We were up for a 5.30 breakfast and a jeep trip deep into the forest, Foster drove us and William was joined by a local ranger/guide,Ken, who could answer all our non birding questions. We stopped by the power line supplying Ivory Coast ( and who beat Ghana in Sunday's Final of the African Cup) and got out to begin our days birding walk in this exceptional rainforest we saw amongst many species the mighty crowned eagle soaring overhead, the great blue billed turaco's and black casqued hornbills which flew across the forest. Other highlights included white bellied, woodland and blue chested kingfishers,(today's photo) red billed helmetshrike, red tailed greenbul's, and the blue headed wood dove who would fly up from the track before we could get to it. On the mammal front we saw several maxwell's duikers who ran across the track in front of us.
Foster, returned at lunchtime with Chas and our lunch - a lovely rice based dish and more pineapple!
It was sweltering and while we waited for them we went to a beautiful bamboo 'cathedral' ( so described by Ken) ie lots of clumps of tall bamboo with a stream running through the middle. It was very peaceful. We returned to an abandoned rangers camp where the guys had set up lunch.
After which we had a siesta for a couple of hours until it cooled down and we headed out again for more forest birds particularly the bush robin with its white and orange breast.
We were collected from the power lines and returned to camp for a shower and dinner ( the small fish with heads were left untouched but the rice and veggies were plentiful and the mango was the best I have ever tasted - they knew I ate fish so tried to buy some yesterday so I felt a tad concerned as they had clearly made a special effort - John valiantly kept the flag flying and ate his - after removing the bones he probably had about four mouthfuls of whitish flesh - they were probably better left swimming !)
We re emerged replete for a night walk looking for owls - we heard them but did not see them instead we were compensated by another palm civet.
After a full day it was another night when it was easy to fall asleep!