Bermuda Audubon Society - Birdwatching

Birding in Fall

Birding in Winter

Birds at Spittal Pond

A Birdwatching Guide to Bermuda

by Andrew Dobson

Published by Arlequin Press (May 2002)

176 pages including 32 colour photos

ISBN 1 900159 71 6

Now available price $25.00

This guide has been written for both Bermuda residents and tourists. In his foreword, Dr. David Wingate says, “Andrew has also unveiled the extraordinary diversity of bird life and birding opportunity that awaits residents of Bermuda who have any inclination to become interested in natural history. I would venture to say that it is probably the most comprehensive guide to bird finding for any area outside Great Britain”. The main section of the book describes birding localities found in each parish with accompanying maps. Birding is described through the seasons as well as by habitat. Detailed accounts and descriptions are provided for Bermuda’s breeding birds. A conservation section focuses on ways in which we can all help the breeding success of longtails and bluebirds. For the visitor there is advice on travel and accommodation. A full annotated bird checklist is provided as well as information on other wildlife species. Superb colour photos compliment the text. The book forms part of a highly acclaimed series by Arlequin Press.

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If you have any questions regarding the book, please email: info@audubon.bm

Birding in the Spring

Bermuda’s spring migration is certainly not as dramatic as the fall migration. In the fall we can witness thousands of birds travelling south but most in rather dull non-breeding plumage or drab coloured juveniles. During the spring months, birders have to search out migrants traveling north from Central and South America to North America – but the prize – brightly coloured birds in breeding plumage. Blue Grosbeaks, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Indigo Buntings, Scarlet Tanagers - all as colourful as their name suggests.

The nature of weather systems and the fact that the more experienced adult birds are traveling north, tends to deny us the beautifully plumaged warbler species found on the continent – but when the odd one does arrive, it provides a real treat and may even give us a burst of song too – perhaps a Prothonotary Warbler or Bay-breasted Warbler. There is always the chance of a real rarity, like a Swallow-tailed Kite.

The first migrants pass Bermuda as early as February. Manx Shearwaters carry out a lengthy journey from the South Atlantic to the North Atlantic. Never seen over Bermuda, these birds can only be seen with eyes straining through binoculars scanning the horizon on South shore.

Only three species of birds visit Bermuda to breed – the Cahow, White-tailed Tropicbird (‘Longtail’) and Common Tern. Some Cahows are already feeding young when the first Longtail returns as early as mid-February. In March and April there is a good chance of seeing swallows – Barn, Tree, Bank and Cliff, and Purple Martins – hawking for insects over ponds or above dairy farms. Resident birds are re-claiming territories and are also in good voice, such as the Northern Cardinal (‘Redbird’), Grey Catbird (‘Blackbird’) and White-eyed Vireo (‘Chick-of-the-village’). By mid-April most of our wintering birds, including grebes, herons, ducks and warblers have departed. To the uninitiated, scanning the ocean for hours with binoculars or telescope might seem a colossal waste of time – but to experience the great pelagic migration is a great thrill. Four species of shearwater, plus jaegers, terns and petrels all pass Bermuda during long sea journeys. Flying fish appear frequently in the field of view and there is always the real chance of humpback whales.

(Photo: Humpback Whale off South Shore, Bermuda)

Andrew Dobson

(This article first appeared in ‘Critter Talk’ Vol.15 No.1 – the Bermuda Zoological Society)

Birding in Summer

Summer is the quietest season in terms of the variety of bird species. Resident birds like the Eastern Bluebird are busy breeding, perhaps on their second or third brood, and the visiting Longtails (White-tailed Tropicbirds) are much in evidence along the coast.

A few late migrants like the Barn Swallow and Chimney Swifts may still be passing through, while others (probably non-breeding birds) may even spend the summer here – especially the herons and egrets. There are always surprises – perhaps a Brown Pelican or Magnificent Frigatebird. Check even the smallest pond and you will find the occasional shorebird – probably a Yellowlegs – but perhaps as graceful and stunning as the Black-necked Stilt.

(Photo: the endemic sub-species of White-eyed Vireo)

The most spectacular bird phenomenon of May and much of June is the seabird movement.

Thousands of pelagic birds (those species that spend most of the year out on the open ocean) migrate northwards. Given the right weather conditions and a good pair of binoculars (better still a telescope) – they can be viewed from South shore. East or south-easterly winds push these birds closer to the shore – so find a comfortable spot such as Watch Hill Park or Devonshire Bay and be ready for action! Four species of shearwater can be seen – Greater, Cory’s Sooty and Manx. With practice it is possible to distinguish between these bird species as they shear with stiff wings over the tops of waves beyond the reef line. In a single day I have witnessed nearly a thousand shearwaters, the vast majority being Greater Shearwater. Interestingly enough, the Manx and Cory’s are heading north-east to breed on the north-west Atlantic coast and Mediterranean region respectively, while the Greater and Sooty have already bred on islands in the South Atlantic.

Also part of the pelagic migration but in smaller numbers are three species of Jaeger – Long-tailed, Parasitic and Pomarine. These birds harass other seabirds, such as the Longtail, to disgorge their food. They also chase the Arctic Tern – the real long distance migrant. It is a thrill to see them passing Bermuda on a 10,000 mile journey from latitudes of the Antarctic to those of the Arctic!

By late July a southward migration is already beginning with shorebirds arriving in Bermuda.

