The Barbados Birds and Birding Report – April

There were three new birds in April, one was a mega-rare. There were Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos), American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliates), the mega-rare bird, and Willet (Tringa semipalmata), bringing the total birds species seen at the end of April to 87.

American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliates) are large, stocky shorebird, about 17-21” (38-21cm) in length, with a long, bright reddish-orange beak, yellow iris, and a bright reddish-orange eye-ring.  The last confirmed sighting of one on the island was on August 30th, 1998. (BOS Series #24 - The Birds of Barbados (Buckley, Massiah, et al)). The bird was recorded at Inch Marlow, Christ Church on Friday, April 22nd but fishermen who frequent the area said the bird was around for a while.

April’s 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)*- only one of the original three birds remaining at this location;

St. Andrew

• American Coot red-shielded (Fulica Americana)(2)* – at Walkers Reserve;
  

ST. John

Grey Heron

• Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) - seen at Tappy Pond on April 1st

Christ Church

• Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) -- most likely the sane bird seen on the 1st that relocated to this location
  
  

  

  American Oystercatcher

• American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliates) - A mega-rare bird for the island. First recorded on the 22nd at Inch Marlow

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^t but is now a regular along the basin of Carlise's Bay.
• Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis)* - First sighted on September 2020, a first for the island.

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.   

May, A Thrilling Month For Birding

Blackpoll Warbler at Graeme Hall Swamp 2017

I've always looked forward to birding in the month of May.  It is not one of the birdies months of the year, in fact, it can be quite slow but here are just two reasons it is a month to look forward to, (1)the Global Big Day and (2)the Mega-rare possibilities.

Global Big Day

It is the biggest day of birding worldwide, The Global Big Day,  in celebration of World Migratory Bird Day, which will be on May 14^th this year.  Last year more than 50,000 people from 175 countries submitted an astounding 120,000 checklists with eBird, setting a new world record for a single day of birding.  It was also the first time the island fielded a locally based birding team, The Bajan Birders. Our team along with fourteen others was able to raise valuable funds for a Caribbean bird conservation effort.  This year will be the same, and the funds raised will go towards providing travel scholarships to help deserving Caribbean students and wildlife professionals attend the AOS-BC Conference in Puerto Rico (June 2022).  Last year the island recorded 51 species touching all eleven parishes.  This was just 2 short of the highest Global Big Day count of 53species seen in 2017.  Can we see at least 54 species this year? And as a team, we have the ambitious goal of seeing the most species on the day. We need you to help us accomplish that, so join us by clicking here.

Mega-rare Possibilities

Another reason I look forward to the month of May is the high number of Mega-rare birds historically recorded during the month.

Here are a few examples:

May 1st

• Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) - 2013
• Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) - 2001
• Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) – 2001
• Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus) - 2000
• Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) – 1992

May 2nd

• Dickcissel (Spiza americana) - 1992 (Female. First Record for Barbados) 
• Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) - 1992 

May 4th

• Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) - 2017 (rare for time of year)

May 12

Little Stint by Ed Massiah 

• Little Stint (Calidris minuta) - 1999

May 30

• Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) - 2015
  

Gray-hooded Gull

• Gray-hooded Gull (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus) - 2009

And a list of rare birds.

These are just two of the reason why the month of May is a thrilling month For birding - let's hope this year lives up to the hype.

Stay safe and enjoy your birding