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.