The Barbados Birds and Birding Report - April

Four new year-birds in April moved the island's year tally to 87 species.  The four new species were Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) and Least Tern (Sternula antillarum), both seen multiple times at Inch Marlow, Christ Church during the month Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva) was seen by Dr. Webster on the 22nd, and Striated Heron (Butorides striata) at its usual migratory stop over at the SBRC in St. Thomas.  
May is Global Big Day month and this year it will be held on Saturday 13th. Birds Caribbean (BC) is hosting its annual Global Big Day (GBD) Teams competition and fundraiser.  Our local team - The Bajan Birders & Friends - will be taking part.  This time around, funds are being raised for BC's Caribbean Bird Banding Network, which will allow them to host training workshops, sponsor internships, provide banding supplies, and grow the community of scientists that are advancing research and conservation of Caribbean birds.  So please join our team or/and contribute to this worthwhile cause.
To join or contribute to our team is easier than ever!  Just follow these steps.

Here is a list of rare bird sightings for the month of April, highlighted parish by parish. (* continuing Birds)

St. Lucy

Two of the six Glossy Ibises

• Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)(6)*- One bird was around for more than a year before being joined by five others in August 2022.

  

  Garganey, bottom, fly with Blue-winged Teal (photo by M. St, John)

• Garganey (Spatula querquedula) - I first saw this bird on March 20th.  It then relocated to another wet area in the parish.  It was last seen on April 16th.

St. Philip

• Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva)- Dr. Webster saw this bird on the 22nd.
• Red Knot (Calidris canutus) - This shorebird was first reported in January and appeared to have wintered on the island. 

Christ Church

• Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia)(2) - two birds at Inch Marlow with other swallows and Martins feed on flies attracted to the Sargassum seaweed.

  

  Least Tern 

• Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) - Ed Massiah first reported this tern on the 16th at Inch Marlow. 

St. Thomas

Striated Heron at SBRC pond, St. Thomas 

• Striated Heron (Butorides striata)at its usual migratory stop over at the SBRC pond.

St. James

• Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) 

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.  A new tool to help with your local bird identification is our Facebook Group, The Birds of Barbados. Click here to join