The forests

We went to The Gambia in the dry season but the forests were still very dense and green. The top picture shows lots of weavers nests in our hotel grounds.

People....

Top picture shows a local family selling goods at the side of the road. These were everywhere. The second picture shows our birdguide, Modou. He can be found inside the Senegambia. Is an excellant birder and guide. We would recommend him. Although his prices were quite expensive, he was not as expensive as the guides outside.

The sea

The beaches were deserted in the evenings due to the locals never leaving you alone. When you got rid of one lot, another lot came to walk with you. Not suprised people didn't come out of their hotels. But the sunsets were worth the hassle, they were stunning.

The locals

The main street. The Senegambia was at the bottom of the road. There was a distinct lack of shops, just cafes and bars that were very expensive. If you wanted a quite evening stroll this was certainly not the place to go.

Vultures

Vultures were fed every morning in the Senegambia Hotel. They started to gather around 10am and by 11am had reached hundreds. Along with Black Kites, it was quite a spectacle. Some of them then hung around all day, sitting in the palm trees around the pool. Seemed quite odd sunbathing with monkeys on the tables, vultures above you in the trees and Egrets drinking out of the pool. Very enjoyable though.

More monkeys...

Green Vervet monkeys were everywhere. Hundreds arrived every morning to the Senegambia and Kariba Hotel. Easy pickings from the tourists breakfasts.

Gambia March 2009

These Green Vervet Monkeys came from Bijilo forest every breakfast time to feast on fruit. Any bananas and melon on the table was fair game for them.

Redpolls

Redpoll, 1st March 2009

A Sunday morning visit to Messingham Nature Reserve proved worthwhile with a total of 23 buzzards. 12 in the air at once over the car park, plus superb species of this redpoll species.