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One of the tour faves: the beautiful Egyptian Plover (Photo by guide Phil Gregory)
This was the fifth Field Guides Ghana tour and my sixth in total, and once again it proved very successful, albeit with long drives and lots of early mornings and late evenings in quite hot conditions this year. It was a bit of a challenge birding one-handed in the West African forest (I was still recovering from my broken arm sustained on the February Japan tour), but we made the best of it and our group was great at helping me with pointing things out and getting scopes set up. Our local operator's guides were again fantastic and worked very long hours with great good humor and marvellous field skills; James was even better this year, and it is just so helpful to have the local knowledge he provides.
Getting in the day beforehand meant we were again able to have a morning at Shai Hills, then go to Sakumono Lagoon that afternoon, freeing up the next day for the long drive to Kakum. Vieillot's Barbet and Blue-bellied Roller showed nicely, as did Splendid Sunbird, and Sakumono gave us a scattering of herons and shorebirds plus African Swamphen.
Kakum is always interesting with that rope walkway, and again this year we heard the rare Spot-breasted Ibis, which I thought for one wonderful moment was going to fly by -- sadly not the case. Hornbills were very tough: we got a brief Black-casqued and heard Yellow-casqued, but the only sign of Brown-cheeked this trip was a couple of feathers in a nearby forest, suggesting hunting may have something to do with the scarcity. Other fine birds here in the general area were Fire-bellied Woodpecker, Rosy Bee-eater, Black Bee-eater, Cassin's and Sabine's spinetails, Red-billed Dwarf and Black Dwarf hornbills, Piping Hornbill, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, and a nice flyby of Long-tailed Hawk. Rock Pratincole and White-throated Blue Swallow were at the Pra River as usual, whilst the Aboabo area gave us African Piculet, Black-bellied Seedcracker, White-spotted Flufftail, Kemp's Longbill (in the scope!), and all 4 malimbes -- Crested, Red-vented, Blue-billed, and Red-headed.
The far-west forest at Ankasa was actually rather dry this time, and we had no rain for the first time ever here, which I think made the birding more challenging. The new innovation of camping in the forest in decent-sized tents with comfortable beds was well worth it and saved hours of commuting. Stars here were Hartlaub's Duck, African Pygmy-goose, African Finfoot, White-bellied Kingfisher, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Olivaceous Flycatcher, a marvelous Rufous-sided Broadbill in full display, Western and Yellow-bearded greenbuls, Reichenbach's, Tiny, and Mouse-brown sunbirds, and the bizarre, noisy Hammer Bats singing at night. Hearing Nkulengu Rail calling at dawn and dusk also raises hopes for next year...
The Picathartes this year almost led to a rescheduling of the tour as we had spent 2.5 hours without seeing it, and we had to leave at six p.m. By a miracle a single bird appeared on the rocks at about six minutes to six, much to everyone's relief! My fears about the effects of there being a photographer there the day before were borne out -- this was unfortunate timing but thankfully we made one of my famous eleventh-hour saves and we arrived, tired but happy, late into Kumasi.
The north was in better shape with more rainfall and greenery evident, and Mole NP quite green again. We did well here with White-throated Francolin, Forbes's Plover, Standard-wing Nightjar, a surprise Eurasian Nightjar, and Eurasian Golden Oriole, plus a couple of Woodchat Shrikes, Pied Flycatchers, and Melodious Warbler making a distinct migrant element. Black-faced and Black-bellied firefinches were good finds, as was Lavender Waxbill, and both Brown-rumped and Cinnamon-breasted Buntings appeared, the latter now a split as Gosling's Bunting of course. Rufous Cisticola was a lifer for me at a new site here. Elephants were only seen once as there was a lot of water about, but we did see two surprise antelope additions in Roan and Hartebeest (Kanki), plus a delightful Common Genet on the track one evening.
As we headed northwards, Ruth made the amazing spot of an Egyptian Plover on the banks of the White Volta at Yapei, close to where people were washing in the river! We got some great looks at it and did not have to make the rough, 4-hour return trip out to Sapeliga to see this charismatic species at its usual site. Instead we made two late-afternoon trips to the Tongo Hills, nailing Fox Kestrel, White-crowned (Mocking) Cliff-chat, Familiar Chat, and Rock-loving Cisticola as well as the now split (by most) Gosling's (Cinnamon-breasted) Bunting.
We visited Tono Dam early in the morning, with a bonus find of Bronze-tailed Starling and 15 White-rumped Seedeaters in Bolgatanga as we came out. Greater Blue-eared, Chestnut-bellied, and Long-tailed starlings showed well as did a dozen Four-banded Sandgrouse and both Namaqua and African Mourning doves, plus an unexpected Pied (Jacobin) Cuckoo.
The long drive back to Kumasi was enlivened by a quick long-shot stop at Opro Forest again, and here we struck lucky with great looks at Blue-moustached Bee-eater, complete with a brief interlude bogged in a muddy puddle as well for added excitement.
Bobiri Butterfly sanctuary really came good, with White-crested Hornbill, Forest Woodhoopoe, Western Nicator, Violet-backed Hyliota, and Magpie Mannikin, plus an extraordinary encounter with a Long-tailed Pangolin clambering about in a dense thicket and coming out onto a vine cable as it crossed over, just wonderful and one of my most wanted mammals, James got 100 cedis as a pangolin bonus for finding this one!
Atewa was the coda late afternoon and for a brief early-morning interlude, adding Black-and-white Shrike-Flycatcher, Eurasian Hobby, a hawk eagle that was I think Cassin's, and then an amazingly good view of Red-cheeked Wattle-eye sitting still for once, with Puvel's and Brown Illadopsis leading us a dance and giving glimpses for some, and a splendid and unexpected African Crake in the road en route.
Favourite birds were many. Highlights of course were the incredible last-minute Picathartes, Egyptian Plover, Hartlaub's Duck, African Finfoot, Blue-moustached Bee-eater, Blue-bellied Roller, White-throated Francolin, Long-tailed Hawk, and of course Olivaceous Flycatcher and Rufous Cisticola for Phil at least...
My thanks to Sharon at Field Guides HQ for good logistics and to our local operator for their excellent service. Local guide James was outstanding, and Appiah was a great driver over rough roads for long periods without mishap or complaint, whilst Philip was very good as the waterman, butterfly guide, and scope carrier. Thanks also to Ian for sharing his scope and to everyone for helping spot and get onto skulking things -- we ended up with a very good total and some marvelous sightings.
--Phil in Dubai/Kuranda
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
BIRDS
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
The aptly named, beautiful, and endemic Fire-bellied Woodpecker (Photo by guide Phil Gregory)
HARTLAUB'S DUCK (Pteronetta hartlaubii) – Great views of an adult in mangroves near Axim, with 2 more on the small pond with the Pygmy-goose and then one flushed off and calling from the pond in Ankasa. A large and odd duck of the west and central African rainforests.
AFRICAN PYGMY-GOOSE (Nettapus auritus) – Appiah spotted one as we were driving away from the small lily pond near Ankasa, an incredible spot as we'd all been checking! It looked like a female.
Numididae (Guineafowl)
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris galeatus) – Just a few in Mole NP.
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
STONE PARTRIDGE (Ptilopachus petrosus) – Glimpsed and heard at Shai Hills, then seen really well in Mole, I was surprised at the extensive white on the belly of this odd small bantam-shaped species, one of the older members of the radiation. Photos on the web gallery.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
WHITE-THROATED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus albogularis buckleyi) – Great views of a calling bird at Mole Airstrip, this is such a co-operative species and the photos are on the web gallery.
FOREST FRANCOLIN (Francolinus lathami) – Heard at Kakum late afternoon, and also at Bobiri. [*]
AHANTA FRANCOLIN (Francolinus ahantensis) – Heard late afternoon as we came out from the Picathartes site, I still need to see this species! [*]
DOUBLE-SPURRED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus bicalcaratus) – Great looks at Mole where we had several encounters.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LITTLE GREBE (LITTLE) (Tachybaptus ruficollis ruficollis) – Just one at Sakumono and 2 at Ankasa lily pond.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
WOOLLY-NECKED STORK (Ciconia episcopus) – A total of 4 at Mole, expect a split from the Asian taxon too......
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
LONG-TAILED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax africanus) – A handful at Sakumono and Nasia Pond.
Scopidae (Hamerkop)
HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta) – Four day records, only very small numbers and in the north.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea) – Three day records of just 4 birds, the first at Sakumono.
BLACK-HEADED HERON (Ardea melanocephala) – One at Sakumono and one at Mole.
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea) – One at Mole and one at Nasia Pond.
GREAT EGRET (AFRICAN) (Ardea alba melanorhyncha) – 6 at Sakumono and 3 at Tono Dam.
