Rare Birds Update: The first for 2020
At the end of the first weekend of 2020, which is
really just 5 days into the new year, over 60 species has been recorded already
on the island. Thanks in part to an island wide bird count by John
Webster on the 2nd, refer to as the Christmas
Bird Count in birding circles. He tallied 45 species. Next, my effort
to secure as many birds as possible, as early in the year as possible, for my
2020 Big Year challenge,
resulted in me making an extra effort to get out birding. At the 5th I
had already recorded 58 species, a list of which you can see here.
We also had a few visiting birders whose observations also helped in the final
tally.
A few rare birds remain with us into 2020. Here is the list
parish by parish:
St. Lucy
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) : This bird was with us since August 2019.
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus): 6 birds
were seen in December but have relocated to another area in the north.
Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) a juvenile
was spotted for the first time late last month and was last seen on the
weekend.
St. Andrew
American Coot (White Shield) (Fulica americana(caribaea)):
Once known as Caribbean Coot, while rare, has nested on the island before.
Even though Barbados records one or two of these birds yearly for a few months,
the wetlands at Walkers Reserved has attracted a few that stayed there for
most of 2019 and now into 2020.
American Coot (Red Shield) (Fulica Americana) This
variation of this bird is very rare to this part of the Caribbean. Two was seen
among the White shielded on 4th at Walkers
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) two of these
warblers were recorded at Turners Hall Woods on the 4th
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) One
record at Turners Hall Woods on the 4th
St. George
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) This large heron was seen at one
of the irrigation ponds at Redland
St. Philip
Ruff (Calidris pugnax) two bird shorebirds
are still with us in 2020
Christ Church
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) was seen on the last day of 2019 among the Mangroves at the
Graeme Hall Swamp. Efforts to relocate it thus far was unsuccessful.
St. Michael
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) - at
Pile Bay, rare for this time of year.
Feel free to contact me - 100birdsbarbados@gmail.com to report any rare bird sightings, or if you need assistance identifying a
bird.
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