Similar to my jaunt to Ibiza in June this was in no way a birding trip but my honeymoon. My bins did come with me as did the digical camera. I stayed in Maxwell between St. Lawrence Gap (and associated Graeme Hall Swamp) and Oistins on the south coast of the island. The trip didnt start well as far as birding is considered. In my hungover state i left my notes on where to go and for what at home and missed a few species because of this. A lack of scope also hindered. I did record 28 species of which 22 were lifers and 25 year ticks. The guides i took with me were the Helm Birds of the West Indies, the recent helm waders of Europe, Asia and North America and the Sibley guide to North America. Thats the boring bit over with. First birds seen were a number of loud Carib Grackles at the airport. These were ever present even at our breakfast tables. As were the equally common Bananaquits and the recently split Barbados Bullfinch. In the grounds to the hotel the first of two hummingbird species was quickly evident - Antillean Crested Hummingbird. Also seen in the grounds were Zenaida Doves, Gray Kingbird, Cattle Egret, Common Ground Dave and Scaly-naped Pigeon. All these birds were common round the island. I paid a couple of visits to Graeme Hall Swamp which was only partly open due to refurbishment. Here I added Green Heron, Snowy Egret (but no scope meant no little egret), Solitary Sandpiper, Green-throated Carib, Yellow Warbler, Black-faced Grassquit, Least Sandpiper, Semi-P Sandpiper and Plover, Moorhen and Spotted Sandpiper. Also seen here were Green Monkey and Tilapia Sp. In Grassland areas around cane fields Grassland Yellow-finch were seen as well as Shiny Cowbirds amongst Grackle flocks. A single Osprey was seen flying over the Maxwell coast road. A number of Caribbean Martins were noted across the island including a breeding colony on the cliffs of the north coast. At sea Roseate Terns were streaming past with occasional Laughing Gulls. During the fortnight a number of Magnificent Frigatebirds were seen including a party of 3 circling on a 'pelagic/booze cruise'. Rock Doves were present in Bridgetown. Along the west coast loads of Reef Fish were seen whilst snorkelling as were Hawksbill Turtles and magnificent 7 foot Tarpon round your toes. Also seen were Cane Toad, Anole Lizards, Geckos, Indian Mongoose and Velvety Free-tailed Bat
Final List
Magnificent Frigatebird (Lifer)
Green Heron (Lifer)
Snowy Egret (Lifer)
Cattle Egret (Year)
Moorhen
Osprey (Year)
Semipalmated Plover (Lifer)
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Lifer)
Least Sandpiper (Lifer)
Solitary Sandpiper (Lifer)
Spotted Sandpiper
Laughing Gull (Lifer)
Roseate Tern (Year)
Rock Dove
Zenaida Dove (Lifer)
Scaly-naped Pigeon (Lifer)
Common Ground Dove (Lifer)
Antillean Crested Hummingbird (Lifer)
Green-throated Carib (Lifer)
Gray Kingbird (Lifer)
Caribbean Martin (Lifer)
Bananaquit (Lifer)
Shiny Cowbird (Lifer)
Carib Grackle (Lifer)
Barbados Bullfinch (Lifer)
Black-faced Grassquit (Lifer)
Grassland Yellow-Finch (Lifer)
Yellow Warbler (Lifer)
Some photos