TANJI Bird Reserve

TANJI Bird ReserveDistance 8 kilometres. A half day morning trip with an early start which can easily be combined with Brufut Woods later in the afternoon (see below) The reserve contains open areas with some Gingerbread plums, Acacia scrub, Rhun palms, a large wooded area and the Tanji lagoon and seashore. There is not much deep shade so be prepared! On the shoreline you will see many species of tern and wader, in the thick bush beside the lagoon you should spot Pygmy kingfisher, Giant and Pied Kingfisher, and Grey-headed Bushshrike. Fruiting trees attract African Green Pigeon and Violet Turaco. In the more mature wooded area there are Osprey, Northern Puffback and White-crested Helmet Shrike.

BRUFUT Woodland

Distance 12 kilometres. A half day trip which could be combined with Tanji Bird Reserve (see above) for a full day with a lunch break at Nyana’s Restaurant overlooking Tanji Lagoon by the sea shore. An area protected by the West African Bird Study Association and the community of Brufut village. Late afternoon/early evening is a good time to spot a roosting White-faced Scops owl and African Scops owls. Other birds to spot are: Long-tailed Nightjar, African Golden Oriole, Four-banded Sandgrouse, Emerald Cuckoo, Diederik Cuckoo, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Tawny Eagle, Booted eagle, Short-toed Eagle

Tujereng Woodland

An area very close to the lodges, this woodland between the coast road and the sea is good for sightings of overhead raptors as well as smaller species in the trees. Typical sightings include Woodchat Shrike, Gabar Goshawk, Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Brown Snake Eagle, Martial Eagle, Grey backed Caroptera, Northern Red Bishop

‍Kotu Ponds, Cycle Track, Fajara Golf Course

This is in the tourist hotel area, so be prepared for a busier day ‘people wise’. The ponds are reed beds for sewage filtration and attract Black headed heron, White-faced Whistling duck, Pied kingfisher, African Jacana, Black Egret etc A pleasant walk along the cycle track to Kotu passes wet grazing land, mature palm plantations and open views to the sea with many birds en route such as Blue bellied Roller, Great White Egret, Pearl Spotted Owlet. The Golf course is home to a wide range of birds and is accessible with care only with your approved guide.

Faraba Banta Bush Track

Distance 40 kilometres. The track itself is 10 kilometres in length and either all, or sections of which, can be walked with a pick up at the other end, this can be agreed on the day. Open woodland with many tall trees and unspoilt countryside. Excellent for raptors such as Martial Eagle, Gabar Goshawk and Brown Snake Eagle. Walking through the middle part of the day , although hot, will provide the better sightings as the birds take advantage of the thermals. This trip could also be combined with a morning trip to Pirang (see below) which would make a long but productive day( picnic lunch required as no restaurants in the vicinity).

Faraba Banta Bush Track, Bonto Woods, Pirang Ponds and Rice Fields

Distance: 35 km. Located near Pirang village south of Brikama and beside a mangrove-lined creek joining the River Gambia. Many water birds both resident and migrant including Pink Pelican, Great Pelican, Lesser Flamingo, African Spoonbill, Black-Crowned Cranes, Ruddy Turnstone, Pied Avocet. The rice fields offer a wide range of species, including Plain-backed Pipit, Bearded Barbet, Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Woodchat Shrike

DARSILAMI Forest and Wetlands (Marakissa)

Distance: 30 kilometres. Travelling South from Brikama, along a 6km dirt road, a little-visited area of mature woodland and savannah, all part of an eco- conservation project in a protected area. The river Allahein runs through the area and lunch can be taken at Marakissa River Camp on a meander of the river. The dam has created wetlands that offer a good range of birds well into the dry season. Particularly good for different species of Kingfisher, raptors, rollers and migrating waders. Black Crake are normally spotted by the bridge near the river camp as well as various species of Snipe and Heron. Yellow-throated Leaf-love and Hammerkop plus many more abound.

‍Tujereng Woodland, Kotu Ponds and Cycle Track

Combines two different destinations as above, without the Golf Course, which may not always be accessible for birders (depending on golfing activities!)

Kartong Sand Mines Trip

A unique site comprising salt pans, flooded sand quarry, savannah scrub, rice fields, wetlands, reed and rush beds, remnant of high forest, sand dunes, foreshore, tidal mud flats and coastal creeks. You will see some of the rarer species such as: Egyptian Vulture, Great Bittern, Little Greenbul, Red winged Pytilia, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Bonelli’s Warbler, Orphean Warbler, Greater painted Snipe, Lesser Moorhen, Little Bittern, Dwarf Bittern, and many more. The Hooded Vulture (now an endangered species) Wing Tracing Project is carried out here. For more details see the web site www.kartongbirdobservatory.org