Harrison Point Warbler Season 2023

Blackpoll Warbler, an annual visitor to Harrison's Point 

I love October because it’s the time of year when warblers visit Harrison’s Point in St. Lucy, a hotspot for migratory birds. I have had some wonderful experiences there over the years, such as seeing 15 Blackpoll Warblers (Setophaga striata) on a wet day in 2017, a Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) in 2014, and two new birds for me: Black and White Warbler (Mniotilta variaon) and Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) last year.

Northern Wheatear, one of my 3 lifers from HP in 2023

But this year was the best. I spotted 37 species, including three lifiers: Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus), and Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera), which was also a new record for Barbados. Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) were everywhere, I counted more than 200 on August 29th. They were so abundant that they outnumbered all the other seed eaters, even the Grassland Yellow-Finch (Sicalis luteola). Yellow-billed Cuckoos (Coccyzus americanus) also put on a great display at HP this year. I recorded over 50 individual birds for the year. A pair of Upland Sandpipers (Bartramia longicauda), a bird that is very hard to find on the island, were easily visible there this year. 

Upland Sandpipers

Why did the birds gather or stay at Harrisons Point this year? I don’t know for sure, but I think it had something to do with the two open fields across from the hospital entrance where most of the birds were seen. This field used to be covered with River Tamarind (Leucaena leucocephala), but that was cleared and it was ready for planting, but then we had a lot of rain and some native grasses with seeds grew, which drew in the seed eaters. Some plants also attracted butterflies and moths, which the Cuckoos, Upland Sandpiper, and Warblers took advantage of. It shows how vital feeding areas are along the migration paths of these travelers. I hope this is not the last time we see Harrison Point full of migratory birds like it was in 2023.

Images from HP 2023

lots of Bobolinks 

Rose-breasted Grosbeak one of my 3 lifers

Blue-winged Warbler another lifer 

Prothonotary Warbler was the prettiest warbler at HP this year

A curious Yellow-billed Cuckoo 

Another Yellow-billed Cuckoo drying out after a downpour