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BIGFORK BIRD CLUB OUTINGS
MAY 20 & 27, 2012 |
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WINGS OVER THE BIG SKY
JUNE 8-10, 2012 |
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Birds of The Gambia, West Africa
Steve Gniadek had the good fortune to participate in a Montana Audubon-sponsored birding trip to The Gambia during November 2011. The trip was led by Jeff Marks, professional ornithologist and former Director of Bird Conservation for Montana Audubon, with assistance from local guides.
Over 500 species of birds are found in The Gambia, a country smaller than Flathead County with a population of 1.7 million people. Despite 1000s of years of human occupation and a growing population, this tiny country retains some of the best remaining bird habitat in the region, including savannas, mangrove swamps, and lush gallery forest along the River Gambia. Several small national parks and preserves protect remnants of habitat so important to maintaining avian biodiversity in West Africa.
The amazing variety of birds includes over 30 species of diurnal raptors, seven species of bee-eaters, five species of woodpeckers, 10 species of sunbirds, plus turacos, hornbills, woodhoopoes, rollers, kingfishers, doves, and weavers. Rarities include Egyptian Plover, Northern White-faced Owl, African Finfoot, and Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill.
Steve was wildlife biologist in Glacier National Park for 22 years. He retired in 2009 but continues conducting bird surveys in Montana, and serves on several state wildlife working groups, and on the board of directors of Flathead Audubon and other conservation organizations.
Join us at 7PM on Monday, May 14 at the Whitefish Community Center for a vicarious journey to equatorial Africa, with a photographic sample of the rich variety of birds, bird habitats, and culture of this terra incognita.
* The annual Montana Audubon Wings Over the Big Sky Bird Festival will be held in Kalispell on June 8-10, 2012.
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