A Day at Cliffe Pools

 Its been a long time and it seems to have taken five months of COVID-19 restrictions to bring me back to this blog.  Don't expect it to last!!

However, Cliffe is a good place to start with over 40 species seen including some autumn migrants, I am only mentioning my personal highlights here.  

Six Barn Swallow were feeding low over the fields, as during the day we saw probably up to 30 individuals, they were gradually working their way east as they fed.   Three Eurasian Spoonbill were seen feeding as we moved towards the Black Barn Pools, too far away to really get much on the two with colour-rings, but they have been reported.

Grebe numbers are starting to build with over 30 Little Grebe and 50+ Great-crested Grebe in just one of the pools.   Tufted duck in various states of plumage were in high numbers, probably over 100) and with a rising tide Black-tailed Godwit numbers increased during the late morning.   

In with roosting godwit were three Common Redshank, a Ruff and Curlew Sandpiper, all actively feeding - it was interesting to watch them feeding, the sandpiper drilling down through the water, the ruff pecking from the surface, then nearby Spoonbill sweeping their impressive bills from side to side and the more delicate Avocet using a similar technique - a perfect way to understand their differing feeding strategies. 

Feeling buoyed by this we carried on with Cetti's Warbler singing.   Initially it was hard to discern the full song, with the wind blowing most of the notes away from us, but with some patience and an obliging easing of the breeze we finally heard an (almost) full rendition.   On Black Barn(BB)1 Pool where most of the Avocet were we found a Common Sandpiper and more Black-tailed Godwit.   As the day wore on and

spot the species!

the tide rose, this seemed to be the main area for roosting waders.   The other BB pools were dry.   

The highlight of the whole day for me was the sighting of a Whinchat.   In fact there were two, but I only managed to see one really well.   Great to see, not a bird I bump into that often.   This was closely followed by Stonechat, Linnet, Common Gull, Common Tern, Goldfinch and Marsh Harrier amongst others.

We also had great murmurations of Starling during the day, one particularly large flock was making wonderful round and heart-shaped patterns in the sky, it was impressive to watch them.

There were a few butterflies around, not many stayed around long enough for photographs but Red Admiral, Small Heath, and Brown Argus were the most obliging.   Large White were the most numerous of the day.  A Marsh Frog almost got squashed as it jumped ahead of us, small but very confiding. 

So once again a great day at Cliffe.

Sadly, there has been an increase in fly tipping and littering during the last few months, so at some stage there will need to be a clean up, disappointing that people are going out of their way to visit the place only to treat it with disrespect.   

P.s. Final highlight of the day finding ...........

....  Water Vole droppings!

Morocco/Western Sahara - Day 4 - the day we "sprang forward"!!

31st March . . . The clocks changed in the uk, but not in Morocco! 

Some using their phones as alarm clocks were rather rudely awoken at 5:00 am instead of 6!   This would not have been a problem if the same had not occurred with our local guide Nico (an Italian whose phone was on manual?!)    All very confusing, however as all the staff and the majority the group were up early and coffee had been packed for us, we decided to set off anyway - the final two team members having had a rather rude awakening! 

Very early morning in the desert

It was 5:30 am, pitch black and we set of for our second nightjar attempt.   Standing in the dark watching the stars gradually fade in the increasing sunlight brought us back to reality.   

We listened for nightjar - nothing, 

Wandered around - nothing,

Tried a more organised approach - nothing

Nightjar 2 -v- 0 Birders

We returned to the vehicles for coffee and then drove to another site.   Here we did a walk through desert in an organised attempt to find birds and hopefully nightjar!

Birds yes, nightjar no!   

We are now at Birds 3-v- 0 Birders 

Back to the house, for brunch and to regroup.

Lunch was tomato and cheese wrap, black and green olives, flatbread, spreadable cheese and green bean frittata.   Coffee was great as usual, and Sidi’s tea was sweet and strong.

