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Field Guides Tour Report BAHAMAS: BIRDS & BUTTERFLIES

Field Guides Tour Report BAHAMAS: BIRDS & BUTTERFLIES

Field Guides Tour Report BAHAMAS: & BUTTERFLIES

Mar 21, 2011 to Mar 26, 2011 Jesse Fagan

This trip always delivers. A fun list with a number of regional endemics and three Bahamian endemics, plus the endangered Kirtland's Warbler, and throw in some sun and world-class beaches, fresh seafood, and its short length...folks, we have a winner! This year was no exception.

We did quite well on Abaco Island where we quickly found all three Bahamian endemics (woodstar, , and swallow) on our first full-day of birding. The parrots were really cooperative as well! A Yellow-throated Vireo was a nice surprise in Marsh Harbour--it's a wintering bird that is uncommon to rare in . Our chartered plane ride over to Eleuthera gave us a great perspective on the layout of the islands; how thin and flat they really are! Once on Eleuthera we wasted no time in finding our first prize, the Great Lizard- Voted "Bird of the trip" was Great Lizard-Cuckoo...a worthy Cuckoo. Great, indeed, it was the group's favorite. The recipient of the title! (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan) next day we were deeply satisfied to find three Kirtland's Warblers in short scrub/coppice near Governor's Harbour.

This is one of my favorite tours to lead. Thanks to all of you in the group for such a memorable time! Bird ON.

--Jesse aka Motmot

We have more information about this itinerary and future departures on our web page for Bahamas: Birds & Butterflies.

KEYS FOR THIS LIST One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant

BIRDS Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl) BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors) – A quick flyby pair near some freshwater ponds south of Governor's Harbour. Podicipedidae (Grebes) PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps) – Several on the freshwater ponds south of Governor's Harbour. Fregatidae (Frigatebirds) MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD (Fregata magnificens) – Small numbers on both Abaco and Eleuthera. Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags) DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax auritus) – Our only ones were a group of ten on a large freshwater pond south of Governor's Harbour. Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)

Field Guides Birding Tours • www.fieldguides.com • 800-728-4953 1 GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias) – A pair south of Governor's Harbour. GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) – Seen on both islands. LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea) – Singles on both islands. GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens) – One flew by while birding at Cherokee Sound, Abaco Island. Cathartidae (New World Vultures) TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura) – What do these vultures eat? We discussed the native mammal situation a few times. Is this a recent expansion? Abaco Island only. Pandionidae (Osprey) OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) – Both islands including one on Eleuthera with its lunch in tow. Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras) AMERICAN KESTREL (CUBAN) (Falco sparverius sparveroides) – The light-morph of this is quite pale below. Seen well on Abaco Island where there was one near our hotel in Marsh Harbour. (Falco columbarius) – One perched near our hotel on Eleuthera. Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots) AMERICAN COOT (Fulica americana) – A bunch in the freshwater pond south of Governor's Harbour. Aramidae (Limpkin) LIMPKIN (Aramus guarauna) [*] Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings) BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) – A couple were around the sandy flats and coral banks in Govenor's Harbour. SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (Charadrius semipalmatus) – Just one on Eleuthera. Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies) WILLET (Tringa semipalmata) – A Willet was seen on Eleuthera, but we couldn't confirm whether eastern or western, which are both possibilities at this time of year.

Three years in a row we've have great looks at wintering Kirtland's Warblers! (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan)

RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) – Seen on both islands, but much more common on Eleuthera. We had one group of at least 20 individuals on that island. SANDERLING (Calidris alba) – A group of 25 or so at Crossing Rock on Abaco was a surprise. SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (Limnodromus griseus) – Good studies of three birds foraging in the sand at Governor's Harbour.

