Return to the Prairies: Birding Alberta 2026 - Three Day Tune Up

Eastern Warbling Vireo was my lone lifer for the period

After a five‑hour, turbulence‑filled flight from Barbados to Toronto, followed by an eight‑hour overnight stretch in Pearson International Airport and then another nearly four‑hour flight to Calgary—also marked by turbulence—I finally arrived on the morning of July 30, carrying more jet lag than I can ever remember. After a short nap, I launched into three intense days of birding in Fish Creek Provincial Park, to lock down the common birds but also to get acclimatize. I averaged over 11,000 steps per day and recording sixty‑four species. Fifty‑two of those were new for the year, and one, the Eastern Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus), was a lifer.

Red‑necked Grebe my bird favorite day 1 bird

The afternoon of Day One found me shaking off the last of the jet lag and heading out around the pond and wooded area at Fish Creek – Burnmead. No lifers turned up, but Merlin, which I always keep running while birding, repeatedly detected a Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus). I searched the area thoroughly but never managed to see it. Over the next three days, the app continued to pick up Hermit Thrushes at various points, yet not once did I lay eyes on one. Yes — Hermit Thrush officially became my nemesis bird for this trip. Still, the afternoon was rewarding. I saw several nice species, with my favorite being the Red‑necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena). This Alberta trip is as much about wildlife photography as birding, so each day I’ll be posting a fine‑art photograph on my Fine Art IG page, along with a few species images on my regular birding page. Subscribe to see my selections.

1. My day 1 image of the day was of a Savannah Sparrow, which I captured in here - and additional images here & here

Day Two was when the real walking began. I covered just over four miles, birding from Fish Creek – Burnmead down to the Boat Launch and back. My favorite birds of the day were a Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) and a Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula). And, in the same spot where I found the Swainson’s, Merlin once again recorded a Hermit Thrush. I searched, I waited, I circled back… nothing. At this point, I had to laugh.

1. My day 2 image of the day was of another Sparrow, this time, Clay-colored Sparrow with a mouth full of bugs.  You can see it here - and additional images here & here

Day Three was just as much walking as birding. I worked one side of the Bow River, followed the trail along the golf course, crossed over at the Chinook Rotary Park pedestrian bridge, and made my way back up to Burnmead. It turned out to be a productive route, adding several species to my year list. On this occasion, Merlin didn’t just detect a Hermit Thrush — it also picked up a Slender‑billed Gull. I searched for both, but neither materialized. The highlight of the day, however, was a Common Loon (Gavia immer) flying overhead, calling as it passed. 

1. My day 3 image is a Landscape image of the sunrise at Burnmead Pond.  You can see it here - and additional images here & here.

These first three days in Calgary should set the tone for the trip — long walks, steady birding, and a mix of familiar species, year additions, and stubborn nemesis birds that refused to show themselves. Between the birds, the landscapes, and the photography, Alberta continues to be one of the most rewarding places I’ve ever explored.

If you enjoy following along, subscribe to my blog and Instagram pages to see each day’s fine‑art photo selection and additional bird images throughout the trip. More adventures — and hopefully fewer nemesis birds — are on the way.

From Barbados to Beyond: Chasing 300 Birds (updated July 03)

#64/130. Brown Noddy, lifer #181/442

It’s been a while since I last shared an update on my chase to 300 species, and things have been moving along slowly but surely. Since my last report, the count now stands at 78 species here in Barbados and 140 worldwide. The real push is coming soon: on July 29th I’ll be heading to Canada, and I’m hoping to add more than 120 species during that trip.  If all goes well, this adventure will bring me close to the 300 mark, the milestone I’ve been chasing all year. Numbers aside, it’s the experiences behind them that make the journey worthwhile, and I’m looking forward to sharing those moments as they unfold.

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

Alberta Trip August 2026

A Bald Eagle @ Fish Creek Provincial Park in August 2024

This August I’ll be returning to Alberta, a journey I’ve been eagerly anticipating. It’s a chance to reconnect with family, rekindle friendships, and immerse myself once more in the sweeping prairie vistas—and, of course, the birds. Calgary remains one of my favorite places on earth, with Fish Creek Provincial Park playing a central role in that affection. This will be my third visit, following trips in 2019 and 2024, during which I recorded 154 species, 102 of them lifers.