Our every move being watched!

At 1.00 pm we went off to look for Pale Rock Martin which were seen yesterday around the post office building.   Keeping our eyes away from all the military buildings we managed to get to the end of town without mishap.   A lark flew up ahead of us and as we continued forward into empty land we drew the attention of the local police force.   

After much explanation in french by Paul one of the policemen volunteered he spoke English!   Apparently we had not been clocked in by our local guides, and were heading in the direction of an area not yet approved for wandering.   Maybe I should add now that Western Sahara has had a lot of landmines laid in the past, and although our local team are very well versed in the safe and not so safe areas, it was not advice to take lightly.   However, as the previous weeks group had explored the same area, we doubted this, but were not prepared to risk it!

Walking back through the village, via the shop for three bottles of POMS fizzy apple drink, we returned to the villa and were followed at a discrete distance by said policemen.

Within minutes discussions took place and everything was sorted out by our amazing crew - thanks Nico!

With a decision to go for a later night driver tonight with a more mammal focus we had a free afternoon to relax and catch up on sleep with dinner booked for 7:30 pm.

Dinner was an hour early (another victim of the phone clock syndrome!) but it was very welcome and once again delicious with chicken, rice, lentil soup, home made coleslaw and the ever-present olives.   Apple, dried fruit and cinnamon desert with coffee and Moroccan biscuits completed our banquet.

Desert Hedgehog

Soon we were off for our evening/night drive.    In contrast to last night the air relatively still and the sand was not blowing around.  A small flock of desert sparrow were seen in a roadside tree as we flashed last.   Just before sun-down we strolled around an area where nightjar had been seen by the road previously, nothing responded to our hopeful tape (4-0).


We did have a couple of Great Grey Shrike but the only other thing of real interest was a clump of ‘eggs’ attached to an acacia tree.   This was on a branch about two metres from the ground and a yellow colour.   On closer inspection of the photograph there are what appear to be compound eyes in one of the cells, but who knows?   We couldn't see any more so the mystery continues.

As darkness fell we moved away from Aousserd to an area of better habitat, and once we had turned around spent the next 4 hours or so slowly driving along spotlighting.

Two Lesser Egyptian Jerboa were seen along the road, but the highlight of the night (and mammal highlight of the whole trip for me) was an interaction between a Ruppell’s Fox and African Wildcat!   The Fox was barking and screaming at something, which initially looked like a second fox, but when it hunkered down it had the telltale stripes of a cat.   Eventually the cat got fed of being taunted by the Fox and both disappeared, but an amazing encounter for us.

We got back to base around 1:30 am, and slept well.

compound eye visible in the middle

The egg sacs

Morocco/Western Sahara - Day 3

A civilised start breakfast at 8, leave 8.30am giving us time to catch up with House Bunting which Ian had spotted from his room the morning previously.    An Osprey flew past the hotel too. 

On the first part of our journey inland we saw a White Wagtail in the town along with the usual house sparrow, collared dove and feral pigeons.   

Our first scheduled stop on the road to Aousserd was at a small derelict building near Dijane which had an old water tower where a spring overflows down the side of the brickwork allowing lichens and mosses to grow. A leaking pipe also helps to keep the area wet and a small pool with tiny froglets had developed.   As we arrived a long-legged bustard flew off the tower and rested on a hillside nearby, a group of trumpeter finch flew off too - they were our target species here.   

Trumpeter Finch

However, there were other specialities to enjoy including a pair of (southern) Great Grey Shrike (elegans) with two young.   Presumably the frog/toad hatching had come at a good time for their demanding two.

Crowned sand-grouse were seen here, and we added black wheatear to our day list.  