Field Guides Birding Tours • www.fieldguides.com • 800-728-4953 2 Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers) LAUGHING GULL (Leucophaeus atricilla) – Common on both islands. Almost all the individuals are in breeding plumage. RING-BILLED GULL (Larus delawarensis) – We had two flybys while birding the Abaco Inn. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus fuscus) – Two breeding plumaged individuals were sitting on the posts in Governor's Harbour. This is the second year in a row I have had this species at this site. ROYAL TERN (Thalasseus maximus) – Fairly common on both islands. SANDWICH TERN (Thalasseus sandvicensis) – On posts in Governor's Harbour. The subspecies is acuflavidus and a recent split has taken place between Old and New World populations. Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves) ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – On Abaco Island. WHITE-CROWNED PIGEON (Patagioenas leucocephala) – Seen well on Abaco Island, especially around Abaco Inn, but also in flight on Eleuthara, where it is less common. EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto) – This is where the introduction to the New World began, in the Bahamas. Common on Abaco. ZENAIDA DOVE (Zenaida aurita) – A difficult one to find. We had several singing in the pine forest on Abaco. We managed to draw one into view. The white trailing-edge in the wing was quite obvious. The song, however, is very similar to Mourning Dove. MOURNING DOVE (Zenaida macroura) – Surprisingly, just one on Eleuthera Island. COMMON GROUND-DOVE (Columbina passerina) – Common on both islands. Psittacidae (Parrots) CUBAN PARROT (BAHAMAS) (Amazona leucocephala bahamensis) – Nice looks in Abaco Island NP as well as at Bahama Palms Shore. Cuculidae (Cuckoos) MANGROVE CUCKOO (Coccyzus minor) – Good looks at one skulky individual in the taller coppice on Eleuthera. GREAT LIZARD-CUCKOO (Coccyzus merlini) – By far the bird of the trip. It's arge and in charge, and we had several individuals, but the first was memorable. It didn't want to leave us alone! Only found on Abaco and Andros in the Bahamas. SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani) – Pretty common on Abaco. Trochilidae () ( evelynae) – Seen well (at least a number of females) on Abaco, but males seem more common on Eleuthera. [E] ( ricordii) – Common on Abaco Island. One was around the hotel in Marsh Harbour. Alcedinidae (Kingfishers) BELTED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle alcyon) – A couple seen on Eleuthera. A winter visitor to the Bahamas. Picidae (Woodpeckers) WEST INDIAN WOODPECKER (Melanerpes superciliaris) – Great looks at several sites on Abaco. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus varius) – This was a good year for this wintering visitor. We had at least 6 different individuals. Their resin wells were quite evident throughout Abaco Island. HAIRY WOODPECKER (Picoides villosus piger) – Seen well in the pine forest on Abaco Island. Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers) CUBAN PEWEE (Contopus caribaeus) – We had several on Abaco, but a surprise (and first for Jesse) was one on Eleuthera where it is uncommon. LA SAGRA'S FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus sagrae) – Fairly common on both islands. LOGGERHEAD KINGBIRD (Tyrannus caudifasciatus bahamensis) – Resident in the Bahamas, it is common on the island of Abaco. The subspecies here is quite distinctive, the only one that shows cinnamon edging to the uppertail coverts. Vireonidae (Vireos)

Field Guides Birding Tours • www.fieldguides.com • 800-728-4953 3 WHITE-EYED VIREO (Vireo griseus) – At least two in the taller coppice behind our hotel on Eleuthera. THICK-BILLED VIREO (THICK-BILLED) (Vireo crassirostris crassirostris) – One of the most common on both islands. YELLOW-THROATED VIREO (Vireo flavifrons) – Listed as rare to uncommon for the Bahamas, we had our first at Abaco Inn, and two more on Eleuthera near the hotel. Hirundinidae (Swallows) BAHAMA SWALLOW (Tachycineta cyaneoviridis) – A number in the pine clearings (along the power cables) on Abaco Island. [E] BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – Just one on Abaco Island. Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers) BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER (Polioptila caerulea) – Several males in breeding plumage and already in song on Abaco Island. Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies) RED-LEGGED THRUSH (WESTERN) (Turdus plumbeus plumbeus) – This sharp looking Turdus was seen a number of times on Abaco Island. Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers) GRAY CATBIRD (Dumetella carolinensis) – A common wintering resident on both islands. NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus polyglottos) – This species is common on both islands prefering more open areas and settlements to the next species. BAHAMA MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus gundlachii) – On both islands, but sticks to the taller pine forest or coppice. Parulidae (New World Warblers) NORTHERN PARULA (Parula americana) – Several on both islands. YELLOW WARBLER (Dendroica petechia) – The ones we saw in town or away from the mangroves were most likely wintering birds. YELLOW WARBLER (GOLDEN) (Dendroica petechia gundlachi) – The birds we saw at Cherokee Sound in the mangroves (a male-female pair) were most likely the resident Golden-types. MAGNOLIA WARBLER (Dendroica magnolia) – Rare The lovely Red-legged Thrush (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan) to uncommon in the Bahamas, Jesse spotted one in the mixed-flock behind our hotel on Eleuthera. CAPE MAY WARBLER (Dendroica tigrina) – A nice looking warbler to have so common on both islands . YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (MYRTLE) (Dendroica coronata coronata) – Singles on Abaco Island. YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (YELLOW-LORED) (Dendroica dominica) – One wintering bird was seen on Eleuthera. YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (BAHAMAS) (Dendroica dominica flavescens) – The resident subspecies is fairly common in the pine forest on Abaco. It sure looks different. Hopefully, a split to come. OLIVE-CAPPED WARBLER (Dendroica pityophila) – Common in the pine forest of Abaco. Only found on Abaco and Grand Bahama in the Bahamas. PINE WARBLER (Dendroica pinus achrustera) – Common in the pine forest of Abaco. KIRTLAND'S WARBLER (Dendroica kirtlandii) – We had at least three individuals (2 males) in the short scrub south of Governor's Harbour on Eleuthera Island. This is the third year in a row that the FGI tour has found this rare wintering species. Not too bad! PRAIRIE WARBLER (Dendroica discolor) – Common wintering warbler on both islands. PALM WARBLER (Dendroica palmarum) – Ditto, see previous species.

