Barbados Birding Highlights: December - February (Winter Birds)

This period brought an exciting mix of rare visitors and continuing highlights across the island. From flooded cane fields in St. Lucy to coastal lookouts in st. Philip, birders recorded several noteworthy species— from a common rare bird to a first for Barbados, all the discoveries are listed below.

Waterfowl Surprises

• Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) – First observed at a flooded cane field in St. Lucy by Michael St. John.

  

  Wigeons - Eurasian (L) and American (R)

• Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope) – One bird appeared at Fosters, St. Lucy on December 24. Two days later, another was seen at Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge (WSR) among American Wigeons.

Shorebirds 

• Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) – Of three discovered by Quincy Clarke on September 28, one remained at Congo Road, St. Philip.
• Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) – First noted by Ian “Bolt” Atkins on November 30 at WSR and continued at the site into March.
• Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) – Discovered by Muriel Aboso and Anthony Levesque at North Point, St. Lucy, and still showing well into March.
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Seabird

• Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) – Seen at Oistins, Christ Church by Ocean Campbell.
  
  
  
• American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) – Also recorded at Oistins by Ocean Campbell.
• Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra) – Three records this season: one off North Point, St. Lucy on December 10 (Julian Moore), and two more at Deeble Point, St. Lucy on February 21 (Quincy Clarke).

Spoonbills, Herons and Egrets

• Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) – Continued presence at Fosters, St. Lucy.
• Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) – Possibly multiple individuals, with sightings ranging from Fosters, St. Lucy to Congo Road, St. Philip, and even the reopened Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary.
  
  
  
• Western Reef-Heron (Egretta gularis) – Discovered by Ian “Bolt” Atkins on December 26 at WSR, where it showed well.
• Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea) – A regular visitor, continuing this year.

Raptors

• Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) – Rediscovered at Deeble Point, St. Philip by Quincy Clarke.

Songbird Rarities

Grey  Trembler - A new bird for Barbados

• Grey Trembler (Cinclocerthia gutturalis) – A brand-new species for Barbados! First noticed by a resident near her home, with a second bird confirmed on January 1 at My Ladies Hole, St. John by Edward Massiah.
  
  
  
• Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) – Found at Turners Hall Woods, St. Andrew on February 25 by Julian Moore.

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Closing Note

This winter season has been remarkable, with both expected visitors and extraordinary surprises. The Gray Trembler stands out as a historic addition to the island’s bird list, while the diversity of waterfowl and seabirds underscores Barbados’ importance as a stopover and wintering site.

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Another Wintering Warbler Species

Prothonotary Warbler FP

Yes, another warbler species has been recorded wintering on the island! This time it’s the Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea), discovered by Ocean Campbell of Ocean Hikes on March 12th at Turners Hall Woods, St. Andrew. 

While the Prothonotary is among the more regular of our rare wintering warblers, it’s still considered uncommon here—like all wintering warblers, with the exception of probably the Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis), which occurs in larger numbers. This sighting marks the first record of the species for 2026. 

The Prothonotary Warbler is a striking golden-yellow songbird, breeding in the swamp forests, river floodplains, and wooded wetlands of the eastern and southeastern United States. In winter, it migrates to Central America, northern South America, and in small numbers, the Caribbean. It’s one of the most beautiful birds you might encounter while birding on our island.

The migratory Warblers Seen thus far for 2026: 

• Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)
• Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)
• Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)
• Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)

Wherever your birding takes, stay safe and enjoy your birding.

Here is an interesting tip bit about the Prothonotary Warbler:

Unlike most warblers, the Prothonotary Warbler is a cavity nester. Instead of weaving nests in shrubs or trees, it uses natural holes in standing dead wood—or even nest boxes—often near water. This unusual behavior sets it apart from nearly all other warblers and adds to its charm as a species full of surprises.

 

Two Wintering Warblers

Wintering warblers are always a rare treat on the island, but within the span of just one week, I was fortunate to record two different species.

A female Black-and-white Warbler at Turners Hall Woods

The first, a female Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia), appeared on February 25th at one of the island’s best spots for wintering warblers—Turners Hall Wood, St. Andrew. Soon after, another individual joined her. This species breeds across northern and eastern North America and winters in the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America. It is unmistakable in appearance, clad in bold black-and-white stripes. Females, like the one photographed here, show a white throat, while males display a black throat.

Prairie Warbler

Just days later, on March 4th, I encountered something even rarer—a Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor). Rain had thwarted my plans to bird at Turners Hall Woods, so I decided to explore a road I had only recently noticed, despite driving past it daily for months. The road led me into a mix of vegetation: River Tamarind (Leucaena leucocephala) on one side, mature Flamboyant trees (Delonix regia), and dense shrubbery.

With warblers still on my mind, I stopped to “phish” and see what might respond. As usual, the first arrivals were Barbados Bullfinches (Loxigilla barbadensis) and Bananaquits (Coereba flaveola). Then, in flew the warbler. Even before I saw its colors and markings, the size and shape gave it away. Once I caught sight of the plumage, I knew instantly—it was a Prairie Warbler. This beautiful species breeds in the eastern and southeastern United States and winters in Florida, the Caribbean, and parts of Central America. Its preferred habitats include scrublands, mangroves, and regenerating forests—ironically, it is seldom found in actual prairies.

I hope we will find more warblers before the season end.  That would be great.