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Mesophoyx intermedia brachyrhyncha) – Two at Sakumono and one in mangroves near Axim.
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) – 8 at Sakumono, 2 near Ankasa and 3 at Tono Dam.
WESTERN REEF-HERON (WESTERN) (Egretta gularis gularis) – One at Sakumono and 3 at Winneba lagoon, then one near Axim, all dark phase.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis) – Small numbers on most days, this is the western nominate taxon.
SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides) – Four day records of 2 birds and a single, starting at Sakumono then at Mole and Nasia.
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata) – Five day records of singles. One at Opro was feeding at a puddle in the track.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax) – Ruth saw one near Elmina at dusk.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) – 5 at Sakumono on Mar 23.
SPOT-BREASTED IBIS (Bostrychia rara) – Heard at Kakum walkway at dusk, quite close but sadly not in view! Sob. [*]
HADADA IBIS (Bostrychia hagedash) – Just a few at Kakum, the ones at Haraba Pond in Mole were very vocal at dusk, a great sound, also heard from the Mole Motel.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
The somewhat disheveled, slightly odd Bearded Barbet at Mole NP (Photo by guide Phil Gregory
AFRICAN HARRIER-HAWK (Polyboroides typus) – 2 seen at Kakum, 2 at Aboabo and one at Mole.
PALM-NUT VULTURE (Gypohierax angolensis) – One from Kakum, one over at Ankasa and some folks saw one at Atewa.
EUROPEAN HONEY-BUZZARD (Pernis apivorus) – Five day records of singles, the first at Shai Hills, a nice close view, then from Kakum, Ankasa and Mole. This species winters here and will be heading back to Europe soon.
AFRICAN CUCKOO-HAWK (Aviceda cuculoides) – One at Kakum Walkway and one from the Samole loop in Mole NP.
WHITE-HEADED VULTURE (Trigonoceps occipitalis) – A lone male flew over by the Mognori River in Mole NP, sadly now a rare species here.
HOODED VULTURE (Necrosyrtes monachus) – Just 7 day records, mostly singles except 3 at Atewa foothills, a sad decline from years gone by, and one which seems to be accelerating.
WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus) – About 20 in a loose group on the Samole Loop in Mole NP.
BATELEUR (Terathopius ecaudatus) – Just 2 immatures from Mole NP was the only sighting.
BEAUDOUIN'S SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus beaudouini) – One perched on a pylon north of Kintampo.
BANDED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinerascens) – Merrill spotted this one soaring from the veranda at Mole NP Motel, a fine view and actually my first definite from Ghana.
BAT HAWK (Macheiramphus alcinus alcinus) – A few folks got a quick look at one at dusk from the Kakum Walkway.
LONG-CRESTED EAGLE (Lophaetus occipitalis) – One at Shai Hills was a surprise, then we had another at Nasia Pond, it seems curiously local in Ghana and these were amazingly enough my first records.
WAHLBERG'S EAGLE (Hieraaetus wahlbergi) – One over the Mognori River in Mole NP.
CASSIN'S HAWK-EAGLE (Aquila africana) – A hawk-eagle flew in and landed quite close to us in Atewa, it looked quite big and dark above but had a pale belly, though Alan saw some dark makes on the body which makes me think it was an immature of this species.
LIZARD BUZZARD (Kaupifalco monogrammicus) – Just two singles from near Kintampo then en route to Mole.
DARK CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax metabates) – A fine adult was at Nasia Pond.
GABAR GOSHAWK (Micronisus gabar) – Five day records were more than normal, we had them at Shai Hills, Kakum, Mole and Tono Dam.
GRASSHOPPER BUZZARD (Butastur rufipennis) – Three day records all from the Kintampo/Mole area, max 4 birds.
EURASIAN MARSH-HARRIER (Circus aeruginosus) – 2 at Sakumono, one at Winneba Lagoon, 1 at Mole and 1f at Nasia Pond.
SHIKRA (Accipiter badius) – One soaring near Mole and one from near Bolgatanga.
BLACK GOSHAWK (Accipiter melanoleucus) – A single flew by at Aboabo which is where we usually see it, quite a rare bird.
LONG-TAILED HAWK (Urotriorchis macrourus) – This was calling well at Antikwaa and eventually we got it to fly out and across the track for quite a good flight view. Elusive and easily missed, I am always relieved if we get this striking species.
BLACK KITE (YELLOW-BILLED) (Milvus migrans parasitus) – Seen most days in small numbers, and all seen well were Yellow-billed Kite, split by most authorities these days.
RED-NECKED BUZZARD (Buteo auguralis) – Six day records of singles, we did quite well for them starting at Shai Hills then Kakum, Mole and Atewa.
Otididae (Bustards)
BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARD (Lissotis melanogaster) – A few folks saw one flying at Shai Hills, then we had one flying very high up at Winneba Plains, seen a couple of times.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
NKULENGU RAIL (Himantornis haematopus) – This was heard quite close on the first dawn at Ankasa but sadly flushed without us seeing it go, and subsequent calling birds were much further back in the forest at both dusk and dawn. Maybe next year.... [*]
The gang on the Kakum walkway (Photo by guide Phil Gregory)
BLACK CRAKE (Amaurornis flavirostra) – One at Haraba Pond at Mole NP and another on the pond below the motel.
PURPLE SWAMPHEN (AFRICAN) (Porphyrio porphyrio madagascariensis) – Two at Sakumono, I see Clements has now wimped out from splitting it, a shame as you can easily make a case for 5 or 6 species in this complex (see Sangster 1999).
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) – Just 2 at Sakumono Lagoon.
Sarothruridae (Flufftails)
WHITE-SPOTTED FLUFFTAIL (Sarothrura pulchra) – We tried to lure one in at Antikwaa, then had better luck with one at Aboabo where about half the group got a look. Sometimes they can really perform!
Heliornithidae (Finfoots)
AFRICAN FINFOOT (Podica senegalensis) – This was a great find from the small lily pond near Ankasa, it looked like some sort of subadult and not only swam right across the pond, it then climbed out on a log and showed off its red legs and feet!
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
SENEGAL THICK-KNEE (Burhinus senegalensis) – 5 at Sakumono and 5 at Mole before 3 at Tono Dam.
Pluvianidae (Egyptian Plover)
EGYPTIAN PLOVER (Pluvianus aegyptius) – Ruth spotted one on the White Volta at Yapei on April 3, and we got great looks at it, the sole member of the family too. It saved us a 4-hour very rough bus ride out to the Burkina Faso border too, we did the Tongo Hills instead.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus) – 40 at Sakumono and 20 at Winneba Lagoon, then just one at Fosu Lagoon.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) – 4 at Sakumono and 10 at Winneba Lagoon.
SPUR-WINGED PLOVER (Vanellus spinosus) – 10 at Sakumono and 10 at Winneba, then 3 near Ankasa and a couple in Mole.
WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus senegallus) – Singles at Sakumono and Winneba, then a max of 12 in Mole.
COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula) – 110 at Sakumono and 30 at Winneba lagoon.
FORBES'S PLOVER (Charadrius forbesi) – Two birds on a laterite pan at Steep Hill Plain (Lovi) in Mole NP on April 2. They were pretty wary too and soon took flight, heading way off.
WHITE-FRONTED PLOVER (Charadrius marginatus mechowi) – A single at Winneba lagoon.
Rostratulidae (Painted-Snipes)
GREATER PAINTED-SNIPE (Rostratula benghalensis) – One male at Fosu lagoon was a nice find, skulking on the edge of the vegetation.
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus) – Small numbers were quite widespread, max. 6.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) – Singles at Sakumono and Winneba, then 2 at Axim and one at Yapei.
GREEN SANDPIPER (Tringa ochropus) – A single near the Hut D'Eric was the only record.
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia) – 5 at Sakumono, 30 at Winneba Lagoon and 2 near Axim.
MARSH SANDPIPER (Tringa stagnatilis) – A single was at Winneba lagoon March 24.
Just one of many colorful scenes we encountered: laundry day for the riverfront fleet (Photo by guide Phil Gregory)
COMMON REDSHANK (Tringa totanus) – 2 at Winneba Lagoon Mar 24.
WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus) – One at Sakumono and 2 at Winneba lagoon next day.
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa limosa) – 6 at Sakumono were the only record.
BAR-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa lapponica) – 6 at Winneba lagoon were the only record.
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) – 3 at Winneba lagoon were the only sighting.
RUFF (Calidris pugnax) – Just 4 at Sakumono.
CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea) – 4 at Sakumono included one coming into the brick red breeding plumage, then 10 at Winneba lagoon.
SANDERLING (Calidris alba) – 5 at Winneba lagoon.
LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta) – 50 at Sakumono were the only sighting.
Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)
ROCK PRATINCOLE (RUFOUS-NAPED) (Glareola nuchalis liberiae) – 4 of this rufous-naped taxon were on the Pra River at Twifo Praso and showed quite nicely.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
BLACK TERN (EURASIAN) (Chlidonias niger niger) – 10 at Sakumono, all in non-breeding dress.
ROYAL TERN (AFRICAN) (Thalasseus maximus albididorsalis) – About 60 at Winneba lagoon, this is the local West African race.
SANDWICH TERN (Thalasseus sandvicensis) – One at Sakumono and 10 at Winneba lagoon.
Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse)
FOUR-BANDED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles quadricinctus) – This was a nice find at Tono Dam again on April 4, where we had some 3 groups of 3 birds and got quite good scope looks, I wonder if these are family parties?
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – This may have been seen around Accra but I doubt if they are truly feral. [I]
SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea guinea) – 4 at Yapei and one at Bolgatanga.
MOURNING COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decipiens) – Nice looks at 2 at Tono Dam, as so often in the mango tree area again.
Blue-bellied Roller was another tour highlight! (Photo by guide Phil Gregory)
VINACEOUS DOVE (Streptopelia vinacea) – 2 at Shai Hills then 4 at Mole and odd birds in the north from Tono Dam.
LAUGHING DOVE (Streptopelia senegalensis) – Widespread and seen most days.
BLACK-BILLED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur abyssinicus) – Good looks at Winneba and from Mole.
BLUE-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur afer) – A good look at one at Ankasa.
TAMBOURINE DOVE (Turtur tympanistria) – Seen well at Kakum and Ankasa then again at Bobiri.
BLUE-HEADED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur brehmeri) – Hard as always, we heard one at Ebekawopa and then got a brief fly through of one at Ankasa after it flushed off the track initially.
NAMAQUA DOVE (Oena capensis) – 6 up at Tono Dam were the only sightings.
BRUCE'S GREEN-PIGEON (Treron waalia) – 3 at Mole, 2 at Mole airstrip and 3 at Tono Dam, nice to see it with African Green Pigeon at Mole.
AFRICAN GREEN-PIGEON (Treron calvus) – Small numbers at Ankasa and Mole.
Musophagidae (Turacos)
GREAT BLUE TURACO (Corythaeola cristata) – Oddly enough only heard this trip at Ankasa, where we usually encounter it. [*]
GUINEA TURACO (Tauraco persa) – A nice look at one at Winneba then again at Ebekawopa. [E]
YELLOW-BILLED TURACO (Tauraco macrorhynchus) – One at Antikwaa then one from Ankasa, always nice to see turacos. [E]
VIOLET TURACO (Musophaga violacea) – Great looks at two from Mole airstrip, sat up beautifully.
WESTERN PLANTAIN-EATER (Crinifer piscator) – Eight-day records, with 4 on the first two days from Shai Hills and Winneba, and then 5 at Mole.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
PIED CUCKOO (Clamator jacobinus) – A single bird at Tono Dam on April 4, a fine scope view, quite unusual at this time of the year.
LEVAILLANT'S CUCKOO (Clamator levaillantii) – One at Shai hills and one at Mole.
RED-CHESTED CUCKOO (Cuculus solitarius) – Heard at the Picathartes site, it seems curiously local in Ghana. [*]
BLACK CUCKOO (Cuculus clamosus) – Another oddly local cuckoo, we saw one at Bobiri and heard it at Mole.
AFRICAN CUCKOO (Cuculus gularis) – Three in Mole on April 1 and one there next day, they call "oo-cuck" so it is really the African Oocuck.
OLIVE LONG-TAILED CUCKOO (Cercococcyx olivinus) – Some folks saw one fly through and then begin calling at Ebekawopa, but it stayed stubbornly hidden as usual, and it was heard at Ankasa too. These are amongst the toughest of African birds to see well.
KLAAS'S CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx klaas) – Often heard in the drier forests and seen well at Mole.
AFRICAN EMERALD CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx cupreus) – Heard at Kakum and Ankasa, then I managed to lure in a fine male at Atewa on the last morning, surely one of the most striking of African birds.
DIDERIC CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx caprius) – Seen near Ebekawopa and then at Atewa, not as frequent as Klaas's Cuckoo.
YELLOWBILL (Ceuthmochares aereus) – Seen very well at Kakum Walkway and heard at all the moist forest sites, often split these days as Blue Malkoha with the south and eastern birds as Green Malkoha C. australis.
BLACK-THROATED COUCAL (Centropus leucogaster) – Heard at Aboabo, always very hard to see as they don't seem to respond much to playback. [*]
BLUE-HEADED COUCAL (Centropus monachus) – Some folks saw this at Ebekawopa road, and there was another at Aboabo that showed quite well.
SENEGAL COUCAL (Centropus senegalensis) – Widespread in small numbers.
Strigidae (Owls)
AFRICAN SCOPS-OWL (Otus senegalensis) – Heard very distantly at Mole. [*]
GRAYISH EAGLE-OWL (Bubo cinerascens) – One flushed out of a tree right by the road at Shai Hills, though most of us missed it.
Our group's arrival generated many a friendly young audience...you just gotta love kids anywhere you go worldwide, they've always got some great smiles to offer. (Photo by guide Phil Gregory)
PEARL-SPOTTED OWLET (Glaucidium perlatum) – A great look at one being mobbed on the Samole loop at Mole NP.
AFRICAN WOOD-OWL (Strix woodfordii) – A pair were heard calling quite close by at Ankasa, but are taped out here and showed no interest in playback, I hear it every tour but have yet to see it in Ghana! [*]
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
STANDARD-WINGED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus longipennis) – A couple of females and one male seen very briefly up by the pond at Mole, but much better next night at the airstrip where a male with good large standards showed in flight and then perched on the laterite.
BROWN NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus binotatus) – Heard at dusk at Kakum, but they only seem to call for a very short period and if you don't get them quick that's it. [E*]
EURASIAN NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus europaeus) – A lovely obliging male sat for ages on the track at Mole on April 1. I managed to get some photos and it was my first from Ghana where they are very scarce.
LONG-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus climacurus) – 5 individuals seen sat on the track as we came back from the pond at Mole.
Apodidae (Swifts)
MOTTLED SPINETAIL (Telacanthura ussheri) – Two at Winneba were a surprise, then we had singles at Tono Dam and then Atewa.
SABINE'S SPINETAIL (Rhaphidura sabini) – A nice look at one from Kakum Walkway.
CASSIN'S SPINETAIL (Neafrapus cassini) – Also seen really well from Kakum Walkway, and what a bizarre shape this species has!
COMMON SWIFT (Apus apus) – Small numbers, with 10 at Kakum and a few around Ankasa and Mole.
LITTLE SWIFT (Apus affinis) – Widespread, there are often large colonies under road culverts.
WHITE-RUMPED SWIFT (Apus caffer) – Three at Winneba and then one at Mole, uncommon in Ghana.
AFRICAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus parvus) – Widespread in small numbers.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
NARINA TROGON (Apaloderma narina) – A fine view of a male at Bobiri, nice to see it from behind so the silvery coverts showed. Heard at the Mognori River too.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
SHINING-BLUE KINGFISHER (Alcedo quadribrachys) – Most folks saw one shoot by on the creek near Axim, I only heard it myself.
MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Corythornis cristatus) – Four day records of singles.
WHITE-BELLIED KINGFISHER (Corythornis leucogaster) – One of the stars from Ankasa, and this year it gave terrific views despite the very low water levels. I have posted a photo on the trip gallery.
AFRICAN PYGMY-KINGFISHER (Ispidina picta) – One at Antikwaa and one from Mole.
DWARF KINGFISHER (Ispidina lecontei) – Heard at Ankasa near the ponds. [*]
CHOCOLATE-BACKED KINGFISHER (Halcyon badia) – One came in to my recording at Ankasa and sat right above us for necking breaking views!
GRAY-HEADED KINGFISHER (Halcyon leucocephala) – Small numbers from Mole.
WOODLAND KINGFISHER (Halcyon senegalensis) – Just a few this trip, the best at the Hut D'Eric where the grey-headed taxon fuscopileus showed well.
BLUE-BREASTED KINGFISHER (Halcyon malimbica) – Heard more than seen, the best was the 3 birds displaying in aerial song flight at Mole. There was one at Atewa too.
GIANT KINGFISHER (Megaceryle maximus) – One at the river near Axim, then a couple in Mole NP.
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis) – Just 4 day records of ones and twos only, they seem oddly local here.
