jerbarker.co.uk: Trip report

Liberia May 2007

Jeremy Barker

Species seen:

Double-spurred Francolin Pternistis bicalcaratus: Three near Buchanan (Flour Mill Town), abundant at Yekepa, where apparently nesting beside UNMIL base
White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata: Three seen around Yekepa-Camp 4 area, around 20 at Buchanan
Hartlaub's Duck Pteronetta hartlaubii: Four birds on shallow pool near Nekre quarry
African Pygmy-goose Nettapus auritus: Up to 7 seen at Buchanan
Buff-spotted Woodpecker Campethera nivosa: One on Mt Nimba
Naked-faced Barbet Gymnobucco calvus: Two flycatching on Tokadeh lower slopes
Bristle-nosed Barbet Gymnobucco peli: Two seen on lower slopes of Mt Tokadeh
Speckled Tinkerbird Pogoniulus scolopaceus: Seen infrequently on Mts Nimba, Yuelliton and Tokadeh
Yellow-throated Tinkerbird Pogoniulus subsulphureus: Heard and occasionally seen; Tropoi, Yila, Saniquellie, Grebo and Yuelliton
Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilineatus: Heard and occasionally seen; Gaye Peter Town, Yuelliton, Tropoi, Saniquellie
Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui: Seen at Mokra and on Mt Nimba
Black Dwarf Hornbill Tockus hartlaubi: One apparently this species seen on lower slopes of Yuelliton
African Pied Hornbill Tockus fasciatus: Common in the upper end of the country, from Yila, Tropoi to Yekepa
Black-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna atrata: One possible over road between Gbarnga and the Zahn river
Forest Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus castaneiceps: 2 birds on Mt Yuelliton
Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus: Seen at Kitoma and Yekepa
Blue-throated Roller Eurystomus gularis: Seen on Mt Tokadeh and at Yila
Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata: Singles seen at Buchanan and Yekepa
African Pygmy-Kingfisher Ispidina picta: Singles seen in Yekepa, pair feeding juvenile on Mt Tokadeh
Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis: Seen occasionally throughout
Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maximus: 1 seen briefly crossing road between Yekepa and Monrovia
Black Bee-eater Merops gularis: Seen regularly between Nekre quarry (Buchanan) and Yekepa
Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus: Up to five at Buchanan around the port
Yellowbill Ceuthmochares aereus: One crossed road between Gbarnga and Zahn river
Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis: Common throughout, in Yekepa area only in the valley bottoms
Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri: Group of 8 birds seen in Monrovia
African Palm-Swift Cypsiurus parvus: Common and widespread
Mottled Swift Tachymarptis aequatorialis: Group possibly this species at Nekre quarry, more definite sighting along transect between Lugbeyee and Yekepa
African Swift Apus barbatus: Possibles seen on Mt Nimba, 26-May
Little Swift Apus affinis: Abundant throughout
Bates' Swift Apus batesi: Apparently this species seen on two occasions round Yekepa and Nimba, 22-May and 24-May resp.
Green Turaco Tauraco persa: Common in forest and forest fragments in the Yekepa area
Western Grey Plantain-eater Crinifer piscator: Seen well along Dayea river, Yekepa
Vermiculated Eagle-Owl Bubo cinerascens: One seen well in Nekre quarry
African Wood Owl Strix woodfordi: 1 hunting at night in the Buchanan Port area?
Plain Nightjar Caprimulgus inornatus: Two birds at least in pre-dawn visit to Mt Nimba appeared to be this species, single hawking round Buchanan port
Rock Pigeon Columba livia var. domestica: Scattered sightingsSaniquellie, Yekepa, Gbarnga, Buchanan, Monrovia, Gaye Peter Town and Lugbeyee village
Western Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba iriditorques: Seen on Mt Nimba and Lugbeyee area
Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis: Widespread Monrovia and Buchanan, also Yekepa
Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata: Common throughout
Blue-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur afer: Abundant throughout
Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria: Three seen on road up Mt Nimba, further bird along transect between Lugbeyee and Yekepa
African Green-Pigeon Treron calvus: Small numbers occasionally, highest count 7 at the Zahn river, 19-May
Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostris: Three seen at 'Camp 4', near Yekepa
Lesser Moorhen Gallinula angulata: One seen on swampy lake at Buchanan
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis: One immature-type in Buchanan harbour
African Baza Aviceda cuculoides: Probable over road near Roberts Intl airport, evening of 13-May
Black Kite Milvus migrans: Widespread
Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis: Nest in Buchanan port, singles seen in Camp 4 area and Yekepa
