The Wilson's Phalarope that was at WSR |
Wilson's Phalarope unique feeding technique |
Birds of Barbados is a social media initiative that aims to raise awareness and educate people about the beautiful birds of Barbados, both native and migratory, where and how to see them, the challenges they face, and the efforts to protect them.
The Wilson's Phalarope that was at WSR |
Wilson's Phalarope unique feeding technique |
Pacific Golden-Plover was a new addition to the 2024 checklist |
Spotted Sandpiper molting to breeding plumage |
Ruddy Turnstone in breeding plumage |
As the month progresses, the molting process of migratory birds will become increasingly noticeable. During this time, many avian travelers will commence their journey but coming from breeding grounds south will also drop in while heading northward. One such bird is the Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) This vibrant beauty often makes a brief stopover, seeking refreshment, particularly during inclement weather, so be on the lookout for them. However, by the end of April, numerous visiting species will be en route to their breeding grounds, preparing to perpetuate another generation of globe-trotters
March Rare Bird Sightings
St. Lucy
One of the two remaining Glossy Ibis |
Grey Heron |
Be a part of birding’s biggest team! Global Big Day is an annual celebration of the birds around you. No matter where you are, join us virtually on 11 May, help celebrate World Migratory Bird Day, and share the birds you find with eBird.
Participating is easy—you can even be part of Global Big Day from home. If you can spare 5 or 10 minutes, report your bird observations to eBird online or with our free eBird Mobile app. If you have more time, submit several checklists of birds throughout the day. You never know what you might spot. Your observations help us better understand global bird populations through products like these animated abundance maps brought to you by eBird Science.
Last year, Global Big Day collected more data about birds on a single day than ever before. More than 58,000 people gathered 3.2 million bird observations on 148,000 checklists, setting new world records for a single day of birding. Will you help us make this the year we surpass 150,000 checklists on a single day?
Peregrine Falcon aka Duck Hawk |
Northern Pintails drake |
Green-winged Teal |
Snowy Egret high up |
Peregrine Falcon inspecting the ponds at WSR |
Cliff Swallow was one of the new birds for February |
As we dive deeper into the dry season, the wet areas that rely on rainfall as their primary source are gradually drying up. However, this transition brings a brief surge in the food supply for wading birds. Fish and other aquatic critters become easily accessible, creating a feeding frenzy for various species of herons, egrets, and shorebirds. Thankfully, places like Chancery Lane Swamp still retain a significant amount of water, ensuring a more stable food source for birds and excellent birding opportunities for birders for a few more weeks or longer if there is a heavy down pour.
March Notes
In early March, the island will achieve a remarkable milestone: 10,000 checklists submitted to ebird.org. Among these records, the oldest dated entry harks back to 1887 - but submitted hundreds of years after - featuring a Yellow-hooded Blackbird (Chrysomus icterocephalus). This historical record indicates that the bird was collected (a term from that era which meant shot) in September 1887, possibly at Chancery Lane according to the book Birds of Barbados. The bird’s preserved skin now resides in the Cambridge University Museum, cataloged as specimen number 27/Ict/1/c/12. This Yellow-hooded Blackbird is just one of the many local bird specimens housed in museums worldwide. On a more contemporary note, the oldest modern checklist was submitted by Bruce Parker in 1967, while he was birding in the Hasting Christ Church area. (see here). The oldest local media file is that of a Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) uploaded by Mouser Williams of the USA in on March 1st, 1991. While he said he saw the bird at Heywood's Beach St. Peter, the image looks like it was photographed at the Barbados Wildlife Reserve.
To date, this nearly 10,000-checklist archive has documented 230 out of the over 280 species of birds recorded on the island, along with an impressive collection of over 5,700 photographs—painting a vivid picture of the island’s avian history. While celebrating this achievement, we recognize areas where we can enhance our data. Specifically, we aim to improve our documentation of pelagic birds and increase submissions of audio and video recordings—currently standing at 76 and 17, respectively. Let’s continue to explore and appreciate the rich avifauna of our beautiful island!
St. Lucy
One of the two remaining Glossy Ibis |
Grey Heron |
Grey Heron |
A collection of waders, mostly heron and egrets, feeding at WSR |
Snowy Egret (Foreground) and Little Egret (Background) |
Grey Heron (Left) and Great Blue Heron (Right) |
Little Blue Heron |
As thousands of visitors sail into our beautiful island via cruise ships, they're contributing to a neglected aspect of Barbados’ birdlife: pelagic birding, which is the spotting of birds that spend most of their life far out to sea. Just last month, a keen-eyed guest aboard a cruise ship added three bird species of this type to the 2024 bird checklist. These were the Red-footed Booby (Sula sula), Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra), and Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster).
Gray-breasted Crake photo by Cindy Johnson
This is not the first time a new or rare bird species seen on the island was credited as ship-assisted and most likely will not be the last. Thanks to keen birders like Cindy this Gray-breasted Crake’s voyage even though left several questions unanswered is a step in helping scientists understand these all too common events. Sop Birders stay vigilant, continue to share your sightings, and enjoy your birding.
Whimbrel
The annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is Friday, February 16 through Monday, February 19. The GBBC was one of the first online projects to collect information on wild birds and was also instrumental in the creation of eBird back in 2002. Now there are more ways than ever to participate and share your love of birds!
If you’re new to birding, participate with Merlin: beginning bird admirers can participate in the GBBC using Merlin Bird ID—simply identify birds and save them with the app anytime February 16-19.
If you’re already eBirding, participate with eBird: go birding for at least 15 minutes anytime February 16-19, count all the birds you see or hear, and enter your observations via the GBBC website or eBird Mobile app. If you haven’t used eBird since the last GBBC, take the free eBird Essentials course for a refresher.
Below are some additional details about Great Backyard Bird Count ... continue the article here
Avian abundance kicked off 2024 in Barbados! January soared with 74 bird species, including some not spotted in December. Among the highlights were a warblers twosome at Turners Hall Woods - a beautiful Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) and Northern Parula (Setophaga Americana). Other highlights were the annual return of Red-billed Tropicbirds (Phaethon aethereus) and Caribbean Martins (Progne dominicensis) for breeding, and a Red-footed Booby (Sula sula) and Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra) spotted by a birder cruising into the island.
Yes! More than 50 birders, mostly tourists, birded on the island, contributing to the 74 species seen. This is not unexpected, as birding is a rapidly growing hobby worldwide. Barbados attracts many visitors from countries with a high proportion of bird enthusiasts, who may also enjoy some birding while on vacation. It is not that these persons travel here to bird, we are not that birdy, but while on vacation may take the time to see a few species. What is interesting is that some of the most famous birding tour operators, such as Wings, Sunrise Birding, and Carefree Birding, include Barbados in their Lesser Antilles birding trips, increasing the number of birding tourists. The Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary, if it were still open, would be a popular attraction for them, as well as a potential source of income for the government, if they developed their side of the Graeme Hall Swamp into a nature reserve. This could be a lost opportunity for a tourist destination with limited attractions.
Caribbean Martins are returning from migration |
St. Lucy
One of the two remaining Glossy Ibis |
Grey Heron |
Ruff |
Masked Booby (fp) |
Curlew Sandpiper |
Little/House Swift |
Osprey KW0 |
A photograph of the Little/House Swift at Hilton Barbados by Nigel Lallsingh |