Our next stop was to be lunch so we needed to get some kms under our tyres.   Brown necked raven, stone curlew, 

Eventually we stopped by the side of the road and sauntered through stunted dry trees and sparse grasses.  Desert sparrow, black-crowned sparrow-lark,  rested lark sp. and more shrike were here.  Barn swallow and sand Martin flew over, latter stayed with us feeding above our heads as we in turn enjoyed another excellent lunch, which included aubergine, peppers homemade Vegetable cake and flatbread.  Bananas and Moroccan biscuits completed the banquet all in the shade of a mimosa tree.

Desert Sparrow (juv)

Our journey continued in the afternoon with a couple of stops, one for potential golden sparrow - although we saw at least 300 of the desert variety our target did not appear.

Our Second stop of the afternoon was for Dunn’s lark and thanks to Ian most of us saw the underneath of one as it soared high above us - better views requested!   

Desert warbler XXXX????

Large squash-Type fruits lay in the ground, growing wild.   Apparently called donkey melons. They are poisonous to humans,

Back in the road and no more stops until our final destination.  At the very welcoming house we found white-crowned wheatear in the garden, presumably the rarer, bold sub-species.

With a couple of hours relaxation we took the opportunity of showers, walks and settling into our home for the next three days.

Dinner was once delicious with soup, fresh bread, olives and the most delicious warm coffee desert.   Sidi made tea the Moroccan way and the coffee was, as always, great.

After dinner (around 8:20) we left for our evening walk this was was to be to a relatively new site for golden nightjar.   The original plan was scuppered as the old area has not had the species recently so as it had been reported elsewhere we went out with an air of expectation.

Look! No Feathers . . 

The wind was whipping up sand as we drove and when we finally stopped our footsteps disturbed and encouraged a light sandblasting which left the skin feeling quite smooth with the occasional gritty patch!   

The clear sky gave one of the best night skies I have ever experienced.   The reduced light pollution away from the SE of the U.K. always reminds me what we are missing.   

There were literally millions of stars twinkling above us, and working out the difference in angle of the plough, finding Orion’s belt and searching for Cassiopeia all helped to pass the time away whilst we waited for the elusive nightjar to start singing/calling/flying.   

Although we were not successful this evening we did see hedgehog and African savanna hare.

Desert Hedgehog

Nightjar 1 -v- 0 Birders

Morocco/Western Sahara - first full day - 29th March 2019

Brexit?!!   Pah I’d rather go birding 😂

View from our rooftop restaurant

Around the hotel we found House Sparrow, Collared Dove and feral pigeon - not unlike home!   Breakfast was omelette (only two between five of us as they only had three eggs in the kitchen), crusty bread, mini croissant, flatbread and cake.   The coffee was great and copious.

We were soon off to find more exotic species and started our journey to Tinehr along the coast from Dakhla.   This is an area where Crowned Sand-grouse had been seen recently, sure enough, within minutes we could hear them.   Several flew around, gradually numbers increased and everyone had great views of the, flying and on the ground.

An "Oasis" for birds

Lark country

Black Wheatear, Laughing Dove, Temminck’s Lark, Thekla Lark and the first of what was to be many Subalpine Warbler were found here along with some interesting plant species most noticeable being a superb red succulent. 

Our journey continued with Cream-coloured Courser, Hoopoe-lark, Marsh Harrier, Red-rumped Wheatear and Bar-tailed Lark.

Near Mijk we wandered through a “bird friendly” oasis in a very dry area.   Here the landowner had built up a productive melon and fruit farm in polytunnels but had also worked hard to make the area more supportive of wildlife.   

With small pools set in acacia and mixed tree copses this gave us some interesting species including Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Moorhen, Lanner Falcon and Black-crowned Night-heron - an eclectic mix of birds.   I also found a plant very reminiscent of sticky groundsel, and a red/scarlet darter sp.

Crowned Sand-grouse

Lunch was taken under the shade of a nearby copse with delicious avocado and salad wraps, pink olives, hard boiled eggs, fresh oranges and homemade cake, it was wonderful.

