Chris Bellamy reports on this wonderful canoing weekend.
On the morning of 13 February, eight COG members ventured up the Congo River by canoe in search of new and exotic bird species. Silently they made their way up this well-known river, with Azure Kingfishers flitting across their bows and Sea-eagles circling low overhead. Eventually, thwarted by fallen giants of the forest blocking their way, the group had to turn back. They found a high spot along the river bank which allowed them to alight and enjoy morning tea, safe from pythons and other local serpents. A short trek east unearthed huge piles of debris from the massive floods of earlier in the month. Looking up we found ourself staring at an Owlet-nightjar half wedged in a hole in a tree, and close by a Sacred Kingfisher intent on fishing despite our presence. Then, conscious of the falling tide, we paddled our way down river before we could be stranded in the eerie forest.
Replenished by lunch, the group made its way to an even larger local river where a good swim preceded a paddle past another large forest, ever watchful for the sea eagles of all ages disporting themselves around and above us. We stopped for afternoon tea in a copse of casuarina trees and noticed a pair of goshawks also enjoying their afternoon tea.
Thirsting for more adventure, next morning we paddled into a nearby mangrove swamp (a COG first?) where inevitably we found a Mangrove Heron fast asleep in the sun. Then it was a case of returning to the cars and thence to the nation's capital, all having enjoyed birdwatching by canoe and having clocked up over 60 species over the weekend.