The Barbados Birds and Birding Report - April

A rare spring visit of a Wilson's Phalarope

What an April of birding we had. Eight new species were added to the island's 2024 checklist, one of which was a first record for Barbados. 

These were:

• Least Tern (Sternula antillarum)
• Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor)
• Willet (Tringa semipalmata)
• Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor)
• Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea)x
• Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii)
• Black Swift (Cypseloides niger)
• White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus)

The White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus) was the first record for the island read about it here. Closing the month with 92 species recorded so far for 2024.

May Notes 

• May is historically known for attracting mega-rare birds to the island, making it a truly thrilling month for birding - (read May, A Thrilling Month For Birding). What mega-rare bird will we see in May 2024? 
• It is Global Big Day Month. This year it will be held on Saturday, May 11th.  Our local team The Bajan Birders & Friends will again participate in the Birds Caribbean annual Global Big Day fundraiser. It is a team comprising local birders and others from across the world who have visited and birded on our island. We invite you to join us for this exciting event!.
• During the month some species like Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors), Spotted Sandpipers (Actitis macularius), and Solitary Sandpipers (Tringa solitaria) would have migrated to their breeding grounds while Black Swift (Cypseloides niger) will be returning here to nest. Look out for them in the hills of Cambridge, st. Joseph, as you travel along the Ermy Bourne Highway, the East Coast Road.

April Rare Bird Sightings

April compensated for the scant number of new rare sightings in March. Five new rare species were documented, featuring a bird new to the island, spotted on the final day of the month. Here's a parish-by-parish breakdown of the noteworthy rare birds observed in April:

(* denotes birds that remained from previous months)

St. Lucy

One of the three Glossy Ibis seen during the month

• Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)*(3)  - Long-stay birds who enjoy this location.
• Red-footed Booby (Sula sula) (172) - A significant sighting at North Point between 22nd and 24th 172 birds flying east to west. Most birds were in brown phase with one in white. 

  

  Fulvous Whistling-Duck

• Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor)* - reported periodically throughout the month.

St. Philip

Ruff 

• Ruff (Calidris pugnax)* (1) - This is one of the three that are moving between this and a nearby wet area.

  

  White-tailed Hawk, a new species for the island

• White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus) - A new bird for the island and the second for the region. This bird was spotted by Jason Moore as a dot in the sky on the 30th but could have been on the island for months. - see here

Christ Church 

The three Ruffs at WSR

• Ruff (Calidris pugnax) (3)- All three birds spent most of the month at Woodboure Shorebird Refuge (WSR).  Two paired off, with one of the pair behaving aggressively towards the unpaired bird; 
• Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) (1) - this bird was seen at Inch Marlow on the 6th;

  

  Tricolored Heron

• Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) (1) - Seen at Chancery Lane 

Grey Heron

• Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)* - seen at the WSR and another private location;

  

  Wilson's Phalarope

• Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) - a rare spring visit, bird first seen on the 6th actively feeding at WSR

St. Thomas 

• Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea) - This small warbler became trapped in a window, in Welches 

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   

Bajan Birders & Friends Flock Together for GBD 2024

May is Global Big Day month, and this year, it falls on Saturday, May 11th! Our local birding team, The Bajan Birders & Friends, is once again participating in BirdsCaribbean's annual Global Big Day fundraiser.

This team unites local birders with those who have visited our beautiful island and share our love for birds and birding. Last year, our ten-member team, which was made up of birders spread across four countries, raised an impressive $435 and spotted a remarkable 220 bird species! This fantastic achievement landed them in 7th place for the most birds seen on the day.  This year we are looking to improve in all categories, so help us by joining our team and/or making a donation.

This year's fundraising efforts aim to support Caribbean nationals with travel scholarships to attend the upcoming Birds Caribbean 24th International Conference, taking place in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from July 18th to 22nd. Last year, 17 teams from 35 countries identified an astounding 1,146 bird species and collectively raised over $20,000 for the crucial Caribbean Bird Banding program.

This year you can get involved by joining our team "Bajan Birders & Friends"!

