Birding Sites in The Gambia
The following are popular birding sites on the coast
BRUFUT WOODS
Brufut is small community reserve forest located within few minutes driving distance from the main Hotel strips; with an area of 3 hectares the area is famous for reliable sighting of the long tailed nightjar, along with Violet, Green Turacos, Swallow Tailed Bee Eater, and host of others.
ABUKO NATURE RESERVE
Abuko nature Reserve is the first nature reserve in the Gambia, covering an area 130 hectares and lies to the south of the TownThe area consist of diverse habitat including gallery forest and dry savannah that provide the opportunity to see different birds and wildlife such as Bushbuck antelope, Maxwell Duiker, West African Crocodile, the near endemic western Red Colobus monkey, Callithrix Monkey and various other mammals and Reptile, the avi=fauna this ancient coastal forest including many specialities such as the western Blue Bill, Grey Headed Bristle bill, African Goshawk, Yellow Breasted Apalis and both Green and Violet Turaco.
LAMIN RICE FIELDS
Lamin Rice fields lies within the Tanbi Wetland Complex, it located a few minutes’ drive from the main tourist strips, a fantastic area with lots water birds, waders and woodland birds, species expected to be seen include the rare Dwarf Bittern, Little Bittern, Greater Painted Snipe, Black Crake, African Jacana, Green Woodhoopoe, Hammerkop, Woodland Kingfisher, and many more
MARAKISSA WOODS
The village is located in the west coast region of the Gambia, area offer excellent opportunity for birding and photography, with area that made up of Rice fields, woodlands and adjacent Gardens there’s possibility to see an impressive list of exciting species during a extended day tour, species such as the Rare Ovambo Sparrow Hawk, Gabar Goshawk, Palm Nut Vulture, Red Shouldered Cuckoo Shrike, Yellow Throated Leaf Love and host of other species.
FARASUTU FOREST
Farasutu is small community nature reserve located at Koluro Village, the area is among the few coastal forests where you have the chance to see some rare forest species including African Wood Owl, Greyish Eagle Owl, Spotted Honey guide, Green Headed Sunbird, African Pygmy Kingfisher, Lesser Honeyguide, White Backed Night Heron amongst many other
PIRANG BONTO FOREST
Pirang Bonto forest is a well preserved community mainly comprises of gallery forest, the area is home to some of the rarest forest species in the country, species Green Crombec, Yellow bill Malkoha, White Spotted Flufftail, Red Tailed Greenbul, African Pied Hornbill, African Wood Owl, African Goshawk and majestic Verreaux’s Eagle Owl.
KARTONG PONDS AND ALLAHIN RIVER
Kartong ponds and allahin river is one of finest areas for birding and photography tours in the Gambia the areas host the only Bird Observatory in the country, with its diverse habitats including freshwater ponds created by sand mining extraction, acacia woodland, extensive reed beds and sandy beaches, kartong ponds and allahin river offers some of the best birding on the coast.Species to see in the area include Osprey, Northern Carmine Bee Eater, White Faced whistling Duck, Purple Swamp Hen, White Fronted Plover, Goliath Heron, Mouse Brown Sunbird, African Pygmy Goose, Comb Duck, Rufous Crowned Roller, Striped Kingfisher, Grey Headed Kingfisher, Oriole Warbler, various herons, Egrets, waders and shore birds.
TANJI BIRD RESERVE
Tanji bird reserve is a protected area under the parks and wildlife conservation, it covered an area of 612 and located along the Atlantic coastline, just about 30 minutes’ drive from the main tourist areas, the reserve special significance of tanji it has a great diversity both resident and Palearctic migrant henceforth an important site for migratory birds, with such a diverse habitat in a relative small area the area boast several lagoons which are often crowded with both waders, water birds, and shorebird, the shrubbery area holds many variety of species including Four Banded Sand grouse, Northern Buffback, Vieillot’s Barbet, Orange Breasted Bushshrike, Cardinal woodpecker, and African Oriole while the marshland area is home to a sizeable colony of Greater Cormorant, waders and regular spot for wintering Ospreys.
KOTU CREEK, CYCLE TRACK AND FAJARA GOLF COURSE
These areas lies proximity to each other, the famous Kotu creek provide a wonderful introduction to the country’s fabulous birdlife as it lie within a stone throw from several hotel on the kotu strip. The area is a combination of mangrove creek, rice fields, sewage works, and open wooded areas, couple hours guided tour should produce an impressive list of over 70 species that include at least 5 species of kingfishers, various herons, egrets, spoonbill, sacred ibis, and other woodland birds and raptors such as Shikra, African Harrier Hawk, oriole warbler, Golden Tailed Woodpecker, , Red Necked Falcon, Yellow Fronted Tinker Bird, Wire Tailed Swallow, Northern White Faced Scops Owl and Pearl Spotted Owlet.
GUNJUR KONOTO FOREST AND QUARRY
This private owned forest lies on the western region near Kartong. This ancient forest is home to some exotic forest species such as Capuchin Babbler, Western Bluebill, Simple Leaf love, Green Hylia, African Paradise Flycatcher and numerous forest species, the quarry holds a huge variety of water birds, seabirds and waders including various Terns, Gulls and Pelicans while the quarry is regular haunt for several wintering Ospreys