After another circuit we were off to explore the coast and Dakhla’s RAMSAR site.   Once again reminders of home with Bar-tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Whimbrel, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Great Cormorant (both sinensis and maroccanus races), Spoonbill, and a distant Osprey.   

More exotic species were a large group of Greater Flamingo, Western Reef Egret, Caspian Tern, Audouin’s Gull, Slender-billed Gull and Kentish Plover.   

Sea-watching

Several stops along the Atlantic coast and eventually near a fishing village we found huge numbers of birds, with mixed wader flocks including Common Redshank and Turnstone, many gulls, Sandwich Tern and finally African Royal Tern, my first new bird of the trip.

A Little Stint caused interest for a while.   The bird was obviously a stint, but was washing itself preening, dashing back into the shallows of the tide and then preening again.   We ventured nearer and confirmed ID, questioning if it was a tired bird recovering from a migration flight.

Finally we made our way back to the hotel, for a shower, dinner, checklist and packing for tomorrow we move to the desert proper!

Destination Morocco/Western Sahara

Gatwick to Casablanca then change for Dakhla in what used to be Western Sahara.

There were great views of Portland and Chesil beach, the channel and over the Brest peninsular.  The snow on the top of the Pyrenees looked spectacular.

Chesil Beach

Lunch was a recycling nightmare with plastic packed smoked trout, plastic and foil packed cream cheese with plastic packed bread roll - all the crockery and cutlery was . . . . . yes, you guessed it, plastic and wrapped in plastic.

Foil packed main course of vegetable rice and more plastic for yogurt which did the usual explosion up the side of the cabin.

Sunset over Morocco

With all this plastic I thought of my first visit to the Sahara desert and the glistening plastic everywhere - no wonder if this was anything to go by, but then every one of the millions of flights a day are creating this waste! 

There has to be a better way forward. 

Lots of plastic!

After strange experience at Casablanca airport with no-one there to check us through immigration, we were soon on our second flight.   

More plastic-wrapped food with a savoury filled roll, and a chocolate chip cake, more yogurt and an apology from the crew for a delay we weren't aware of and eventually we had reached our hotel for a good nights sleep.

Gannet Watching

I've never had the opportunity to watch Gannets feeding so close to the Kent coast as I did on Wednesday.   High tide brought them close into the Dungeness coast.   So with my new-found "skills" or lack of unfortunately, I tried a few flight shots.

They were rubbish, but at least you can see the acrobatics that these amazing birds go through to get their food.

Starting the dive

Stealth mode

Streamline

So streamlined this is the water as only the wing tips are showing!

Gannets showing that they really are the masters of diving!

Ghana 2019 - Day 8 Cont'd

So, after a very busy seven hour journey back to Accra it was time for our final dinner, and as we were homeward bound it seemed very apt to visit the DC10 Restaurant in the grounds of the airport.

DC 10 Restaurant

In a converted DC10, the entrance is the usual airport steps, then upstairs the lines of seats have been replaced by tables with airline seats around them.   The toilets are the original facilities - rather more cramped that the latest models!

For all the hype, it could have been a rather disappointing experience, but the food was lovely and it gave us a great end to a brilliant trip!


Now we are all back, working through the huge number of photographs and planning the next expedition.

Roger and Peter
Ignoring food and enjoying having a phone connection!!

Ghana 2019 - Day 8

The final day, and we only have time for a morning walk, then lunch and a seven hour trip to the airport and home.

Back to the original forest track which has served us so well.   This time to walk back down towards the town.

Timber, already cut awaiting its journey to the village

It was a leisurely morning, enjoying Yellowbill, and many Sunbird and Bee-Eater species, including Black and White-throated Bee-Eater.

More butterflies and odonata were photographed and as we sauntered back down the hillside, it was interesting to consider that when Peter first visited, not that long ago the forest extended to just outside the town, whereas now, we had driven and walked every day and only once managed to get to the edge of better quality forest.   Even that was being logged even if on a small scale.   One last look at the wetland, and it was time to leave for lunch and the journey home.