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
BLACK BEE-EATER (Merops gularis gularis) – A nice look at 3 birds from the Kakum Walkway, always a crowd-pleaser.
Black-winged Bishop in fine breeding dress amidst the grasses and twigs (Photo by guide Phil Gregory)
RED-THROATED BEE-EATER (Merops bulocki) – Nice views of this gorgeous bird from Mole NP.
LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pusillus) – Just 3 from Tono Dam this trip.
SWALLOW-TAILED BEE-EATER (Merops hirundineus chrysolaimus) – One at Shai Hills, then one in Mole NP later.
WHITE-THROATED BEE-EATER (Merops albicollis) – Small numbers of this intra-African migrant were widespread, most were in the north.
EUROPEAN BEE-EATER (Merops apiaster) – Seen briefly and heard at Mole NP, no doubt en route northwards.
ROSY BEE-EATER (Merops malimbicus) – Two at Kakum Walkway then very nice flight views of 2 circling about at Antikwaa, a much prized species on the tour. [E]
Coraciidae (Rollers)
ABYSSINIAN ROLLER (Coracias abyssinicus) – One at Shai Hills was unexpected, then we had a few around in Mole NP before seeing them in noisy vocal rolling display at Tono Dam.
RUFOUS-CROWNED ROLLER (Coracias naevius) – One at Mole and one at Tono Dam were the only records.
BLUE-BELLIED ROLLER (Coracias cyanogaster) – Two from Shai Hills, our usual site, but none later this time, another big prize from the tour. [E]
BROAD-BILLED ROLLER (Eurystomus glaucurus) – Just one near Aboabo, and a couple in Mole NP.
BLUE-THROATED ROLLER (Eurystomus gularis) – Very nice looks at Kakum Walkway.
Upupidae (Hoopoes)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (Upupa epops) – One in Mole NP was the only sighting.
Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes and Scimitar-bills)
GREEN WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus purpureus) – Good looks at them in the scope at Mole NP, poking about by a potential nest site
WHITE-HEADED WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus bollei) – Seen at Antikwaa.
FOREST WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus castaneiceps) – Always a good find, and Bobiri is a good place for it, we saw a single nicely.
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
WHITE-CRESTED HORNBILL (Tockus albocristatus) – One popped into view in dense bush as we were waiting for the pangolin to show, a good pick up of a very odd and skulking species, always a hard one.
BLACK DWARF HORNBILL (Tockus hartlaubi) – One calling at Ebekawopa showed quite well for most.
RED-BILLED DWARF HORNBILL (Tockus camurus) – A very nice and vocal pair at Ebekawopa, that call is just wonderful.
NORTHERN RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus erythrorhynchus) – A few at Mole and then Tono Dam.
AFRICAN PIED HORNBILL (Tockus fasciatus) – The widespread Ghanaian hornbill.
AFRICAN GRAY HORNBILL (Tockus nasutus) – Also widespread but in the drier areas.
PIPING HORNBILL (Ceratogymna fistulator) – Tough this trip again, we saw 5 at Ebekawopa and had very good views.
BLACK-CASQUED HORNBILL (Ceratogymna atrata) – A brief and distant bird from the Kakum Walkway for some, they come late afternoon here, then another flying over at Ankasa, again very briefly. Becoming increasingly rare.
YELLOW-CASQUED HORNBILL (Ceratogymna elata) – Heard from Kakum Walkway, and Alan got one of the two big hornbills from Ankasa as this species. Another that is becoming rare. [E]
Bucorvidae (Ground-Hornbills)
ABYSSINIAN GROUND-HORNBILL (Bucorvus abyssinicus) – This was a marvellous find in Mole where we saw 4 birds in woodland, a family group.
Lybiidae (African Barbets)
BRISTLE-NOSED BARBET (Gymnobucco peli) – 10 at Antikwaa and 5 at Aboabo, often with Naked-faced.
NAKED-FACED BARBET (Gymnobucco calvus) – Nice looks at Antikwaa.
SPECKLED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus scolopaceus) – Nice views at several of the forest sites.
RED-RUMPED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus atroflavus) – One showed well at Antikwaa.
YELLOW-THROATED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus subsulphureus) – Another that we saw well at Antikwaa.
Another view of the Kakum walkway...hop on! (Photo by guide Phil Gregory)
YELLOW-SPOTTED BARBET (Buccanodon duchaillui) – A nice view of one from Kakum walkway.
HAIRY-BREASTED BARBET (Tricholaema hirsuta) – One at Kakum, this nominate race is often split from the Ugandan birds.
VIEILLOT'S BARBET (Lybius vieilloti) – Very good looks at Shai Hills, something of a special there. [E]
BEARDED BARBET (Lybius dubius) – Great views from Mole, one of Jeannie's favourites.
Indicatoridae (Honeyguides)
CASSIN'S HONEYGUIDE (Prodotiscus insignis) – Two of this small honeybird showed well at Aboabo.
LEAST HONEYGUIDE (Indicator exilis) – The bird calling at Bobiri that we spent ages tracking down may well be this species, it seemed quite pale beneath and had flank stripes. Cut posted on xeno-canto.
LESSER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator minor) – There has been one at the Mognori river now for several trips, still singing nicely, and some folks saw one in Mole NP as well.
SPOTTED HONEYGUIDE (Indicator maculatus) – This was a great fnd at Ankasa, a very uncommon species and distinctively pale spotted beneath, a Ghana tick for Phil.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
AFRICAN PICULET (Sasia africana) – Two at Aboabo which is a good site for this odd little woodpecker.
FINE-SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Campethera punctuligera) – A male one day that was very responsive, then 3 the next day in Mole of a species we don't always get on the tour.
LITTLE GREEN WOODPECKER (Campethera maculosa) – One from the Kakum Walkway, a West African endemic too. [E]
BUFF-SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Campethera nivosa) – Heard at Shai hills and seen well at Atewa on the last afternoon.
BROWN-EARED WOODPECKER (Campethera caroli) – One at Ebekawopa.
CARDINAL WOODPECKER (Dendropicos fuscescens) – Some saw this at Shai Hills and in Mole NP.
MELANCHOLY WOODPECKER (Dendropicos lugubris) – Seen at Antikwaa, Aboabo and Opro, another endemic West African woodpecker. [E]
FIRE-BELLIED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos pyrrhogaster) – A fantastic look at a male from the Kakum walkway, with some nice photos too, then 2 at Antikwaa. [E]
GRAY WOODPECKER (Dendropicos goertae) – A couple of singles from Mole NP.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
EURASIAN KESTREL (EURASIAN) (Falco tinnunculus rufescens) – One at Tema and one near Takoradi.
FOX KESTREL (Falco alopex) – This came good at the Tongo Hills with a good flight view on the second visit.
GRAY KESTREL (Falco ardosiaceus) – Two sightings of singles, near Tamale and then near Kumasi.
EURASIAN HOBBY (Falco subbuteo) – One at Atewa was perched up partially hidden, and revealed itself as this species when it turned and flew.
AFRICAN HOBBY (Falco cuvierii) – James and a couple of folks got a glimpse of one that shot by the bus late one afternoon in Mole.
LANNER FALCON (Falco biarmicus) – Two on the outskirts of Kumasi and one in the north.
Psittacidae (Parrots)
ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET (Psittacula krameri) – Just 6 flying over in Mole this trip.
RED-HEADED LOVEBIRD (Agapornis pullarius pullarius) – Great looks at 2 by the Mognori River where we had heard them earlier, this seems a good site for them
BLACK-COLLARED LOVEBIRD (Agapornis swindernianus) – Lucky or what? We had heard it at Kakum where some folks got a glimpse as it shot past, then James found us 3 feeding in a fruiting tree near Ebekawopa, and we had superb scope views. I know Heidi got photos too- any chance of sharing them?
GRAY PARROT (Psittacus erithacus erithacus) – Declining everywhere, we had 2 fly over at Antikwaa.
RED-FRONTED PARROT (Poicephalus gulielmi) – 2 at Antikwaa and 3 at Aboabo.
SENEGAL PARROT (Poicephalus senegalus) – Great looks from Shai Hills and then up at Mole.
Calyptomenidae (African and Green Broadbills)
RUFOUS-SIDED BROADBILL (Smithornis rufolateralis) – Heard at Ebekawopa, and a marvellous experience with one in full display at the Bamboo Cathedral trail in Ankasa, the white back showing very well.
Platysteiridae (Wattle-eyes and Batises)
BROWN-THROATED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira cyanea) – Heard at several sites and seen en route to Ebekawopa, named after the female which has the brown throat.
