Shorebirds in Peril: Hunting Amid Decline by Edward B. Massiah

At the UN Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) COP15 which took place in Brazil in March 2026, member nations adopted major recommendations to protect migratory shorebirds of the Americas.

Highlighting severe and alarming global shorebird declines across the Americas, the summit up-listed and recategorized 7 highly threatened species in the Appendix of the IUCN Red List, and added 3 species to the list of Vulnerable species thus granting them the highest level of international protection.

Graphic credited to Birds Caribbean 

Shockingly, and what should be of particular alarm to all Barbadians is that many of these rapidly declining shorebirds are species still shot in large numbers as they pass through the island during the migration period 15th July - 15th October including:

Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes: Uplisted to Vulnerable caused by drivers including unsustainable taking. Estimated population reduction of 26-49%.

Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca: Uplisted to Near-Threatened caused by drivers including unsustainable taking. Suspected population decrease of up to 29%

Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus: Uplisted to Near-Threatened. Population estimated to be decreasing by 20-29%

Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus: Uplisted to Vulnerable. Estimated population decline of 20-49%

White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis: Uplisted to Vulnerable. Recent monitoring suggests a rapid population decline of 40-49%.

We believe that once the authorities in Barbados are aware of this highly perilous situation, that appropriate measures can be put in place to save these birds.

Edward B. Massiah is one of Barbados’ leading bird conservationists, best known as a co‑author of The Birds of Barbados (BOU Checklist Series, 2009), and for decades of fieldwork, monitoring, and advocacy for the island’s avifauna. He has combined scientific research with active participation in citizen science platforms like eBird, helping document species trends and conservation concerns. 

May 1st Tradition of Rarities, Answered

Red-footed Falcon seen and photographed
by Mike St. John on May 1st 2026

May 1st and the day before and after it, has a curious avian history in Barbados—it seems to be a date that consistently tosses up surprises for birders. Over the years, this single day has produced sightings that few would have believed possible on our island.

• In 2000, a Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus) appeared, a shorebird far from its usual Eurasian haunts.
• In 2001, a Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and an Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) were both recorded, adding to the mystique of the date.
• And in 2026, May 1st delivered perhaps the most extraordinary record yet: a Red‑footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus), the first ever for Barbados and the entire West Indies.

Curious about why this date seems to attract such rarities, I put the question to Dr. Andrew Farnsworth of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Andrew is a migration ecologist best known for his leadership in Cornell Lad BirdCast project, which uses radar, acoustic monitoring, and machine learning to track bird migration in real time. Since the late 1990s, he has been a central figure in advancing aeroecology—the study of large‑scale bird movements—and in bringing migration science to the public. His expertise in climatology, movement ecology, and vagrancy patterns makes him uniquely qualified to explain why Barbados, perched at the edge of the Atlantic flyway, so often becomes the stage for extraordinary sightings around May 1st.

Here is what he explained:

“It’s a union of climatology, movement ecology, and disorientation in late‑departing migrants from nonbreeding grounds—birds that are, in effect, moving outside the normal timing and directional envelope of their populations. Barbados is especially well positioned to reveal this pattern in early May and June because it is an exposed, easterly first landfall on the edge of the Lesser Antilles, where birds displaced across the low‑latitude Atlantic or southern Caribbean are more likely to be detected than lost across larger landmasses. By this point in spring, many appropriately oriented migrants (of many species) have already moved north, so the remaining odd records are disproportionately likely to involve late, delayed, overshooting, or directionally anomalous individuals. In 2026, that seasonal window coincides with the transition from the southern Caribbean dry season into the wet season, persistent Atlantic trade‑wind influence, and increasingly unstable late‑spring weather—conditions that can help convert small errors in timing or orientation into conspicuous vagrancy events on Barbados. A similar pattern of bizarre extralimital sightings often coincides with the first two weeks of June in the U.S. as well.”

So according to Andrew, May 1st falls within a seasonal window where weather, migration timing, and geography combine to deliver these avian gems every now and again. It’s one of those quirks that makes birding on this tiny island such an adventure—and why the stretch from April 30 to May 2 has become especially important days for birders in Barbados.

