Photos with this report (click to enlarge) | |||
 Antillean Crested Hummingbird |
 Scaly-naped Pigeon |
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Introduction: I had previously visited St Lucia & St Vincent in 2005 and decided after that trip to return to the Lesser Antilles visiting either Dominica or Martinique combined with one of the other islands. We settled on Dominica & Barbados. Dominica has 2 endemic parrots (Red-necked & Imperial) plus an endemic race of House Wren which some authorities recognise as a full species. It also has several near endemics (Brown Trembler, Forest Thrush, Blue-headed Hummingbird & Plumbeous Warbler) along with a range of other Lesser Antillean endemics. Barbados has just the one endemic, Barbados Bullfinch! Dominica is also fairly unspoilt with excellent forest cover and several forest reserves for which a weekly pass costing US$12 is payable whereas Barbados loss most of its forest cover to sugar cane a long time ago. In addition to birding on Dominica we planned to undertake a whale-watching trip as a range of species such as Sperm & Cuvier’s Beaked Whales plus Pantropical Spotted Dolphin can be seen within a reasonable distance of the shore. In the event our trip was cancelled due to an incoming storm system.
Flights: Our international flights with Virgin & our inter-island flights with LIAT www.liatairline.com were booked by our travel agents as part of the package. All flights into & out of Barbados land at Grantley Adams International Airport. Dominica has two airports but no international flights - all flights apparently originate from elsewhere within the Caribbean. There is a small airport at Canefield just north of Roseau and the larger Melville Hall Airport that we flew into in the north-east of the island. A departure tax of EC$59.00 each (£15.50) is payable as you leave Dominica.
Car hire: It seems that none of the well known international car hire firms operate in Dominica. A search of the web resulted in several possibilities but none of them responded to my emails. However upon arrival at Melville Hall airport Courtesy Car Rental www.avirtualdominica.com/courtesycarrental were expecting us & a Toyota RAV 4 was ready & waiting for our three day visit. It is compulsory on both islands to purchase a visitor’s temporary driving licence (EC$30 on Dominica & B$10 on Barbados). The choice on Barbados was much wider and slightly more expensive. I hired a car from Ballantyne’s Car Rental www.ballantynerentals.com for 2 days. The roads on Dominica are not in great shape although they were being extensively upgraded under the supervision of Chinese engineers.
Currency: Barbados has its own currency, the Barbadian dollar (£1.00 = B$2.70) whilst Dominica uses the East Caribbean Dollar (£1.00 = EC$3.80). US dollars are as you expect are widely accepted.
Accommodation: Our hotels on Barbados were booked through our travel agent as part of the package but the Evergreen Hotel on Dominica www.avirtualdominica.com/evergreen
was booked independently. Barbados has an incredible choice of hotels – sadly the same cannot be said of Dominica. If you have no desire to visit the capital Roseau & you land at Melville Hall other visitors have recommended Calibishie Lodges between the airport & Portsmouth.
29th September – Turtle Beach Resort Hotel, Lawrence Gap, Barbados
30th Sept – 02nd Oct – Evergreen Hotel, Castle Comfort, Dominica
03rd – 10th October – Almond Beach Club, Sandy Lane, Barbados
Field Guide: I only took the paperback version of the Helm Field Guide, Birds of the West Indies by Raffaele, Wiley, Garrido, Keith & Raffaele which was more than adequate.
Local Guides: Dominica has a few tricky species such as Imperial Parrot & Forest Thrush so I decided to use the services of the highly recommended local birder Bertrand (Birdy) Baptiste for the visit to the Syndicate Reserve drbirdy2@cwdom.dm. Bertrand was very helpful with the planning of the Dominica visit & replied promptly to all my emails. With only one easily seen endemic on Barbados I felt I could manage to go birding without the need of a guide!