WEST AFRICAN WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira hormophora) – A pair of this split from Chestnut Wattle-eye showed well at Kakum, a new West African endemic of course. [E]
RED-CHEEKED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira blissetti) – Much to my amazement, we got a really great view of one at Atewa on the last morning, i think minimalizing playback really helped as it wasn't all jazzed up and freaked out but sat for some while on a vine in clear view. I even saw the red cheeks on this tiny short-tailed bird. [E]
SENEGAL BATIS (Batis senegalensis) – Seen by some at Shai Hills, and by all of us at Mole. [E]
Vangidae (Vangas, Helmetshrikes, and Allies)
RED-BILLED HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops caniceps) – A very striking bird, first seen with 3 at Ebekawopa, then a great flock of 6 at Bobiri that showed very nicely.
BLACK-AND-WHITE SHRIKE-FLYCATCHER (Bias musicus) – A fine view of a calling male at Atewa, I greatly prefer the old name of Vanga Flycatcher to this cumbersome new creation.
Malaconotidae (Bushshrikes and Allies)
BRUBRU (Nilaus afer afer) – Seen very nicely by Mole Motel.
NORTHERN PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus gambensis) – Seen at several sites starting at Shai Hills.
LARGE-BILLED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus sabini) – Heard at Kakum, then fortunately a fine male showed up at Bobiri, another scarce West African endemic.
MARSH TCHAGRA (Tchagra minutus) – A great view of a male at Brenu Beach, with another later near Atewa.
BLACK-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra senegalus) – Seen quite well at several of the more open sites, and quite often heard away from the wet forests.
BROWN-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra australis) – Heard a couple of times at Shai Hills and Winneba, they seem scarce in Ghana. [*]
COMMON GONOLEK (Laniarius barbarus) – This amazing looking red and black bush-shrike with the yellow cap was seen nicely at Sakumono, Winneba, Brenu Beach and near Mole.
SOOTY BOUBOU (Laniarius leucorhynchus) – Heard en route to Ebekawopa but we all missed it fly across the track! [*]
SULPHUR-BREASTED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus sulfureopectus) – A very responsive bird at Brenu beach came in to my whistled imitation, and it was heard at Mole.
MANY-COLORED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus multicolor) – One was heard distantly and unresponsively at Opro, my first record from Ghana. [*]
Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)
RED-SHOULDERED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga phoenicea) – A female at Shai Hills, then up to 5 birds at Mole on the Samole loop.
BLUE CUCKOOSHRIKE (Cyanograucalus azureus) – One from the Kakum walkway.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
SOUTHERN FISCAL (Lanius collaris) – A few sightings from the coastal areas starting at Brenu Beach.
WOODCHAT SHRIKE (Lanius senator) – Two records of males from Mole on the 1st and 2nd of April, uncommon here.
YELLOW-BILLED SHRIKE (Corvinella corvina) – Four day records from Sakumono, Tema and the Bolgatanga area.
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
EURASIAN GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus oriolus) – One male on the Samole loop on April 1st, the black wings readily picked it out and this was another new species from Ghana for me. I think there are not many records.
AFRICAN GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus auratus) – Two sightings from Mole.
WESTERN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus brachyrhynchus) – Seen at Kakum and Ankasa.
BLACK-WINGED ORIOLE (Oriolus nigripennis) – 2 from Kakum and one from Bobiri, a West African endemic. [E]
Dicruridae (Drongos)
SQUARE-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus ludwigii) – One near the Mognori River was a good trip bird.
SHINING DRONGO (Dicrurus atripennis) – Good looks at couple in Ankasa, often hard to see well. [E]
FORK-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis) – Five day records of small numbers in the drier areas.
VELVET-MANTLED DRONGO (Dicrurus modestus) – The drongo of the wetter forests, seen well at Ankasa and Atewa.
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
BLUE-HEADED CRESTED-FLYCATCHER (Trochocercus nitens) – One calling along the Bamboo Cathedral trail came in fleetingly.
BLACK-HEADED PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone rufiventer) – Amazingly sparse this trip, seen briefly at Kakum and then at Bobiri.
AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis) – Also surprisingly sparse, we had white morph males at the Mognori River and then at Tono Dam.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
PIAPIAC (Ptilostomus afer) – 9 as we went into Mole, and 3 as we came south from Bolgatanga, less than normal.
PIED CROW (Corvus albus) – Widespread and seen most days.
Picathartidae (Rockfowl)
WHITE-NECKED ROCKFOWL (Picathartes gymnocephalus) – Good grief, this was a close run thing this year as we spent 2.5 hours waiting and were on the point of leaving before one showed up bounding over the boulders, what i call a back-line save and saving us having to reschedule the itinerary! Once again I got no photo but was greatly relieved it showed up. [E]
Nicatoridae (Nicators)
YELLOW-SPOTTED NICATOR (Nicator chloris) – Much in demand and heard at several sites before we got a scope view of one at Bobiri, it's placed in an endemic African family now.
Alaudidae (Larks)
FLAPPET LARK (Mirafra rufocinnamomea) – Two singles in Mole, nice to hear them flappeting and the only time in the year I get to use that word.
RUFOUS-RUMPED LARK (Pinarocorys erythropygia) – This was a very nice find by Appiah in Mole, and it showed very well, a scarce and elusive intra-African migrant that I had not seen in Ghana before.
SUN LARK (Galerida modesta) – 5 birds in Mole on the dry laterite pans.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – The most were about 30 at Winneba, otherwise just small numbers.
RED-CHESTED SWALLOW (Hirundo lucida lucida) – One near Techiman and then a couple at Larabanga mosque, easily overlooked. [E]
ETHIOPIAN SWALLOW (Hirundo aethiopica aethiopica) – 3 at Shai Hills and 6 near Winneba.
WHITE-THROATED BLUE SWALLOW (Hirundo nigrita) – This is one snazzy bird which we only see at the one site at the Pra River, where there were 5 birds this year.
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii smithii) – A couple up at Tono Dam.
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (WEST AFRICAN) (Cecropis daurica domicella) – Ten out at Tono Hills, sometimes split as West African Swallow, this whole complex would bear a re-evaluation.
LESSER STRIPED-SWALLOW (Cecropis abyssinica) – Widespread in small numbers, a very attractive swallow with its stripy underparts and red rump.
RUFOUS-CHESTED SWALLOW (Cecropis semirufa gordoni) – 2 at Brenu Beach, then one at Atewa.
MOSQUE SWALLOW (Cecropis senegalensis) – 2 at Shai Hills, one at Winneba and one at Brenu Beach.
PREUSS'S SWALLOW (Petrochelidon preussi) – We had one unexpectedly at Sakumono, then about 70 at a culvert near the Pra River. [E]
COMMON HOUSE-MARTIN (Delichon urbicum) – One in Mole NP was a good trip bird.
SQUARE-TAILED SAWWING (Psalidoprocne nitens) – Just a single of this small forest swallow at Ankasa. [E]
FANTI SAWWING (Psalidoprocne obscura) – Similarly, just a single of this black swallow with the deeply forked tail from the Kakum walkway one afternoon. [E]
Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers)
AFRICAN BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Elminia longicauda) – One from the Samole Loop in Mole NP.
Paridae (Chickadees and Tits)
WHITE-SHOULDERED BLACK-TIT (Melaniparus guineensis) – Good views of one at Shai Hills.
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
FOREST PENDULINE-TIT (Anthoscopus flavifrons) – A lucky find when we had a flat tyre on the way back from Antikwaa, this little group of 4 showed very well.
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
SLENDER-BILLED GREENBUL (Stelgidillas gracilirostris) – Three day records from Kakum area.
GOLDEN GREENBUL (Calyptocichla serinus) – One from the Kakum walkway, a West African endemic. [E]
COMMON BRISTLEBILL (Bleda syndactylus) – One was seen in the track at Ankasa.
GREEN-TAILED BRISTLEBILL (Bleda eximius) – Heard at Ankasa but as ever very secretive. [E*]
GRAY-HEADED BRISTLEBILL (Bleda canicapillus) – Also heard at Ankasa. [E*]
SIMPLE GREENBUL (Chlorocichla simplex) – Two singles from Winneba and near Kakum, also called Simple Leaflove, a nicer name.
HONEYGUIDE GREENBUL (Baeopogon indicator) – Some folks saw it at Ebekawopa before Slender-billed Greenbul replaced it and caused confusion, then there was a calling bird at Opro that showed briefly.
SPOTTED GREENBUL (Ixonotus guttatus) – A vocal , clicking flock of 16 flew out of huge tree at Ankasa where we had seen just a few of them. One of the very distinctive members of the family.
SWAMP GREENBUL (Thescelocichla leucopleura) – Noisy and showed well at Ankasa and then at Atewa.
RED-TAILED GREENBUL (Criniger calurus) – This quite smart looking guy with the big white throat and yellow underparts showed well at Ankasa and Kakum.
