8-9 July 2019: Ankasa Forest

Ankasa Forest, in southwestern Ghana, about 365 kilometres from Accra, is situated near the border of Côte d’Ivoire and consists largely of tropical evergreen rainforest. The word ‘Ankasa’ means ‘don’t talk’. It is said that long ago, the area around the Ankasa River was inhabited by hostile dwarves who kidnapped strangers and threw them into the river. Thus, people were advised to keep quiet as they walked in the forest. Hence the name ‘Ankasa’. The only dwarves we found, however, were the African Dwarf Kingfisher and Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill. We stayed at the nearby Frenchman’s Cottage where a Blue-headed Coucal welcomed us at breakfast every morning. We walked numerous forest paths in intermittent rain, tracking down the specials of the area. I had developed an upset stomach and had to disappear into the bush at very inopportune occasions. This made for interesting birding.

Swamp Palm Bulbul, Ankasa

Rufous-sided Broadbill, Red-tailed Greenbul, White-tailed Ant Thrush, Cassin’s Flycatcher, Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Green Hylia, Red-tailed Bristlebill, Red-billed Helmetshrike and Black-bellied Seedcracker were some of the plethora of quality species that enhanced my list during the two days at Ankasa. Also positive was that chicken and fried rice did not feature on the supper menu.

Cassin's Flycatcher, Ankasa