Maps: Most of the hotels, tourist locations & car rental companies on both islands will provide you with a very good quality Skyviews map free of charge www.skyviews.com. In addition I purchased the Globetrotter travel map of Barbados (1:41,000) which allowed me to locate some of the more difficult to find birding sites on that island.
Daily log.
29th September. Arriving at Turtle Beach Hotel on Barbados at around 15.00 allowed just enough time to walk through Lawrence Gap to the Graeme Hall Sanctuary before dark. Unfortunately the reserve was for some unexplained reason shut to visitors. Highlights: Snowy Egret (30), Solitary Sandpiper, Semi-palmated Sandpiper, Scaly-naped Pigeon (16), Green-throated Carib, Caribbean Elaenia (2).
30th September. After a morning walk around the hotel grounds & beach area we transferred back to Grantley Adams airport for the 14.00 LIAT flight to Melville Hall on Dominica. The airport is situated in the north-east of the island so we took the rest of the afternoon to drive to the Evergreen Hotel in Castle Comfort south of Roseau via Portsmouth, arriving after dark. Highlights: Turtle Beach, Green-throated Carib (2), Caribbean Elaenia. Melville Hall, Semi-palmated Sandpiper, Smooth-billed Ani (3). Calibishie, Lesser Antillean Swift (3), Purple-throated Carib (8), Antillean Crested Hummingbird (4), Pearly-eyed Thrasher. Portsmouth, Brown Pelican (5), Caribbean Martin.
1st October. Following an early morning visit to the Emerald Pool we spent the rest of the day driving around the south and east of the island before returning to Roseau via the central Forest Reserve road. Highlights: Emerald Pool, Broad-winged Hawk (2), Ruddy Quail Dove (2), Red-necked Amazon (7), Blue-headed Hummingbird, Dominica House Wren, Brown Trembler, Plumbeous Warbler (2). Canefield, Osprey, Collared Dove, Smooth-billed Ani (2), Tropical Mockingbird (2). Evergreen Hotel, Brown Booby, Collared Dove (2), Purple-throated Carib (2), Tropical Mockingbird (2). Scotts Head, Brown Booby, Yellow Warbler (2), Bobolink. Delices, Blackpoll Warbler. Bout Sable Beach, Black-whiskered Vireo. Pond Casse Roundabout, Purple-throated Carib (4), Blue-headed Hummingbird, Black-whiskered Vireo, Dominica House Wren, Scaly-breasted Thrasher, Pearly-eyed Thrasher (4), Plumbeous Warbler. Mahaut, Yellow-cr. Night Heron, Least Sandpiper, Black Swift (7).
2nd October. After breakfast we drove to Coulibistrie and met up with Bertrand Baptiste. After a very productive short stop on the lower section of the approach road we then spent the rest of the day visiting various sites around the Syndicate Reserve. Highlights: Evergreen Hotel, Black Swift (8), Purple-throated Carib, Green-throated Carib, Belted Kingfisher, Caribbean Martin (3). Woodbridge Bay, Brown Pelican (8). Syndicate Reserve, Broad-winged Hawk (3), Ruddy Quail Dove, Red-necked Amazon (18), Imperial Amazon (2), Mangrove Cuckoo, Lesser Antillean Swift (20), Purple-throated Carib (5), Antillean Crested Hummingbird (2), Blue-headed Hummingbird (4), Lesser Antillean Pewee (3), Lesser Antillean Flycatcher (2), Dominica House Wren (4), Scaly-breasted Thrasher, Pearly-eyed Thrasher, Brown Trembler (4), Red-legged Thrush (2), Forest Thrush, Antillean Euphonia (3), Plumbeous Warbler (5), Lesser Antillean Saltator.