I’ll be based in Calgary for just under four weeks, with a brief detour to Edmonton. To prepare, I’ve already subscribed to the eBird rare bird alerts, with a daily update, and begun mapping routes by bus and train to hotspots like Carburn Park and the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. It will be great also to see my friends and birding pals John and Keith. This year carries extra significance: I’m aiming to reach 300 species in a calendar year for the first time, so every sighting matters, so as the weeks turn to days, I will also subscribe to ebird's Need Alert. Yet there are a few special birds I hope to encounter. Knowing this may be my last Canadian trip for a while, I intend to savor every moment—whether it’s watching birds, photographing wildlife, or capturing the beauty of insects, flowers, and landscapes.

Head over to our "Birding Abroad" to follow my progress on the trip's home page, from preparation to trip conclusion.

ABC Islands: Aruba (February 11, 2026)

Sooty Tern

Aruba was our last stop in the ABC Islands, and even before I was fully awake, I managed to add a new bird to the trip list. My mornings at sea follow a simple ritual: step out onto the balcony with a cup of coffee and a few of the ship’s complimentary cookies, breathe in the fresh air, and watch the sunrise. On this particular morning, a quiet surprise awaited me—a Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus) resting calmly on one of the lifeboats. I checked it carefully for any signs of injury, but it seemed perfectly fine, simply pausing to rest. I left it be, grateful for the unexpected encounter. For Aruba, my wife had set herself the ambitious goal of climbing all 600 steps of Hooiberg, a high point in the center of the island. My mission was simpler: to find the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia), known locally as the Shoco. Reports suggested that sightings often occurred near Hooiberg, so our plan was straightforward—she would tackle the climb, and I would bird the surroundings, keeping my eyes peeled for owls. We were among the first passengers off the ship when it docked at Oranjestad, and within minutes we were in a taxi heading toward Hooiberg. The driver was warm and talkative, and when he learned of my quest, he surprised me by saying he knew exactly where I could find a Shoco—guaranteed. He promised to take us there after our Hooiberg adventure. Intrigued but skeptical, I still intended to search on my own while my wife climbed.

Venezuelan Troupial @ Hooiberg

Looking up at the endless steps, I knew I had made the right decision to avoid the full climb. Still, peer pressure nudged me to go partway, and I managed about a quarter of the ascent before stopping to enjoy the view. The slopes were dry and dominated by cacti and acacia trees. Bare‑eyed Pigeons (Patagioenas corensis) were the most numerous, but I also spotted a Venezuelan Troupial (Icterus icterus) and a lively Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola). After descending, I wandered toward the nearby Aruba Water Park, birding along the way. I strayed off the path into the shrubs, which rewarded me with my closest look yet at a Blue‑tailed Emerald (Chlorostilbon mellisugus) —a dazzling hummingbird, though sadly I couldn’t capture a photo. From the steps I had noticed a pond not far away, so I made my way there next. Unfortunately, it was quiet, with no birds present, and my search for the Shoco remained fruitless. The taxi driver’s promise now felt like a lifeline.

Momma Burrowing Owl at Casibari Rock Formations

True to his word, the driver later took us to the Casibari Rock Formations, a popular attraction with striking boulders and plenty of visitors. He led us along a trail to a fenced‑off area, and to our delight, there were five Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) owlets huddled together. Nearby, a parent perched watchfully in a tree. I was elated—finally, the Shoco! A lifer at last.

White‑cheeked Pintail @ Bubali Bird Sanctuary

Afterward, we headed back to the ship. I was eager to check on the Sooty Tern and was pleased to find it gone—no longer perched on the lifeboat. I imagined it had regained its strength and flown off. But my birding wasn’t finished yet. I arranged for the taxi to take us to another hotspot—the Bubali Bird Sanctuary. My son Jason joined me, and almost immediately on the trail we heard the familiar call of a Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis), the second one for the trip. Beneath a tree at the trail entrance was a group of domestic Muscovy Ducks (Cairina moschata), but among them I picked out two more firsts for the trip: White‑cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis) and Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus).

Aruba added one lifer and nine species to the trip checklist, bringing the grand total to 63 species—including five lifers. A fitting finale to a memorable journey to the ABC Islands - Bonaire, Curaçao and Aruba.