WESTERN BEARDED-GREENBUL (Criniger barbatus) – Heard at Ebekawopa, then seen from the main track in Ankasa. [E]
YELLOW-BEARDED GREENBUL (Criniger olivaceus) – A really good look at one at Ebekawopa where I had not seen them before, then another in Ankasa, it was always a special here in the past. [E]
ANSORGE'S GREENBUL (Eurillas ansorgei) – One at Kakum on the first morning.
PLAIN GREENBUL (Eurillas curvirostris) – Heard At Ankasa. [*]
YELLOW-WHISKERED GREENBUL (Eurillas latirostris) – Heard at Kakum and seen at Ankasa.
LITTLE GREENBUL (Eurillas virens) – Vocal but hard to see in the forest areas. [*]
ICTERINE GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus icterinus) – Seen twice at Ankasa and showed quite well.
COMMON BULBUL (Pycnonotus barbatus) – Seen every day except in the rainforest areas.
Macrosphenidae (African Warblers)
GREEN CROMBEC (Sylvietta virens flaviventris) – Seen at Kakum and Ebekawopa.
MOUSTACHED GRASS-WARBLER (Melocichla mentalis mentalis) – Heard at Mole and Winneba. [*]
KEMP'S LONGBILL (Macrosphenus kempi) – A wonderful view in the scope of one sitting preening and singing at Aboabo, this one can be very tricky. [E]
GRAY LONGBILL (Macrosphenus concolor) – Seen nicely at Kakum.
GREEN HYLIA (Hylia prasina) – A frequent sound of the rainforests and seen well from Kakum walkway and at Ankasa.
TIT-HYLIA (Pholidornis rushiae) – A great look at 2 at Aboabo and one at Atewa, they are pretty distinct to the central African ones too.
Cettiidae (Bush-Warblers and Allies)
CHESTNUT-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Erythrocercus mccallii) – Tough this trip, we got onto one at Bobiri only.
Phylloscopidae (Leaf-Warblers)
WILLOW WARBLER (Phylloscopus trochilus) – Small numbers in the north, they were singing at Mole.
WOOD WARBLER (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) – Seen at Kakum and Aboabo, and much in decline in Europe.
Acrocephalidae (Reed-Warblers and Allies)
MELODIOUS WARBLER (Hippolais polyglotta) – One at Mole was a nice find of a scarce European migrant.
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
BLACK-CAPPED APALIS (Apalis nigriceps nigriceps) – Heard at all the rainforest sites, and seen quite well at Aboabo.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida caniceps) – A couple of singles from Mole NP.
SHARPE'S APALIS (Apalis sharpii) – Vocal at the rainforest sites, and seen at Kakum. [E]
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (GRAY-BACKED) (Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata) – Grey-backed Camaroptera was very noisy at all the drier areas, and seen well at Mole
YELLOW-BROWED CAMAROPTERA (Camaroptera superciliaris) – Heard at Ankasa. [*]
OLIVE-GREEN CAMAROPTERA (Camaroptera chloronota) – The repetitive ringing call was heard at Ankasa, Aboabo and Bobiri but they stayed hidden. [*]
RED-FACED CISTICOLA (Cisticola erythrops erythrops) – One was seen well at Winneba.
SINGING CISTICOLA (Cisticola cantans swanzii) – Also seen well at Winneba.
WHISTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola lateralis lateralis) – One singing along the road to Ebekawopa.
ROCK-LOVING CISTICOLA (Cisticola aberrans admiralis) – Good views of 2 of this quite attractive species at Tongo Hills on both days, hopping over the rocks.
WINDING CISTICOLA (WINDING) (Cisticola galactotes amphilectus) – Seen and heard at Sakumono and Nasia Pond.
CROAKING CISTICOLA (Cisticola natalensis strangei) – Singles from Shai Hills and Tono Dam, I got a pretty good shot of one- see the gallery.
SIFFLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola brachypterus brachypterus) – Two at Winneba.
RUFOUS CISTICOLA (Cisticola rufus) – This was a nice bonus at Mole airstrip where we got to see a pair of this elusive species singing and song-flighting. A lifer for Phil as well, with a moderate photo on the gallery
ZITTING CISTICOLA (Cisticola juncidis uropygialis) – Heard at Sakumono and seen at Tono Dam and Nasia Pond.
ORIOLE WARBLER (Hypergerus atriceps) – A nice look at one in Mole where it was singing very well, a very odd species and a bit of a West African special.
TAWNY-FLANKED PRINIA (Prinia subflava) – Heard at many dry country sites and seen at Nasia Pond.
RED-WINGED PRINIA (Prinia erythroptera erythroptera) – 2 at Winneba proved elusive, and then we heard them at Mole and Brenu Beach.
SENEGAL EREMOMELA (Eremomela pusilla) – Finally seen well at Mole.
RUFOUS-CROWNED EREMOMELA (Eremomela badiceps fantiensis) – 5 from Kakum, where hard to see well, then good at Aboabo, with one at Bobiri too.
Zosteropidae (Yuhinas, White-eyes, and Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW WHITE-EYE (Zosterops senegalensis) – Small numbers at various sites including Tongo Hills.
Pellorneidae (Ground Babblers and Allies)
BROWN ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis fulvescens gularis) – Heard calling at Atewa and some folks got glimpses of it.
PALE-BREASTED ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis rufipennis extrema) – One showed quite well near the pond at Ankasa.
BLACKCAP ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis cleaveri cleaveri) – Heard at Ankasa but always a very tough one to actually see. [E*]
PUVEL'S ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis puveli puveli) – Singing really well at Atewa, see xeno-canto and the Internet Bird Collection where I will post the cuts I made; some folks got to see it there as well.
Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes and Allies)
BLACKCAP BABBLER (Turdoides reinwardtii) – Seen and heard in Mole NP, where shy but quite responsive at one site. [E]
BROWN BABBLER (Turdoides plebejus) – There was a nest at Mole airstrip with one bird sitting on it.
Hyliotidae (Hyliotas)
VIOLET-BACKED HYLIOTA (Hyliota violacea nehrkorni) – This was a minor miracle, as it showed really badly at Kakum and most of us dipped, then Philip found one at Bobiri that showed well, much to Dave and Alan's delight. An endemic African family too so an important species for the tour.
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
NORTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis edolioides edolioides) – Seen at Shai Hills and Mole.
AFRICAN FOREST-FLYCATCHER (Fraseria ocreata prosphora) – One from Aboabo was the sole sighting.
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa striata) – 2 at Shai hills and one from near Ebekawopa.
USSHER'S FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa ussheri) – Those odd birds with the rather pale underparts are still at Aboabo, and we had a nice one from the Kakum walkway. [E]
SWAMP FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa aquatica aquatica) – Two in Mole NP, this nominate race lacks the breast band of Ugandan birds.
OLIVACEOUS FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa olivascens) – James found us one near the pond at Ankasa which everyone there eventually got onto quite well, then another next day so the whole group saw it. Uncommon and elusive, this was a lifer for Phil.
DUSKY-BLUE FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa comitata aximensis) – A couple seen in Ankasa.
CASSIN'S FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa cassini) – Seen at the river by Ankasa Park entrance as usual.
GRAY-THROATED TIT-FLYCATCHER (Myioparus griseigularis) – Heard at Aboabo but stayed out of sight. [*]
GRAY TIT-FLYCATCHER (Myioparus plumbeus) – One with a nest at Shai Hills, in a cavity in a dead tree branch, and another up at Mole. Also called Lead-coloured Flycatcher.
FIRE-CRESTED ALETHE (WHITE-TAILED) (Alethe diademata diademata) – Heard at Ebekawopa and Ankasa but proved elusive this tour. [E*]
SNOWY-CROWNED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha niveicapilla) – Seen twice in Mole NP.
WHITE-CROWNED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha albicapilla) – Seen briefly along the Samole loop and heard and seen by some at the Mognori River.
FOREST ROBIN (WESTERN) (Stiphrornis erythrothorax erythrothorax) – Unbelievably unresponsive this trip, we tried several times in Ankasa and could not get it to pop into view. [*]
EUROPEAN PIED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula hypoleuca) – 3 females on April 1 in Mole, and 2 males there next day.
WHINCHAT (Saxicola rubetra) – 3 at Winneba and 3 in Mole NP.
WHITE-FRONTED BLACK-CHAT (Myrmecocichla albifrons) – A good view of one in Mole NP, an uncommon bird.
MOCKING CLIFF-CHAT (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris coronata) – Heard at Shai Hills, then seen quite nicely at Tongo Hills, used to be split as White-crowned Cliff-chat.