Field Guides Birding Tours • www.fieldguides.com • 800-728-4953 4 BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia) – Just a couple on both islands. AMERICAN REDSTART (Setophaga ruticilla) – Several striking males were seen on both islands. WORM-EATING WARBLER (Helmitheros vermivorum) – One was spotted in a mixed-species flock in the taller coppice behind our hotel on Eleuthera. A good bird. OVENBIRD (Seiurus aurocapilla) – Singles on both islands. NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis) – One was heard (and seen by a few) while birding the taller scrub at Sandy Point. (Geothlypis trichas) – Singles on both islands. BAHAMA YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis rostrata) – We had our first in the pine forest of Abaco NP. This species is more yellow below than migrants and the border to the black mask is often golden or yellowish gray. The song, however, is quite similar. It's the call that is very different! [E] Coerebidae () BANANAQUIT (BAHAMAS) (Coereba flaveola bahamensis) – Larger and paler than mainland or other island populations. Indeed, this is the Bahamas Bananaquit. Fairly common on both islands. Thraupidae ( and Allies) WESTERN (NORTHERN BAHAMAS) (Spindalis zena townsendi) – This subspecies is very dark on the back and has alot of white in the wing. Seen well on Abaco Island. They liked the gumbo limbo fruit. Emberizidae (Buntings, Sparrows and Allies) BLACK-FACED GRASSQUIT (Tiaris bicolor) – Fairly common on both islands. GREATER ANTILLEAN BULLFINCH (Loxigilla violacea) – The males are really nice looking. Seen well on both islands. Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies) INDIGO (Passerina cyanea) – Just a few on Eleuthera Island. Icteridae (Troupials and Allies) RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelaius phoeniceus) – A couple were seen around Cherokee Sound on Abaco Island. BALTIMORE ORIOLE (Icterus galbula) – One nice male was seen perched in the open behind the hotel on Eleuthera. Jesse had another on his run on Abaco Island. Passeridae (Old World Sparrows) HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) – Yep, seen on both islands!

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Butterfly list compiled from 2009 - 2011. There are three columns for the 2009, 2010, and 2011 tours.

+ = observed

0 = not observed

Polydamas Swallowtail + / + / +

Schaus's Swallowtail + / 0 / 0

Little Yellow + / + / +

Dainty Sulphur + / 0 / 0

Cloudless Sulphur + / 0 / +

Barred Yellow + / + / +

Atala + / + / +

Field Guides Birding Tours • www.fieldguides.com • 800-728-4953 5 Gray Ministreak + / 0 / 0

Cassius Blue + / + / 0

Eastern Pygmy Blue + / 0 / 0

Gulf Fritillary + / + / +

Mexican Fritillary + / 0 / +

Julia + / + / +

Tropical Buckeye + / 0 / 0

Common Buckeye + / 0 / 0

White Peacock 0 / + / +

Ruddy Daggerwing 0 / + / +

Zestos Skipper + / 0 / +

Long-tailed Skipper + / + / +

Hammock Skipper + / + / 0

Mangrove Skipper 0 / 0 / +

Dorantes Longtail + / 0 / 0

Mercurial Skipper 0 / + / 0

Florida Duskywing 0 / + / +

Common Sootywing + / 0 / 0

Clouded Skipper + / 0 / 0

Three-spotted Skipper (?) 0 / + / 0

Twin-spot Skipper (?) 0 / + / 0

Ocala Skipper + / 0 / 0

Monk Skipper + / 0 / 0

2009 = 24 species

2010 = 15 species

2011 = 14 species

TOTAL SPECIES = 30

Totals for the tour: 82 bird taxa and 0 mammal taxa

Field Guides Birding Tours • www.fieldguides.com • 800-728-4953 6

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