Thursday 10 September 2009

Abuko Nature Reserve

Woken up at 7.00pm by the children urgh could have done with another hour in bed, decided to get up ate breakfast which consisted of banana sandwiches and a cup of tea. Quickly showered and got ready as we have decided to visit Abuko Nature Reserve, phoned Amy as the other volunteers were also looking at going however no answer, so instead of wasting time picked up a taxi to Westfield junction and got on the gelleh bush taxi heading for Brikama. Thirty minutes later we were dropped off at the exit instead of entrance to Abuko Reserve, so had a short walk along the side of the busy road, paid our entrance fee and with mosquito repellent applied and Abigail and Bradley kitted out with their ELC Binoculars we headed into the bush unguided.

The pathway seemed straight forwarded until we were met by a lake of water and had to go off route, ducking under branches and very muddy underfoot in parts, so finding the path further on was a welcome relief. We could hear a variety of birds within the canopy of trees however very hard to spot we did see some tiny red fire finch’s, a bee eater and the ever circling vultures high in the sky, however no photo’s taken as guess what I had forgotten my camera so most annoyed.

Further on a small track veered off the main path so Paul being Paul decided to head that way and again we had to step over small pools of water. One such pool Paul carried both Abigail and Bradley across and on doing so disturbed the water which was ankle deep and I saw something black swimming and realised it was a leech, there was only one thing for it to run so I did very fast, at the other side checking my ankles to make sure I didn’t have a hitchhiker in tow. Veering of track turned out to be a good decision as further on we had our first glimpse of two varieties of monkey a very pretty Western Red Colombos and a smaller grey Patas monkey which all headed for the undergrowth on hearing us coming. We continued on eventually finding the main path and saw a number of large monitor lizards on route sunning them selves in the sunshine.

At the centre of the reserve there was a small shop selling refreshments and some poorly looking caged animals, Baboons, Monkeys, Bushbuck, Giant Tortoise, Pelican, Parrots and Hyenas of which I was surprised at their size easily reaching your groin no wonder they are strong contenders to lions. Carried on and saw a chameleon very well disguised as a green leaf, and more monkeys’ one of which just sat looking back at us and would have been an excellent photo opportunity as very close. After three hours we came to the exit and will definitely be making another visit if only to get some photo’s and visit the crocodile pool which we missed.

Headed back by gelleh gelleh, and decided to have a late lunch of pizza from Mcfadi’s which we all enjoyed saw Angela on route so stopped for a quick chat and picked up some mango’s and vegetables for tomorrows Sunday dinner, arrived home at 3.30pm very tired, hot and sweaty. The four of us washed our feet and legs in the bath and settled down to a relaxing afternoon.

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