The Stats:

Day's New Birds for the Trip:                 Trip Species Tally: 63
Day's New Lifer(s):   1                          Trip Lifer Tally: 5

New species for the trip: Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, White-cheeked Pintail, Blue-winged Teal, Purple Gallinule, Sooty Tern, Neotropic Cormorant, Burrowing Owl, Peregrine Falcon, Shiny Cowbird

Home | Bonaire | Curaçao | Trip Report

ABC Islands: Curaçao (February 10, 2026)

A view of the Queen Juliana Bridge as we sailed into Curacao

We arrived in Curaçao’s capital, Willemstad, around 6:30 a.m. As usual, I was up early to watch the ship dock and squeeze in a bit of birding before the day began. My expectations for the island were modest—our plan was to spend most of the day exploring the city rather than touring the countryside or birding extensively as we had in Bonaire. Yet, to my surprise, the day ended with one lifer and eleven new species added to the trip tally.

Juvenile Yellow‑crowned Night‑Heron at Rif Mangrove Park

I said “most of the day” because in the early morning I visited Rif Mangrove Park, conveniently located right next to the port. Unfortunately, when I reached the pay booth I realized I had left my wallet in my room, so my birding was limited to the park’s exterior. Almost immediately, I was rewarded with my fourth lifer of the trip: two parakeets flushed from the trees, flew across the road in front of me, and disappeared into the mangroves. Their mostly green plumage with a wash of blue on the head made it clear these were not the more common Brown‑throated Parakeet (Eupsittula pertinax), but rather Blue‑crowned Parakeets (Thectocercus acuticaudatus). I also added several other species, including Yellow‑crowned Night‑Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) and Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius).

One of the many avian themed murals around Curacao

Curaçao seems to have a special affection for birds—murals of them appear throughout the city. While admiring one particularly striking piece in the square that houses Café Copacabana, I had my best look yet at a Blue‑tailed Emerald (Chlorostilbon mellisugus), feeding from a flowering tree nearby. Another memorable sighting was a pair of Green Herons (Butorides virescens) nesting right in the midst of busy pedestrian traffic, a reminder of how wildlife and city life often intertwine in unexpected ways.

As the ship pulled away from Willemstad, I thought back on the day. What supposed to have been the quietest birding day of the trip delivered—a lifer, a few firsts for the year, and fresh additions to the trip tally.

The Stats:

Day's New Birds for the Trip: 9                 Trip Species Tally: 54
Day's New Lifer(s): 1                                Trip Lifer Tally: 4

New species for the trip: Blue-tailed Emerald, Common Gallinule, Spotted Sandpiper, Laughing Gull, Yellow-crowned Nightheron, Green Heron, Western Cattle Egret, Blue-crowned Parakeet, Northern Waterthrush. Images

Bonaire | Home | Aruba

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.

Gallery  |  Home  |  Curaçao

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

We docked at Kralendijk, Bonaire’s capital, at 7 a.m. With a comfortable hired Chevy SUV waiting, our plan was simple yet full of promise: circumnavigate the island in search of birds and adventure. The route would take us south toward the salt flats, around to Sorobon, back through the capital around mid‑day, then north to Rincon before looping through the rugged Washington Slagbaai National Park. By 5 p.m., we aimed to conclude the journey back on board the ship.

Bare‑eyed Pigeon

Even before leaving the port, the birding had already begun. On our short walk to collect the vehicle, we encountered the ubiquitous and comical Bare‑eyed Pigeon (Patagioenas corensis), the ever‑present Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus), and the invasive House Sparrows (Passer domesticus). Sharing the rocks with these birds were Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana), their prehistoric appearance a striking reminder of the island’s wild character—an unforgettable sight to behold.

First Lifer of the trip - Reddish Egret 

The first stop after leaving the port was a wetland just outside Kralendijk at the capital’s ponds, where I was overjoyed to spot my first lifer of the trip: a Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens). Other wading birds were scattered across the shallows and mudflats, feeding gracefully in the morning light.
Continuing our journey, we paused at a beach just past Flamingo International Airport to check out another remarkable creature—a lizard unlike any we see at home. Much longer than our familiar anoles, it carried an impressively long tail. What truly caught our attention was its coloration: a stunning blend of gray and brown, accented with shimmering shades of blue and green. Later I learned this striking reptile was the Bonaire Whiptail Lizard (Cnemidophorus murinus).

