ABC Islands: Bonaire: The Northern Journey (February 09, 2026)

The road carried us back through the capital and into the northern part of Bonaire, the landscape shifting from busy streets to rugged, windswept terrain—more dramatic even than the southern side. In my mind, two birds stood out as targets for the day: the Yellow-shouldered Parrot (Amazona barbadensis), a bucketlist species, and the Hooded Warbler (Setophaga citrina), which had been appearing on the island’s eBird rare bird alert. Our first stop was Kunuku Arawak, where a giant lizard sculpture caught our eye, though the site itself was closed. Next door, Bonaire Landsailing Adventures was also shut, so we continued on, admiring the rugged and sometimes surreal scenery until we reached the historic town of Rincon. From there we turned onto the road leading toward Washington-Slagbaai National Park, only to find its gates closed as well. Disappointment quickly gave way to excitement when I caught sight of a bird diving into roadside shrubbery. A patient search revealed another lifer, the Northern Scrub-Flycatcher (Sublegatus arenarum). The area proved to be quite birdy, so I lingered and enjoyed familiar companions such as Mangrove Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia), seen in numbers greater than I had ever encountered before, Caribbean Elaenia (Elaenia martinica), Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola), and the less familiar Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus). As we approached the junction leading back into Rincon proper, near the Cadushy Distillery, I heard unmistakable parrot calls, and to my delight nine Yellow-shouldered Parrots appeared, perched casually as if waiting to be admired. My heart raced—this was the bucketlist lifer I had hoped for.

Yellow-shouldered Parrots was my third lifer for the day

We carried on to Mirante GotoMeer, stopping at the lookout point over the saltwater lake where BirdsCaribbean and company had placed more informative boards. The scenery was breathtaking, and the close views of American Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) feeding in the shallows were the best of the trip so far.  I also got my first proper images of the Northern Scrub-Flycatcher, while there. on leaving GotoMeer we ended up on a narrow and busy one-way road but was quickly pointed in the correct direction.  Later, near the BOPEC storage facility, I searched for the elusive Hooded Warbler but came away empty-handed.

Northern Scrub-Flycatcher at the GotoMeer lookout

My wife suggested visiting the iconic 1000 Steps, so after pausing at Landhuis Karpata we tried to continue south along the road. To our surprise, it turned out also to be a one‑way, and we had to consult the hire car’s map, which showed a long detour. An off‑road shortcut looked promising, but the track quickly became too rough for our vehicle. While we stopped to figure out the best route, I was rewarded with clear views and photographs of a Pearly‑eyed Thrasher (Margarops fuscatus), logged at Kaminda Karpata. We never did reach 1000 Steps—something to save for our next visit.

Pearly‑eyed Thrasher

By late afternoon, after a few more navigational blunders, we returned to the capital, dropped off the car at the Divi Flamingo Beach Resort, and birded our way back to the ship. Two more species were added to my day's checklist before boarding, bringing the tally for the day, and my first stop in the ABC Islands, to forty-three species, including three lifers. Tomorrow Curaçao.

See more images here

Days & Trip Tally:  45 species     Lifers: 3

Birds Seen: Southern - Rock Pigeon, Bare-eyed Pigeon, White-tipped Dove, Eared Dove, Black-necked Stilt (190), Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Short-billed Dowitcher, Lesser Yellowlegs, Greater Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turnstone, Stilt Sandpiper, Sanderling, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Royal Tern, American Flamingo, Magnificent Frigatebird, Brown Booby, Tricolored Heron, Reddish Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Brown Pelican, Osprey, Brown-throated Parakeet, Tropical Mockingbird, House Sparrow, Carib Grackle, Bananaquit. Northern: Scaly-nape Pigeon, Crested Caracara, Yellow-shouldered Amazon, Common ground Dove, Caribbean Elaena, Northern Scrub-flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Venezuelan Troupial, Mangrove Yellow Warbler, Gray Kingbird, Pearly-eyed Thrasher, Yellow Oriole, Black-faced Grassquit, Saffron Finch.

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