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Message: <blockquote data-quote="gambirder" data-source="post: 1776516" data-attributes="member: 61539">What about the temptation to string by professionals in an attempt to bolster credentials and, ultimately, earn more money?  I've met several birding-guides here in Gambia who claim to have seen every species in the field guide. One guy, who mistook me for a birding tourist in need of a guide, was so obnoxious I foolishly called his bluff by reeling off a few of my best national sightings (including a smattering of 1sts, 2nds 3rds etc). Seen em all of course - even knew a regular spot for a "flock" of Solitary Sands - quite remarkable really when my own record was about the 5th record for continental Africa. Another trick I've heard birding tourists complain of is commoner species - particularly distant flybys - being strung as rarities. (Presumably on the premise that birders who go home with long lists are more likely to give fat tips.) As in countries in the developed world, such behaviour can often make it difficult to establish the true status of numerous species, and also make it difficult to establish a credible national list.Of course, there are PLENTY of honest, scrupulous guides here who are excellent birders - and I count some of them my personal friends. But after meeting some of their less savoury colleagues I've developed a principle for hiring bird guides (when I'm elsewhere): look for honesty and humility. That might sound a bit weird, but if a guy can admit there's a species or two he really ought to have seen but that have so far eluded him, or a bird or two he couldn't quite be 100% about IDing, he's likely to be a decent and  reliable guide.</blockquote>

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