Bonaire Whiptail Lizard

The salt flats were breathtaking. First the towering salt pyramids came into view, followed by the shimmering pink lakes spread across the flats. We made a brief stop at the salt pier, the loading point where salt is transferred onto ships for export and collected a few salt blocks as souvenirs.
Just offshore, two Brown Boobies (Sula leucogaster) perched on a buoy, while an Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) circled above, scanning the waters for its next fish. A signboard highlighting the birdlife of the area caught my attention, and I later learned it was part of an important conservation partnership between BirdsCaribbean, the salt field manager Cargill, and other collaborators. (Read here).

Flamingos nest building

Moving on from the salt flats, we made stops at the historic slave huts and the Willemstoren Lighthouse, built in 1837. Along the way, we paused periodically for birding, adding several species of shorebirds and herons, as well as Royal Terns (Thalasseus maximus), Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis), of course the iconic American Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) and Donkeys. Some of these stops were part of the Caribbean Waterbird Census, administered by Birds Caribbean.

We returned to the capital just after noon to begin our northern trek. The day was already full of adventure, birds, and lifers—so look out for that post.

ABC Islands Bird Species Tally:

Species Seen: 30    Lifers: 1

Birds Seen: Rock Pigeon, Bare-eyed Pigeon, White-tipped Dove, Eared Dove, Black-necked Stilt (190), Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Short-billed Dowitcher, Lesser Yellow Legs, Greater Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turnstone, Stilt Sandpiper, Sanderling, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Royal Tern, American Flamingo, 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.

Link to Images 

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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.

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 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

A GBBC With a Difference: Counting Birds Across the Caribbean

Brown Booby is one of the birds on my GBBC list

This year’s Great Backyard Bird Count is going to look a little different for me—mostly because my “backyard” will stretch across the Caribbean. Instead of watching my feeders from home, I’ll be counting birds from three countries in four days, with each stop offering its own set of species and surprises.
February 13 kicks things off in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, where I’ll be chasing as many of the island’s endemics as I can find. Jamaica’s birdlife is legendary, and I’m hoping to add several specialties to my life list before the day is done.
Day two, February 14, will be spent at sea, cruising the strait between Cuba and Haiti. With luck, the open water will deliver a few pelagic treasures—maybe a petrel, a jaeger, or one of the noddys that roam the region. Pelagic birding is always a gamble, but that’s part of the thrill.
Finally, on Sunday, February 15, I’ll wrap up the count on Grand Turk, where my targets shift to shorebirds. Piping Plover and Snowy Plover are at the top of my wish list, and the island’s beaches should give me a fighting chance.

It’s shaping up to be a GBBC unlike any I’ve done before—two countries, countless miles, and who knows how many birds. I can’t wait to see what turns up.

You can keep track here >>

Thursday Afternoon Birding: Graeme Hall from (05/02/2026)

Thursday afternoon found me at one of my favorite birding spots—Graeme Hall Swamp. My main goal was to search for members of my favorite bird family, the warblers. While most birders head to the “public entrance” off Highway 7, I’ve grown fond of the opposite end, entering from the Amity Lodge end. With the regrowth of Acacia trees, this section has become especially attractive to birds.
I began around 3:45 p.m. and spent about an hour and a half following the trail that runs along the agricultural fields, down to the sewage treatment plant, and back again. Over the course of the walk, I recorded fourteen species, including two warblers. The first was the local Mangrove Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia), also known as the Golden Warbler. The second was the Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis), a familiar wintering migrant in Barbados. Both were highlights of the afternoon, reminding me why warblers hold such a special place in my birding heart.

