The Barbados Birds and Birding Report – April

Yellow-crowned Parrot

In April the birding was still very slow and as the dry season continued the water began to disappear.  Wet lands spanning from Chance Hall’s Pond in the north and Chancery Lane in the south were all being affected.  We were still able to add three year- birds to the islands checklist ending the month at 82 species.   The new birds were African Collared-Dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea), Willet (Tringa semipalmata), Orange-winged Parrot (Amazona amazonica), and the other local Amazona, the Yellow-crowned Parrot (Amazona ochrocephala).

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

St. Andrew

• American Coot (Fulica Americana)*(10+) over ten individual birds at Walkers.
• American Coot (Fulica Americana)* One bird at Bawdens

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. John

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

Christ Church

• Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)* – Seen at Chancery Lane and a private location.
• American Coot (Fulica Americana) (4) - Adult with two juveniles plus an orphaned juvenile  at a private pond.

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)