FAMILIAR CHAT (Cercomela familiaris) – One at Mole and one at Tongo Hills.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
FINSCH'S FLYCATCHER-THRUSH (Neocossyphus finschii) – Seen at Ebekawopa and Ankasa. [E]
WHITE-TAILED ANT-THRUSH (Neocossyphus poensis) – Two were feeding on ants from the track at Ankasa, and showed quite well.
AFRICAN THRUSH (Turdus pelios) – Seen nicely at Mole.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
GREATER BLUE-EARED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus chalybaeus) – Two at Tono Dam.
BRONZE-TAILED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis chalcurus chalcurus) – Two at Tono Dam, we saw the tail colour nicely too.
SPLENDID GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis splendidus) – Very few this tour, best views at Aboabo.
PURPLE GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis purpureus) – Two at Shai Hills and then from Mole, before about 10 at Tono Dam, the large eye and flat head make this quite distinctive.
LONG-TAILED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis caudatus) – One of my favourites, we saw just 2 in Mole and then 2 at Tono Dam.
CHESTNUT-BELLIED STARLING (Lamprotornis pulcher) – A real Sahel special, we saw about 10 at Tono Dam.
COPPER-TAILED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis cupreocauda) – Two from Antikwaa, quite a rare and poorly known species. [E]
VIOLET-BACKED STARLING (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster leucogaster) – Just 2 at Mole NP was it.
CHESTNUT-WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus fulgidus) – Two day records from Kakum walkway.
NARROW-TAILED STARLING (Poeoptera lugubris) – One by the Black-collared Lovebirds near Ebekawopa.
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
SCARLET-TUFTED SUNBIRD (Deleornis fraseri) – Two at Ankasa, better called Fraser's Sunbird to avoid confusion with Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird.
MOUSE-BROWN SUNBIRD (Anthreptes gabonicus) – Four at a river near Axim after some effort in the heat, best called Mangrove or Brown Sunbird as another species is also known by the name Mouse-coloured.
LITTLE GREEN SUNBIRD (Anthreptes seimundi) – Two at Antikwaa.
GREEN SUNBIRD (Anthreptes rectirostris) – A female at Atewa.
COLLARED SUNBIRD (Hedydipna collaris) – Amazingly few, seen at Ankasa, Aboabo and Atewa.
PYGMY SUNBIRD (Hedydipna platura) – Three day records from Mole included a fine male near the Mognori River.
REICHENBACH'S SUNBIRD (Anabathmis reichenbachii) – A special over by Ankasa, we had a good view of 3 near the entrance. [E]
GREEN-HEADED SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra verticalis) – A couple of folks saw this at Shai Hills and then at Ankasa.
BLUE-THROATED BROWN SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra cyanolaema) – Seen at Ebekawopa and Ankasa.
WESTERN OLIVE SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra obscura) – Quite often heard in the rainforest zone, and seen at Ebekawopa.
BUFF-THROATED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra adelberti) – Sen at Kakum and Antikwaa. [E]
SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra senegalensis) – Nice looks in Mole NP.
OLIVE-BELLIED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris chloropygius) – Seen by a few at Aboabo.
TINY SUNBIRD (Cinnyris minullus) – A fine male sat up for ages at Ankasa as we came back from the pond.
BEAUTIFUL SUNBIRD (Cinnyris pulchellus) – Good looks at Mole NP.
SPLENDID SUNBIRD (Cinnyris coccinigastrus) – Seen at Shai Hills, Winneba and Ebekawopa. [E]
JOHANNA'S SUNBIRD (Cinnyris johannae) – A brief flyby at Aboabo, they have a distinctive sharp call, then a fine male at Bobiri for most of us. [E]
SUPERB SUNBIRD (Cinnyris superbus) – Two singles of this large long-billed sunbird from Antikwaa and Aboabo.
COPPER SUNBIRD (Cinnyris cupreus) – Good looks at Shai Hills and Winneba, then Brenu Beach and Mole.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava) – Just singles from Sakumono and Winneba, not identified to subspecies.
AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp) – Just a handful of records of ones and twos, they always seem very local in Ghana.
YELLOW-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx croceus) – One on wires at Winneba showed the amazingly long hind claws that give the species its name.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
CINNAMON-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza tahapisi goslingi) – One at Mole Motel was unexpected, then we had 6 up at the Tongo Hills, now split by most as Gosling's Bunting due to major genetic differences from Cinnamon-breasted bunting. [E]
BROWN-RUMPED BUNTING (Emberiza affinis) – This was a good find at Mole airstrip, and was my first from Ghana.
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
WHITE-RUMPED SEEDEATER (Serinus leucopygius) – A lucky find in Bolgatanga town where we had a flock of 15 right by the road, an uncommon and easily missed bird.
YELLOW-FRONTED CANARY (Serinus mozambicus) – Five day records from the north, best views at Nasia pond.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
NORTHERN GRAY-HEADED SPARROW (Passer griseus) – Widespread in small numbers in the drier country.
BUSH PETRONIA (Petronia dentata) – Seen a couple of times in Mole.
Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
CHESTNUT-CROWNED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser superciliosus) – Great looks at 2 at Mole, right by the lodge.
RED-VENTED MALIMBE (Malimbus scutatus) – Nice looks at this West African special at Aboabo, but sadly no nest this year, then a single at Bobiri where we did rather well for malimbes! [E]
GRAY'S MALIMBE (Malimbus nitens) – A couple of quite elusive singles seen at Ankasa, sorry Dave, we usually see more than this.
CRESTED MALIMBE (Malimbus malimbicus) – Nice looks at 2 at Antikwaa, and also seen by some at Ankasa and Bobiri.
RED-HEADED MALIMBE (Malimbus rubricollis) – Seen well at Kakum and Antikwaa, with a couple from Bobiri at the end.
RED-HEADED WEAVER (Anaplectes rubriceps) – This was a surprise in Mole where we saw a couple of males and even found a nest, the first time I'd seen the species in Ghana. Celebrated by buying a mug from Mole that oddly enough has a picture of this bird!
LITTLE WEAVER (Ploceus luteolus) – Seen in Mole and at Tono Dam.
BLACK-NECKED WEAVER (Ploceus nigricollis brachypterus) – Just a male at Winneba was it for the tour, much scarcer than usual. Weavers in general seemed to be in low numbers.
HEUGLIN'S MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus heuglini) – 7 in Mole NP, seen quite well as we chased Sun Larks.
VIEILLOT'S WEAVER (Ploceus nigerrimus castaneofuscus) – Seen nicely near Ankasa and at Atewa, these birds have a chestnut mantle and sure don't look like the East African birds.
VILLAGE WEAVER (BLACK-HEADED) (Ploceus cucullatus cucullatus) – Widespread in small numbers, this race has a chestnut on the mantle and looks very different to East African birds.
YELLOW-MANTLED WEAVER (Ploceus tricolor) – A nesting group at Kakum, and a couple at Bobiri, quite a subtle but attractive species of the deep forest.
MAXWELL'S BLACK WEAVER (Ploceus albinucha albinucha) – One at Antikwaa showed very nicely, and some folks saw one at Ankasa.
PREUSS'S WEAVER (Ploceus preussi) – A pair from the Kakum walkway, and one at Aboabo, this is the one that creeps along branches like a nuthatch. [E]
RED-HEADED QUELEA (Quelea erythrops) – One near Ebekawopa, and one at Aboabo, an uncommon species.
RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea) – About 60 at Tono Dam.
ORANGE BISHOP (Euplectes franciscanus) – Seen in Mole NP, in non-breeding dress.
BLACK-WINGED BISHOP (Euplectes hordeaceus) – Seen at Brenu Beach and then near Koforidua, some in breeding dress.
YELLOW-SHOULDERED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes macroura macroura) – A few in non-breeding dress at Winneba.
GROSBEAK WEAVER (Amblyospiza albifrons capitalba) – Nice looks at Atewa, with about 40 birds seen.
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
GRAY-HEADED NIGRITA (Nigrita canicapillus) – Just a handful at Kakum and Ankasa.
CHESTNUT-BREASTED NIGRITA (Nigrita bicolor) – Just two at Kakum and some saw one at Ebekawopa.
WHITE-BREASTED NIGRITA (Nigrita fusconotus) – The only record this trip came from Bobiri, much scarcer than usual.
LAVENDER WAXBILL (Estrilda caerulescens) – Only seen on the Samole loop, quite elusive this tour as usually they are by the lodge.
ORANGE-CHEEKED WAXBILL (Estrilda melpoda) – Small numbers from the south, the most being 15 in Mole.
BLACK-RUMPED WAXBILL (Estrilda troglodytes) – Two at Winneba and a scattering at Mole where they were feeding by the lodge.
