The Barbados Birds and Birding Report - March

Pacific Golden-Plover was a new addition to the 2024 checklist

March witnessed a surge in birding activity, with over 50 checklists submitted to eBird for Barbados, mostly by visiting birders. A warm welcome to all the birding visitors who contributed to these numbers! We also added some new species to the 2024 checklist, visiting birders David Blezard spotted a Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) at Bath Beach, St. John. Additionally, a Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva) appeared in St. Philip. This rare sighting, both for the island and the region, is believed to be the same bird recorded in the same location for multiple years.

Spotted Sandpiper molting to breeding plumage

Most migratory and some local birds are currently in various stages of molting, transitioning into their vibrant breeding plumage. This transformation, especially pronounced in males, serves a crucial purpose: attracting potential mates. The molting spectacle varies greatly between species. Take the Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius), for instance. Throughout its stay, it sported a plain white underside, but now it's transforming into its diagnostic spotted attire.

Sanderlings (Calidris alba) is another fascinating example. This speedy shorebird begins its molting journey here but migrates north before completing the transformation but keen eyes see them trading their pale winter coat for a reddish-brown look.

Ruddy Turnstone in breeding plumage

Meanwhile, Ruddy Turnstones (Arenaria interpres) puts on a full fashion show right here in Barbados. Keep an eye out for these stunning birds at Oistins or Inch Marlow, Christ Church. Their black and white heads and throats create a captivating contrast with their vibrant chestnut and black backs. 

Other migrating noticeably molting are Blue-winged (Spatula discors) and Green-winged (Anas crecca) Teals, the Greater (Tringa melanoleuca) and Lesser (Tringa flavipes) Yellowlegs, and a variety of other shorebirds, each showcasing their own unique molting transformations.

April Notes 

As the month progresses, the molting process of migratory birds will become increasingly noticeable. During this time, many avian travelers will commence their journey but coming from breeding grounds south will also drop in while heading northward. One such bird is the Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) This vibrant beauty often makes a brief stopover, seeking refreshment, particularly during inclement weather, so be on the lookout for them. However, by the end of April, numerous visiting species will be en route to their breeding grounds, preparing to perpetuate another generation of globe-trotters

March Rare Bird Sightings

While the month was uneventful in terms of new rare bird sightings, there were intriguing additions of pelagic sightings worth noting. As we came to the end of the winter season, some cruise ships repositioned on the other side of the Atlantic so it wasn’t surprising to see Atlantic pelagic records turning up on ebird for the island, all within its eastern sovereign boundary.  These sightings provided a fascinating glimpse into an area of birding—pelagic birding—that is not commonly explored on our shores.

Here’s a summary of the notable rare birds observed in March, parish by parish. (*birds that remained from previous months)

St. Lucy

One of the two remaining Glossy Ibis

• Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)*(2)  - Two birds were seen at the usual location, with one going into breeding plumage. 
• Red-footed Booby (Sula sula) - two birds, brown phase, were identified from photographs off of the Animal Flower Cave.

St. Philip

Ruff

• Ruff (Calidris pugnax)* (2) - these two birds are moving between ponds in ponds in the parish and a few outside.
• Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva) - believed to be the same bird recorded in the same location for multiple years.
• Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra) (8) - multiple records from cruise ships journeying across the Atlantic 

Christ Church 

Ruff

• Ruff (Calidris pugnax) (3) two of the birds from St. Philip with another one was seen at the WSR. Judging by the bird's sizes it is believed to be two males and a female (Reeves)

Grey Heron

• Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) - spotted at two locations in the parish, still try to confirm if it is a different bird than the one in St. Lucy.

Feel free to contact me, Julian Moore @ 100birdsbarbados@gmail.com, John Webster @ barbadosbirds@gmail.com, or Ed Massiah @ ebmassiah@hotmail.com to report any rare bird sightings, or if you need assistance identifying a bird, we would be happy to help.  A new tool to help with your local bird identification is our Facebook Group, The Birds of Barbados. Click here to join   

Global Big Day—11 May 2024 By Team eBird

 

Be a part of birding’s biggest team! Global Big Day is an annual celebration of the birds around you. No matter where you are, join us virtually on 11 May, help celebrate World Migratory Bird Day, and share the birds you find with eBird.