1. Go to the fundraising page clicking the JOIN A TEAM button below the Global Big Day graphic on this page.
2. Click "Join an existing team "
3. In the box "Which team would you like to join?" Scroll down  until you find our team "Bajan Birders & Friends" and click "Join Fundraiser"

and/or . . .

Donating to one or more of the birding and fundraising teams. Simply click the DONATE button at the top of the page and you can specify if you want your donation to go to the general campaign or to a particular team (all funds go to the same cause but teams do compete to raise the most funds).

Come out May 11, have some fun and enjoy your birding

A New Avian Species Record for Barbados – White-tailed Hawk

Yesterday, April 30, a new avian species was added to Barbados’ checklist. The bird was not only a mega-rarity for the island but also for the region. The bird in question was a White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus), observed soaring high above St. Philip by young birder Jason Moore. I photographed it and was quickly identified by expert birder Ed Massiah from the photograph. Interestingly this may be the same unidentified raptor photographed in January in the same parish. This sighting represents the second record for the region, with the first being in St. Vincent in June 1964 (Gochfeld et al., 1973).

White-tailed Hawks are large and stocky birds, measuring approximately 17 - 24 inches (44 - 60 cm) in length, with a wingspan of up to 4.5 feet (142 cm). Adult White-tailed Hawks are predominantly gray above with a rufous chest and a white belly, while juveniles are a darker brown with streaking. Their range extends from southern Texas in the United States southward through Central and South America to central Argentina and Trinidad, where they are considered “very rare visitors” (Birds of Trinidad & Tobago by Kenefick et al.).

This sighting of the White-tailed Hawk in Barbados underscores the island's potential for unexpected avian visitors and will no doubt keep us local birders on our toes. 

Stay safe and Enjoy Your birding!

Rare Spring Visitor

The Wilson's Phalarope that was at WSR

Spring migration is underway! This is the time when many birds in our region depart their wintering grounds and head north to nest. While Barbados doesn't experience a large influx of northbound migrants compared to the southbound movement, we do get occasional reminders of this incredible phenomenon.

Such was the case on April 6, 2024, when a Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) was spotted at the Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge (WSR). This elegant shorebird is typically seen in Barbados around October and November.

Wilson's Phalarope unique feeding technique

The Wilson's Phalarope was discovered due to its unique feeding technique. When foraging, it swims in tight circles at high speed, creating a small whirlpool. This swirling motion stirs up food from the bottom of shallow water, making it easier for the bird to snatch small insects or crustaceans with its bill at the edge of the vortex. The bird remained at the WSR for a few days before continuing its northbound journey.

The Barbados Birds and Birding Report - March

Pacific Golden-Plover was a new addition to the 2024 checklist

March witnessed a surge in birding activity, with over 50 checklists submitted to eBird for Barbados, mostly by visiting birders. A warm welcome to all the birding visitors who contributed to these numbers! We also added some new species to the 2024 checklist, visiting birders David Blezard spotted a Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) at Bath Beach, St. John. Additionally, a Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva) appeared in St. Philip. This rare sighting, both for the island and the region, is believed to be the same bird recorded in the same location for multiple years.

Spotted Sandpiper molting to breeding plumage

Most migratory and some local birds are currently in various stages of molting, transitioning into their vibrant breeding plumage. This transformation, especially pronounced in males, serves a crucial purpose: attracting potential mates. The molting spectacle varies greatly between species. Take the Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius), for instance. Throughout its stay, it sported a plain white underside, but now it's transforming into its diagnostic spotted attire.

Sanderlings (Calidris alba) is another fascinating example. This speedy shorebird begins its molting journey here but migrates north before completing the transformation but keen eyes see them trading their pale winter coat for a reddish-brown look.

Ruddy Turnstone in breeding plumage

Meanwhile, Ruddy Turnstones (Arenaria interpres) puts on a full fashion show right here in Barbados. Keep an eye out for these stunning birds at Oistins or Inch Marlow, Christ Church. Their black and white heads and throats create a captivating contrast with their vibrant chestnut and black backs. 

Other migrating noticeably molting are Blue-winged (Spatula discors) and Green-winged (Anas crecca) Teals, the Greater (Tringa melanoleuca) and Lesser (Tringa flavipes) Yellowlegs, and a variety of other shorebirds, each showcasing their own unique molting transformations.

