The Barbados Birds and Birding Report – January

What a busy start to the new year we had, seventy-six species of birds reported,  with an increase in rare birds sightings. This surge could be the result of the colder than normal conditions we had throughout the month, or it could just be that the main birders were all out in earnest.  All three, Ed Massiah, John Webster and myself recorded at least one local lifers during the month.  One of us is doing a big year for sure, while another may be secretly doing or considering doing one, but the fact is, when these three are birding with a purpose, we tend to see more bird species being reported.  A lot of help was provided by the over ten other birders, local and visitors, who submitted over 70 checklist to ebird.  Let's hope this drive continues into February and for the remainder of the year.

January Rare Bird Sightings

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

St. Lucy

Glossy Ibis

• Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)(1)*- the only one of the original three birds remaining at this location;

St. Andrew

American Coot (white-shielded)

• American Coot white-shielded (Fulica Americana) (15)*- 12 adults and 3 juveniles at Walkers Reserve, which continues to be the hub for this species return to the island;

  

  American Coot (red-shielded)

• American Coot red-shielded (Fulica Americana)(2) – at Walkers Reserve;
• American Wigeon (Mareca Americana) (2) – two of these migratory ducks were reported on the 16^th but were not seen on the 21^st;
• American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) – a yearly wintering warbler at Turners Hall Woods;

  

  Magnolia Warbler

• Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) – First seen on the 15^th but identification was conformed by Ed Massiah on the 21^st. The bird was last seen on the 29^th, the last visit by a birder to Turners Hall Woods;
• Pearly-eyed Thrasher (Margarops fuscatus) – another one of this year’s gems from the Turners Hall Woods.  Ed Massiah heard the repeated call of this Caribbean visitor on his visit to the woods on the 23^rd.

St. Joseph

Baltimore Oriole

• Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) - a beautiful male seen at Chimborazo on the 26^th.

St. Thomas

Snail Kite

• Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) – after not being seen for close to three months, the Snail Kite turned up in Farmers, St. Thomas on the 17^th.   Sightings were also reported on the 20^th and 21^st.

St. George

• American Coot white-shielded (Fulica Americana)* seen at Redland.

ST. Philip

Purple Gallinule

• Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica)*- sub-adult at the Bayfield’s Pond, first reported by a  visitor to the island but as subsequently molted, or in the process of molting,  into its beautiful adult plumage.
• Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) – this bird was seen feeding among white egrets and herons. Maybe the same bird from last year.

Christ Church

Northern Shoveler

• Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) - one duck was seen at Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge on the 23^rd;
• American Coot (Fulica Americana) – two juveniles  at a private location;

  

  Black-headed Gull

• Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)* – the bird was seen on the ice pier at Oistins, along with a few terns on the 19^th.  It was not seen since then;
• Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) – first seen on the ice pier at Oistins on 19^th last seen on the 21^st ;

  

  Cape May Warbler

• Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) – one of the two rare warbler species seen at the Graeme Hall Swamp during the month.  This bird was first seen by John Webster on the 23^rd;

  

  Northern Parula

• Northern Parula (Setophaga Americana) – this warbler was first seen on the 3^rd then on 19^th and  22^nd ;

St. Michael

Lesser Black-backed Gull

• Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) – this large immature gull was seen at the Bridgetown Fishing Complex on the 5^th. It was most likely the same bird that was seen late last year at Pile Bay.

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 help.