It would be great to be able to secure some protection for this forest, but without offering the locals an alternative income it would be impossible.   Projects to support local communities in realising that protection of species and wild areas can bring an income are starting to appear around the world, but in all too few numbers.

Walking along the lower track

the edge of town

Let's hope there is the opportunity in the future to save pristine forests and extend them, bringing eco-tourists to an area is one way to encourage protection and also give rural communities a viable living.

Ghana 2019 - Day 7

Today we decided to take a new track from a different area!  

Local Village

After a long drive on dirt tracks we got to a vibrant town, it looked like Friday was market day.   Directions were obtained and we ended up in a village where several people were keen to assist.   

Eventually a motor-bike taxi driver whose bike had a puncture offer to help as he could not work.   He knew everyone and they all wanted to stop and find out what we were doing,   It was great to be able to create a celebrity just by being there!   

He was keen to show his interest by pointing out birds along the way.   Butterflies he did not however understand at all. 

We walked for over two miles and were close but not really close enough to the forest for what we have in mind.  With no quick way in or hotel accommodation nearby, this is one for the distant future.

Mobile Ice Cream shop

They did have an ice cream man however, and we all enjoyed a well deserved cooling Fan Milk!

After a lunch break, we went further west  beyond the town to see if we could find another track into the forest.   After a couple of abortive attempts which included seeing two children falling off their bikes as they attempted to show off in front of the visitors - both unharmed I hasten to add; finding Guineafowl butterfly, and realising that we were better off at the "old" wetlands, we went back to our usual area.

Even though we had been there several times over the last few days there were still new things to find, including several new dragonflies, and interestingly a Water Monitor Lizard, Marsh Tchagra and amazingly, Greater Swamp Warbler - a real surprise!

Another evening meal taken outside under the stars at our hotel, with local food prepared especially for us under Robert's guidance, and then an early night before our final morning's walk.

Holy Prince Guest House

Ghana 2019 - Day 6

Our day started as usual at 6 am for breakfast.   This morning we sat outside the hotel.   As the light increased over 80 pied crow came out of roost, 14 whistling duck and 3 cattle egret flew over.    We also saw African pied wagtail feeding in the car park with grey-headed sparrow and little swift also putting in an appearance.

Back in the forest

Robert and Eric had decided that we could get the bus further along the track than yesterday, so we returned to try to continue where we ended yesterday.    This gave us a slightly easier walk and enabled us to try the wood cutter trail which  we had seen the previous day.  It looked like a stream might flow here in the rainy season, and as we walked along there were stranded fish and water beetles in small pools, presumably the water was protected from complete evaporation by the cool shade of the forest.

We reached the end of the trail and rested on some rocks, listening for birds, and discussing the plans for the next few days and how we could add to our knowledge of the area.

Re-tracing our steps we found some lovely butterflies including.    At one point I got so excited I tripped in a stone and landed flat on my face in belly-flop fashion on the ground.   I had also managed to land on my binoculars and relatively new camera.   Thank goodness all three survived intact, with dust and dirt everywhere but no bruises.

Oh, and I did see the glider which caused all the fuss!

As both Peter and Roger had found butterflies with their names, I decided i had to create my own wish list.   As Sue, Susan or Healey didn’t seem to appear on the checklist.    I went for "waggle wing", the smallest butterfly you ever saw, and lucky me - we found one later in the day.     They almost look like a small bud in a delicate plant, but as they sit they waggle their wings from side to side - delightful!

Setting into a pattern, lunch was followed by a trip to try to find another access to the forest but after much driving around, asking locals, who are helpful but never seem to agree with each other, we managed to find another area of old gold mining on the other side of the town.   It looked like it would be nearer to better quality forest, but our old enemy ‘access’ threw a rather large wet spanner in the work.   The path was totally flooded and too deep to walk without wellies.   The good news is that we had great views of two children falling off their bikes - both unharmed I hasten to add - and a guineafowl butterfly.   Added to which, in drier times this did seem to have potential for access in the future.