Here’s the full list of species I observed, accompanied by images:

Zenaida Dove - Zenaida aurita
Common Ground Dove - Columbina passerina
Eurasian Collared-Dove - Streptopelia decaocto
Scaly-naped Pigeon  - Patagioenas squamosa
Antillean Crested Hummingbird - Orthorhyncus cristatus
Green-throated Carib - Eulampis holosericeus
Western Cattle-Egret - Ardea ibis
Caribbean Elaenia - Elaenia martinica
Grey Kingbird - Tyrannus dominicensis
Carib Grackle - Quiscalus lugubris
Mangrove Yellow Warbler - Setophaga petechia
Northern Waterthrush - Parkesia noveboracensis
Barbados Bullfinch - Loxigilla barbadensis
Bananaquit - Coereba flaveola

As the light began to fade and I made my way back along the trail, I couldn’t help but reflect on how this pressures landscape continue to change. A point that was clearly seen as I came upon the cleared area where government is about to start a new project that will work along with the sewage treatment plant. Fourteen species in under two hours, this far from the main mangroves was a reminder that Graeme Hall continues to be a vital refuge for both resident and migratory birds. Let's hope it remains that way for generation after generation to enjoy like I did on this Thursday afternoon of birding. 

Please enjoy the images:

Northern Waterthrush

Mangrove Yellow Warbler

Grey Kingbird

Caribbean Elaenia

Caribbean Elaenia

A Record-Breaking Year of Birding in Barbados – 2025

What a year 2025 turned out to be! I recorded 124 bird species on the island, out of a total of 132 seen overall. Even more thrilling, eight of those were lifers, pushing my personal Barbados checklist up to 178 species.

Here are some of the highlights from this unforgettable year:

May Surprises

Black-throated Blue Warbler

• Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) – My first lifer of the year, spotted in Turners Hall Woods on the evening of May 10th. Completely unexpected, but it lingered just long enough for me to capture a few documentary photos.
• Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) – Just days later, this Old-World raptor appeared. Its identification took months to confirm, making the sighting even more rewarding.

October Trio

After a quiet summer, October delivered three lifers in quick succession:

A pair of Red-eyed Vireos

• Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) – Found at Harrisons Point on a rainy Sunday afternoon, October 19th.
• Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) – Seen at North Point, St. Lucy on October 21st.

  

  Eurasian Kestrel

• Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) – A strong contender for “Bird of the Year,” spotted at The Belle, St. Michael on October 26th. Special thanks to Muriel Aboso and Anthony Levesque, visiting birders from Guadeloupe, who found the last two birds.

December Big Three

The year closed with a final burst of lifers:

• Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra) – Soaring along the cliffs at North Point on December 10th.

  

  Western Reef-Heron

• Western Reef-Heron (Egretta gularis) – Found at Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge on December 26th.

  

  Gray Trembler

• Gray Trembler (Cinclocerthia gutturalis) – A rare and exciting sighting at Consett Bay, St. John, also on December 26th.

Bird of the Year

My Bird of the Year is without question the juvenile Western Reef-Heron, first seen at Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge on December 26th. Some may wonder why this particular heron deserves the title. The truth is simple: I’ve been waiting many years for its return. I missed its last appearance early in my birding journey, and ever since, I’ve hoped for another chance. To finally see it gracing our shores felt like closing a long-awaited chapter in my birding story.

Best Birding Story 

Every bird comes with a story—where you were, what you were doing, and who was there to share the moment. I could fill a book with birding tales from 2025, but one that truly stood out was my encounter with the White-crowned Pigeon (Patagioenas leucocephala).

White-crowned Pigeon

The Date: February 1st, 2025 - I was sitting on my bed, deep in conversation with my wife, getting dressed to head out. In fact, I was just pulling on my socks when I glanced out the window. Normally, I’d expect to see the familiar Scaly-naped Pigeon (Patagioenas squamosa) feeding on the flowers of the vine outside. But this time, something different caught my eye—a pigeon of similar size, but with a striking white cap. In that instant, I knew exactly what it was. My heart raced as I frantically called for my son and searched for my camera. My wife looked on, jaw dropped and bewildered by my sudden burst of excitement. With my own camera locked away downstairs in the car, I grabbed hers instead and managed to capture a few images before finally retrieving mine. That brief, unexpected moment turned an ordinary morning into one of the most memorable birding highlights of the year.

From unexpected warblers, rare raptors and seabirds to countless rare and mega rare birds, not to mention gps tagged birds - 2025 was an extraordinary year for birding inn Barbados, kept me on my toes and filled my birding scrapbook with tons of memories. From lifer to common birds, each added a new layer of excitement to my birding journey, and I’m grateful for the community of birders who shared in these discoveries.

Here’s to even more surprises and milestones birding in 2026!