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| Dan Russo Via Unsplash |
Have you ever stared at the sky for hours on end looking for birds to watch in Nigeria?
Yes, we've all been there. But while wandering from place to place in search of birds, did you ever feel that those places you visited aren't home to many bird species?
It's true, it is not every place you visit in Nigeria that will be home to different bird species. In some places, you will see a bird maybe once in a while during the day. We know this because during the 2020 October Big Day organized by ebirds, only 283 out of 7107 birds species were sighted that day in Nigeria. This places the country on number 34th globally for migratory bird sightings. You can read it here.
In order to make it easy for you to watch different bird species in Nigeria, we've consulted some researchers and conservationists with many years of experience in birdwatching and they have come up with the following eight places in Nigeria.
1. Amurum Forest Reserve
When it comes to birdwatching, Amurum Forest Reserve located near the city of Jos tops our list.
This forest reserve was established in conjunction with the A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI) solely for the purpose of research, education and conservation.
On a very good day of birding, you'll sight from 50 to 305 different species of birds within a short hour.
This is because Amurum Forest Reserve is an important biodiversity hotspot in West Africa. It is also recognised internationally as an Important Bird Area (IBA) in Nigeria.
Apart from seeing some migratory birds, you will also come across some resident birds such as the Jos Plateau Indigo bird (Vidua maryae), and Rock fire finch (Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis).
Experts and birders have also sighted Stone Partridge, Double-spurred Francolin, Adamawa turtle dove, Sahel Paradise-Whydah, White-billed Buffalo-weaver, Purple heron, Common swift, Abdim's stork, European bee-eater, White-throated bee-eater, Black scimitarbill, Brown babbler, Pied kingfisher, Senegal thick-knee, Red-billed firefinch, Cattle egret, White-faced whistling duck, Gosling's bunting, pintailed whydah, Northern red bishop, village weaver, Green-backed camaroptera, Yellow-billed shrike, Senegal parrot, Green woodhoopoe, etc.
You can visit Amurum Forest Reserve and see the birds for yourself. The forest reserve is just 15KM Northeast of Jos.
2. IITA Forest Reserve and Lake
The second hotspot for birds in Nigeria is located in the city of Ibadan, Oyo state. This is the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture Forest Reserve and Lake also known as the birdwatcher's paradise.
The Forest Reserve covers over 350 hectares of land, a tropical forest and a 3KM long lake. These features attract over 272 different bird species.
IITA forest reserve and lake is the home of Ibadan malimbe, the unit's flagship bird species.
You can also see the following birds:
White-faced whistling duck, Helmeted guineafowl, Red-eyes dove, Tambourine dove, African palm-swift, African Jacana, Wood sandpiper, Cattle egret, Hadada ibis, African pied hornbill, Velvet-mantled drongo, pied crow, Olive-green camaroptera, Red-faced cisticola, Ethiopian swallow, Gray-headed bristlebill, Swamp greenbul, Yellow-whiskered greenbul, leaf-dove, White-throated greenbul, Chestnut-winged starling, Splendid starling, Forest robin, Collared sunbird, Red-vented malimbe, village weaver, yellow-mantled weaver, Northern red bishop, Bronze mannikin, Black-and-white mannikin, Long-tailed cormorant, Squacco heron, Black-crowned night-heron, Pallid swift, Black crake, White-throated bee-eater, Red-billed helmetshrike, etc.
Apart from watching the birds, you can also join Ibadan Bird Club and take part in bird-related activities when you visit IITA Forest Reserve and Lake.
3. Yankari Game Reserve
Yankari Game Reserve may not be high in your travelling to-do-list because of the security situation in some Northern parts of Nigeria but, if you visit the Game Reserve, you may see over 350 species of birds. About 130 species in Yankari Game Reserve are residents birds, 50 species are palearctic migrants while, the rest are intra-African migrants.
The most common birds you can watch while in Yankari Game Reserve include:
Cattle egret, Grey hornbill, Guineafowl, Saddle-billed stork, Brown-rumped bunting, Striped kingfisher, Speckle-fronted weaver, African yellow white-eye, etc.
