Gambia - Final day

With checkout at the hotel at 12pm we only had a chance for a couple of hours walk around the local area.

I was not expecting to see anything new but it would be a good way to take a few more photos and say goodbye properly to Modhu.

We met at 7.30 and would be back by 9.30 so that I could make the most of a copious breakfast before leaving.

We walked to some other pools which were potentially pretty but there was a fair bit of little which spoilt the view somewhat.

Nevertheless, I was straight into a Giant Kingfisher but I still had the lens cap on - schoolboy error!

Red Breasted Swallow was another new addition before a tiny Malachite Kingfisher at the back of the reads gave good views though stretched my cameras ability to the max.

A Long Tailed Cormorant, Little Grebe, Common Moorhen and Purple Swamphen were the only other birds.

A walk back towards the sewage works and we had excellent views of Black Headed Heron and Black Heron which is known locally as the umbrella bird as it covers the water with its wings to shade its shadow when feeding.

After more of the same we saw (and badly photographed) a Northern Puffback (type of shrike)

It was back to the hotel but there was one last new bird to add to the list - House Sparrow!!

Overall, I had a total of 192 species which is quite incredible.

I have never been anywhere with such a massive variety of birds in such a relatively small area. The furthest we travelled was 50 minutes from the hotel. I am sure we missed at least four other species as we could not be sure!

Photography was great but with so many birds coming thick and fast it is hard to spend any time on a decent photo before wheeling round to try and take a photos of the next new species.

A brilliant trip and one I would suggest is a must for any birder but do remember to have a guide - Modhu was priceless!