April Notes 

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

While the month was uneventful in terms of new rare bird sightings, there were intriguing additions of pelagic sightings worth noting. As we came to the end of the winter season, some cruise ships repositioned on the other side of the Atlantic so it wasn’t surprising to see Atlantic pelagic records turning up on ebird for the island, all within its eastern sovereign boundary.  These sightings provided a fascinating glimpse into an area of birding—pelagic birding—that is not commonly explored on our shores.

Here’s a summary of the notable rare birds observed in March, parish by parish. (*birds that remained from previous months)

St. Lucy

One of the two remaining Glossy Ibis

• Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)*(2)  - Two birds were seen at the usual location, with one going into breeding plumage. 
• Red-footed Booby (Sula sula) - two birds, brown phase, were identified from photographs off of the Animal Flower Cave.

St. Philip

Ruff

• Ruff (Calidris pugnax)* (2) - these two birds are moving between ponds in ponds in the parish and a few outside.
• Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva) - believed to be the same bird recorded in the same location for multiple years.
• Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra) (8) - multiple records from cruise ships journeying across the Atlantic 

Christ Church 

Ruff

• Ruff (Calidris pugnax) (3) two of the birds from St. Philip with another one was seen at the WSR. Judging by the bird's sizes it is believed to be two males and a female (Reeves)

Grey Heron

• Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) - spotted at two locations in the parish, still try to confirm if it is a different bird than the one in St. Lucy.

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   

Global Big Day—11 May 2024 By Team eBird

 

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?

Continue reading here >>

An Unexpected Encounter with a Duck Hawk

Peregrine Falcon aka Duck Hawk

Have you ever heard of a "Duck Hawk"? It's another name for the fastest animal on Earth, the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). A few weeks ago, I witnessed this incredible predator harassing teals at the WSR, but surprisingly, it was unable to catch any of them.

Here's what unfolded:

For several weeks, I'd been patiently stalking two duck species at the Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge (WSR), not just for documentary shots, but to capture their beauty in different lighting conditions. 

Northern Pintails drake

My initial focus was on the stunning male Northern Pintails (Anas acuta), three of which frequented the location. Unfortunately, I never quite captured the image I envisioned.  Once these birds migrated, my attention shifted to the Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca). Three males in breeding plumage graced the ponds here, and my goal was to photograph them as sunlight illuminated the iridescent crescent on their heads. However, I was consistently falling short.  On one particular afternoon, I was meticulously positioning myself for the perfect light to photograph the teal when, suddenly, the egrets in a nearby tree took flight. Glancing up, I saw the bird of prey circling and gliding lazily overhead. Under normal circumstances, this aerial predator would've grabbed my attention, but today, I was laser-focused on capturing the perfect Green-winged Teal image.

Green-winged Teal

Everything changed in a flash. A powerful whoosh of wings filled the air as the falcon launched into a diving attacking the ducks on the pond. It circled repeatedly, executing multiple dives, but each attempt ended with empty talons. These birds seemingly seasoned veterans of such encounters, darted towards the high west bank, seeking refuge in the thick vegetation. The peregrine, despite its relentless pursuit, couldn't force them to abandon the safety of the bank or take flight. After five or six failed attempts, the falcon finally gave up, slowly drifting high into the sky. 

Snowy Egret high up

As I followed its ascent, I noticed a Snowy Egret even higher, far above the falcon. Perhaps escaping to that altitude seemed like the perfect strategy for the egret, but in reality, it wasn't entirely safe from the "king of the skies." I got my camera ready, as I anticipated an aerial duel that the snowy wouldn't survive – the peregrine, now positioned perfectly above the egret, could've easily made a quick kill. However, for this afternoon at least, the falcon remained fixated on a duck dinner, completely ignoring the egret.

Peregrine Falcon inspecting the ponds at WSR

This unexpected encounter at the WSR not only highlighted the Peregrine Falcon's incredible aerial hunting skills but also showcased the remarkable survival instincts of its intended prey.

From: The Enthusiastic Birder