Our day began early with coffee and  biscuits, this morning we were due to  explore Zone B of the reserve. The sky was still dark and a mist hung over the lake, as we set out towards the entrance gate. This was our first visit to this part of the park, which borders the nearby farms. We were keen to explore the area, as a pack of wild dogs had been seen there yesterday evening. Long-tailed Shrike Indian-pond Heron Common Langur in Zone B Morning in Zone B As we made our way along the fence that borders the reserve, constructed from old iron rail tracks, we caught a fleeting glimpse ..read more

Our journey started in London where four of our group boarded an overnight flight to Bangalore. However, we landed late due to delays at Heathrow. Luckily, our guide, Kaustubh, was waiting for us at the airport. After exchanging currency, we had breakfast at an airport hotel before driving for 5 and a half hours to Kabini River Lodge. Stopping briefly near the city of Mysore for a rest stop. Cottage at the Jungle Lodge Resort Grounds at the Jungle Lodge Resort Kabini Lodge is located in the Kabini forest reserve, part of Nagarhole National Park, a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts ..read more

After an early wake-up call, our group of travellers, led by Nelson, had breakfast and set out into the darkness. Our goal for the morning was to locate a pack of African wild dogs that were rumoured to be nearby. The drive began calmly, with a soft mist lingering and the sounds of the African bush gradually coming to life. Nelson pointed out a number of new species along the journey. as we absorbed the sounds and smells that you get on early morning drives. However, our primary aim was to find the wild dogs which we’d seen on our journey to the first camp Cape hunting dog Sometimes called th ..read more

After a surprisingly good night’s sleep at our wilderness camp on the camp beds we woke up this morning to a 5.00 am wake up call. Warm water for washing had been put in the canvas basin outside the tent and breakfast was ready at 5.30am. Using our headtorches we served ourselves coffee, cereal and toast and were then ready for our 6.00am game drive. Nelson was our guide for the day. We set off in the dark to explore the Kwai concession. Early morning start at Kwai Wilderness Camp Kwai Wilderness Camp site Morning drive The highlights of the morning game drive were 3 lions, 2 females and 1 m ..read more

Over the past few years in autumn we have visited our local patch to photograph the Fallow deer during the annual rut. This year we took the opportunity to visit Charnwood Forest, an upland tract of country side in north-western Leicestershire, and Bradgate Park.  It was a Naturetrek Wildlife Photography Day Trip, with Andrew Mason, wildlife photographer.  We can thoroughly recommend this course, concentrating on the Autumn Deer Rut . Royal Stag in the Autumn Deer Rut Bradgate Park Bradgate Park covers an area of 850 acres. For nearly eight centuries the park has housed heathy herds ..read more

Living in North Norfolk our bird watching trips often draw us the to the coastal marshes and seashore. Were the possibility of catching a glimpse of a passing migrant or a close view of a wader is always on the cards. However a little way inland from the coast is the Sculthorpe Moor Nature reserve.  Its is area of woodland, reed beds and river, that holds an interesting and varied selection of wildlife. Situated in the Wensum Valley close to Fakenham and run by the Hawk and Owl Trust. Kingfisher at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve Taken from Sculthorpe Moor’s Paul Johnso ..read more

In early Autumn a high pressure weather system settled over much of England producing some crystal clear skies. This combined with an exceptionally high tide provided us with ideal conditions to witness one of the UK’s must see Wildlife spectacles. It is one of the highlights of the Norfolk birding calendar. Along the coast of the Wash, at Snettisham, there is an opportunity to see the Whiling Wader Spectacular The Snettisham Spectacular2022 – 23 Winter Dates Sept 2022 Oct 2022 Nov 2022 Dec 2022 Jan 2023 Feb 2023 Mar 2023 Sat 10th 5.45 pm Wed 12th 6.30 am No Spectaculars  No Spectacu ..read more

Our last day in the Gambia, we canoed back down to the village of Buffulotto and the oyster farm. The trip down the river once again produced some good sightings of birds including Blue-breasted, Malachite and Pied Kingfisher, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, African Darter, Purple Heron, Whimbrel and an Osprey. Malachite Kingfisher on the way to Buffulotto in the Gambia Malachite Kingfisher Pied Kingfisher Common in the Gambia the Hooded Vulture is considered critically endangered globally Hooded Vultures Resting Vultures feeding on the oyster midden After landing and getting some close views and ..read more

Today was a day away from the Lodge exploring a number of sites along the Gambian coast. Initially we headed to the Kartong Wetlands. This is an area close to the Senegalese border and the coast with a reputation of being one of the best birding sites in the country. Along the way we stopped at an old quarry where we had views of several species of wader and ducks. White-faced Whistling Duck Black-winged Stilt Hamerkop Blue-Breasted Kingfisher Before we left the quarry a Blue-breasted Kingfisher flew in and posed beautifully on a bank for several minutes providing an opportunity to get some ..read more

Makasutu Forest Another early start to the day and a walk locally in The Makasutu forest to the Horse and Donkey sanctuary. We stopped on the way to pick up some new birds to add to a growing list. The highlights were a Bearded Barbet posing well in good light. This was followed on the way back to the lodge by close views of a male Pygmy Sunbird directly above our heads. Also a close look at some of the many disused termite mounds reveal some of the creatures that make use of these wonderful structures when the termites move on Male Pygmy Sunbird Agama Lizard making its home in an old Termite ..read more