3rd October. After checking out of the Evergreen Hotel, we went north to the Layou River then inland to the Emerald Pool. We then drove to the airport at Melville Hall via Castle Bruce & the Carib Nations at Crayfish River. We returned to Barbados on a LIAT 17.25 flight, arriving an hour later then transferred to the Almond Beach Hotel near Holetown for the next 7 nights. Highlights: Jimmit, Royal Tern (20). Layou Rivermouth, Little Blue Heron, American Kestrel, Herring Gull, Laughing Gull (18), Common Tern (8). Emerald Pool, Ruddy Quail Dove, Red-necked Amazon (2), Brown Trembler (2), Rufous-throated Solitaire (2), Plumbeous Warbler (3). Crayfish River, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Caribbean Elaenia (2). Melville Hall, Snowy Egret, American Kestrel, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Smooth-billed Ani (6), Sand Martin.
4th October. Very heavy rain overnight as a tropical depression passed over the island resulted in much local flooding. Decided to stay close to the hotel & check out the area around Sandy Lane. Highlights: Sandy Lane area Semi-palmated Plover (3), Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Caribbean Elaenia.
5th October. After spending the morning in Bridgetown, collected a hire car late in the afternoon and headed for the St Lucy area in north of the island. Highlights: St Lucy, Solitary Sandpiper (2), Scaly-naped Pigeon (8), Antillean Crested Hummingbird (2), Caribbean Martin. Holetown, Cattle Egret (150).
6th October. Spent the morning visiting a few sites around the south of the island. Later in the afternoon returned to the St Lucy area and found the turf farm at Connell Town & the ponds near the Animal Flower Cave. In both the south & north of the island shallow ponds (known as shooting swamps) have been created by the local (mainly white) shooting fraternity. The season for hunting ducks & waders runs from 15th July to 15th October. Several waders seen during the day showed obvious injuries. Highlights: Crane Beach, Caribbean Martin (2), Coles Pasture, St Philip, Little Blue Heron, American Golden Plover (8), Solitary Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper (3), Grassland Yellow Finch (3). Connell Town Turf Farm, American Golden Plover (15), Semi-palmated Plover (37), Short-billed Dowitcher, Semi-palmated Sandpiper (10), Least Sandpiper (75), Belted Kingfisher. Animal Flower ponds, Little Blue Heron, Greater Yellowlegs (2), Lesser Yellowlegs (2), Semi-palmated Sandpiper (20), Western Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper (4), Grassland Yellow Finch (3).
7th October. Revisited Coles Pasture in the morning spending much more time working the whole area before going to both Golden Grove Ponds & Congo Road Ponds afterwards before returning for lunch via Graeme Hall Sanctuary. Whilst at Golden Grove Ponds I met the owner who showed me around and explained about the shooting that takes place. The main quarry species are Blue-winged Teal and Greater & Lesser Yellowlegs. Huge numbers of life-like decoys are deployed at the ponds to attract the target species down. In addition any injured birds are retained and kept in small cages. In just one cage at the site Blue-winged Teal, Pectoral Sandpiper, Turnstone, Lesser & Greater Yellowlegs, American Golden & Grey Plover and Hudsonian Whimbrel were all present to be used as live decoys. At this one site over 2000 birds had been shot in the 2010 season alone. http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2009/11/barbados.html In the afternoon returned to the turf farm & Animal Flower ponds but some shots in the near distance were heard here as well. Highlights: Coles Pasture, Blue-winged Teal (15), Little Blue Heron, American Golden Plover (50), Grey Plover, Hudsonian Godwit (2), Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs (15), Solitary Sandpiper (3), Pectoral Sandpiper (20), Eared Dove, Antillean Crested Hummingbird (2), Grassland Yellow Finch (12). Golden Grove Ponds, Green Heron (3), White-rumped Sandpiper (6), Belted Kingfisher. Congo Road Ponds, Snowy Egret (10). Graeme Hall Sanctuary, Belted Kingfisher. Connell Town Turf Farm, American Golden Plover (15), Semi-palmated Plover (37), Solitary Sandpiper (3). Animal Flower Ponds, Little Blue Heron (2), Semi-palmated Sandpiper (17), Greater Yellowlegs (2), Solitary Sandpiper (3), White-rumped Sandpiper (6).