May 1: First for Barbados and the Region

May 1st in Barbados has a history of producing birds that defy expectation. In past years it delivered mega-rarities like Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus) in 2000, Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), and Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) in 2001, just to mention a few. May 1st, 2026, added to this record with a mega-rarity that turned out to be the first record for Barbados and the West Indies. ( Read more about the phenomenal sightings around May 1st here )

The Sighting

Undertail view of the Red-footed Falcon, photograph by Michael St. John

On that morning, the sharp eyes of birder Michael St. John, while birding in St. Lucy, caught sight of a falcon he believed to be a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). In his eBird posting, he noted that the bird “flew overhead fairly fast and continued towards the southeast.” Fortunately, he managed to capture several photographs as it passed by. The images revealed a raptor with the classic falcon silhouette—slender wings, an elongated tail, and a reddish-colored undertail. These features quickly cast doubt on the Peregrine identification and instead suggested two mega-rare possibilities, both species that winter in Africa: the Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis) and the Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus).

Underparts view of the Red-footed Falcon, photograph by Michael St. John

On May 4th, Michael updated his eBird record after consulting with experts. Renowned raptor specialist Dick Forsman reviewed the photographs and a short video clip, noting: “It appears to have moulted its underwing coverts partially, which is not normal for a second-calendar-year bird. However, these are clearly dark, contrasting with the retained pale and barred juvenile feathers, identifying it as a Red-footed Falcon.”

The identification was settled, highlighting a first record for Barbados, bird species number 295 (Clements 2025), the West Indies, and only the second record for the Western Hemisphere (New York Times 2004).

About the Falcon

The Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) is about 11–13 inches (28–34 cm) in length, with a wingspan of 25–30 inches (65–75 cm). Males are smooth blue-grey, accented by vivid red legs and undertail coverts, which give the species its name. Females are more patterned, with a warm orange head, pale face marked by a dark eye stripe, and grey wings. Juveniles resemble females but are browner overall, with streaked underparts. It breeds across eastern Europe and west-central Asia, often nesting in colonies that reuse old corvid nests, especially those of rooks. A long-distance migrant, it travels thousands of miles to winter in southern Africa, with countries like South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana hosting large numbers. Occasionally, individuals wander far outside their normal range, with rare records even in North America and now Barbados. It is listed as Vulnerable due to habitat loss, hunting, and reduced nesting opportunities.

Barbados continues to prove why it is considered a true vagrant trap—a birding box of crackerjacks. Come birding with us, and you’ll discover that you never quite know what surprises the island skies will deliver.

The Global Big Day 2026: Join Bajan Birders & Friends

The Global Big Day is quickly approaching, and we couldn’t be more excited! Last year, the Bajan Birders & Friends team soared to new heights during Birds Caribbean’s Global Big Day 2025. With 15 dedicated birders from four countries, we spotted an incredible 251 species and raised $840—breaking personal records and contributing to a record-setting count both regionally and globally. Relive the highlights here: Global Big Day 2025 Record-Breaking

On May 9, 2026, we invite you to join us once again for another unforgettable Global Big Day. This year, while enjoying birding with friends across the Caribbean and beyond, we’ll also be raising funds for travel scholarships. These scholarships will help Caribbean students and wildlife professionals attend the BirdsCaribbean International Conference, July 23–27, 2026, in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.

Every bird counted adds to the bigger picture of conservation. Every contribution helps a budding conservationist take flight. Together, we can bird, give back, and make this Global Big Day extraordinary.

👉 Sign up or contribute here: Bajan Birders and Friends – BirdsCaribbean Global Big Day 2026.

BirdsCaribbean’s Island Bird-Off is Back for Global Big Day 2026!

The biggest birding day of the year returns on Saturday, May 9th, 2026! Global Big Day (GBD) is more than a mass data collection event, it is a global celebration of magnificent birds and the incredible people who protect them, all focused on amplifying our potential to create a lasting, positive impact on our planet. On this day, bird enthusiasts and nature lovers around the world head outdoors to document as many bird species as possible in just 24 hours. These observations help scientists monitor bird populations, track migration patterns, and identify habitats in need of conservation.

What makes GBD truly special is that it’s open to everyone wherever they are. Whether you’re an expert birder chasing a rare endemic deep in the forest or just starting out with backyard birds, there’s a place for you in this global effort to understand and protect birds.

