Barbados Birding Highlights: August–November 2025 (Fall Migration Period)

Fall migration continued the extraordinary wave of bird activity across Barbados. From familiar annual visitors to rare and mega-rare migrants, even a first island record. The island’s wetlands, coasts, and reserves became a stage for remarkable sightings. Each observation cemented Barbados as a vital stopover for migratory species and a migrant trap, especially for old world species. 

Here are the records for that period:

Shorebirds and Waders

American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) rediscovered at North Point, St. Lucy on September 21st.
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) seen at WSR on November 30th (Ian Alkins).
Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) (2): one at Long Pond, St. Andrew on October 12th (Ed Massiah), and another at North Point on October 21st (Muriel Aboso & Anthony Levesque).

Southern Lapwing

Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) at Fosters on September 14th (John Webster).
Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) at Alaska Impoundment, Bright Hall, St. Lucy on October 25th (Muriel Aboso & Anthony Levesque).
Ruff (Calidris pugnax) (2): first on October 24th (Michael St. John), joined by a second on November 9th (Ed Massiah).
Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis): two at Fosters on September 22nd, singles at Congo Road on September 27th (John Webster), and Alaska Shooting Swamp on October 21–22nd (Muriel Aboso & Anthony Levesque).

Gulls and Terns

Two Lesser Black-backed Gull at Brandon's Beach

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (2): first at Brandons Beach, St. Michael (Qunicy Clarke), later along the west coast.
Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis): Oistins Jetty on August 4th (Julian Moore), Chancery Lane on August 29th (Michael St. John).
Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) photographed at Long Pond, St. Andrew on August 30th (Michael St. John).

White-winged Tern

White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) at Fosters on November 7th (Julian Moore).

Glossy Ibis

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus): close to 50 birds recorded across the island.
Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia): first seen flying over the Ermie Bourne Highway on September 4th, later settling at Fosters, St. Lucy.
Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea): a regular visitor, continuing at Fosters and WSR.
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis): first at Six Mens Bay on September 15th (Qunicy Clarke), also at Oistins from August 26th to November 8th.

Raptors

White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus): still present, mainly around Walker Reserve.
Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus): a first record for Barbados, discovered October 26th (Muriel Aboso & Anthony Levesque), last reported November 12th.

Passerines

Red-eyed Vireos

Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) (2): Harrison’s Point on October 19th (Julian Moore).

Cuban Martin (Progne cryptoleuca): Spring Hall, St. Lucy on August 26th with Caribbean Martins (Julian Moore).
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) (2): Graeme Hall Swamp on November 9th (Musse Björklund), Fusilier Road, St. George on November 22nd (Macrae Hoyos).
Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina): photographed at Fosters, St. Lucy on October 31st (Michael St. John).