone wishing to see Egyptian Plovers in the Gambia at the moment could do no better than visiting Ojawa on the North Bank. A party of birders visiting the site recently recorded 7 birds all giving excellent views.

Bushtrackgambia to visit the Gambia for 2 weeks in February 2012

20/12/2011 16:35

Bushtracgambia will be visiting the Gambia for 2 weeks in February 2012. As on previous trips there will be trip reports and sightings published on this website so anyone planning a trip to the Gambia in the near future keep an eye on this site.

Jack Snipe at Kotu

01/12/2011 08:30

A Jack Snipe was found at Kotu Creek on the 30th of November.The bird was seen by several observers.

Recent Bird news from the Gambia

23/11/2011 04:40

It is reported that two interesting species are around the main local birding areas at the moment.A Yellow Rumped Tinkerbird can be seen in Brufoot Woods and a Northern Shoveller Duck has taken up residence on the Sewage Ponds opposite the Badala Park Hotel in Kotu.