8th October. Having returned the hire car the night before, today was spent on board a catamaran cruising from Bridgetown to Holetown and back. Highlights: Magnificent Frigatebird (9), Brown Booby, Laughing Gull.
9th October. Without a car the last two days were spent relaxing around the hotel with short spells birding around Sandy Lane. Highlights, Solitary Sandpiper (2), Antillean Crested Hummingbird, Shiny Cowbird (20).
10th October. Highlights, Green Heron (2), Scaly-naped Pigeon (15), Green-throated Carib (3), Caribbean Elaenia, Black-faced Grassquit (12).
Systematic species list.
Blue-winged Teal Anas discors
A flock of fifteen at Coles Pasture, St Philip (Ba) on 7th.
Yellow-crowned Night Heron Nyctanassa violacea
Three immatures seen on Dominica. One at Mahaut on 1st, one near Coulibistrie on 2nd & one at Crayfish River on 3rd.
Green Heron Buteroides virescens
Fairly common in coastal Dominica with 22 recorded. Much less common on Barbados with only 9 seen.
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Just 20 seen on Dominica. Several large colonies on Barbados with 100 recorded at Graeme Hall Sanctuary on 29th & 150 in St Lucy and 250 in Holetown on 5th.
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
One on the Layou River (Da) on 3rd. On Barbados, singles at Coles Pasture on 6th & 7th with one at Animal Flower ponds on 6th and 2 next day.
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Only one seen on Dominica at Melville Hall on 3rd. On Barbados, 30 at Graeme Hall Sanctuary on 29th, 3 at Connell Town Turf farm & 3 at Animal Flower ponds on 6th On 7th, a single at Coles Pasture, 10 at Congo Road ponds & 7 at Animal Flower ponds.
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens
Seen almost every day on both islands. A total of 22 recorded on Dominica, maximum 10 at Scotts Head on 1st & 18 on Barbados, max 9 on 8th.
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Only seen on Dominica. Five at Portsmouth on 30th, singles at Canefield & Mahaut on 1st, 8 at Woodbridge Bay on 2nd and 2 at Layou River on 3rd.
Brown Booby Sula leucogaster
A single flew past The Evergreen Hotel & another flew past Scotts Head on 1st (Da) & one was seen from a boat between Bridgetown & Sandy Lane on 8th (Ba).
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Two seen on Dominica, both on 3rd. A female at the Layou River and one near Melville Hall Airport.
Osprey Pandion heliaetus
One over the sea at Canefield Airport (Da) on 1st.
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus
Only seen on Dominica and all 7 were immatures. Two near Emerald Pool & a single at Petite Savanne on 1st, 3 at the Syndicate Reserve on 2nd & one near Melville Hall Airport on 3rd.
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Two at Golden Grove ponds (Ba) on 6th with a single there next day.
American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica
On Barbados, 8 at Coles Pasture on 6th with at least 50 there the following day with more extensive coverage. Fifteen at Connell Town Turf farm on 6th & 7th and a single at Animal Flower ponds on 7th.
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
A single at Coles Pasture (Ba) on 7th.
Semi-palmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus
On Dominica, a single at Bout Sable Beach on 1st, 3 at the Layou Rivermouth & one at Melville Hall on 3rd. On Barbados, 3 on Sandy Lane Golf course on 4th, 37 at Connell Town Turf farm on 6th & 7th and 17 at Animal Flower ponds on 7th.
Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus
A single at Connell Town Turf farm (Ba) on 6th.
Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica
Two at Coles Pasture (Ba) on 7th.
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
On Barbados, 2 at Animal Flower ponds on 6th & 7th with a single at Coles Pasture on 7th.
