Barbuda Warbler and others on a trip to Antigua and Barbuda: Feb 27-Mar 1

Barbuda Warbler, Coco Point Road, Barbuda, Feb 28, 2020

Barbuda Warbler, Coco Point Road, Barbuda, Feb 28, 2020

Barbuda Warbler, Coco Point Road, Barbuda, Feb 28, 2020

Just returned from a successful four day trip down to Antigua and Barbuda in search of the Barbuda Warbler and then onto a six day trip down to Grand Cayman with the wife with the main warbler target there being the Vitelline Warbler (with the possibility of a wintering Swainson’s Warbler)...more on the Grand Cayman part of the trip in an upcoming post.

The small island of Barbuda was devastated by Hurricane Irma back in September 2017 (a Category 5 storm with 185 MPH winds) and there were fears that little if any of the birds made it though a record setting storm. Although we had stopped in Antigua on two previous cruises (March 2019 and December 2017) out of San Juan, the day time cruise stops were never long enough to get over to Barbuda (a supposed 90 minute ferry ride away from Antigua...more on that later). There are three ways over to Barbuda from Antigua: a ferry trip, a small plane ride or a helicopter and I spent a lot of time trying to figure out the best mode of transport as they all have their positive and negative attributes. The helicopter flight was out as it is way too expensive and I decided against the flight as it involved possibly spending a night on Barbuda as the flights over and back don’t leave a lot of time to look around and weight restrictions would keep me from bringing all the items I would need for the trip. Of course that meant it would be a trip over on the ferry. I had left myself two full days on Antigua in order to have a back up day if the ferry got canceled by bad weather (something that apparently happens with some frequency). It was a great plan until the ferry schedule changed and no trips were planned to Barbuda for Saturday so it would have to be a Friday trip and I would have to keep my fingers crossed the trip didn’t get cancelled.  Friday arrived and I got down to the ferry dock in St.Johns for 5:30am for a 6AM departure (or so I thought!). Despite multiple emails confirming the departure time the ferry was not actually leaving the port until 7AM....so much for the confirmation! The boat finally got going a little after 7 and then we took a turn away from the route to Barbuda to go to another pick up spot further south on Antigua (Jolly Harbor). After lots of waiting around there we finally got underway to Barbuda. We never arrived until 9:45 so the advertised 90 minute trip to Barbuda turned into a much longer ordeal...oh well, at least we eventually made it there. I immediately headed out to walk along Coco Point Road to Codrington (the only town on the island). After a very short time I started coming across a few Barbuda Warblers in the low scrub vegetation that dominates the island. It was great to see a decent numbers of warblers as well as many other species that made it through the hurricane from a few years ago.

Barbuda Warbler, Coco Point Road, Barbuda, Feb 28, 2020

Barbuda Warbler, Coco Point Road, Barbuda, Feb 28, 2020

Northern Parula, Coco Point Road, Barbuda, Feb 28, 2020

Yellow Warbler (golden), Coco Point Road, Barbuda, Feb 28, 2020

Cape May Warbler, Coco Point Road, Barbuda, Feb 28, 2020

Low, thorny scrub habitat preferred by the Barbuda Warbler, Coco Point Road, Barbuda, Feb 28, 2020

After the long journey to finally get to Barbuda I arrived a bit before ten in the morning and immediately started north along Coco Point Road toward the only town on the island, Codrington. After just a few minutes I started running across birds in the low thorny scrub along both sides of the road with multiple Yellow Warblers of the golden subspecies singing and showing well. I then ran across my first of many Barbuda Warblers. The species seemed quite tame and came in fairly close on many occasions allowing for fantastic looks and great photos. It was great to see the species present in what appeared to be healthy numbers in any suitable habitat. The biggest surprise of the trip as far as warblers go was a stunning male Cape May Warbler that was part of a mixed flock that included a couple Northern Parula among other species. The Cape May Warbler is apparently rare on the island with no previous eBird records. I walked up nearly to Codrington before turning around to head back to the ferry drop off and then a mile or so south. Decent numbers of Barbuda Warblers as well as Yellow Warblers were present throughout the walk. The ferry left a little after four but due to having to go back to Jolly Harbor we never made it back to St. John’s until 6:30.

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', McKinnon's Saltpond, Antigua, Feb 29, 2020

Yellow Warbler (golden), McKinnon's Saltpond, Antigua, Feb 29, 2020

With a full day available to me on Saturday in Antigua I made both morning and evening trips to the nearby McKinnon’s Saltponds plus a few short walks along the road near my lodging. The only warbler species I found during my morning walk was Yellow Warbler with both northern subspecies and golden subspecies seen. The late afternoon trip back to McKinnon’s Saltpond was a bit more exciting when I had yet another apparently rare sighting for the island. I was walking along one of the dense hedges along the pond when I heard a familiar chip note and found a group of three Yellow rumped Warblers (they were all of the myrtle subspecies). I managed to get a recording as well as a few identifiable photos with my phone through binoculars. There are no eBird reports of the species for Antigua and just a single record from Barbuda of a single individual back in December of 2006.  I found a rare warbler on Antigua (Prairie Warbler) on my previous visit to the island back in March 2019, also at McKinnon's Saltpond.

Northern Waterthrush, McKinnon's Saltpond, Antigua, Feb 29, 2020

Yellow Warbler (golden), McKinnon's Saltpond, Antigua, Feb 29, 2020

Sunday I spent a bit of time in the morning back at McKinnon’s Saltponds before heading to the airport late in the morning for the flight down to Grand Cayman via Miami. I added another warbler for the trip with the sighting of a Northern Waterthrush. With the addition of the waterthrush I had a total of three warbler species on Antigua itself plus three other species on Barbuda giving me half a dozen warbler species for this part of the trip.

Recording setting number of warblers for February

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Feb 23, 2020

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Feb 23, 2020

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Feb 23, 2020

An amazing day for warblers in the valley for late February today.  I headed out this morning specifically trying to locate groups of wintering Yellow rumped Warblers and had some great luck ending with double digit counts at two different locations!  I'm sure with additional effort I could have found even more but I was a bit short of time.  I started the sunny but cold morning at Arcadia where I had two Yellow rumped Warblers in the parking lot at the visitors center before the sun even came up.  I poked around a few other nearby spots near the Mill River and then circled back to the area of the parking lot where I found at least three and possibly four individuals.  I then headed over to another area where I have had some warblers off and on the last few weeks and ran into a group of at least seven together bringing my total at Arcadia up to at least ten.  I never checked further up along the Mill River or near the rookery where warblers have been seen at least occasionally this winter as I wanted to get into and out of the East Meadows before it warmed up and turned the place into a muddy quagmire. 

Yellow rumped Warblers 'myrtle' (four in view), East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Feb 23, 2020

Yellow rumped Warblers 'myrtle', East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Feb 23, 2020

I made it to the East Meadows around 7:45 and started walking in and eventually came across at least 11 individuals.  There may have been even more but this is a conservative count as it was tough to keep track of them.  Up until 2018 I have never had a single warbler in the county in February but that year I had up to eleven in a single morning at Arcadia and last year I had at one throughout the winter in the East Meadows (including February). 

Pine Warbler, Granby, MA, Feb 23, 2020

Pine Warbler, Granby, MA, Feb 23, 2020

As I was rapidly running out of time I decided to make my last stop over to the private residence in Granby that has had a Pine Warbler all winter and hopefully add another warbler species for the morning.  After messaging the homeowner and getting permission I stopped by again and after about twenty minutes of waiting had the bird come in briefly to the suet.  This brought my total number of warblers for the morning up to 22 with 21 Yellow rumped Warblers and a Pine Warbler...easily my highest overall total for warblers in February in Hampshire County ever.  I'll post about the overall totals of warblers for the winter in an upcoming post but suffice it to say the numbers and variety are beyond anything I have ever had. 

Santa Marta Mountains in Colombia warblers

White lored Warbler, El Dorado Lodge, Magdalena, Colombia, Feb 4, 2020

Santa Marta Warbler, Cuchilla San Lorenzo, Magdalena, Colombia, Feb 5, 2020

Yellow crowned Redstart, Cuchilla San Lorenzo, Magdalena, Colombia, Feb 5, 2020

Back from another trip to the south to find some new warbler species with the latest trip being to the Santa Marta Mountains in the northeast part of Colombia. The isolated mountain range rises abruptly from the sea and has one of the highest level of endemic bird species anywhere in the very bird rich country of Colombia. The mountains have three endemic warbler species: Santa Marta Warbler, White lored Warbler and Yellow crowned Redstart.  Another bucket list trip that I was happy to finally check off.  I arrived at my lodging for my first night just a bit before sunset but I still managed to find a warbler for the trip with a close up look at a couple Rufous capped Warblers (chestnut capped subspecies).

Rufous capped Warbler, Cerro Kenedy Oriente, Magdalena, Colombia, Feb 4, 2020

Blackburnian Warbler, El Dorado Lodge, Magdalena, Colombia, Feb 4, 2020

White lored Warbler, El Dorado Lodge, Magdalena, Colombia, Feb 4, 2020

The first full day started off early with a 5:30am pick up and then a hour ride over bumpy roads to our first stop. I hired a guide, Breiner Tarazona, through Multicolor Birding Colombia and was quite happy with my decision.  The guide was first rate and got me on all the birds I wanted to see and then some,  During our first stop we walked along the road at a spot that  turned up many Rufous capped Warblers plus a Blackburnian Warbler and a couple American Redstarts. We didn’t see any other new warbler species the remainder of the morning as we explored a couple different elevations as we moved up toward El Dorado Lodge. We arrived at the lodge around noon and then I had a couple hours to explore by myself during which the only warbler I had was a Blackburnian Warbler gleaning insects off the side of the lodge. I finally met back up with the guide at three and we went in search of one of my target warblers, the White lored Warbler. We heard some distantly and eventually caught up with some. It took quite a bit of time to get good looks and even longer to get some acceptable photos. It certainly is an active species that seems to shun any areas that provide good looks and any light. Beyond the White lored Warbler we had several Blackburnian Warblers, Black and White Warbler and Slate throated Redstart.

Santa Marta Warbler, Cuchilla San Lorenzo, Magdalena, Colombia, Feb 5, 2020

Yellow crowned Redstart, Cuchilla San Lorenzo, Magdalena, Colombia, Feb 5, 2020

Yellow crowned Redstart, Cuchilla San Lorenzo, Magdalena, Colombia, Feb 5, 2020

Slate throated Redstart, El Dorado Lodge, Magdalena, Colombia, Feb 5, 2020

Blackburnian Warbler, El Dorado Lodge, Magdalena, Colombia, Feb 5, 2020

Black and White Warbler, El Dorado Lodge, Magdalena, Colombia, Feb 5, 2020

On Wednesday morning we headed out a bit after four to make another long bumpy ride headed up to around 2500m to look for the remaining two target warbler species, the Santa Marta Warbler and Yellow crowned Redstart. We arrived before dawn and got to witness a gorgeous sunrise looking toward the snow covered peaks. The most difficult of my three target warblers to find is the Santa Marta Warbler which only occurs at higher elevations and is patchy in its distribution. In addition to that the species is typically active and singing early in the morning after which point it goes quiet and is very tough to find (if not impossible). We lucked out in having one singing not long after dawn and eventually we got some looks and photos of this skulking species. After exploring some other areas at the high elevation we returned to the vehicle and had breakfast. While eating we heard a Yellow crowned Redstart singing nearby. We dropped breakfast and got some looks at the bird as it worked its way through some vegetation about 30 feet away. I thought that was the best looks we would get but I was wrong. The bird then flew in directly at us and landed just above my head at arms length! You didn’t even need binoculars to see the bird! I actually had to take several steps back in order to be far enough away from the bird to allow my camera to focus. The bird stayed close to us for several minutes and allowed for lots of photos to be taken. Eventually it dropped down out of sight but continued to sing occasionally. I was quite happy to get the last two remaining target birds in a short time in the morning. The rest of the morning we worked our way back down toward the lodge and had another Yellow crowned Redstart as well as a Slate throated Redstart. I went out on my own for a bit before lunch and added another Yellow crowned Redstart, Slate throated Redstart, White lored Warblers and Blackburnian Warblers on a trail near the lodge.

White lored Warbler, Finca Cincinati, Magdalena, Colombia, Feb 5, 2020

The afternoon was spent at some lower elevation sites which produced several more fleeting looks at White lored Warblers plus a first for the trip Tennessee Warbler.

White lored Warbler, Finca Palo Alto, Magdalena, Colombia, Feb 6, 2020

Tropical Parula, Finca Palo Alto, Magdalena, Colombia, Feb 6, 2020

The final full day began a little later than the previous day (which was nice after such an early start the day before). Our entire morning was spent doing some roadside birding on the road below the lodge and along the road to Minca where we stopped for lunch. Yet again we ran across several pairs of White lored Warblers and yet again they stayed mainly out of view and remained not very cooperative for photos. In a mixed species flock I added another warbler for the trip with a Tropical Parula which the guide said is not typically seen as high in elevation as we were at. Also in the flock were a couple Tennessee Warblers, Blackburnian Warbler and Slate throated Redstarts. I arrived at my lodging for the final night in mid afternoon and then left Friday morning for the trip over to Barranquilla airport for my flight back home.

I had a total of ten species of warblers for the trip with three of those being new ones for me.  A very successful short trip to the tropics.

Two species of warblers in a morning in early February

Pine Warbler, Granby, MA, Feb 2, 2020

Pine Warbler, Granby, MA, Feb 2, 2020

Pine Warbler, Granby, MA, Feb 2, 2020

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Feb 2, 2020

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Feb 2, 2020

I failed in my attempt early yesterday morning to turn up a warbler in February when I stopped by a spot at Arcadia where I have had them recently. I think I was just too early in the morning to have them active but I didn't have much time at all before work.  With a little more time this morning I headed out after work this with the main intention of finding a warbler in Hampshire County for the month of February.  My first stop of the morning was down to the East Meadows where after a little bit of walking I ran across at least two Yellow rumped Warblers.  I'm sure there were even more to be found but I was dead tired and still wanted to try my luck in tracking down the Pine Warbler coming to a feeder at a private residence in Granby before heading some to sleep.  I arrived at the house around 8:30 and after a wait of about 20 minutes or so the Pine Warbler made an appearance at the suet feeders.  I was thankful once again for the homeowner (Carol M.) for letting me stop by to see this hardy bird.  It was first time for me ever having a Pine Warbler in February in Hampshire County and only the second eBird record for the species ever for the month in the county.  This is also the first time I have ever had more than a single warbler species for the month of February in the county and I got them both within one morning!  This now becomes the 34th month in a row I have had at least one species of warbler in the county.

Warblers on a short Florida stop

Prairie Warbler, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Jan 20, 2020

Palm Warbler 'western', Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Jan 20, 2020

Palm Warbler 'western', Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Jan 20, 2020

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Jan 20, 2020

Orange crowned Warbler, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Jan 20, 2020

Northern Parula, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Jan 20, 2020

Yellow throated Warbler, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Jan 20, 2020

Pine Warbler, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Jan 20, 2020

Black and White Warbler, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Jan 20, 2020

Common Yellowthroat, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Jan 20, 2020

Following our stay down in Costa Rica we made a brief stop in Orlando, Florida on the way home arriving late on Sunday and leaving in the afternoon on Tuesday which gave me a full day and bit of another to try to turn up some warblers. I figured I would try to find my main targets at the Orlando Wetlands Park and arrived there around sunrise on Monday to find it quite windy. I worked my way to the north side of the park where the trees acted as a shield to the wind and the conditions there were mostly calm with the sun shining on the trees. I started racking up the warblers right away with Northern Parula and Orange crowned Warblers in among the very numerous Yellow rumped Warblers and lesser numbers of Palm Warblers and Common Yellowthroats. Just a bit further down the path I ran across a couple Pine Warblers plus my first Black and White Warblers. After a bit more searching I eventually turned up singles of Yellow throated Warbler and Prairie Warbler. I was very happy to find all my targets (and get photos) within just a few hours at a single location. A total of nine species of warblers for the morning was somewhat unexpected given the conditions that I found when I arrived.