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