White-throated Bee-eater

We returned to the larger wetlands mining area from the previous day, but accessing from the road we used to get to the forest.   This brought us along what appeared to be a main access for workers to and from farms and tree felling areas.   There were people moving in both directions the whole time we were there, bringing their produce off the lower slopes of the forest and plantations, and returning to collect more.

All this is done on a small scale, with everything brought back to the village for sale or trading.   Huge loads are carried by men women and children all on their heads, the strength and poise required to keep these heavy loads would be impossible without a lifetime of experience.   I would barely lift it off the ground let alone carry it on my head!

We ventured into the area and wandered along the access paths left by the miners as they moved from area to area.   Their panning machines gobbling up the soil and holding any gold found.   Whilst an initial distance  sighting was quite depressing - a river which had been destroyed by mining and left looking a mess to most people - we held the firm belief that nature would persist and when we got there it would be a different story.   

Its not all birds!

As we had hoped grasses, reeds and sedges were colonising the pools and surrounding areas.   Bee-eater and swallow were drinking from the pools and feeding overhead on insects brought to this wetlands area.   Several kingfisher were present so there must be fish in some of the more mature pools.   Winding cisticola greeted us, we saw common sandpiper and green sandpiper - thoughts of home which is pretty chilly at the moment came to mind. 

The afternoon warmth brought us back to the job in hand and more butterflies and birds were seen as we wandered along.

Soon we neared the end of the more formal track, but there was still a small path leading ahead.   This seemed to be where all the workers were going to, gaining access to the forest - maybe this was our answer as the forest looked a lot closer from here that the end of this morning’s trail. 

There were also farmers and wood cutters bringing out their produce, everyone smiled and shouted in greeting as we passed, some wanted to talk about why we were here, others wanted their photograph taken with one or other of team.   Robert spoke to each one of them asking for information about access to the older forest, but the answers were so conflicting, we knew we just had to keep trying out tracks and potential old logging roads ourselves.

White-faced Whistling-Duck flying to evening roost

Some firewood was stacked by the road ready to be brought out by motorcycle-taxis and trailers.   Many of these are completely over-burdened.   No wonder motor bikes provide the highest proportion of road accidents in Ghana!

Ghana 2019 - Day 5

Amazing Scenery

The first day of exploration, and we were off up a logging track which Peter and Issac had tried last year.   

With our trusty bus and Eric, our excellent driver we managed to get much further by vehicle than they had managed last year.   By 7:05 we were listening to Brown Illidopsis, Ahanta Francolin and  were starting to photograph the mornings first butterflies.

As we wandered along, glimpses of more mature forest appeared around us, but working out how to get access was no mean feat, for these older forest areas were some way off and there were no apparent tracks within walkable distance. 

Little Bee-eater

After asking several locals who were working on cocoa and banana or plantain plantations it was clear this was not going to be straightforward.   However we did meet two young men who were carrying cut timber out of the forest, so they must have a track with access somewhere.   Tomorrow’s plan was forming.  

We returned to the bus to the ominous sound of chain saws!

Lunch and a cold shower called.   Thank goodness for air conditioning which brought my temperature down to more normal levels quickly.   After a superb lunch from chef Robert we were off out again.

From the morning walk we could see gold mining pools below us and wanted to investigate the area.   It appears that mining is still taking place in the area on an ad hoc basis. 

Although heavily disturbed, the wildlife was there.    The mining has produced many small pools with piles of ‘panned’ clay, soil and rocks around them.   

For us the small paths and bridges (often a thin piece of wobbly wood) looked like a good place to explore more.   On this first visit we made do with a scan of the area, working out where our morning walk had taken us along the hillside above and planning tomorrow.  

