The Barbados Birds and Birding Report – January

The first month of the year went by pretty fast and even though it was not a normal month, due in part to the increasing spread of COVID in the society, the local birders tallied seventy-five species.  

January Rare Bird Sightings

Here is a list of Rare Birds seen during the last month parish by parish (*continuing Birds)

St. Lucy

• Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) (1)* a high count of three birds was seen at this location throughout last year, one of which has been around since August 2019. Only one bird was seen during the limited visits to this location in January;
• American Coot ((White Shielded) Fulica Americana) A juvenile, most likely hatched at this location, this is a very big deal.

• Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica)* – an adult and a juvenile bird was seen at a private location. The adult most likely is the same bird seen at this location late last year
  
  
  
• Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)* - a single bird first seen on December 29^thremained into the new year.

• Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor)* seen with a family of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
• Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus)* two birds held over from last year

 St. Andrew 

• American Coot ((White Shielded) Fulica Americana) (6)*, 5 at The Walkers Reserve. Finally, we can confirm nesting of at least 2 pairs with a total of 5 chicks at this location. This is a big deal!

St.Philip

• Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) this yearly Eurasian visitor was seen on the 30^th 
• Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)* this very active bird appears to move between 2 locations in Christ Church, one being Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge (WSR) and a private impoundment in this parish.
• Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis)* this bird appears to be expanding its range from its roosting location at Bay Street, St. Michael

Christ Church

• American Wigeon (Mareca Americana)* first seen last month, was reported early in the month but was not seen after that.
• American Coot (Fulica Americana)* – a high count of three birds seen with one appeared to be nesting.
• Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) The rarer of the two night herons that can be found on the island, this one was seen and photographed by Carla Daniel of the Barbados Turtle Project on Dover Beach.
• Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)* - seen at WSR on the 25^th but relocated to another location in the parish of St. Philip.

St. Michael

• Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis)* Still at Bay Street but is extending its range to other wet lands.
• Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)  at Pile Bay

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. 

Banded Sanderling at Six Men's

Barbados had its first banded bird sighting for the year, a Sanderling (Calidris alba) with tagged markings JK>.  It was first seen and photographed by a local photographer Himal Reece at Six Men’s, St. Peter.  I saw the bird on Saturday, January 16th, at the same location with 10 others Sanderlings and a Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres).  This no doubt, is just a remnant of a larger flock I saw there on December 5^th which numbered close to 50 birds. The shorebird appeared healthy and was actively feeding, the only one in the group doing so, the others were at rest.  The sighting was reported to www.bandedbirds.com.  Six Men’s Bay is one of the wintering locations for Sanderlings on the island and over the years there have been several resightings there. See a list below of the tag IDs, the year and location of its banding, and the year of resighting at Six Men’s Bay.

• Y2L was tagged on May 22, 2015, at Villas Beaches, New Jersey, United States. Resighted at six Men’s in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2020
  
  
  
• 19Y was tagged May 22, 2014, at  Villas Beaches, New Jersey, United States - Resighted at Six Men’s in 2014
  
  
  
• CVE was tagged on  May 22, 2015, at Villas Beaches, New Jersey, United States - Resighted at Six Men’s in 2015 and Long Beach, Christ Church in 2018.
  
  
  
• JK>  was tagged on May 5, 2019, at Kimbles Beach - South, New Jersey, United States – Its resighting history is very short  -

• 5/24/2019 - Reeds Beach - south, New Jersey, United States  
• 5/30/2019 - Kimbles Beach - north, New Jersey, United States
• 6/1/2019 - Villas Beaches, New Jersey, United States
• 7/29/2019 - Moores Beach - Creek, New Jersey, United State 
• 1/3/2021 – Six Men’s Bay, St. Peter, Barbados

Banding data is useful in both scientific research, species management and conservation projects. The individual identification of birds makes possible studies of dispersal and migration, behavior and social structure, life-span and survival rate, reproductive success, and population growth.  When such data is reported, it helps in connecting parts of the puzzle that is the bird's life and journeys.  It allows for important conservational resources to be plugged in at the most effective areas for the betterment of the targeted species. So next time you happen to see a banded bird report it, share the information, look it up on www.bandedbirds.com.  It may give you a new appreciation for our feathered friends. 

Stay safe and enjoy your birding

The Barbados Birds and Birding Report – December

The last month of 2020 brought with it many birds and birding opportunities.  The influx of ducks that we started seeing at the end of last month amplified into this month.  In December seven birders submitted over 70 checklists to ebird with over 59 species, with an American Wigeon (Mareca Americana) at Chancery Lane Swamp, Christ Church, being the only new addition to the islands 2020 list.  We can now say Barbados has recorded 115 different bird species for the year 2020.

