When my shipment arrived, one of the first things I uncovered was a field guide to the birds of West Africa - a farewell gift from friends who clearly want me to use my spare time for good rather than evil.
So now I have my Second Piece of Furniture - a foldaway orange chair for the balcony - I have started a morning ritual of getting acquainted with the feathered community.
I will admit that I have a lot to learn about ornithology. And I'm sure the experts don't make up names for the birds they can't identify. But my goodness it's fun to sit with a cup of tea and watch what's flapping around the apartment.
My first positive sighting was a Senegal Coucal - there are group of them that warble to each other on the neighbour's roof.
This morning I saw a couple of Village Weavers (Richmond colours, but sweet nevertheless), a heap of Warblers Of Some Description (I think they were Garden Warblers and not just because they were in the garden), a Speedy Turquoise Jetbird (way too quick for me) and some Flitty Greenbacks (in my defence, they camouflaged themselves very well in this palm)(Can you see them? Exactly).
Paul, George - how am I doing so far?
4 comments:
Hi, Monica,
I am a failure in making blog comments, alas!
And I have a lot of comments to make!
AX
That should have read "AV"
Hi Monica, all your posts are wonderful to read, but this one made me shake with laughter. I think you are doing spectacularly well; personally I can't even keep magpies and currawongs apart (I know, I know, it's in the eyes!).
I'm on my way to Brazil next week, but I don't think I'll see too many exotic birds around the high rises of Sao Paulo to twitch across the Atlantic with you, but please keep the stories coming!
Hey Mon, Good to see you are putting the Helm guide to good use and embracing the western African experience. Thinking of you over here and have a great Xmas and New Year. What are your plans? Also left a message on Skype you may find interesting. Cheers Paul, George, Josh and Louise
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