Modou an excellant bird guide (1 Viewer)

Hi,

Just got back from The Gambia, Saturday 1st November, having spent a weeks holiday there, and went out a couple of times with Modou Colley. One half and one full day. The chaps ability to hear the slightest call and bring the birds down was amazing. He even knows a site where a birding friend can call in White-spotted Flufftail, male and female together in my case. A truly 5 star bird. Although stunning views to 2 metres of Red-winged Pytilia drinking outside a private hide were a close second.

Send Modou an email to [email protected] you won't be disappointed if you get the service I did.

Bon Obs as they say in France.

Lee

Hi Lee
Off to the gambia myself on 18th Nov for a week not got a guide sorted yet but will definitely think about hiring Modou, already checked his website out. Not been to gambia before have you ? any tips . staying at the Bakuto hotel at Kotu creek just planning to bird not too far away as partner is not a birder but don't mind coming along but would like couple of days out with a guide. Will you be putting a trip report up would like to know a bit of info on your birds seen
Cheers Gary

Hi Gary,

Did Kotu and the Casino Cycle track with Modou for a few hours first morning. Produced over 60 species including black heron. Unexpected as we only planned to meet at the hotel to discuss the two planned trips. Modou does half day to Abuko and the rice fields across the road, back by 12:00 so no grief from the other half. Also did a full day around Pirang which is where we picked up the owl species. If you go out even on a brief walk before breakfast you may get approached by the bumsters at the bridge. A firm no thank you is usually sufficient. I took my scope but never took it out, not really needed as the birds are quite tame and approachable.

This was my first time in The Gambia but soon got to know several calls of the common birds, and I was also able to recognise many species with just a quick glance. As I was with the wife we went on the usual trips which all added lifers, but from a birding point of view I would recommend the wake up with the birds trip to Lamin Lodge. Produced several new birds for the trip list including Brown (mangrove) Sunbird. I managed 177 species in a week, so was very satisfied and intend to return in the future to go up river. This time alone so full on birding.

Hope this helps and if you need to know more send me an email to [email protected] and I can go into things in more detail.

Lee

Hi Lee
Thanks for the info some useful tips there was thinking about my scope and if it would be needed as heard birds were quite approachable, will do the wake up with the birds my partner fancied that and the pirang as well although she's not a keen birder she does like owls ! 177 species is very good really looking forward to it now as its my 60th birthday treat to myself ! my daughters have bought me a new tripod so I might have to take my scope now. Thanks again Gary

Definitely take your scope.
There are some sites where it is essential like Tanji Lagoons or the Paradise Beach Fishing Centre lagoons.The latter is seldom visited by birdwatchers for some unknown reason.
Also if there are some unfamiliar distant birds then the scope will certainly help.
Nothing more frustrating going somewhere then ruing not bringing your scope.
I didn't bother with guides.Just hired taxis when necessary and found lots of lifers and good birds on my own.
You can easily get to Abuko,Tanji Forest and lagoons as well as Brufut Woods by taxi from where you are staying.If you would like details of doing Tanji on your own I can post details.
Have a great holiday

Hi Praticol
Yes will definitely take my scope as you say something could be quite distant and quite frustrating if you can't make it out, some info on Tanji would be great seems to have a good variety of birds and habitat there . Thanks Gary

Hi Gary,

Wake up with the birds was the best trip voted for by my wife and daughter. When you get there follow the old miners lamps as it is dark, across the wooden bridge to Lamin lodge. You have tea and then sail around the mangroves for an hour. Then return for breakfast before walking for an hour to meet the coach. I picked up 51 species including brown sunbird, african darter, greater blue-eared glossy starling, yellow billed shrike, palm-nut vulture and african harrier hawk to name just a few.

Look for lavender waxbill and village indigobird around the last building where the coach waits, that is where I picked them up.

At breakfast have the sweet dumplings with honey, but only one as they are quite filling, and make sure your table has a stick with which to keep the monkeys away from stealing your bread.

Have a good trip.

Lee

If you get a taxi ask them to drop you off at the Tanji Reserve.
There is a hut at the entrance.
Take a south westerly track through the forest and this takes you to the lagoons.
After, return to the hut and leave the reserve.
Then walk north along the main road and look for the best wide track into the Tanji Forest area on your right or East.
Head East along this track until you meet a very wide dirt track going north and turn left here.
Keep on heading north.You should pass a small mosque at some stage. The area just south of the mosque was heaving with birds.It is more open around here so you have more of a chance to see the birds.
Keep on going until you find a wide track going west on your left.
You will then be heading back to the main road you left origionally.
Then hail a taxi back to your hotel.
This is a long day out which you could split into two shorter trips.One to the lagoons and one to Tanji Forest.[incidentally this is very close to Brufut Woods]
I used to visit here regulary as it was close to our hotel, the Sheraton.You won't see many people around and should not be hassled by anyone.The few people I saw here didn't bother to stop and talk.
I have pasted a copy of my report of the area.
Have fun!


Tanji Nature Reserve

Wonderful! The lagoons were full of birds including: Pied Kingfisher, Little Egret, Western Reef Heron, Grey Heron, Black Headed Heron, Cattle Egret, Spur Winged Plover, Greenshank, Redshank, Sanderling, Common Sandpiper, White Fronted Plover, Ringed Plover, Whimbrel, Caspian Tern, Royal Tern, Long Tailed Cormorant, Lesser Black Backed Gull, and Grey Headed Gull.
Tanji Forest reserve
The woods were heaving with birds. African Grey Hornbill, Red Billed Hornbill, Western Grey Plantain Eater,White Shouldered Black Tit, Red Bellied African Paradise Flycatcher, Brubru, Rose Ringed Parakeet, African Thrush, Brown Babbler, Yellow Fronted Tinker Bird, Red Billed Firefinch, Red Cheeked Cordon Bleu, Bronze Mannikan, Yellow Crowned Gonolek, Piapiac, Little Green Beeater, Yellow Billed Shrike, Village Weaver, Laughing Dove, Speckled Pigeon, Pied Crow, Grey Headed Sparrow, Senegal Coucal,and Black Crowned Tchagra.

Hi lee and practical
Thanks to both of you for advice and places to visit much appreciated just over a week to go can't wait the birds you both mentioned has wheted my appetite even more, my partner has a sweet tooth so the sweet dumplings will go down well there ! Thanks again Gary

Sorry pratincol for typo bloody kindle fire !!

Modou Colley, the best bird guide in The Gambia...... follow this link for more info
http://bestgambianbirdguide.blogspot.co.uk
I can highly recommend Modou and have used his services many times
Billy

Hi Billy
Just looked at his website looks good will check him out when there, thanks for the info
Gary