Week 13 was a scorcher! It was very hot but the days were
beautiful with a bright blue cloudless sky, for the most part, and the birding
was not too bad. I had a rarity, two swallows and a sandpiper to add to the big
year gallery.
The Rarity
 |
| 50 -Purple Heron - Ardea purpurea |
I saw this bird, a (50) Purple Heron, on Friday afternoon in
the parish of St. Andrew. These series
of irrigation ponds are not often visited by birders but I was in the area so
took a look and was surprised to see this bird.
Straight away I knew it was a Purple Heron because of its chestnut color
and the dark stripe that runs down the back of its neck. These shy herons are between
31–38 inches in length and breeds in Eurasia region.
Two Swallows
 |
| 47 - Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica |
It is not surprising to see (47) Barn Swallows at this time of the year,
what was surprising for me was to see over 70 of these birds on the powerline
as I was driving through the eastern parish of St. Philip. I took a few images of the flock which
consisted of adult and juvenile birds with some in the process of molting but
on closer inspection of the images I noticed a (49) Cliff Swallow in the midst. I hope to
visit the area again when I can and hopefully the swallows will still be around.
 |
| 49 - Cliff Swallow - Petrochelidon pyrrhonota |
Sandpiper
I have been noticing an increase
of sandpipers, mainly peeps, and Semipalmated Plovers. On a morning visit to one of the swamps I was
able to get some nice images of (48) Semipalmated Sandpipers wading in the shallows.
 |
| 48 - Semipalmated Sandpiper - Calidris pusilla |
These four additions to my 2017
Photograph Big Year gallery brings the total to 50 species. With still a few
commoners to tick off I should reach 60 species by the end of next month.
Keep following and enjoy your
birding.
