Global Big Day—8 May 2021 By Team eBird

Be a part of birding’s biggest team! Global Big Day is an annual celebration of the birds around you. No matter where you are, join us virtually on 8 May, help celebrate World Migratory Bird Day, and share the birds you find with eBird.

Participating is easy—you can even be part of Global Big Day from home. If you can spare 5 or 10 minutes, report your bird observations to eBird online or with our free eBird Mobile app. If you have more time, submit checklists of birds throughout the day. You never know what you might spot. Your observations help us better understand global bird populations through products like these animated abundance maps brought to you by eBird Science.

Last year, Global Big Day brought more birders together virtually than ever before. More than 50,000 people from 175 countries submitted a staggering 120,000 checklists with eBird, setting a new world record for a single day of birding. Will you help us surpass last year’s records? However you choose to participate, please continue to put safety first and follow your local guidelines Continue reading here.....

Why Is Ash Falling Across Barbados?

Barbados Meteorological Services

Barbados lies about 100 miles (161km) to the east of St. Vincent, and with winds over the island blowing from east to west one would think that we should not be adversely affected by the ash fall from the eruption of the La Soufriere volcano.  Then why are we being affected?  The above graphic from the Barbados Meteorological Services  explains why.  Our hearts remain with our Caribbean brothers and neighbors in St. Vincent and we wish them all the best.

Almost Lights Out for Night-Heron

The view from the Chancery Lane lookout

On the afternoon of March 29^th, I made a quick stop at the Chancery Lane Swamp lookout to see what birds were there.  One of the many birds I noticed was a Juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) and boy was it having a terrible afternoon, that was almost it's last. 

Grey Kingbird vs Black-crowned Night-Heron

When I approached the lookout it appeared I spooked the heron, which was just below the cliff in the mangroves.  As it flew off it was escorted to the far side of the swamp by a Grey Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis).  This was the first attack and one the night-heron just ignored but he could not ignore the second attack, doing so could have caused its life. Here is what happened. 

My camera battery was dying so I went to my car for a fully charged one.  Before reaching the car I heard the alarm calls of the Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca).  Turning around I saw a mixture of shorebirds flying around in alarm. Straight away I knew what was happening, a raptor was in the vicinity.  

Black-crowned Night-Heron vs Peregrine Falcon

 I rushed to the lookout just in time to see a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)  in hot pursuit of the poor juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron which was calling loudly while twisting and turning trying to escape the deadly talons of the bird of prey.  

Black-crowned Night-Heron twisting and turning trying to escape

Almost got him!

The agility of the heron took me by surprise and just as the falcon was about to catch it, the heron dropped to the ground.  That move saved its life.   The falcon made a few speedy dives at the juvenile but was unable to coerce it to leave the safety of the ground.  

Peregrine Falcon leaving the swamp

The peregrine finally gave up, made a few passes at a Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) and Common Gallinules (Gallinula galeata), before perching in a tree at the edge of the swamp.  After making another failed attempt to make the night-heron dinner, it left the swamp.  I must admit I was rooting for the juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron all the way and was happy to see it was still alive.  I guess from the Peregrine's prospective - you win some and you loose some. 

Stay safe and enjoy you birding. 

The Barbados Birds and Birding Report – March

The local birders were happy to be back in the field after the February COVID-19 lockdown.  In March we combined for seventy species, adding three new birds to the islands 2021 checklist, closing the month with 78 species.   Here are a few highlights from that month.

Red-billed Tropicbird entering a nesting hole
while another prepare to enter another

• Red-billed Tropicbirds (Phaethon aethereus) were photographed entering nesting holes in the sea cliff at Green Point, St. Philip.  While this is not rare, it is confirmation of these beauties continue to nest on the island.
• A few near rare birds that were seen during the month were Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca),  Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri), Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis), and Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster).
• Uncharacteristically high 
  individual
   count of common species during the month: 
• Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta) 14 birds, with 27 Snowy Egrets (Egretta thula) was reported by John at Chancery Lane on the 31st.
• Snowy Egrets (Egretta thula) 34 at Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge on the 13th

  

  Juvenile BCNH @ heronry in St. Lucy

• Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) 25+ birds were seen when another birder and I stumbled on an active heronry on the 31st as we were birding in the north.  
• Blue-winged Teals (Spatula discors) 128 at Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge on the 12th 

March Rare Bird Sightings

Here are the rare birds seen during the month, highlighted below parish by parish. (* continuing Birds)

St. Lucy

• Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)* - first seen late last year

American Coot

• American Coot (Fulica Americana)* - This bird was first seen  as a chick and continues to strive at this location  

St. Andrew

• American Coot (Fulica Americana)* - 10+ birds at Walkers Reserve  including two pairs with chicks. 

St. George

• American Coot (Fulica Americana) - one of a pair at a Redland Irrigation pond, maybe preparing to nest.
• American Coot - Red Shielded (Fulica Americana) - one of a pair at a Redland Irrigation pond.  Confirmation of red-shielded was made by photograph but unsure of the other bird's status.

 St. Philip

• Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor)- one seen at a private location 

  

  Pacific Golden-Plover
  with the smaller Semipalmated Plover

• Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva) - this is the third year this species, maybe even the same bird, was recorded at this location.
•  Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus)* (2), most likely the pair from the north 

Christ Church

One of the 2 chicks with
adult American Coot @ Chancery Lane

• American Coot (Fulica Americana) - two locations, with 3 successful breeding attempts, producing 11 chicks, only 6 survived the month.
• Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) seen multiple times at a private location

St. Michael

• Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) our star raptor is still here at Bay Street on its usual perch preying on red crabs. (see this).  

Pearly-eyed Thrasher
photographed by Arthur Atkinson 

• Pearly-eyed Thrasher (Margarops fuscatus) this is the second year this bird was seen in this area.

The northern migration has already begun.  It is not as active a period for us as with the fall migration but it offers the privilege to see a few interesting birds. So stay vigilant – stay safe and enjoy your birding.

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.