Tanji Beach and Bird Bath

With no early morning bird trip booked today, we have a lie-in this morning and don't rise until 07:15. Luxury. It is also the first time in the four nights we've stayed here that we've had breakfast in the lodge.

After a lovely omelette, we go back to the room and pack for today's transfer to our next lodge, then take a long, leisurely stroll along the beach.

Tanji Beach

Tanji Bird Eco Lodge borders what could be a nice beach with a bit of TLC. As it is at the moment, it is littered with all sorts of rubbish washed up or discarded by fishermen. Other than the locals who are either using it as a short cut from one place to another, or are here to look for bait for their fishing trip; the beach is deserted.

It could be so nice.

The beach is suffering badly from erosion

I was hoping to find some sea birds along the coast, but the only one we see is a lone Whimbrel.

Instead I try my hand at some creative photography using the crashing waves as my subject.

We return to the lodge and spend the remainder of the morning by the birding pool.

With a drink, of course

Black Necked Weaver enjoying a splash in the bird bath

Red Eyed Dove

Village Weaver

African Silverbill

African Silverbill

Common Bulbul

Black Necked Weaver

Western Bluebill

Pied Crow

Red Billed Firefinch

Common Wattle Eye

Agama Lizard

Western Red Billed Hornbill

White Crowned Robin Chat

Red Bellied Paradise Flycatcher

Yellow Throated Leaflove

Snowy Crowned Robin Chat

A Green Vervet Monkey tries to muscle in on the scene too

Bronze Mannikins

Red Cheeked Cordon Blue

Grey Headed Bristlebill

Senegal Coucal

Lunch

During our long chat with Haddy yesterday, we were asked what time we would like to arrange the transfer from Tanji to Bakotu for today. As we love it so much here, we decided we'd like to have one last lunch at this place before moving on.

Fish and chips

One last coffee under our favourite umbrella

It is always hard to say goodbye when you have been treated like part of the family as we have here. Spending four nights in the same hotel is rather unusual for us, so we have really got to know the staff quite well.

The driver who picks us up for the transfer is the most miserable Gambian we have met to date, and a poor driver to boot. His driving style is jerky and aggressive and he travels much too close to the vehicle in front. Thankfully the journey to Bakotu only takes half an hour.