Ducks and more Ducks

Lesser Scaups

The number and species of migratory ducks increased immensely during the month of December. Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors), our most numerous migratory ducks, was present at many locations right across the island with a high count of 138 birds at The Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge (WSR) on December 7. The WSR continued to be the favorite landing spot for ducks with its playing host to several species, Lesser Scaups (Aythya affinis) (11),  Green-winged Teals (Anas crecca) (4), Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) (3) and a breeding group of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis) (20+).  Other than the WSR we also had a high count of 20 Lesser Scaups (Aythya affinis) at Chancery Lane’s Swamp, and one at a location in St. Lucy.  The Lane was also the only location for an American Wigeon (Mareca Americana), which was seen swimming at a group of 8 Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) and 3 Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris).  A Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) put in a late appearance in the duck-fest, when a signal bird was seen in St. Lucy.  I am expecting to see more ducks arriving in January.

December Rare Bird Sightings

2020 has been a difficult year for many and as we roll over into 2021 I hope you will have a wonderful year as we continue to adjust to the changes caused by COVID.  Here is hope you’ll have a wonderful and productive 2021.  May all your nemesis birds become lifers and all your dream locations become just sidenotes. Stay safe and enjoy your birding,

Here are the rare birds seen during the month, highlighted below parish by parish. (* continuing Birds)

St. Lucy

• Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) (2)* The first bird has been around since August 2019, it was joined by another in August and another one in September but now only two birds remain at this location with one of them molting to breeding plumage.

  

  American Coot

  
  
• American Coot ((White Shielded)* Fulica Americana) bird first seen by John Webster.
• Killdeer (Charadrius vociferous)* - expect at this time of the year.  this one was first seen by Ed Massiah at  North Point on the 30^th

Long-billed Dowitcher

• Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus)* - One of the most difficult shorebirds to identify because of its similarities to the more common Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus). John Webster was able to locate and identify these two by their call. 

Fulvous Whistling-Duck

• Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) this bird returns to the island yearly around this time.
• Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica)- this species was seen at this location around this time last year.  This maybe the same bird returning to the same location

 St. Andrew 

• American Coot ((White Shielded) Fulica Americana) (6)*, 5 at The Walkers Reserve, and 1 at Bawdens. These birds were there for more than a year, nesting expected. 
• American Coot ((Red Shielded) Fulica Americana)* the rarer of the two American Coots, continue at The Walkers Reserve

St. Philips

• Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) seen a day before the one recorded in the parish of St. Lucy, maybe a suggestion that this species is in the process of migrating
• Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereu) an earlier than a normal visit by a birder to the nesting area highlighted 4 birds

 Christ Church

• Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)* seen at Oistins sitting on a buoy in the Bay.

  

  Glossy Ibis

  
  
• Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)* - This bird was seen at a location in this parish but relocated to a private location in St. Philip in the latter half of the month
• Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) seen at the Graeme Hall Swamp
• American Coot ((White Shielded) – 2 at Chancery Lane 

St. Michael

Snail Kite

• Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis)* - our star raptor is still here at Bay Street on its usual perch looking for red crabs. (see this) It has extended its range with one sighting in St. Philip at the end of the month.
• Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) - seen at Pile Bay multiple times during the month

 

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 assist. 

The Barbados Birds and Birding Report – November

White-winged Tern

Migration slowed but birds were still on the move.  During November, six birders submitted 63 checklists to ebird.org, for a total of 69 species, with a White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) and a Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) being first records for the year, moving the island's tally to 113 species. (112 reported to ebird, 1 unreported) 

Migratory ducks arrived and continued throughout the month of November.  Over 100 Blue-winged Teals (Spatula discors), our most numerous migratory duck, were reported at locations in the east and the north, with smaller amounts at other ponds.  Accounts of the closely related duck species, Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) and Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) at two locations in the south and east, also a Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) in St. Lucy added to the influx of ducks.

November  Rare Bird Sightings

Several rare birds showed well during November but the two highlights, because of the number of birds seen, were five Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) and four juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) at Pile Bay St. Michael on the 9th.  Other rare birds seen during the month are highlighted below parish by parish. (* continuing Birds)

St. Lucy

• Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) (3)* The first bird has been around since August 2019, it was joined by another in August and another one in September
• American Coot ((White Shielded)* Fulica Americana) bird first seen by John Webster during the October Big Day.
• Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)*- A few hanged around last into the month with John Webster reporting one on the 20^th
• Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica)* – one bird remaining from last month
• 
  
  White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) - First seen at a private location but then relocated to the wet area at North Point. (See this)
• Killdeer (Charadrius vociferous) - expect at this time of the year.  this one was first seen by Ed Massiah at  North Point on the 30^th
• 
  
  Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) - One of the most difficult shorebirds to identify because of its similarities to the more common Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus). John Webster was able to locate and identify these two by they call. 
• 
  
  Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) - a single bird seen on the 29^th

St. Andrew 

• American Coot ((White Shielded) Fulica Americana) (6)*, 5 at The Walkers Reserve, and 1 at Bawdens. These birds were here for more than a year, nesting expected. 
• American Coot ((Red Shielded) Fulica Americana)* the rarer of the two American Coots.  This bird is paired with one of the White Shielded mentioned above at Bawdens.