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
On Barbados, a single at Coles Pasture on 6th & 15 there next day with better coverage. Two at Animal Flower ponds on 6th and a single at Golden Grove ponds on 7th
Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria
Only seen on Barbados with a single at a roadside puddle in Lawrence Gap on 1st & two at a roadside puddle in St Lucy on 5th. A single at Coles Pasture on 6th and 3 there next day, a single at Animal Flower ponds on 6th & three there next day. A single at Golden Grove ponds and 3 at the cattle farm at Connell Town on 7th. Finally two at a roadside puddle at Sandy Lane on 9th.
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius
On Barbados, 2 at Lawrence Gap and 2 at Graeme Hall Sanctuary on 29th, one at Turtle Beach on 30th, 3 on the Sandy Lane golf course on 4th, and singles at Animal Flower ponds on 6th, Graeme Hall Sanctuary on 7th & Sandy Lane beach on 10th. On Dominica, 2 at The Evergreen Hotel, a summer plumaged bird at Bout Sable beach & a single at Mahaut on 1st. Finally a single at Evergreen on 2nd.
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Two at Lawrence Gap (Ba) on 29th, one at Melville Hall (Da) on 3rd & one at Connell Town Turf farm (Ba) on 6th.
Sanderling Calidris alba
One at Lawrence Gap (Ba) on 29th, one at Turtle Beach (Ba) on 30th, 2 at Melville Hall (Da) on 3rd & 2 at Sandy Lane Beach (Ba) on 4th.
Semi-palmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla
Singles on Dominica at Melville Hall airport on 30th & Mahaut on 1st otherwise all other records are from Barbados. One in a roadside puddle at Lawrence Gap on 29th, 10 at Connell Town Turf farm on 6th & 5 there next day, 20 at Animal Flower ponds on 6th & 12 there next day and 5 at Golden Grove ponds on 7th.
Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri
One at Animal Flower ponds (Ba) on 6th.
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla
On at the river mouth at Mahaut (Da) on 1st. On Barbados, at least 75 at Connell Town Turf farm on 6th with 30 there next day and 15 at Animal Flower ponds on 6th & 1 there next day.
White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fusciollis
On Barbados, 2 at Connell Town Turf farm on 6th, 4 at Animal Flower ponds on 6th with 6 present on 7th, one at Coles Pasture & 6 at Golden Grove ponds on 7th.
Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos
On Barbados, 3 at Coles Pasture on 6th and 20 there next day, one at Connell Town Turf farm and 2 at Animal Flower ponds on 7th.
Herring Gull Larus argentatus
An immature at the Layou river mouth (Ba) on 3rd.
Laughing Gull Larus atricilla
Three at Jimmit & 18 at Layou river mouth (Da) on 3rd and one from a boat between Bridgetown & Sandy Lane on 8th (Ba).
Royal Tern Sterna maxima
Only recorded on Dominica. Two at Portsmouth on 30th, 3 at Scotts Head & 15 at Mahaut on 1st, 20 at Woodbridge Bay on 2nd, 20 at Jimmit & 3 at Layou river mouth on 3rd.
Common Tern Sterna hirundo
8 at Layou river mouth (Da) on 3rd.
Scaly-naped Pigeon Patagioenas squamosa
Recorded only on Barbados and seen every day where they were often very approachable. A total of 78 were recorded mainly around hotels and gardens. Maximum numbers, Turtle Beach (10), Lawrence Gap (6), Sandy Lane (12), St Lucy (8), Bridgetown (4), Golden Grove Ponds (8), Graeme Hall Sanctuary (3) & Connell Town (3).
Scaly-naped Pigeon, Barbados.
Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
A single at Canefield Airport & 2 at Evergreen Hotel (Da) on 1st.
Zenaida Dove Zenaida aurita
Common on Barbados where over 100 were recorded, less common on Dominica with only 15 seen.
Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata
One at Coles Pasture (Ba) on 7th.
Common Ground Dove Columbina passerina
Just 2 seen on Dominica at Delices on 1st. On Barbados, at Turtle Beach a single on 29th & 30th and at Sandy Lane Golf Club 6 on 4th, 5 on 6th & 4 on 10th. 9 at St Lucy on 5th, a single at Coles Pasture on 6th with 9 there next day & 11 at Connell Town on 7th.