Participating is easy—you can even be part of Global Big Day from home. If you can spare 5 or 10 minutes, report your bird observations to eBird online or with our free eBird Mobile app. If you have more time, submit several checklists of birds throughout the day. You never know what you might spot. Your observations help us better understand global bird populations through products like these animated abundance maps brought to you by eBird Science.

Last year, Global Big Day collected more data about birds on a single day than ever before. More than 58,000 people gathered 3.2 million bird observations on 148,000 checklists, setting new world records for a single day of birding. Will you help us make this the year we surpass 150,000 checklists on a single day?

Continue reading here >>

An Unexpected Encounter with a Duck Hawk

Peregrine Falcon aka Duck Hawk

Have you ever heard of a "Duck Hawk"? It's another name for the fastest animal on Earth, the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). A few weeks ago, I witnessed this incredible predator harassing teals at the WSR, but surprisingly, it was unable to catch any of them.

Here's what unfolded:

For several weeks, I'd been patiently stalking two duck species at the Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge (WSR), not just for documentary shots, but to capture their beauty in different lighting conditions. 

Northern Pintails drake

My initial focus was on the stunning male Northern Pintails (Anas acuta), three of which frequented the location. Unfortunately, I never quite captured the image I envisioned.  Once these birds migrated, my attention shifted to the Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca). Three males in breeding plumage graced the ponds here, and my goal was to photograph them as sunlight illuminated the iridescent crescent on their heads. However, I was consistently falling short.  On one particular afternoon, I was meticulously positioning myself for the perfect light to photograph the teal when, suddenly, the egrets in a nearby tree took flight. Glancing up, I saw the bird of prey circling and gliding lazily overhead. Under normal circumstances, this aerial predator would've grabbed my attention, but today, I was laser-focused on capturing the perfect Green-winged Teal image.

Green-winged Teal

Everything changed in a flash. A powerful whoosh of wings filled the air as the falcon launched into a diving attacking the ducks on the pond. It circled repeatedly, executing multiple dives, but each attempt ended with empty talons. These birds seemingly seasoned veterans of such encounters, darted towards the high west bank, seeking refuge in the thick vegetation. The peregrine, despite its relentless pursuit, couldn't force them to abandon the safety of the bank or take flight. After five or six failed attempts, the falcon finally gave up, slowly drifting high into the sky. 

Snowy Egret high up

As I followed its ascent, I noticed a Snowy Egret even higher, far above the falcon. Perhaps escaping to that altitude seemed like the perfect strategy for the egret, but in reality, it wasn't entirely safe from the "king of the skies." I got my camera ready, as I anticipated an aerial duel that the snowy wouldn't survive – the peregrine, now positioned perfectly above the egret, could've easily made a quick kill. However, for this afternoon at least, the falcon remained fixated on a duck dinner, completely ignoring the egret.

Peregrine Falcon inspecting the ponds at WSR

This unexpected encounter at the WSR not only highlighted the Peregrine Falcon's incredible aerial hunting skills but also showcased the remarkable survival instincts of its intended prey.

From: The Enthusiastic Birder

The Barbados Birds and Birding Report - February

Cliff Swallow was one of the new birds for February

In February, eight new bird species were added to Barbados’ 2024 checklist. Among these, three species stand out and can be consider rare. There were Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus), Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), and Grey-breasted Crake (Laterallus exilis).  Of these three, the Grey-breasted Crake is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first record of this bird species on the island. With these additions, the total number of bird species recorded in Barbados during the first two months of 2024 now stands at 82. (See list here)

As we dive deeper into the dry season, the wet areas that rely on rainfall as their primary source are gradually drying up. However, this transition brings a brief surge in the food supply for wading birds. Fish and other aquatic critters become easily accessible, creating a feeding frenzy for various species of herons, egrets, and shorebirds. Thankfully, places like Chancery Lane Swamp still retain a significant amount of water, ensuring a more stable food source for birds and excellent birding opportunities for birders for a few more weeks or longer if there is a heavy down pour.