Andrew Dobson

(This article first appeared in ‘Critter Talk’ Vol.14 No.2 – the Bermuda Zoological Society)

Birding in the Fall

A recent newspaper report stated that hurricanes are only liked by crazed surfers and birdwatchers! Frontal weather systems moving off the East Coast of North America can and do bring a wealth of bird species. A “big blow” can produce sensational numbers. “Hurricane Emily” in 1987 turned Bermuda’s fields yellow with thousands of Bobolinks (sparrow sized birds). As the eye of the hurricane passed over, confused birds with no way of escaping the hurricane dropped out of the sky – from egrets to tiny warblers – and perhaps a chance of survival.

During the autumn months, birds are migrating southwards from their breeding grounds in North America. Although Bermuda is 600 miles off the American coast, a quick look at the globe will show Bermuda to be on a direct line between regions of North and South America. Most migrants will have stored enough energy reserves for a long, direct flight – but weather is always unpredictable.

Which species migrate via Bermuda, and where should you go to see them? About 30 species of shorebird (wading birds) regularly visit our islands. As long as the level of water is not too high, Spittal Pond, Warwick Pond and Seymour’s Pond can be good locations. On good days in September, more than 100 birds can be present, especially the small ‘peeps’ – Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers being the most abundant. You will see many other species of sandpiper as well as yellowlegs, dowitchers and plovers. Not all shorebirds favour the margins of ponds – many prefer open grass fields and golf courses. Scan the grass verges at the airport and you will frequently see Killdeer, Black-bellied Plover, Ruddy Turnstone and Whimbrel. There’s always the chance of something rare, like an American Avocet or Curlew Sandpiper.

The small vireos and warblers, of which over 40 species have been recorded, turn up all over the island, peaking in late September and October. Red-eyed Vireos and warblers such as Yellow, Nashville, Chestnut-sided, Bay-breasted and Prothonotary can often be seen feeding actively before continuing their journey south. They favour the casuarinas trees in particular – so look regularly at stands of trees especially along the south shore and western end of the island. Other warblers, such as the creeper-like Black-and-white Warbler, Ovenbird and Palm Warbler stay with us throughout the winter.

Cuckoos, kingbirds, flycatchers, swifts, swallows, thrushes, orioles and tanagers all make up a rich variety of avian fauna. More species are present during the fall than any other season in Bermuda. It is a delight and a challenge to observe as many of these incredible creatures as possible during their southward migration.

Andrew Dobson

(This article first appeared in ‘Critter Talk’ Vol.14 No.4 – the Bermuda Zoological Society)

Birding in Winter

The winter months in Bermuda can be very rewarding for birdwatching, as many species of birds migrate to spend the winter in Bermuda. It is possible to see more species in a single day than at any other time of the year. The National Audubon Society of the U.S. has held a Christmas Bird Count (C.B.C.) for over 100 years. Bermuda has taken part in this count since 1974, averaging about 90 species per count, although nearly 200 species have been recorded in total. So it’s a good time to be out with your binoculars.

As one might expect, water birds tend to be more in evidence in winter, most having arrived from continental America. Pied-billed Grebes take up residence in most of the ponds. Double-crested Cormorants fish in inshore waters and often form a roost of up to fifty birds at the west end of the island. Herons and egrets regularly roost at Spittal Pond – Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Cattle Egret and Green-backed Heron. The large Great Blue Herons tend to roost separately and are much in evidence during the day in the Great Sound and Hamilton Harbour islands. Much more difficult to see is the American Bittern, nearly always cryptically camouflaged amongst the tall reeds.

Ducks continue to arrive throughout the winter as they are forced out by freezing temperatures on the continent. Of 28 species of ducks recorded in Bermuda, about two-thirds are regular visitors. Small ponds such as Seymour’s Pond and Somerset Long Bay N.R. (both Audubon reserves) can be just as profitable as the larger Spittal Pond, to see Blue-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup and Bufflehead, amongst others. Geese are few and far between, but when they do occur, they tend to become quite tame and are easily observed on golf courses in particular. Since 1990, four species of geese have all put in an appearance - Canada, Snow, Brant and White-fronted Geese.

Apart from the ever-present Ruddy Turnstone, Black-bellied Plover and wintering Killdeer, shorebirds are conspicuous by their absence. Small numbers of Whimbrel, Snipe, Spotted Sandpipers and Yellowlegs may be seen, and if you are really lucky, a Piping Plover, which is on the Red Data List of endangered world species. Gulls are absent in summer, but by mid-winter there will be several hundred Ring-billed and Herring Gulls in particular. They often form large roosts at Dockyard and can be easily viewed during the day along the Hamilton waterfront.

Passerines (perching birds) can be equally exciting during the winter. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers (a small woodpecker) are responsible for the numerous rows of holes drilled into casuarinas and West Indian almond trees in particular. They often winter in the Arboretum. Cedar Waxwings are more often seen flying in a tight flock than perched in trees. For me, the great treat is the number of warblers that over-winter in Bermuda. The ameliorating influence of the Gulf Stream on our climate means that about twenty warbler species are present in winter. At similar latitudes on the continent, snow and freezing temperatures are frequently experienced. Of the common warblers, Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers are often in the company of Eastern Bluebirds, Black-and-white Warblers act like tree-creepers, while Ovenbirds prefer dense thickets. The Common Yellowthroat and Northern Waterthrush are usually heard, if not seen, along fresh water margins.

Finally, watch for buntings. Indigo Buntings are very common in the winter, often located by their high call note. By late winter many males have already assumed a rich blue colouring. Equally striking, but far less common, is the Snow Bunting, although relatively drab in winter plumage, it reveals bright white wing patches in flight. Garbage dumps and the airport perimeter are popular haunts for these birds.

Andrew Dobson

(This article first appeared in ‘Critter Talk’ Vol.14 No.5 – the Bermuda Zoological Society)