Talk: Birds of the Gambia

A 60-minute talk via Zoom, starting at 7.30pm, followed by a Q&A

Speaker: Richard Bashford, tour leader with Naturetrek whose long career in conservation has included working for the RSPB and BTO.

A talk for everyone, including beginners.

Free to members of the RSPB Central London Local Group. Non-members welcome for a donation, see ticket info below.

The Gambia is the smallest country on the African mainland but it has an incredible range of bird species and a diversity of habitats.

This photographic talk will take us on a journey via river, forest and coast to learn about many of its striking resident species, as well as the migrating birds that pass through.

Whether you are an armchair traveller or planning a trip, or just want to learn more about birds and the natural world, this talk is for you.

About Naturetrek

Naturetrek is a company that specialises in wildlife holidays led by expert naturalists and is committed to sustainable tourism.

Its talks are designed to be highly informative and enjoyable, and are not commercially angled. They focus on the wider ecology of an area, conservation issues, background information and, of course, the possibilities for those wishing to see the various wildlife spectacles for themselves.

Photos © Czech Conroy, RSPB Central London Local Group member. See his website for more wildlife photography

About the speaker

Richard Bashford was born in Sandy, Bedfordshire, not far from The Lodge, the RSPB nature reserve and head office, which played no small part in his early interest in birds.

After leaving school, he began working for the RSPB on a variety of contracts until undertaking an environmental degree.

In 1995 he worked for the British Trust for Ornithology, running the Breeding Bird Survey, then in 2001 returned to the RSPB running projects such as Big Garden Birdwatch, the world's biggest wildlife survey.

Richard has taken part in ornithological projects in Kenya, Botswana, Jordan, Albania and China (the latter searching for Spoon-billed Sandpipers).

He has been leading tours since the 1980s and has led Naturetrek holidays throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, North and Central America.

He is very active in his home county of Bedfordshire, supporting survey work and spending much of his free time searching for birds, butterflies and moths.

This year he left the RSPB and began a new role with Barefoot Eco Surveys.

How to join the talk

This event will be streamed live via ZOOM to members of the RSPB Central London Local Group. There is no charge for members to attend, but it is essential to book a place. (If you are sharing a screen with someone you only need one ticket.)

Non-members are also welcome to attend for a donation of your choice, which will support the work of the RSPB. Please select a non-member ticket. (If you are a member of the national RSPB but not a member of the Central London Local Group you still need to get a non-member ticket and make a donation to attend.)

If you would like to join the RSPB Central London Local Group (£10 a year or free if you are aged 16-24) please email rspb.cllg.contact@gmail.com

Newcomers are very welcome, whether you are a beginner, a seasoned birdwatcher or interested in learning more about nature and the environment in general.