Bird Watching Holidays In Niumi National Park
Feel Free Eco Lodge, located on Jinack Island within Niumi National Park, offers exceptional bird watching holidays in both northern Gambia and southern Senegal. With its diverse range of habitats and ecosystems, the lodge serves as the perfect base for exploring the avian wonders of the park.
Niumi National Park is home to an impressive array of bird species, with a recorded list of approximately 300 species from 63 families. The park’s unique characteristics have attracted a variety of birds, making it a haven for bird watchers. In fact, the park’s bird survey even added a significant discovery to the avifauna of Gambia – the first record of the river prinia (Prinia fluviatilis) in the country.
Breeding pairs of this rare species were found on Jinack Island, where the ideal habitat of waterside vegetation and rice fields provided a suitable environment for their presence. Previously, this species was only recorded in northern Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.
Throughout the year, Niumi National Park offers exciting bird sightings. During February and March, casual ranger observations have revealed the presence of migrating flocks of turnstones (Arenaria interpres) and sandlings (Calidris alba). Ospreys can be spotted year-round, while the dry season brings an increase in oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus).
The northern tip of the island is a gathering place for mixed stands of gulls and terns, with large numbers of lesser black-backed and black-headed gulls (Larusfuscus) present during the dry season. Remnant flooded areas in February serve as active feeding spots for various waders, and many herons and egret species can be observed feeding on stranded fish during the falls in the island.
The avifauna of Niumi National Park showcases remarkable diversity, with each season bringing its own unique cohorts of bird species. Whether you visit during the breeding season, migration periods, or any other time of the year, you’ll be treated to an exceptional bird watching experience in this remarkable park.
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