The Barbados Birds and Birding Report – February

After a dream start to 2022, birding-wise, February brought things back down to earth.  We only add two species to the year’s tally, Caribbean Martin (Progne dominicensis) and a Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva) closing the month with 79 species.

February Rare Bird Sightings

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

St. Lucy

The long-stay Glossy Ibis remains steady in the north

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

St. Andrew

The American Coot population continues to increase 

• American Coot white-shielded (Fulica Americana) (19)*- adults and juveniles at Walkers Reserve, which continues to be the hub for this species return to the island;
• American Wigeon (Mareca Americana) (8)* – seen at Walkers Reserve with a growing number of Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors).

Magnolia Warbler continues at THWs

• Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) – First seen on January 15^th at Turners Hall Woods. 

St. George

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

ST. Philip

• Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica)*- sub-adult at the Bayfield’s Pond, first reported by a  visitor to the island but has subsequently molted into its beautiful adult plumage.
• Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva) - Every year for the last several years this species, maybe even the same bird, returns to this location. 

Christ Church

Two sightings of a Black-headed Gull at Oistins 

• Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)* –  two sightings in the month of February on the ice pier at Oistins;
• Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)* –  seen on the ice pier at Oistins'
• Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) – wintering bird at the Graeme Hall Swamp.  This bird was first seen by John Webster on January 23^rd.

St. Michael

• Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)* – seen on the Browns Beach on multiple occasions.  

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.