[gambirder]

Just a wee warning for anyone birding Fajara Golf Course. I was there about 6pm today taking in the birds (notably Hoopoe) and butterflies. Walking through the 'rough' I saw a snake moving slowly about 3m away and craned my neck for a closer look whereupon a cobra suddenly reared up with hood spread!! It reared up about a metre off the ground and I estimated it as c2.50m in length. There were two quite narrow whitish stripes on or just below the hood. Needless to say I was a little startled and, knowing they can spit, took a pace backwards. The cobra dropped to the ground and slithered quickly away.

I'm always semi-snake-conscious here, and stomp if going through longish grass, but I really didn't think there were such large cobras so close to the built-up areas. So if you should be bushwhacking through long grass or the like while birding the golf course - or anywhere in coastal Gambia - do be aware there are beasties around. Having said that that's the first time I've seen a snake on many many visits to the golf course and the first time in hundreds of days birding the Gambian bush when a cobra's reared up on me. One of my great Gambia experiences and a great wildlife moment!

[stevieb]

Yikes!!

Could be a good start to a thread. 'Most dangerous animals encountered whilst birding!'

I bumped into a Montpellier Snake (almost literally!) whilst birding in Cyprus. A quick backtrack was made by yours truly. Also encountered Alligators and Wild Boar in Florida, not quite Lions and Tigers but then again I am a bit of a wuss!!

[gambirder]

Originally Posted by stevieb

Yikes!!

Could be a good start to a thread. 'Most dangerous animals encountered whilst birding!'

Done stevie. Thanks for the suggestion!