Rare Birds Update: End of February

Glossy Ibis one of the long stay birds 

In the month of February, we had an influx of over 20 visiting birders, some of which, along with local birders reported a total of 70 species to www.ebird.org  on close to 100 checklists.  This moved the total species count from 72, at the end of January to 77 at the end of February. (ref. www.ebird.org). 

Rare birds round up

Most of our rare birds from the end of January continued throughout the month of February. An American Coots ((Red Shielded)Fulica Americana) relocated from Walkers Reserve. Coming on to the list were six new rare birds. Here is the update parish by parish.

 * continuing Bird (Birds from last month)

St. Lucy

• Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)* This bird is really enjoying the Bajan hospitality it was with us since August 2019.

  

  American Coot by Jason Moore

• American Coot ((Red Shielded) Fulica Americana)* this is a new bird for this area, maybe one that relocated from Walkers, st. Andrew.

  

  Southern Lapwing by Jason Moore

• Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) a bird that once successfully bred on the island but now only a lone female remains. She disappears for months on end before reappearing to lay infertile eggs, because of no male, in a private field.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) –My son Jason and I saw this large gull sitting in one of the wet areas in the north.  It was later identified by photographs as a LBBG, an almost yearly visitor.
• Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) first seen by John Webster yesterday, February, 29^th

• 

  Purple Gallinule by Jason Moore 

  Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica)* a beautiful adult, seen in a bushy area.  

St. Andrew

• American Coot ((White Shielded) Fulica Americana)* - 4 birds remain at Walkers Reserve. I am still anticipating them nesting in the not too distance future

St.  George

• Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)*

St. Philip

• Ruff (Calidris pugnax)*
• Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva)*
• Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus)* – First reported by John Webster on January 16

  

  White-tailed Tropicbird by Quincy Clarke

• White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus) seen only once for the month when it was reported and photographed by a visitor.

Christ Church

Northern Parula by Dennis Main

• Northern Parula (Setophaga Americana) – This beautiful bird was reported on ebird by a visitor, Dennis Main. It was seen at Graeme Hall Swamp on the 22^nd. (awaiting confirmation)

St. Michael

• Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra) was seen by a visitor as she cruse into the Deep Water Harbor.

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 assist.