March Notes

In early March, the island will achieve a remarkable milestone: 10,000 checklists submitted to ebird.org. Among these records, the oldest dated entry harks back to 1887 - but submitted hundreds of years after - featuring a Yellow-hooded Blackbird (Chrysomus icterocephalus). This historical record indicates that the bird was collected (a term from that era which meant shot) in September 1887, possibly at Chancery Lane according to the book Birds of Barbados. The bird’s preserved skin now resides in the Cambridge University Museum, cataloged as specimen number 27/Ict/1/c/12. This Yellow-hooded Blackbird is just one of the many local bird specimens housed in museums worldwide. On a more contemporary note, the oldest modern checklist was submitted by Bruce Parker in 1967, while he was birding in the Hasting Christ Church area. (see here).  The oldest local media file is that of a Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) uploaded by Mouser Williams of the USA in on March 1st, 1991.  While he said he saw the bird at Heywood's Beach St. Peter, the image looks like it was photographed at the Barbados Wildlife Reserve. 

To date, this nearly 10,000-checklist archive has documented 230 out of the over 280 species of birds recorded on the island, along with an impressive collection of over 5,700 photographs—painting a vivid picture of the island’s avian history. While celebrating this achievement, we recognize areas where we can enhance our data. Specifically, we aim to improve our documentation of pelagic birds and increase submissions of audio and video recordings—currently standing at 76 and 17, respectively. Let’s continue to explore and appreciate the rich avifauna of our beautiful island!

February Rare Bird Sightings

Certainly! In February, birders had the opportunity to spot some fascinating rare birds. While some were new sightings, others were familiar from previous months. Here’s a summary of the notable rare birds observed (*birds that remained from previous months)

St. Lucy

One of the two remaining Glossy Ibis

• Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)*(3) While the year started with the usual six birds at a private sanctuary, the numbers declined to just, two more returned to end the month with three birds. 
• Killdeer (Charadrius vociferous)*(4) - last seen on the first of February.

Grey Heron

• Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)* - a Long-stay Eurasian visitor, seen to favor this location but was also seen nearby egrets roost.

St. Philip

• Ruff (Calidris pugnax) - John Webster first alearted us to this birds presents on the 10th. It was again late afternoon of the 16th at the same location.

Christ Church 

Lesser Black-backed Gull

• Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)* - multiple sightings of a single bird at the Oistins ice pier.
• Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) This bird continues to roost at the Graeme Hall Swamp during the day, giving very good looks.

  

  Grey Heron

• Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) - spotted at two locations in the parish, still try to confirm if it a diffrent bird than the one in St. Lucy.
• Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus) - clearly seen one late afternoon at the WSR (see post)

St. Michael

• Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) the second bird from Oistins appeared to have relocated to Pile Bay.
• Gray-breasted Crake (Laterallus exilis) - A shipped-assisted bird, the bird was seen and photographed by cruise passenger Cindy Johnson while dock in the Bridgetown port. (see here)

St. James

• Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) - A guest at The Club Barbados hotel reported seeing one flying close to shore and diving into the sea.

Feel free to contact me, Julian Moore @ 100birdsbarbados@gmail.com, John Webster @ barbadosbirds@gmail.com, or Ed Massiah @ ebmassiah@hotmail.com to report any rare bird sightings, or if you need assistance identifying a bird, we would be happy to help.  A new tool to help with your local bird identification is our Facebook Group, The Birds of Barbados. Click here to join   

Wader Frenzy At WSR

A collection of waders, mostly heron and egrets, feeding at WSR

The dry season brings many ponds and wetlands that depend on rainwater to the brink of drying up. The water retreats and leaves behind the numerous creatures, fish, tadpoles and insects that dwell there, exposed. They are easy targets for the wading birds, such as herons and egrets, who swarm in masses to dine on them. This yearly phenomenon, if witnessed, can be a marvelous experience for nature lovers. I got the opportunity to see it this year at the Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge (WSR) and it highlighted why Barbados, though not the most birdy places on earth, is one of the most unique birding locations in the Americas. How so? Because it is one of the few places where you can commonly observe new world and old-world versions of some bird species.