Ruddy Quail Dove Geotrygon montana
On Dominica, 2 at Emerald Pool on 1st and a single there on 3rd and one at Syndicate Reserve on 2nd.
Red-necked Amazon Amazona arausiaca
Endemic to Dominica. Seven at Emerald Pool on 1st and 2 there on 3rd & 18 at the Syndicate Reserve on 2nd.
Imperial Amazon Amazona imperialis
Endemic to Dominica. Two showed fairly well feeding high up in trees within the forest at the Syndicate Reserve on 2nd.
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
On Dominica, 3 at Melville Hall on 30th and 6 on 3rd with 2 at Canefield Airport on 1st.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus
One at Melville Hall (Da) on 3rd & one at Sandy Lane (Ba) on 4th.
Mangrove Cuckoo Coccyzus minor
One at the Syndicate Reserve (Da) on 2nd.
Black Swift Cypseloides niger
On Dominica, 7 at Mahaut Rivermouth on 1st, 8 over the Evergreen Hotel on 2nd and a single at Melville Hall on 3rd.
Lesser Antillean Swift Chaetura martinica
On Dominica, 3 over Calibishie on 30th & 20 over Syndicate Reserve on 2nd.
Purple-throated Carib Eulampis jugularis
On Dominica, 8 at a roadside garden in Calibishie on 30th, 2 at the Evergreen Hotel on 1st and one next day, 4 at Pond Casse Roundabout on 1st & 5 at the Syndicate Reserve on 2nd.
Green-throated Carib Eulampis holosericeus
On Barbados, one at Graeme Hall Sanctuary on 29th, two at Turtle Beach on 30th, one at Animal Flower ponds on 6th & 7th, one at Golden Grove Ponds on 7th, 2 at Sandy Lane on 9th & 3 next day.
On Dominica, singles at Evergreen Hotel on 2nd & 3rd.
Antillean Crested Hummingbird Orthorhyncus cristatus
On Dominica, 4 at a roadside garden in Calibishie on 30th, one at Pond Casse Roundabout on 1st & 2 at the Syndicate Reserve on 2nd. On Barbados, one at Sandy Lane on 4th , 9th & 10th, 2 at St Lucy on 5th, 2 at Coles Pasture & one at Connell Town on 7th.
Antillean Crested Hummingbird, Dominica by Louise James.
Blue-headed Hummingbird Cyanophaia bicolor
A forest hummer, endemic to Dominica & Martinique. A female at Emerald pool & a male at Pond Casse Roundabout on 1st. 3 males & a female at the Syndicate Reserve on 2nd.
Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon
A single on Dominica at the Evergreen Hotel on 2nd, otherwise one at Connell Town Turf farm on 6th, one at Golden Grove ponds & one at Graeme Hall sanctuary on 7th.
Caribbean Elaenia Elaenia martinica
On Barbados, 2 at Graeme Hall Sanctuary on 29th and a single on 7th, one at Turtle Beach on 30th, singles at Sandy Lane on 4th & 10th. On Dominica, one at Bout Sable Beach on 1st, 2 at the Syndicate Reserve on 2nd, one at Emerald Pool & 2 at Crayfish River on 3rd.
Lesser Antillean Pewee Catopus latirostris
Three at the Syndicate Reserve (Da) on 2nd.
Lesser Antillean Flycatcher Myiarchus oberi
Two at the Syndicate Reserve (Da) on 2nd
Grey Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis
Common on both islands, particularly so on Dominica, maximum 70 on 1st.
Black-whiskered Vireo Vireo altiloquus
Only seen on Dominica. Singles at Bout Sable Beach and Pond Casse Roundabout on 1st and 2 at the Syndicate Reserve on 2nd.
