Two Warblers, One a Local Lifer

I love warblers! And finding wintering warblers in Barbados is even more joyful. Why? Because they are so rare—only very small numbers spend the season here. So, imagine my excitement when, within the span of just one week, I discovered two different species, one of them a local lifer - #180.

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 local lifer —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’ll continue my search for wintering birds, and soon, the migrants will be passing through. Let’s see what else turns up.

My 2026 Checklist Update (updated February 28)

89.  Purple Gallinule (Aruba)

February has been a month of movement, discovery, and milestones in my chase toward 100 Bajan birds and 300 world birds. By month’s end, my tally for 2026, stands at 60 species in Barbados and 127 worldwide. The highlight was a two-week cruise across the Caribbean, where I recorded bird species in 15 territories. The diversity was astounding, from the 71 checklists logged I tallied 112 species, with 68 yearbirds and 20 lifers (see trip Report here). My first birding outing on returning home to Barbados, added another year bird -Black-and-White Warbler (Mniotilta varia), a striking little bird at the Turners Hall Woods in St. Andrew.

With March ahead, the journey continues and the goal remains the same - birding only in freely accessible birding areas and continue the 100/300 chase.  Stay with me for the journey. 

 Check See checklist below👇

Key: Rare birds; Barbados Purple lifer; W.I Lifers; World Lifer; * Rare for the time of year

GBBC 2026 - Day 3 February 15 (Grand Turk)

Wilson’s Plover was one of the two yearbirds on Day 3

The final day of the GBBC turned into a shorebird spectacle on Grand Turk. My focus was on two target species—Snowy Plover (Anarhynchus nivosus) and Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)—but despite my efforts, neither made an appearance.

Stilt Sandpipers at West Point Salinas

I visited two of the island’s major wetlands, with a quick glance at a third. Killdeers (Charadrius vociferus) were ever-present, their calls ringing out across the wetland near the cruise port. At the first, West Point Salinas, eBird flagged my checklist for the unusually high number of Stilt Sandpipers (Calidris himantopus) recorded—perhaps an uncommon occurrence for the island, but they were certainly present in significant numbers. Another wetland held a handful of Black-necked Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus) and two large gulls, which turned out to be Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus).

American Flamingos at Hawkes Nest Salina

My final stop was at Hawkes Nest Salina, a wetland adjacent to the cruise port, where I tallied a striking group of American Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) 95 in total, along with a few warbler species. By the end of the day, I had added no lifers, missing my two target plovers, but I did secure two yearbirds: Wilson’s Plover (Anarhynchus wilsonia) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus).

This GBBC was truly unique—an adventure across land and sea that I’ll always remember. My bird of the count, without question, was the Black-capped Petrel (Pterodroma hasitata) seen on Day 2.

The Stats

• New for the count:
• - Lifers: 0
• Year birds: 2; Wilson’s Plover, Lesser Black-backed Gull 
• For the GBBC
• Total species seen: 59
• Total lifers: 12

Day 2 | Home | Images |Trip Report 

GBBC 2026 - Day 3 February 15 (Grand Turk) Images

One of the few Black-necked Stilts at Town Salina

A Lesser Blackback Gull at Town Salina

Donkeys are a part of Grand Turks history and these
Cattle Egret are benefiting for them 

Palm Warblers were ever present

Shorebirds were the main birds at Great Salina

Greater Yellowlegs

Ruddy Turnstone

Wilson's Plover

Wilson's Plover

Least Sandpiper

I was not expecting to see Sanderlings at the mud flats

One of the many Stilt Sandpipers I saw

Semipalmated Plover

GBBC 2026 - Day 2 February 14

The coastline of Cuba

Day 2 was, for the most part, uneventful as the ship sailed along the eastern coast of Cuba, through the Windward Passage in route to the Turk & Caicos Islands, island of Grand Turk. I say “mostly” because the morning’s sea watching gifted me a lifer—an unforgettable highlight in an otherwise quiet day.

It was impossible not to be awed by the sheer size, rugged beauty, and dramatic coastline of eastern Cuba. I rose just before daybreak to find the ship already gliding past the shore. In the darkness, only two faint red lights—perhaps from an antenna—hinted at civilization. As dawn broke, a haze lingered, but the ghostly outline of the land drew the attention of nearly everyone gathered on the port side.

Later in the day, as the haze lifted slightly, I tried to capture the landscape in photographs. Though the coastline remained a distant backdrop for most of the journey, its presence was striking.

Birding was quiet, with only two species recorded:

One of the two Black-capped Petrel - Lifer

• And my lifer of the day—two Black-capped Petrels (Pterodroma hasitata), spotted a few miles apart.
• Four Brown Boobys (Sula leucogaster) that accompanied us, diving sporadically for flying fish.
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Though sightings were few, the lifer made the day memorable.

The final day of the GBBC found me in Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands. You can read about that adventure here.

Day 1 | Home | Day 3

GBBC 2026 - Day 1 February 13 (Jamaica)

The Jamaican Owl was my best bird for the GBBC Day 1

My first-ever trip to Jamaica turned out to be deeply satisfying—and from a birding perspective, absolutely incredible. I lucked out with a taxi driver who, although not a birder himself, was down for a bit of birding and trusted my instincts when I asked him to stop at a promising-looking wooded area in an upscale development called Moon Palace. At first it was quiet, almost too quiet, and then everything changed. Our first sighting was an American Kestrel (Falco sparverius). Moments later, my second lifer of the trip appeared: a stunning Red-billed Streamertail (Trochilus polytmus). From that point on, the birds just kept coming. Lifers, yearbirds—one after another in a steady, exhilarating flow. The biggest surprise was a pair of Jamaica Todys (Todus todus), flitting through the understory. Between sightings, I even got an impromptu lesson in how authentic Jamaican jerk is made. The highlight was being introduced to the Pimento Tree—the heart of jerk seasoning. As if on cue, the tree opened the floodgates to a wave of birds, especially warblers drawn to its red berry-like fruit. American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), Black-throated Blue (Setophaga caerulescens), Cape May (Setophaga tigrina), and Palm Warblers (Setophaga palmarum) all made appearances. Local species joined the feast too: Loggerhead Kingbird (Tyrannus caudifasciatus), Olive-throated Parakeet (Eupsittula nana), Orangequit (Euneornis campestris), and Jamaican Oriole (Icterus leucopteryx)—every one of them a lifer for me. We spent about an hour soaking in the action before heading back to the port.

Red-billed Streamertail at Moon Palace

After a quick stop on the ship, I made my way to a nearby park called Turtle River Park, and once again I was blown away by the richness of the birdlife. I recorded three lifers in the short time I was there - Jamaican Owl (Asio grammicus) and a pair of Antillean Palm Swifts (Tachornis phoenicobia)circling overhead, and two Yellow-throated Warblers (Setophaga dominica).

By the end of Day 1 of the GBBC—and my first day ever in Jamaica—I had recorded 38 species, including 24 yearbirds and 11 lifers.  See trip report here |more image here

Day 2 will be a day at sea, but if today is any indication, this GBBC is shaping up to be one for the books.

New Species for GBBC: 38 Species
Total Lifers: 11 Species

Home | Day 2

GBBC 2026 - Day 1 February 13 (Jamaica) - Images

 Home 

Loggerhead Kingbird

Turkey Vulture

Sad Flycatcher

Yellow-throated Warbler

Jamaican Woodpecker

Jamaican Owl

Palm Warbler

Red-billed Streamertail

Home