Dermot Breen's Blog: May 2016

Wednesday, 11 May 2016

Ghana 15th March 2016

Another full day in Mole National Park. The best bird of the day was most likely a Walberg's Honeybird, split by some authorities from Brown-backed Honeybird. The first record of this species for Ghana was only recorded in December 2009 also in Mole National Park as it happens. A group of Danish ringers caught and ringed the second records afterwards. I cant't imagine there's been too many records since. It was lifer for our guide who has been birding in Ghana for a number of years now.
A good day for birds of prey again with several species showing well. Over the past two days we had recorded African Harrier-Hawk, Palm-nut Vulture,, White-headed Vulture, Hooded Vulture, White-backed Vulture, Bateleur, Beaudouin's Snake Eagle, Brown Snake Eagle, Walberg's Eagle, Booted Eagle, Lizard Buzzard, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Grasshopper Buzzard, Shrika and Red-necked Buzzard.

Adult Hooded Vulture

Second calendar Hooded Vulture

Adult White-backed Vulture

Second calendar Bateleur

Walberg's Eagle

Beaudouin's Eagle

Greater Painted Snipe

Walberg's/Brown-backed Honeybird

Female Village Weaver

White-crowned Robin Chat

Male Beautiful Sunbird

Green/Callithrix Monkey

African Elephant

John our ranger for the two days.

Saturday, 7 May 2016

Ghana 14th March 2016 Part 2

Second part of the 14th March. One of the highlights were the Standard-winged Nightjars on the disused Mole airstrip. The males were amazing looking birds with the fully grown standards. I was happy to get some (dodgy) video of the flight display that they regularly undertook. Another highlight was seeing African Elephants for the first time nearly all being single big males or younger bachelors. We had an armed ranger with us at all times when away from the immediate confines of the lodge. One young male mock charged us at one stage. While I was facing in his direction at the time and even though he probably only advanced a few metres at most, the noise of him triumphing rushing through the brush was incredible. You really got an true impression of the size and sheer power of an animal of this size. Two of our party immediately legged it back up the road much to the amusement of our ranger. I felt that we were being taken a little too close to the elephants for both sides comfort and was a little uneasy about this.