Ghana, Day 14, 7 December 2023 - Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary & Atewa Range Farm Scrub

After a night at the Royal Basin Hotel in Kumasi it was back to Bobiri for another session with a few targets still to try for. 

Walking along the usual main track Naked-faced Barbets and Red-billed Helmetshrikes were in evidence with great views of Sharpe's Apalis followed by Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Blue Cuckooshrike, Western Black-headed Oriole and Black-winged Oriole. All good birds but not what we were looking for. Then, within a short space of time we had 2 Red-thighed Sparrowhawks fly through, Purple-throated Cuckooshrike, a circling African Hobby and a flock of c10 Black Spinetails - wow! It was to get even better a little while later when we could hear Red-chested Owlet and after much searching Jus suddenly declared 'I've got it' and there it was in full view, high up on a bare branch. Add to that Black-throated Coucal, West African Wattle-eye, Melancholy Woodpecker, Grey Longbill, Grey Greenbul, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Little Green Sunbird, Tiny Sunbird, Johanna's Sunbird, Crested Malimbe and Red-vented Malimbe and we had ourselves an amazing morning!





Then began a long drive southeast to our next destination of the Atewa Range. Here we checked in to the decidedly average Nelsban Palace Hotel and went out for our later afternoon session. Our main birding in the Atewa Range was to be a long hike into the hills tomorrow but today we concentrated on the low level farm scrub at the start of what would be tomorrows walk. Highlights here were 2 Yellow White-eyes, Lowland Sooty Boubou, Western Bluebill, Vieillot's Barbet, 2 Double-toothed Barbets, Little Bee-eater, Black and White Mannikin, African Firefinch, Dusky Blue Flycatcher, Grosbeak Weaver, numerous Chestnut-mantled Weavers, Splendid Sunbird, Honey Buzzard, Tambourine Dove, Blue-spotted Wood Dove and Blue-headed Coucal. Waiting until after dark we then scored with some lovely on the deck views of Plain Nightjar.


 

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