São Tomé and Principe, April 2026 (Part 1)

São Tomé Ibis aka Dwarf Ibis (endemic), Monte Carmo, São Tomé. My favourite of the birds of ST and P; a rare bird of the rainforest of ST, 'easiest' to see at Monte Carmo in the Obô Natural Park. I saw three on my clims up and down the mountain, though could only photograph this one. This is the one bird I really wanted to see above all others!

São Tomé Oriole (endemic), Monte Carmo, São Tomé. Easily heard and not quiee so easily seen at a certain altitude along the track at Monte Carmo. We encountered several individuals, but my camera was getting pretty misted up in the extreme humidity after some torrential rains ("excuse are lies!")

São Tomé Paradise Flycatcher, male, emdmic), São Tomé. One of the common and widely distributed endemic birds (which make up most of the birds) of ST. The males are all dark, glossy blues, while the shorter tailed females look a bit more like the other paradise flycatcher species of African and Asia

Principe Seedeater (endemic, São Tomé subspecies), São Tomé. To me, this dullest (in appearance) of all the endemics looks like a hugely toned-down version of a female Greenfich. The ST version was pretty easy to encounter, while I failed to see the Principe subspecies (which I think may be even duller-looking)

Pico Cão Grande, São Tomé. The most iconic, dramatic, and let's face it, phallic bits of volcanic scenery on the islands. This is a truly remarkable structure which deserves wider recognition aoround the World!

São Tomé Prinia (endemic), São Tomé. The first bird I encountered when I woke up in the morning at Omali Lodge (Pincipe Collection) near ST airport, was this distinctive littel prinia. Most distinctive of all was its crazy display flight, flyinng up vertically then plunging down vertically, then repeating the caboodle, like one of those lekking midges in your back garden...

São Tomé Thrush (endemic), São Tomé. A much easier bird to encounter than its very localised equivalent on Princiep, the Principe Thrush (which I faield to see)

Black-capped Speirops (endemic), São Tomé. One of the flocking, widespread endemics on ST

São Tomé Weaver (endemic), São Tomé. This common and curious endemic weaver seems to behave a bit like a nuthatch (at least when I was watching), probing ablong branches and trunks.

White-tailed Tropicbirds, Banana Beach, Principe. Several pairs were nesting on the forest cliffs below the view point alogn the coast. Also seen on ST.

Yellow-billed Kite, Bom Bom Island, Principe. One of the most frequently seen of the non-endemic birds of the islands (and just about the only bird of prey I encountered)

São Tomé and Principe, April 2026 (Part 2)

Dohn's Warbler, Principe (Principe endemic). A common bird on principe, usually goign aroung in loose flocks, often with the other endemic small birds (such as the speirops, sunbird and weaver), this Sylvia warbler is a bird of many distinctive voices, which take some getting used to. I saw plenty, but foudn them very tough indeed to photograph.

Hermit Crab, Bom Bom Island, Principe

Mona Monkey, Sundy Praia, Principe. An introduced monkey, which may be a problem for the native fauna (including birds), this one was on my 'glamping' chalet, one of a group buncing across the canvas roof.

Principe Glossy Starlings, Principe (Principe endemic). One of the commonest and most onvious birds of Principe, their pleasing calls and songs are ever present across the island.

Juvenile Malachite Kingfisher, Principe (Principe endemic subspecies)

Malachite Kingfishers, Principe (Principe endemic subspecies). A common, but somewhat shy, tiny kingfisher. The youngster is distiguised by its dark bill. There is also a subtly diferent ST subspecies, which I encountered (but didn't photograph)

São Tomé and Principe, April 2026 (Part 3)

Island Bronze-naped Pigeon, Principe (near-endemic). Often heard, rarely seen well and nearly always in flight, this is a shy forest bird and I was very lucky to have one pose briefly, but well enough for me to capture its glossy green nape. Found on ST and P and also one one other island, Annobón, which is part of Equatorial Guinea.

Principe Speirops (Principe endemic). A common, noisy, flock-forming bird which forms the core of the roving foraging flocks which often contain the other small endemic birds.

Principe Sunbird (Principe endemic). Beautiful and common endemic, which I found tough to photograph (this is a male, with that lovely subtle, purple gorge)

Principe Velvet-mantled Drongo (Principe endemic subspecies). Elusive forest bird – I didn't see many!

Principe Weavers (Principe endemic). Common endemic with a very fast song.

African Green Pigeons (Principe endemic subspecies)

Squacco Heron, Crowland, Lincs, a PBC (and UK) tick

In the early morning, the Squacco was relocated at Gull Farm fishing pond. At approaching 9am it took off...

...and flew south, roughly parallel with the River Welland

Three miles to the south of Gull Farm is a linear fishing pond at Gravel Causeway, Crowland where the little heron landed and proceeded to spend most of the day fishing and eating damselflies, among the water lilies

With a blue damselfly in its bill

Then, it was off again...