Plain-backed Pipit

Watching a colony of White-throated Bee-eater flying low over the pools as they came into roost was a real highlight for me.

Ghana 2019 - Day 4

I started out at 4:45 am in an attempt to see the Nkulengu Rail.  With Robert and Issac I felt safe as we walked off the main track into unchartered forest, hardly able to see where to put my feet.    

Robert strode off purposefully in front, I tried to keep up and Issac sauntered along in flip flops - what a strange sight we must have been.

A pair of Nkulengu Rail showing off their best side!

Just as I was enjoying the early morning sounds of the forest coming to life and thinking how wonderful it would be to experience this magic more often, Robert heard a rail call and shot off - not quite so easy or magical now!   

Issac and I did our best to keep up - rather I did my best to slow Issac down, but after many twists and turns though the thick under-storey we were standing right below a rail which had roosted on a high branch overnight.   As the bird continued to call we heard a second, and soon they were together on their branch, making sure that pretty much all we could see were bright red legs and bellies, only occasionally did their wonderful white throats show.  An amazing start to a day!

After a while we left them in peace and returned for breakfast.   Peter and Roger were still not up!   I was on a high and desperate for someone to listen so I told the daughter of one of the staff.   Around two years old and no English so no common language bar signs and smiles I think she got the gist of my delight, or maybe just thought I had totally lost the plot. 

Black Dwarf Hornbill

Breakfast over and we made moth trap and butterfly trap checks before our final walk at Bobiri. 

After an early lunch taken in the veranda we packed our bags and were off to the next destination, and the main purpose of our trip.   

Peter knew the area from university days and wanted to revisit to see the potential of birding, butterflies and natural history in the area.   So off to Manso Nkwanta it was!

We arrived at Holy Prince Hotel in good time and had a couple of hours to relax until dinner whilst Robert and his team got things in place for the next few days - most importantly the food, as there was none served at the hotel and little choice in the nearby town.   Robert had it all arranged in no time and was cooking dinner for us himself, having also managed to check arrangements for tomorrow.

Ghana 2019 - Day 3

Our only full day in Bobiri and we were up at six to take full advantage of the opportunity to see more species.   

After an excellent breakfast prepared by our team and locals, we investigated the moth trap which had attracted an amazing number of flying ants, all on their marital flight after heavy rain the day before.   Some had even started to eat the fabric of the trap, having dropped their gossamer wings and looking for a means of escape.   There were a couple of hawkmoths caught.   Several other moths were photographed for later identification and all were safely released.   

Massed butterflies enjoying the salts

We walked towards the West this morning birds were in good numbers and whilst we waited for butterflies to warm up we concentrated on avian species.   An interesting introduction to the butterflies of Ghana, and much to remember!

After another excellent local lunch this time on the veranda of the library overlooking the first, we extended yesterday afternoons walk along the east track.   

Eventually we got to the open area where brown nightjar are often seen.   Time for some relaxation whilst we waited for the light to fade.   A packet of haribo tangfastics helped us while away the time.   The sky was darkening and thunder could be heard in the distance.

All of a sudden Robert heard the nightjars, with a quick play of the tape one appeared, circling over our heads, creating a little piece of magic!   Better still a second bird appeared, one perched on a nearby tree and although the light was fading a record shot was preserved!

Citrus Swallowtail Butterfly

Fearful of a downpour in pitch dark, we reluctantly left for the lodge.   A Nkulengu rail could be heard, making the most amazing sound which echoed through the forest, it felt as if both the rail and thunder were competing for dramatic effect.

As we walked indoors the heavens opened and a huge rain storm hit the area.  Wind blew and curtains billowed as fresh, cool air was very drawn through the rooms making for a pleasant shower and dinner preparation in the torchlight.

Brown Nightjar in torchlight

An early night after all our exertions and enforced by the lack of permanent electricity - we were all keen to get as much done before lights out!