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.