 (Spermophaga haematina) by Jonathan Rossouw.JPG) |
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Gabon is a country in west central Africa sharing borders with the Gulf of Guinea to the west, Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, and Cameroon to the north, with the Republic of the Congo curving around the east and south. Its size is almost 270,000 km² with an estimated population of 1,500,000. The capital and largest city is Libreville. |
Wikipedia
(GNU Free Documentation License)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabon
Number of bird species: 777
A Birders Checklist of the Birds of Gabon
D Sargeant 1994 ?5.95ISBN: 25305
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Birds of Western Africa: An Identification Guide
Nik Borrow and Ron Demey Series: CHRISTOPHER HELM IDENTIFICATION GUIDE SERIES 832 pages, 147 col plates, 1100 dist maps. Christopher HelmISBN: 0713639598
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Coastal Waterbirds in Gabon
Edited by FJ Schepers and ECL Marteijn Series: WIWO REPORT SERIES 41 293 pages, maps, figs. Foundation Working Group International Wader GroupISBN: 9090067760
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Field Guide to the Birds of Western Africa
Nik Borrow and Ron Demey Series: HELM FIELD GUIDES 496 pages, 150 col plates, 1300 maps. Christopher Helm See Fatbirder ReviewISBN: 0713666927
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Guide des Oiseaux de la R?serve de la Lop
Patrice Christy & William Clarke [c.400 species from this reserve in Gabon. In French but with English and scientific species names.] 1994 Paperback ?23.95ISBN: 51627
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African Bird Club
WebsiteDespite being politically stable, sparsely populated and possessing large tracts of undisturbed habitat, Gabon is far from realising its potential and deserved status as a premier birding and wildlife destination. Perhaps its three most prohibitive qualities are (i) the paucity of information on travelling in Gabon, (ii) the cost of travelling there - Gabon targets almost exclusively high-end tourism, with no official campsites in the entire country - and (iii) the fact that it is completely Francophone, a deterrent to many English-only speaking birders...
West African Ornithological Society
WebsiteThe West African Ornithological Society grew out of the Nigerian Ornithologists’ Society, which was founded in February 1964. Its object is to promote scientific interest in the birds of West Africa and to further the region’s ornithology, mainly by means of its journal Malimbus (formerly the Bulletin of the Nigerian Ornithologists’ Society). This journal is biannual and bilingual, a unique feature in Africa.The West African Ornithological Society grew out of the Nigerian Ornithologists’ Society, which was founded in February 1964. Its object is to promote scientific interest in the birds of West Africa and to further the region’s ornithology, mainly by means of its journal Malimbus (formerly the Bulletin of the Nigerian Ornithologists’ Society). This journal is biannual and bilingual, a unique feature in Africa.
Important Bird Areas
WebsiteThe Cameroon and Gabon lowlands Endemic Bird Area (EBA) covers much of central Gabon. The distribution of Loango Weaver Ploceus subpersonatus defines the Gabon-Cabinda coast secondary EBA...
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2001 [September] Nik Borrow - Gabon, São Tomé & Príncipe
ReportOver the years the Gabon tour has often felt like a battle of wits waged against all the gremlins that leap in its path. However, this time, apart from a few minor irritations, things went remarkably smoothly and for once we could concentrate on the birds unhindered. We set off joined by local expert Patrice Christy on a trip that was to lead us through kilometre after kilometre of beautiful scenery and marvellous rainforest but first, we stopped to break our journey at a small roadside pool that held not only African Finfoot but also three marvellous Hartlaub`s Ducks...
2004 [September] - Michael Mills & Callan Cohen
ReportOur Gabon tour kicked off at the countries showcase wildlife park, Lope, a vast area savannas, rivers and, most notably, forests. Located some 300km east of Libreville, we covered the drive with numerous stops, not all planned...
2005 [September] - Keith Barnes
Report...Gabon also delivered wonderful views of both Vermiculated and Pel’s Fishing Owls, no less than eight White-crested Tiger Bittern (see photos!), oodles of African Finfoots, Gabon Coucal, Black Guineafowl, Forbes's Plover, Fiery-breasted Bush-shrike, White-crested and Black Dwarf Hornbill...
2006 [August] - Nik Borrow
Report...President Omar Bongo declared that ten percent of the country was to be transformed into thirteen national parks covering some three million hectares. Significant developments are now being made to facilitate the ease with which its national wonders of gorillas, chimpanzees, forest elephants and buffalo and, of course a fantastic wealth of bird-life might be shown to a prospective stream of tourists. Birdquest first visited Gabon in 1995 and this was our ninth tour to the country and our tenth visit to the far-flung islands of São Tomé and Príncipe. Of the 413 species recorded on the tour 402 of these were seen...
2006 [October] - Michael Mills
ReportThis comprehensive 25-day tour combines the endemic rich islands of Sao Tome e Principe with excellent forest and savannah birding of Gabon...
2010 [August] - Christian Boix
ReportThe main highlights included: White-crested Bittern, Hartlaub’s Duck, African Finfoot, Bat Hawk, Congo Serpent Eagle, Long-tailed Hawk, Ayre’s and Cassin’s Hawk Eagle, Pel’s and Vermiculated Fishing Owls, Hottentot Buttonquail, Finsch’s and Latham’s Forest Francolin...
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Birding Ecotours
Tour OperatorPlease note that we arrange Gabon tours by request. Contact us for further details. Birding Ecotours aims to provide world-wide birding experiences of superb quality, while contributing to environmental conservation and disadvantaged communities. Please contact us for detailed information, queries and quotations as we are happy to help you in every aspect of planning your birding holiday.
Mistral Voyages
Tour OperatorDiscover tourism and ecotourism in the National Parks of Gabon...
Patrice Christy
BP 2240 Libreville, Gabon. Fax + 241 775534 / 732345 / 747780
Trawling a number of trip reports etc. I found the address above for Patrice Christy who seems to be an authority on birds in Gabon and has guided visitos... I do not know if the address is current.
Tropical Birding
Tour OperatorOccassionally run trips to Gabon...
Checklist
WebsiteGabon Birding - on Worldtwitch
WebsiteThe coast of Gabon is characterized by a Maze - huge lagoons and rivers. Access is limited to flying in and boat travel and accommodations are very basic. In the 5 days I had there I had little time for extensive birding. However, I still managed to tally more than 100 species of bird, 15 species of mammal and 3 species of crocodile.
Gabon Birds
WebsiteDespite being politically stable, sparsely populated and possessing large tracts of undisturbed habitat, Gabon is far from realising its potential and deserved status as a premier birding and wildlife destination. Perhaps its three most prohibitive qualities are (i) the paucity of information on travelling in Gabon, (ii) the cost of travelling there - Gabon targets almost exclusively high-end tourism, with no official campsites in the entire country - and (iii) the fact that it is completely Francophone, a deterrent to many English-only speaking birders.
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This site was last updated on Monday, 29th April 2013.