Wow!

Another influential visitor to the Obs

We were happy to host George Smith from Osprey Leadership Foundation during his visit to TG. George joined Emmanuel on the Hallahin to count Ospreys having 51 sightings. George kindly delivered a gift from Tim Mackrill, a copy of his excellent monograph, 'The Osprey ' for the KBO research library.

Abdim's Stork, Ciconia abdimii. Found at 1130hrs 13th February 2025 at Kartong Bird Observatory. The first Gambian record since 1990. Only 6 previous records in The Gambia.

Hoping some birds stick around🤞

This bird is a male standard-winged nightjar. During breeding season it grows primary feathers on each wing, elongated to 38cm (15 in) These are raised like standards/flags in display flight to impress females

Savi's Warbler (Locustella luscinioides) the 6th record for The Gambia. The previous 5 records were all caught and ringed at Kartong Bird Observatory. Another great record thanks to the hard work of Roger Walsh working in the challenging environment of the Kartong reedbeeds.

A huge thanks to the team at Kartong Bird Observatory 🇬🇲 for making us feel so welcome over the past fortnight, for their boundless enthusiasm and for catching so many varied and fascinating bird species. A total of 601 birds sampled for our haemosporodian project! Now to the lab…😊

An interesting bird caught on 7th March. Tentatively identified as Common Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus. If identified as such from DNA, it would be the first modern record for The Gambia.

A wonderful bird ringing session this week at RSPB Minsmere 🌍 🐦🪶 A great selection of migrants included 3 Nightingales, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden & Reed Warbler, Blackcap and Sedge Warbler - including a Control Sedge Warbler with a ring from Brussels!🇧🇪

Special thanks to Viking Optical Ltd for supporting our ringing demonstrations which have recently started again for 2025 every Thursday at Minsmere!

A great morning ringing at KBO today, the highlight of which was this stunning White-crowned Lapwing, Vanellus albiceps. This is the first time this species has been caught and ringed by KBO. This species is very rare in coastal Gambia with only a handful of records at Kartong.

Pleased to catch this as part of monitoring work on Raveningham Estate.

Thanks to excellent Waveney Bird Club trip to Eaglenest saw this. Thanks and RIP SteveP

Our Autumn expedition is off to a great start with this adult female Osprey caught ringed and darviced at Kartong wetlands yesterday.

Kicking off the New Year right with yesterday's ringing session! A morning at Raveningham with 55 birds including Redwing, followed by two new species for WRG ringed in the evening - Teal and Redshank. Thanks to Viking Optical Ltd ⭐️

This week's ringing session started with 103 birds at Dickleburgh Moor, followed by a spectacular evening at Haddiscoe Island where 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Long- eared Owl and 3 Barn Owls were ringed. Thanks to Viking Optical Ltd 🦉

Join us on Tuesday 20th January when Roger Walsh talks about his time in South Africa in 2025, supporting ringers of the SA Bird Ringing Scheme. We meet at 7:30 pm, The Maltings Pavilion, Pirnhow Street, Bungay NR35 2RU. There will be a raffle and light buffet. Only £3 entry.