Brufut with Lamin

   Here, we’re spoiled by the diversity of birds that we see and even if you can see them pretty much everywhere, it’s always nice to go with Lamin “bird” because he’s passionate and knows where to see the owl hiding in the tree. Also, from what I’ve seen to date, I wouldn’t go off in unknown parts without a guide. Even if they hide away because it’s hot, there is still a danger of rather impressive snakes!

   Brufut is one of Lamin’s projects that aim to help the local community to take care of their environment and particularly to bring tourists who pay D50 (€1.20/£1/£1.65) as well as a guide. The “most expensive” ones, the yellow-clad official guides in front of the hotel, are D250 for the morning or D350 for the day which comes to about €6 to €8 (£5.10 - £7.15/$8.30 - $11.65). Not very much and so very useful so as not to miss anything (more expensive at Senegambia – D400 and D800), though in this area, it’s better to have bird specialists, some of whom were trained here by Lamin.

     Brufut is a somewhat protected parcel of land. I say “somewhat” because it basically sums up to the association trying to explain to the locals the importance of preserving nature, of not trampling just anywhere, of cutting trees without consideration for the consequences, or of throwing rubbish away. On that final point, there is still work to be done when we see the number of “wild dumps.”

   I discovered a vast quantity of different birds and even those that looked like your bog-standard sparrow turned out to be a magnificent Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu (bottom, large photo). Very small and not growing over 12cm, they are of a pale blue with a touch of red on each cheek. The female’s colour is slightly less vibrant. It’s a rather common specimen that likes areas that are drier, cultivated and close to human habitations. It eats small seeds.

   I had never seen an owl in the wild. This Northern White-faced Owl was so cute (Otus leucotis – top-middle). A nocturnal bird, it spends its days sleeping amidst the branches.

   The Bearded Barbet (Lybius dubius – middle-right) can also be found in wooded areas. It’s very unique with its goatee and its beautiful black and red coat. It eats fruit.

   We also often come across butterflies, though taking a picture of them is a whole different story seeing as they are insatiable fliers (Scarlet red).

    I discovered: The African Golden Oriole (oriolus auratus – top-left), vibrantly yellow, very common and who makes hanging basket-shaped nests as the weaver bird does.

   The Little Bee-eater (Merops pusillus – top-right) is between 15 and 17cm and is very common in The Gambia. It eats insects – particularly wasps, bees or hornets – in mid-flight.  Before eating its prey, it removes the sting by hitting the insect against a hard surface.

   A bird that is impossible to spot without a pro is the Long-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus Climacurus – middle-right). A common bird, it can often be spotted at dusk and sleeps at ground level during the day, though with its colours, the camouflage is perfect!

  In Malaysia, we had the pleasure of meeting some hornbills; and here there are some different varieties. The one we spotted at Brufut was the African Pied Hornbill (Tockus Fasciatus – bottom-right). It can be spotted more along the coastal regions, less in the hinterlands, and is a shy one that isn’t often seen near habitations as is the case for his red-beaked cousin. It eats insects and fruit (it loves figs).

    After the “countryside”, at the same area as Brufut, there is Tanji, where Lamin brought us to see seabirds. Two fishing boats had just returned and there was a lot of traffic in the offloading. The senses are kicked into gear with the offloaded fish that are then sorted (hearing, smell) and with the beautiful freshly-painted boats (for the sight). For the touch, there will always be a plethora of Gambians who want to say hello by shaking your hand; and for the taste, the banana, dry fruit and herb sellers. No sense is left behind!

   There were numerous birds; and on top of the pelicans that I’ve already touched upon, there were a good number of Grey-headed gulls (Larus cirrocephalus – top-left), Lesser crested terns (Sterna bengalensis – middle-left), Waxbills…