A Successful Global Big Day 2023

Collared Plover was one of the rare birds seen during the GBD2023

The Global Big Day, which celebrated World Migratory Birds Day, was a success at all levels - locally, regionally, and internationally. Locally, seven birders submitted more than 50 checklists to ebird, recording 54 species, a new local record for the Global Big Day. Two of these species, Black Swift (Cypseloides niger) and Collared Plover (Charadrius collaris), were first records for 2023. Several rare birds for the island were also spotted on the day. These included a Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) in St. Andrew, a Striated Heron (Butorides striata) in St. Thomas, and a Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) at Oistins. In the north, St. Lucy hosted six Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) and the aforementioned Collared Plover (Charadrius collaris).

American Coots at Redland, St. George

 Another notable observation was the combined count of 261 Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis) at two locations and the continued expansion of American Coots, across the island was evident with thirty-one birds recorded at four locations on the day.

 The Bajan Birders & Friends team did an amazing job in the Birds Caribbean Global Big Day team event and Fundraisers. This team consisted of local bird enthusiasts and some international ones who had visited and birded on the island before. They broke two team records: they saw 220 species, beating their previous record of 195 from last year, 2022; and they raised $435 for bird banding in the Caribbean, more than four times their previous amount of $105. We are still waiting for the official results from Birds Caribbean, but we can confidently say that we had a successful World Migratory Birds Day.

See the team's trip report here

 PS. Stay tuned for the regional and international official results