Christ Church

• Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)* seen at the Board Walk at Hasting and Oistins during the month.
• Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)* - This is the fourth Glossy on the island 

St. Michael

• Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis)* - our star raptor is still here at Bay Street on it usual perch looking for red crabs. (see this)
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) - five of these large gulls continue at Pile Bay, all juveniles.
• Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) - Five of our national bird were seen between Pile Bay and Payne's Bay, St. James 

St. James

• 
  
  Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) - two birds seen sitting on a boat and one flying around

 

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 assist. 

Rare Bird - White-winged Tern

We had another rare bird sighting in the northern parish of St. Lucy over the weekend.  It was a juvenile White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) at the North Point.   This is a small tern about 7.9 - 10.6 inches (20 - 27 cm) in length with a wingspan of about 25 -27 inches” (63-67 cm).  The breeding plumage of this bird species is simply stunning - a black head, neck, uppers, and underparts, whereas the tail and wings are pale to white in color.

The non-breeding and the juvenile plumages, like this one, are not as dramatic – palish to white upper and underparts, reddish legs, with a dark helmet-like crown that extends like earmuffs behind the eyes.

This Eurasian species breeds from southeast Europe to Central Asia also in the Russian Far East, but winters in southern and central Africa, and from India to northern Australia.  White-winged Terns though rare, are no strangers to the island with five birds recorded up to 2008, follow by sightings in 2013, 2015, and 2019 (The Birds of Barbados – P.A. Buckley, Edward Massiah, et al). 

With rare birds popping up across the region, this may not be our last mega for the year so stay tuned. 

Pelicans on the West Coast

Two juvenile Brown Pelicans off Paynes Bay 

Very few Barbadians have seen our national bird, the Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), here on the island.  This bird, once said to be a staple around the island, became a rare visitor when the sea area between an island off the southern coastline, called Pelican Island, was reclaimed and filled in during the building of the now Bridgetown Port. Throughout most of the year, we had sightings alonged the east and the south-east coast of a single bird but yesterday (November 09th) along the west coast about five individual birds were seen between the two fishing complexes at Pile Bay and Paynes Bay.  This is a great opportunity for locals to see our national bird.

One of the three Pelicans seen at Pile Bay

The Barbados Birds and Birding Report – October

October continued the trend of the latter months of the year seemingly as if trying to make up for the almost two years of drought - it rained almost  daily.   This did not affect birding or the birders too much as over 150 checklists were submitted to ebird.org by 9 birders. Seventy-five of those checklists with sixty-six bird species came on the 17^th and 18^th during two global birding events, the October Big Day and the Global Bird Weekend.    Barbados birds tally for 2020 increased by an additional 5 species, namely Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis) and Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) first seen at North Point, St. Lucy on the  3^rd and 11^th respectively, a Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) seen at Long Beach, Christ Church on the 9^th,  Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus)  on the 10^th in St. Lucy, and a Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) at Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge (WSR) on 27^th, bringing the total birds reported for the year to 110 species.

October Rare Bird Sightings

We had lots of rare bird active during the month. Here is a list of Rare Birds reported during the last month parish by Parish (* continuing Birds)

St. Lucy

• Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) (3)* The first bird has been around since August 2019, it was joined by another in August and another one in September.
• American Coot ((White Shielded) Fulica Americana) bird first seen by John Webster during the October Big Day.

  

  Buff-breasted Sandpiper

  
  
• Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis) – Three birds at North Point on 3rd

  

   Bobolinks

  
  
• Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)- First seen by John Webster on the 11^th. Over 21 birds at Archers Bay on the 21^st 

  

  Lesser Black-backed Gull

  
  
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) – seen on the 30^th during bad weather
• Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica) – 2 birds seen late in the month
• Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus)  at Husbands and Harrison’s Point.
•  Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) – seen off of Animal Flower Cave on 31st

  

  Southern Lapwing

  
  
• Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis)* – this rare local bird, the only one of its kind on the island was seen during the October Big Year.

St. Andrew 

• American Coot ((White Shielded) Fulica Americana) (6)*, 5 at The Walkers Reserve, and 1 at Bawdens. These birds were here for more than a year, nesting expected. 
• American Coot ((Red Shielded) Fulica Americana)* the rarer of the two American Coots.  This bird is paired with one of the White Shielded mentioned above at Bawdens.
• Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus)  - seen at Walkers Researve, a first for Walkers

St. Thomas

• Striated Heron (Butorides striata)* was seen at the SBRC pond. This South American species returns to this location year after year.

St. George 

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

• Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) at Locust Hall.

St.Philip

• 

  Ruff

  
  Ruff (Calidris pugnax) – one bird seen at Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge on the 13^th.
• Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) at River.

 

Christ Church

• Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) – two birds were seen among the Mangroves at the Graeme Hall Swamp during the October Big Year.
• Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) – Seen by John Webster at Long Beach.
• Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)* seen at the Board Walk at Hasting and Oistin during the month.

St. Michael

• Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) at Welches

  

  Snail Kite

  
  
• Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis)* at Bay Street, a first for the island.

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 assist.