Shorebirds are the most visible of the migrating birds seen
on the island of Barbados, but at this time of the year many of the species which wintered
here are moving on. The few remaining
birds, plus the ones that may have stopped over on the journey north are
beginning to molt into breeding plumage. Three of the more visable bird species seen are Sanderlings, Spotted Sandpipers and Ruddy Turnstones. Take a look at their plumage changes.
Sanderlings
The plumage more familiar to us for
Sanderlings is the white and light greyish coloration. It is rare to see its alternative plumage, a reddish
brown plumage, on the island but I was able
observed molting Sanderlings on May 28th, at Six Men’s Bay, St.
Peter.
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| Molting Sanderling @ Six Men's Bay on April 28 2014 |
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| Molting Sanderling @ Six Men's Bay on April 28 2014 |
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| Sanderling in non-breeding Plumage |
Spotted Sandpiper
Another molting Sandpiper more commonly seen in breeding
plumage at this time is the Spotted Sandpiper.
When you see this bird in the later parts of the year, you are always
asked why it is called spotted Sandpiper, but it is clear to see as spots start to appear
on its underparts in the months of April and May.
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| Spotted Sandpiper in breeding plumage |
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| Spotted Sandpiper in breeding plumage |
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| Non-breeding plumage |
Ruddy Turnstone
Ruddy Turnstones also take on a different look at this time
of the year. The more common brownish
plumage gives way to a reddish –orange upperpart and black and white facial and
chest markings.
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| Breeding Plumage |
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| Breeding Plumage |
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| Non-breeding Plumage |
While I like to see the alternative plumage, I am missing
the birds and look forward to their return in the next three to four months - that
will be the time for the Southern Migration.
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