Snowy Egret (Foreground) and Little Egret (Background)

Among the many white egrets busy feeding, a discerning eye could distinguish the Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) and its old-world counterpart, the Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), in the mix. To spot the Snowy Egret, an indigenous bird of the Americas, one only has to look for the bright yellow skin that separates the eyes and the bill, the lores, and its shaggy head crest. Its cousin from across the ponds, the Little Egret, which arrived on this island in the mid 50s, has much paler lores and a more neat and uniform double or single plume coming from the back of the head.

Grey Heron (Left) and Great Blue Heron (Right)

Another such and even rarer example of new and old-world versions of a species living side by side naturally was that of the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) and its old-world cousin the Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea). These two are even more challenging to tell apart, and I must admit I am still learning the differences between these two species. One field marking that I do look for is the color of the thighs. The Great Blue Heron’s thighs are brownish while the Grey’s ones are always pale.

Little Blue Heron

While these were some of the more interesting species in the frenzy, they were not the only ones. Continuing in the heron family, there were a few Green Herons (Butorides virescens), Little Blue Herons (Egretta caerulea) and also, as it got later in the evening, two Black-crowned Nightherons (Nycticorax nycticorax) joined the mix. From the egret side of things, there was the ubiquitous Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) and Great Egret (Ardea alba), a bird which is common on both sides of the great pond. In total, eight species of egrets and herons were on display at the WSR, feasting on the critters trapped by the receding water level.

It was a sight to behold and one I am glad to share. Stay safe and enjoy your birding.

Rare Cruise Visitor a First for Barbados

As thousands of visitors sail into our beautiful island via cruise ships, they're contributing to a neglected aspect of Barbados’ birdlife: pelagic birding, which is the spotting of birds that spend most of their life far out to sea. Just last month, a keen-eyed guest aboard a cruise ship added three bird species of this type to the 2024 bird checklist. These were the Red-footed Booby (Sula sula), Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra), and Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster).

Gray-breasted Crake photo by Cindy Johnson

A checklist with images, posted on ebird.org by Cindy Johnson, a cruise ship guest, amazed local birders on February 8th. The bird in the image was not pelagic, but a Rail, like our Common Gallinule, that lives in marshes and mangroves. This bird was small, with a grey chest, greyish brown upperparts, and barred underparts. It was a Gray-breasted Crake (Laterallus exilis), a bird found in Trinidad, Central and South America. We may never find out how the bird got on the ship, but Cindy wondered if it came from Iles de Salutes, French Guiana, or the Amazon river ports - likely previous stops for her ship. Her sighting is the first record of this species in Barbados.  

This is not the first time a new or rare bird species seen on the island was credited as ship-assisted and most likely will not be the last. Thanks to keen birders like Cindy this Gray-breasted Crake’s voyage even though left several questions unanswered is a step in helping scientists understand these all too common events.  Sop Birders stay vigilant, continue to share your sightings, and enjoy your birding.

Great Backyard Bird Count 2024—when the world comes together for the love of birds! By Team eBird

Whimbrel

The annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is Friday, February 16 through Monday, February 19. The GBBC was one of the first online projects to collect information on wild birds and was also instrumental in the creation of eBird back in 2002. Now there are more ways than ever to participate and share your love of birds!

If you’re new to birding, participate with Merlin: beginning bird admirers can participate in the GBBC using Merlin Bird ID—simply identify birds and save them with the app anytime February 16-19.

If you’re already eBirding, participate with eBird: go birding for at least 15 minutes anytime February 16-19, count all the birds you see or hear, and enter your observations via the GBBC website or eBird Mobile app. If you haven’t used eBird since the last GBBC, take the free eBird Essentials course for a refresher.

Below are some additional details about Great Backyard Bird Count ... continue the article here