Compete for the Cause: Join Our Team Challenge!

We’re thrilled to bring back our popular teams competition for GBD 2026, and we’d love for you to be a part of it! Both national (individual islands) and multinational teams are invited to join in the effort to make a lasting impact on the birds and ecosystems of the Caribbean. Continue reading >>>

Barbados Birding Highlights: December - February (Winter Birds)

This period brought an exciting mix of rare visitors and continuing highlights across the island. From flooded cane fields in St. Lucy to coastal lookouts in st. Philip, birders recorded several noteworthy species— from a common rare bird to a first for Barbados, all the discoveries are listed below.

Waterfowl Surprises

• Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) – First observed at a flooded cane field in St. Lucy by Michael St. John.

  

  Wigeons - Eurasian (L) and American (R)

• Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope) – One bird appeared at Fosters, St. Lucy on December 24. Two days later, another was seen at Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge (WSR) among American Wigeons.

Shorebirds 

• Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) – Of three discovered by Quincy Clarke on September 28, one remained at Congo Road, St. Philip.
• Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) – First noted by Ian “Bolt” Atkins on November 30 at WSR and continued at the site into March.
• Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) – Discovered by Muriel Aboso and Anthony Levesque at North Point, St. Lucy, and still showing well into March.
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Seabird

• Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) – Seen at Oistins, Christ Church by Ocean Campbell.
  
  
  
• American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) – Also recorded at Oistins by Ocean Campbell.
• Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra) – Three records this season: one off North Point, St. Lucy on December 10 (Julian Moore), and two more at Deeble Point, St. Lucy on February 21 (Quincy Clarke).

Spoonbills, Herons and Egrets

• Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) – Continued presence at Fosters, St. Lucy.
• Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) – Possibly multiple individuals, with sightings ranging from Fosters, St. Lucy to Congo Road, St. Philip, and even the reopened Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary.
  
  
  
• Western Reef-Heron (Egretta gularis) – Discovered by Ian “Bolt” Atkins on December 26 at WSR, where it showed well.
• Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea) – A regular visitor, continuing this year.

Raptors

• Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) – Rediscovered at Deeble Point, St. Philip by Quincy Clarke.

Songbird Rarities

Grey  Trembler - A new bird for Barbados

• Grey Trembler (Cinclocerthia gutturalis) – A brand-new species for Barbados! First noticed by a resident near her home, with a second bird confirmed on January 1 at My Ladies Hole, St. John by Edward Massiah.
  
  
  
• Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) – Found at Turners Hall Woods, St. Andrew on February 25 by Julian Moore.

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Closing Note

This winter season has been remarkable, with both expected visitors and extraordinary surprises. The Gray Trembler stands out as a historic addition to the island’s bird list, while the diversity of waterfowl and seabirds underscores Barbados’ importance as a stopover and wintering site.

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Another Wintering Warbler Species

Prothonotary Warbler FP

Yes, another warbler species has been recorded wintering on the island! This time it’s the Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea), discovered by Ocean Campbell of Ocean Hikes on March 12th at Turners Hall Woods, St. Andrew. 

While the Prothonotary is among the more regular of our rare wintering warblers, it’s still considered uncommon here—like all wintering warblers, with the exception of probably the Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis), which occurs in larger numbers. This sighting marks the first record of the species for 2026. 

The Prothonotary Warbler is a striking golden-yellow songbird, breeding in the swamp forests, river floodplains, and wooded wetlands of the eastern and southeastern United States. In winter, it migrates to Central America, northern South America, and in small numbers, the Caribbean. It’s one of the most beautiful birds you might encounter while birding on our island.

The migratory Warblers Seen thus far for 2026: 

• Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)
• Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)
• Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)
• Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)

Wherever your birding takes, stay safe and enjoy your birding.

Here is an interesting tip bit about the Prothonotary Warbler:

Unlike most warblers, the Prothonotary Warbler is a cavity nester. Instead of weaving nests in shrubs or trees, it uses natural holes in standing dead wood—or even nest boxes—often near water. This unusual behavior sets it apart from nearly all other warblers and adds to its charm as a species full of surprises.