White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus: 1 bird seen on 23rd May on Mt Tokadeh on two occasions
African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus: Seen on numerous occasions throughout the country, from Buchanan through to Mt Nimba
Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus: Seen occasionallyYuelliton, Nimba and Yekepa areas mainly
African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro: One seen at Yila
Red-thighed Sparrowhawk Accipiter erythropus: Singles seen twice in Monrovia
Black Goshawk Accipiter melanoleucus: Singles seen crossing road twice along former LAMCO railway route
Red-necked Buzzard Buteo auguralis: Single seen well on Mt Tokadeh
Booted Eagle Aquila pennatus: An apparent dark-phase bird seen on Tokadeh on two occasions, 23rd and 24th May
Ayres' Hawk Eagle Aquila ayresii: Singles seen around Yekepa, on Nimba, Tokadeh and Yuelliton
Cassin's Hawk Eagle Spizaetus africanus: One at Kitoma
Grey Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus: Max three birds seen at Yekepa
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus: One over at Lugbeyee
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis: Up to 7 on the flooded mine base, Mt Nimba
Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus: Single on Greenhill Quarry, three in Buchanan port on pools
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea: One overflying at Yekepa
Great Egret Ardea alba: Two birds in the Buchanan area
Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia: Single bird between Monrovia and Buchanan
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis: Abundant in the lowlands
Striated Heron Butorides striata: One at Nekreen quarry, flushed from puddle on railway spur
Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash: Heard calling at the Zahn river and a possible over the road in Monrovia
African Broadbill Smithornis capensis: Individuals seen on Mt Nimba and a transect between Lugbeyee-Yekepa, 24-May and 25-May resp.
Rufous-sided Broadbill Smithornis rufolateralis: One apparently this species on Mt Tokadeh
Common Fiscal Lanius collaris: 1 seen in the Yuelliton area (?)
Pied Crow Corvus albus: Common throughout
Black-winged Oriole Oriolus nigripennis: Seen well on lower slopes of Yuelliton
Square-tailed Drongo Dicrurus ludwigii: One, probably this species seen briefly between the St John river and Gbarnga
Shining Drongo Dicrurus atripennis: One in forest on Mt Yuelliton
Velvet-mantled Drongo Dicrurus modestus: One ?this species? On Mt Yuelliton
Black-headed Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone rufiventer: Two birds seen well near Lugbeyee, on mid-level slopes of Mt Yuelliton
Large-billed Puffback Dryoscopus sabini: One seen reasonably well between Lugbeyee and Yekepa
Tropical Boubou Laniarius aethiopicus: Seen occasionally, heard frequently in Yekepa area particularly
West African Batis Batis occulta: One-two birds seen on Mt Nimba
African Thrush Turdus pelios: Three possibles seen in Monrovia on 14-May
Ussher's Flycatcher Muscicapa ussheri: Single seen on Mt Tokadeh
Olivaceous Alseonax Muscicapa olivascens: One seen on Mt Nimba
Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus griseigularis: Two birds seen on lower slopes of Mt Nimba
Blue-shouldered Robin-chat Cossypha: Singing male(s) regularly heard round Yekepa
Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata: Single male seen on Mt Nimba, near the summit
Splendid Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis splendidus: Large numbers going to roost in Monrovia, ca.200 seen gathering on communications tower wires in the evening
Grey-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga: Seen on two occasions at Buchanan
Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula: Small numbers seen on Mt Nimba
White-throated Blue Swallow Hirundo nigrita: Apparently this sp at Yila
Lesser Striped-Swallow Cecropis abyssinica: Common throughout
Rufous-chested Swallow Cecropis semirufa: Abundant, particularly so round Yekepa
Preuss' Swallow Petrochelidon preussi: Group of this species (?) apparently nesting under bridge near Buchanan
Square-tailed Sawwing Psalidoprocne nitens: Seen frequently throughout
Fanti Sawwing Psalidoprocne obscura: 1 definite sighting at Yekepa, bird at very close range with group of swallows and swifts foraging in front of approaching rainstorm. A possible sighting at Nekre quarry of 6 birds as well
Garden Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus: Abundant and widespread
Golden Greenbul Calyptocichla serina: Apparently this species on Mt Nimba
Simple Greenbul Chlorocichla simplex: Several seen around Yekepa in more forested areas
Swamp Greenbul Thescelocichla leucopleura: Seen and heard frequently as soon as forest became more abundant (Mokra to Yekepa)