Sand Martin Riparia riparia
One at Melville Hall Airport (Da) on 4th.
Caribbean Martin Progne dominicensis
On Dominica, singles at Portsmouth on 30th and Mahaut on 1st & 3 at the Evergreen Hotel on 2nd. On Barbados, one at St Lucy on 5th and 2 at Crane on 6th.
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
On Dominica, 2 at Canefield on 1st, 10 at Evergreen Hotel on 2nd, 6 at Castle Bruce & 10 at Melville Hall Airport on 3rd. On Barbados, 20 at St. Lucy on 5th, 5 at Connell Town on 6th and 6 at Coles Pasture on 7th.
Dominica (House) Wren Troglodytes (aedon) rufescens
Race/species endemic to Dominica. Singles at Emerald Pool & Pond Casse Roundabout on 1st and at least 4 at the Syndicate Reserve on 2nd.
Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus
On Dominica, 2 at Canefield Airport on 1st. At Evergreen Hotel, 2 on 1st, a single on 2nd & two on 3rd.
Scaly-breasted Thrasher Allenia fusca
On Dominica, one at Pond Casse Roundabout on 1st & one at the Syndicate reserve on 2nd.
Pearly-eyed Thrasher Margarops fuscatus
On Dominica, one at Calibishie on 30th, 4 at Pond Casse Roundabout on 1st & one at the Syndicate reserve on 2nd.
Brown Trembler Cinclocerthia ruficauda
On Dominica, one at Emerald Pool on 1st & 2 there on 3rd. 4 at the Syndicate reserve on 2nd.
Rufous-throated Solitaire Myadestes genibarbis
On Dominica, two seen well at Emerald Pool on 3rd but at least 6 heard at the Syndicate reserve on 2nd.
Red-legged Thrush Turdus plumbeus
Two showed well on the lower part of the approach road to the Syndicate Reserve (Da) on 2nd.
Forest Thrush Cichlherminia lherminieri
One eventually showed well at the Syndicate Reserve (Da) on 2nd.
Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata
12 at Canefield Airport on 1st & 15 at Melville Hall Airport on 3rd.
Antillean Euphonia Euphonia musica
Three showed well in Mistletoe on the lower part of the approach road to the Syndicate Reserve (Da) on 2nd.
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia
On Dominica 2 at Scotts Head on 1st & one at Syndicate Reserve on 2nd.
Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica striata
One at Delices (Da) on 1st.
Plumbeous Warbler Dendroica plumbea
Endemic to Guadeloupe & Dominica. Two at Emerald pool and one at Pond Casse Roundabout on 1st. 5 at the Syndicate Reserve on 2nd and 3 at Emerald Pool on 3rd.
Carib Grackle Quiscalus lugubris
Very common on Barbados with up to 80 seen in a day. Much rarer on Dominica with just 15 at Canefield on 2nd & a single the next day.
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
Only recorded on Barbados with a single at Animal Flower ponds on 6th, 7 at Coles Pasture and 6 at Connell Town on 7th, 20 at Sandy Lane on 9th and 2 there next day.
Bobolink Dolichonyx orzyivorus
One showed well at Scotts Head (Da) on 1st.
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Common on both islands & recorded every day, max. 12 on 6th.
Grassland Yellow Finch Sicalis luteola
On Barbados, 3 at Coles Pasture on 6th & 12 there next day. 3 at Animal Flower ponds on 6th & 7th.
Black-faced Grassquit Tiarus bicolor
Recorded on both islands. Commoner on Dominica, max. 40 on 2nd & max. 15 on Barbados on 6th.
Lesser Antillean Bullfinch Loxigilla noctis
Common on Dominica, max. 40 on 2nd.
Barbados Bullfinch Loxigilla barbadensis
Common on Barbados, max 25 on 4th.
Lesser Antillean Saltator Saltator albicollis
One showed well on the lower part of the approach road to the Syndicate Reserve (Da) on 2nd.