The turkey-sized Ground Hornbill is separated into northern and southern species. This female northern was in Ethiopia’s Awash National Park.

In the south, Yellow-billed Hornbill (below left) was common in the Kruger National Park. In West Africa, Grey and Red-billed Hornbills were widespread in the ‘bush’. A large southerly movement of Greys across the River Gambia had with them an African Pied (Allied) Hornbill which settled in a palm tree. I cursed as it flew just as I clicked the shutter, but the resultant fluke in one of my best images, now somewhat worse for wear.

Africa boasts an enormous range of woodpeckers and barbets, but photo opportunities are very limited. This Bearded Woodpecker in Ethiopia (below left) is my only surviving image. Of the relatively few European species, Lesser Spotted is my favourite and occasionally visits my Algarve garden.

Wryneck was always a prized migrant in the UK and I was thrilled to see one on the rockery in my Brora garden one autumn. They winter in the Algarve now, taking advantage of the accidentally introduced Argentine Fire Ant, which is active throughout. They also visit my garden here, on a more regular basis.