Yankari Game Reserve is a large wildlife park in Bauchi state. So, apart from birdwatching, you can also watch the remaining elephants and lions while enjoying the natural warm spring water.
4. Obudu Mountain Resort / Obudu Cattle Ranch
If you're seeking a luxurious location to watch birds in Nigeria, look no further than Obudu Mountain Resort. You will find different species of birds in this highlands and deep tropical forests of Cross River State.
Should you need a break from the rich natural vegetation and a picturesque view, visit the pleasant and beautiful mountain-area and country-side to watch the birds.
Birdwatchers have sighted the following species of birds in Obudu Mountain Resort:
Cameroon pigeon, Red eyed-dove, African green-pigeon, Little swift, Black kite, Speckled mousebird, African pied-hornbill, Barn swallow, Common bulbul, Village weaver, Yellow bishop, Common waxbill, Bronze mannikin, Tree pipit, etc.
5. Lekki Conservation Centre
With abundance of plants and animals to explore, the Lekki Conservation Centre is a great place to watch birds in Nigeria. You can sprawl across the 78 hectares of land which is located on the Lekki peninsula, next to the Lekki lagoon, and near the Lagos lagoon with your binoculars.
Apart from birdwatching, you can walk through the raised walkway while viewing animals like monkeys, crocodiles, monitor lizards, chameleon, squirrels, duikers, giant rats, hogs, snakes and birds.
Over 180 species of birds have been sighted in Lekki Conservation Centre. So, you will most likely be able to watch the following bird species while at the centre:
Black-and-white mannikin, Barn swallow, Lesser/Eurasian kestrel, Orange weaver, Yellow-billed shrike, Gray greenbul, Whimbrel, African green-pigeon, etc.
6. Omo Forest Reserve - Erin's Camp Area
This large tropical rainforest in Ogun state helps make the Southwestern part of Nigeria one-of-a-kind birdwatching destination.
You can explore the largely flat and well-drained terrain while keeping an eye for birds on the low-rolling hills.
More than 100 bird species have been recorded in Omo Forest Reserve. The most common ones that you may come across include:
Ethiopian swallow, Red eyed-dove, Tambourine dove, African green-pigeon, Cuckoo species, Swift species, Black kite, African wood-owl, Hornbill species, etc.
7. Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary
The Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary is sometimes passed over by birdwatchers, but it's a home to many species of birds.
The wildlife sanctuary was founded in 2000 to provide refuge to endangered species.
The sanctuary is located in Cross River state.
While there, you will be able to sight the following species of birds:
Great blue turaco, African green-pigeon, Black kite, White-thighed hornbill, Naked-faced barbet, Pied crow, common bulbul, Vieillot's weaver, Village weaver, etc.
8. Weppa Farm and Ogwe River, Agenebode
Weppa Farm and Ogwe River is located in Etsako East local government area of Edo state. It is classified by key global conservation institutions as an International Bird Area (IBA) and Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). Weppa Farm and Ogwe River acts as a significant transit/destination to the itinerant birds as well as a home to a high number of species; some endangered or are going extinct.
Known for the presence of pervasive indigenous and migratory bird species, visitors in the mode of birdwatchers, eco-tourists and Ornithologists sometimes throng there to observe different birds species.
You will be able to watch the following birds in Nigeria while at Weppa Farm and Ogwe River, Agenebode:
Double-spurred Francolin, Village weaver, African green-pigeon, White helmetshrike, Black coucal, Hamerkop, Black-bellied firefinch, Vinaceous dove, Senegal coucal, etc.
Conclusion
Although there's no strong tradition or culture of birdwatching in the country, you can still enjoy watching the different birds in Nigeria. The abundant wildlife makes the country a haven for birds of different species both endemic and migratory.
But, before embarking on birdwatching in any of these locations, ensure that you choose a place that is closer to town with good security and road network. Don't also forget to go with some money in case you want to relax in luxury hotels available in some of these locations.
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