WESTERN BLUEBILL (Spermophaga haematina) – One was singing at Antikwaa and gave a quick look for some of us, also heard at Atewa. [E]
BLACK-BELLIED SEEDCRACKER (Pyrenestes ostrinus) – A glimpse at Aboabo, then one in some sort of songflight overhead there for a somewhat better view.
RED-CHEEKED CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus bengalus) – Good looks from Mole and Tono Dam.
RED-WINGED PYTILIA (Pytilia phoenicoptera) – A nice look at Mole airstrip, this is quite a hard one to find.
RED-BILLED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta senegala) – Seen at Tongo Hills.
BAR-BREASTED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta rufopicta) – Seen at Winneba and Mole.
BLACK-FACED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta larvata) – Also seen in Mole NP, where a pair gave quite good views eventually.
BLACK-BELLIED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta rara) – A couple seen quite well in Mole NP, a scarce and elusive species.
ZEBRA WAXBILL (Sporaeginthus subflavus) – We have Zebra Waxbill or Finch in Australia so this name will not fly- Orange or Orange-breasted Waxbill is the usual name, and we had a small flock at Nasia pond. I admired Bill's determination to get down the tricky slope to see them....
BLACK-FACED QUAILFINCH (Ortygospiza atricollis atricollis) – Good looks at Nasia pond, sadly most authorities now lump all the quailfinch into one.....My sound cuts are now on xeno-canto.
BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullatus) – A few from Bobiri and Mole.
BLACK-AND-WHITE MANNIKIN (Spermestes bicolor) – Seen at Antikwaa and en route to Ebekawopa
MAGPIE MANNIKIN (Spermestes fringilloides) – Some were seen along the road to Ebekawopa, then we all had a couple in the bamboo at Bobiri and then again at Atewa.
AFRICAN SILVERBILL (Euodice cantans) – Seen at Nasia pond.
Viduidae (Indigobirds)
PIN-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua macroura) – A few at various sites included some quite good breeding dress males.
JAMBANDU INDIGOBIRD (Vidua raricola) – A couple on non-breeding female plumaged indigobirds at Nasia Pond are a fair bet for this species, whose host species the Orange-breasted Waxbill occurs here. They had a faint gorget of breast streaks, but what a shame you can't identify them to species at this time of the year as far as is known at this time.
MAMMALS
GAMBIAN EPAULETED FRUIT BAT (Epomophorus gambianus) – These are the bats in the colony in the shady trees at the hotel in Tamale, there were about a dozen there on the first visit, and we saw some in flight nearby as we were leaving on the second.
YELLOW-WINGED BAT (Lavia frons) – A great look at this striking bat with the unusual colouration at the Mognori River in Mole NP.
PRINCE DEMIDOFF'S BUSHBABY (Galago demidoff) – Heard as we were coming out late from the Picathartes site, and heading for the barn some 3 hours away! [*]
LESSER WHITE-NOSED GUENON (Cercopithecus petaurista) – Seen nicely from the walkway at Kakum. [E]
MONA MONKEY (Cercopithecus mona) – This was heard at Kakum and seen badly at Ankasa, it is now split as Lowes Monkey and is a rare species. Mammal splitting is rife and seems worse than with birds!
GREEN MONKEY (Cercopithecus sabaeus) – 4 at Shai Hills, a split from Vervet Monkey.
PATAS MONKEY (Erythrocebus patas) – Seen nicely at Mole NP but only a handful of animals.
OLIVE BABOON (Papio anubis) – Nice looks in Mole NP.
OLIVE COLOBUS (Procolobus verus) – Some folks got to see this quite rare monkey from the Kakum walkway. [E]
PANGOLIN SP. (Manis tetradactyla) – Usually classified as Uromanis tetradactyla, the Long-tailed Pangolin, this amazing creature clambered up into a vine tangle in Bobiri and was seen by 3 of our group as it vanished. We waited with growing anxiety, on my part at least, and it kept showing bits of itself, then astonishingly emerged out onto a vine and crossed to a nearby tree. I was amazed at how long the tail was, and this had long been one of my most wanted mammals being such a bizarre creature. I gave James a 100 cedi bonus for this one as I'd actually offered an incentive at the start of the tour if anyone found one. We also saw a couple of hapless captives too being held by the roadside, all very depressing, but it was fantastic to get this one here.
SCRUB HARE (Lepus saxatalis) – One seen at Mole airstrip on a nightjar/owls trip.
STRIPED GROUND SQUIRREL (Xerus erythropus) – One was seen by some near Kakum.
FOREST GIANT SQUIRREL (Protoxerus stangeri) – One of these large creatures was at Ankasa, squirrels were about the only things we saw on one of the morning walks!
SLENDER-TAILED SQUIRREL (Protoxerus aubinnii) – Also seen at Ankasa.
KINTAMBO ROPE SQUIRREL (Funisciurus substriatus) – One seen briefly in Mole NP. [E]
FIRE-FOOTED ROPE SQUIRREL (Funisciurus pyrrhopus) – This delightfully named squirrel was seen at Ankasa
GREEN BUSH SQUIRREL (Paraxerus poensis) – One at Antikwaa.
GAMBIAN SUN SQUIRREL (Heliosciurus gambianus) – Seen from the Kakum Walkway.
RED-LEGGED SUN SQUIRREL (Heliosciurus rufobrachium) – Also seen from the Kakum Walkway.
GIANT POUCHED RAT (Cricetomys emini) – One in the track at Kakum at dusk was a bizarre looking almost piebald looking beast with a long pale tipped bare tail and big ugly face, near cat size too. Also seen on sale by the roadsides smoked as bushmeat, along with Grasscutters and Brush-tailed Porcupines.
COMMON (SMALL-SPOTTED) GENET (Genetta genetta) – A wonderful view of one in the track as we came back from the north of Mole after dark, a really endearing and handsome creature.
AFRICAN ELEPHANT (Loxodonta africana) – Just 2 at Mole as we arrived, and only seen by those of us who checked out the viewpoint. There was so much water around the waterholes here had no attraction for them.
WESTERN TREE HYRAX (Dendrohyrax dorsalis) – Heard at Kakum and Ankasa but as ever impossible to see. [*]
WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) – Endearing as ever and very tame at Mole, I noticed Hadoram was hand-feeding one animal!
BUSHBUCK (Tragelaphus scriptus) – A nice view of them at Mole NP.
RED-FLANKED DUIKER (Cephalophus rufilatus) – One at Mole NP.
DEFASSA WATERBUCK (Kobus defassa) – Just a few at Mole NP.
KOB (Kobus kob) – A lone male at Shai Hills, and a few at Mole NP. This taxon is called Buffon's Kob.
ROAN ANTELOPE (Hippotragus equinus) – Two on the track in Mole were totally unexpected as I didn't even know they occurred in West Africa!
HARTEBEEST (KONGONI) (Alcelaphus buselaphus) – A herd of some 6 animals in Mole were my first sighting from here.This taxon is called a Kanki and seems paler and less orange than Kongoni in Uganda.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
BUTTERFLIES
This list covers some of the butterflies seen on our Ghana tour. They were identified mainly by Philip, our local butterfly expert, and also by using Torben Larsen's excellent two-volume book, "Butterflies of West Africa" (Apollo Books, 2005). The Ghana butterfly list is over 1000 species (many with great names too, see below!), Bobiri alone has 423+, so this is a great tour if you like butterflies as well as birds.
Citrus Swallowtail
Common White-banded Swallowtail
Long-tailed Striped Swordtail
Forest Grass Yellow
Calypso Caper White -- One of the many beautiful butterflies at Bobiri. The underside is beautifully patterned.
African Spirit -- A small white with black forewing spot, also at Bobiri.
Large Fairy Hairstreak
Black Patch Hairstreak
Indigo Ciliate Blue
Black Patches
Lowland Banded Blue
Smoky Bean Cupid
Pale Babul Blue
Monk
Light Bush Brown
Pearl Charaxes
Flame-bordered Charaxes
Bamboo Charaxes
Blue Demon Charaxes
Dark Blue Pansy
Brown Pansy
African Map
White banded Castor
Common Yellow Gilder
Weymer's Glider
Jodutta Glider
Western Creamy Glider
Western Red Gilder
Incipient False Acraea
Guineafowl
Mandinga Forester
Widespread Forester
Common Themis Forester
Edward's Forester
Western Blue-banded Forester
Striped Policeman
HERPS
No snakes this tour, but a big Nile Crocodile in the waterhole below Mole Lodge, and Nile Monitor at Ankasa pond.
A gorgeous vivid green Senegal Chameleon (Chamaeleo senegalensis) was crossing the road out of Mole and safely relocated after the pix.
Totals for the tour: 425 bird taxa and 30 mammal taxa