Yellow-spotted Nicator Nicator chloris: One-two seen well on Mt Nimba
Singing Cisticola Cisticola cantans: Two seen well near Yekepa
Siffling Cisticola Cisticola brachypterus: Common around Yekepa
Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava: Seen occasionally at Yekepa
Black-capped Apalis Apalis nigriceps: One possible in scrubby forest near old railway yard at Yekepa
Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera (brachyura) brevicaudata: One heard calling at Nekre quarry, again at Yekepa. Pair displaying also on Tokadehthe appearance roughly fits the description in the book, but the display was remarkableone (male?) constantly bouncing up and down about 15-30cm from perch and uttering constant 'kzit-kzit-kzit' calls; female (apparently) crouched and shivering wings
Olive-green Camaroptera Camaroptera chloronota: Possible seen at 'unknown site'
African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis: Seen in Monrovia and the 'unknown site'
Moustached Grass-Warbler Melocichla mentalis: Up to three seen in dense herbage around the Dayea River at Yekepa
Violet-backed Hyliota Hyliota violacea: One seen at Mokra station
Puvel's Illadopsis Illadopsis puveli: Possibles seen twice (three birds) on Tokadeh and Mt Nimba
Brown Illadopsis Illadopsis fulvescens: Seen and more often heard in the Yekepa region
Collared Sunbird Hedidypna collaris: Seen frequently along the LAMCO railway route
Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra olivaceus: At least two seen on low slopes of Mt Nimba
Green-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra verticalis: One seen on Mt Nimba, close to top of ridge
Blue-throated Brown Sunbird Cyanomitra cyanolaema: Single birds seen at an un-named site 18-May and on Mt Tokadeh, 24-May
Olive-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris chloropygius: Seen in Yekepa and Nekre quarry
Copper Sunbird Cinnyris cupreus: Common along Dayea river in scrub-grassland mix
Splendid Sunbird Cinnyris coccinigastrus: Trio seen in Yekepa, in scrub near Dayea river
Superb Sunbird Cinnyris superbus: One, apparently this species seen on Tokadeh
Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus: Common throughout
Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys: At least four birds seen in Buchanan port area
Bannerman's Pipit Anthus (similis) bannermani: Abundant on Nimba and Tokadeh where mined land has left open grasses
Black-necked Weaver Ploceus nigricollis: Several seen in scrub along riverside, apparently going to roost with bishops/widowbirds
Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus: Seen frequently throughout
Vieillot's Black Weaver Ploceus nigerrimus: One seen at Blesi, four in Buchanan port area
Yellow-mantled Weaver Ploceus tricolor: Possible seen between Monrovia and Buchanan
Preuss' Weaver Ploceus preussi: Seen near Saniquellie, in Gbarnga and Buchanan
Compact Weaver Pachyphantes superciliosus: Seen in scrub along Dayea river
Gray's Malimbe Malimbus nitens: Apparently this species seen on lower levels of Mt Tokadeh
Red-headed Malimbe Malimbus rubricollis: Seen well on Mt Nimba
Red-headed Quelea Quelea erythrops: Common in Buchanan port
Black-winged Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus: At least two going to roost by Dayea river, Yekepa
Yellow-shouldered Widowbird Euplectes macroura: Large roost beside Dayea river, Yekepa, with 450+ counted in on evening of 28th May
Grosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons: At least six birds just south of Kitoma
Grey-headed Negrofinch Nigrita canicapilla: Seen occasionally on Mts Nimba, Tokadeh and Yuelliton
Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala: Two seen near Dayea river
African Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata: Seen on two occasions by the Dayea river, Yekepa
Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda: Common in grasses along Dayea river
Black-rumped Waxbill Estrilda troglodytes: Three in mixed troop of waxbills by the Dayea river, Yekepa
Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild: At least three going to roost in herbage along Dayea river
Zebra Waxbill Sporaeginthus subflava: 1 seen well by Dayea river, Yekepa
Bronze Munia Spermestes cucullatus: Seen frequently in grassy habitats
Brown-backed Munia Spermestes bicolor: Group of munias on Tokadeh included this species, apparently
Magpie Munia Spermestes fringilloides: Seen at Yekepa and Buchanan port
Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura: Common around Buchanan, also seen Nekre quarry

A variety of other species were noted, many of which I have as yet been unable to identify. Pictures of these unidentified species, mainly odonata can be seen here . Species which were identifiable follow: