birding...

Bahama Woodstar Calliphlox evelynae ©Anthony Hepburn

The Bahamas is an archipelago of some 700 islands (9 main islands) and over 2,000 rocks and cays (pronounced keys). It lies 50 miles east of Florida, and extends some 600 miles southeastward, covering roughly 100,000 square miles of land and sea. There was no volcanic activity involved in the formation of the Bahamas; the islands are composed of sedimentary, marine limestone rock in the form of oolitic limestone and coralgal deposits. The Bahamas` primary stages of formation as sandbanks, separated by deep canyons occurred as early as 170 million years ago; however, the islands that exist today are relatively young, in the ballpark of 100,000 years old.

Owing to its vast geographic coverage, including large expanses of deep-water ocean, the Bahamas chain is comprised of many vegetative zones –pine forest, arid coastal scrub, tropical hammock (or coppice); and mangrove estuary. Long known for endless ribbons of pink sand beaches, vast coral reef systems, and relaxed, island atmosphere – the Bahamas hosts a wide variety of migratory and resident bird species.

Bahamas Endemics and Specialty Species
Over 300 species have been recorded in the Bahamas - 109 breed in the islands and are either summer visitors or residents, 169 are migrants that pass through as transients are stay on as winter residents, and 45 are vagrants that have only occurred a few times. Included in these are three endemic species – Bahama Woodstar, Bahama Yellowthroat, and Bahama Swallow.

Other species of note in the Bahamas are Western Spindalis, Bahama Mockingbird, Key west Quail- Dove and White-cheeked Pintail. Its thousands of square miles of deep-water ocean - situated relatively closely to small, uninhabited rocks and islets - makes much of the Bahamas prime nesting grounds for passing pelagics. One could expect to see in Spring and Summer, White-tailed Tropicbird, Brown Booby, Brown Noddy, Magnificent Frigatebird and various species of tern, including Bridled, Sooty, and Roseate. Although the Bahamas is not known for it`s shorebirding, due to the absence of fresh water lakes and streams, it hosts significant numbers of wintering Piping Plover.

January 2005 – Report on Small Hope Bay Lodge’s 8th annual Birding and Ecology Adventure on Andros Island, Bahamas

This year seven participants from all over the United States (Arizona, Ohio, Illinois, and Virginia) were treated to great looks at just about every Bahamian specialty during a great week of birding on Andros. There were Bahama Swallows on the wire in Staniard Creek; Bahama Woodstar Hummingbirds at the Methodist Church; and Bahama Yellowthroats in the mist nets. The beautiful Stripe-headed Tanagers were one of the most common birds on the trip this year. And a Bananquit could almost always be found probing flowers in a coconut palm. The most colorful bird of the trip hands-down was a male Painted Bunting, arguably the most colorful songbird in all of North America.

There were many memorable sightings, but the Clapper Rail on the first day of the trip sticks in my head. We found it in the mangroves in front of Small Hope Bay Lodge. It poked along among the prop roots looking for breakfast just a few yards in front of the group. (There were, of course, also Limpkins feeding on snails at the airport and super-photogenic Bahama Mockingbirds.)

The three mornings of mist-netting produced the regular cast of characters including long-distance migrants Ovenbirds, American Redstarts, Worm-eating Warblers, and a Prairie Warbler. The most glamorous capture however, was surely a Key West Quail Dove, twice. This is one of the harder resident species to see and guests were treated to close-up looks at the iridescent green and pink head and back, red iris, and ruddy wings and tail feathers (as the bird flew away after banding).

The group saw 96 species in all during the week and also made time to dive, bike ride, hammock, and hot tub. We’re up to 134 species now (and several SCUBA converts). Can’t wait for next year. We’ll see old friends (birds and guests) and add some new ones. Join me! The next trip is January 7-14, 2007.