|
Chandlers Ford “Falcons” |
|
ARRIVAL IN BANJUL AIRPORT.
The airport is small, but it is new and modern!. Stepping off the plane at 16:30 we were hit by a wall of heat (it was 34oC in the shade). Birding started right away with Cattle Egrets feeding near to the aircraft and African Pied Crows everywhere!.
After paying the tourist tax of £5-00 per head, local porters were quick to grab our cases!, many fought over who they were to accompany to the coaches!. I had prepared myself for this in advance by having a supply of £1-00 coins in sterling for tipping!. Having reached the coach they demanded payment, and on receiving the 1 pound they had the cheek to say” Is that all”! As the average wage is about £30-00 per month I though this was more then enough!
In the coach-park, birders soon showed there colours with binoculars focused on everything that flew over. I quickly identified a flock of Little Swifts overhead, while somebody shouted “Black Kite” as a bird of prey went by.
The journey to the hotel took about 1.5 hours and what a cultural shock this was. As we passed through Serrakunda the highly populated area of Gambia, it was obvious that poverty was in evidence. Buildings were of corrugated iron and many were candle lit only.
Still, we were able to see African Hobby being chased by a Lanner Falcon, while Hooded Vultures were everywhere. African Red billed Hornbills were very much in evidence and Black Headed Plover showed itself well. |
|
Back to Index |
