Section 1 - Introduction, logistics, itinerary and general information.
Section 2 - Birding sites (Martinique).
Section 3 - Birding sites (Guadeloupe).
Section 4 - Birding sites (Dominica).
Section 5 - Birding sites (St. Lucia).

Annotated Checklist

Mq - Martinique. Gp - Guadeloupe. Dm - Dominica. St - St. Lucia.

Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Mq: At least 10 La Manzo (17/4).

Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus
Mq: At least 6 adults inspecting nesting sites along the cliffs along the eastern side of the Caravelle Peninsula (17/4).

Tropicbird sp. Phaethon spp.
Gp: Two distant individuals flying along the coast at Lagon de la Porte d'Enfer (10/4).

Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens
Gp: 20+ along northern coasts of Grande Terre (10/4). Dm: Two overhead at Portsmouth (11/4).

Brown Booby Sula leucogaster
St: One adult offshore of Pigeon Island Park (16/4).

Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Gp: A single flying overhead at Port-Louis mangroves (10/4).

Tricoloured Heron Egretta tricolor
St: Two birds perched in tree-tops near the entrance of Edmund Forest (15,16/4).

Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Gp: 20+ in mangroves at Port-Louis (10/4).

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Fairly common in suitable habitat of all islands.

Green Heron Butorides virescens
Mq: Two en route (8/4). Dm: Singles on four individuals (11,12/4). St: Two near Anse la Raye (15/4).

Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Gp: A single at Port Louis (10/4).

Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus
Mq: La Demarché; 2 (8/4). Dm: Syndicate Estate; 3 (12/4). Morne Macaque; 2 (12/4). Soufrière Sulphur Springs; 4 (13/4).

American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Gp: Rio Corossol; 1+ (10,11/4). Dm: A single en route (12/4). St: Edmund Forest; 2 (15/4) along the access road. Two others en route (16/4).

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Mq: La Manzo; 6+ (17/4).

Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda
Dm: A single bird (12/4) walking on the road at first light at the turning off the main road to Syndicate Estate.

Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
Gp: Three at Port Louis mangroves (10/4).

Spotted Sandpiper Tringa macularia
Mq: Caravelle; 1 (7/4) and 1 (17/4). Gp: A single at Port-Louis mangroves (10/4).

Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla
Gp: At least six at Port-Louis mangroves (10/4).

Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus
Gp: At least ten at Port-Louis mangroves (10/4).

Laughing Gull Larus atricilla
Dm: Birds seen along the coast; 8 (11/4) and 2 (12/4). St: Common in the bay at Soufrière with 100+ (15/4).

Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus
Gp: Three along the beach at Port-Louis (10/4). Dm: 4 near Roseau (13/4).

Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii
Mq: Caravelle; 10+ resting on rocks offshore from the meteorological station (17/4).

Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus
Mq: Caravelle; 100+ breeding on Ilet Lapin just offshore from the meteorological station (17/4).

Feral Pigeon Columba livia
Small numbers in larger towns, except on Guadeloupe where none seen.

Scaly-naped Pigeon Columba squamosa
Gp: Rio Corossol; A single heard (10/4). Dm: Cabrits National Park; 20+ (11/4). Syndicate Estate; 10+ (12/4). Morne Macaque; 2+ (12/4). St: Common in most areas of forest. This bird is rare on Martinique and Guadeloupe due to hunting pressure.

Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
Dm: An introduced species. One in Roseau (11/4).

Zenaida Dove Zenaida aurita
Common throughout.

Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
Small numbers most days except on St. Lucia where not observed.

Bridled Quail-Dove Geotrygon mystacea
Gp: One bird seen well, but briefly, on a forest trail at Maison de Forêt. This and the following species are sympatric throughout the Lesser Antilles. Habitat is often quoted as an indicator as to which species most likely occurs, with Bridled in dryer areas, Ruddy in wetter forest. However, our experience showed that both species occur in rainforest, and Ruddy is common and widespread in dry lowland forest. Voice might be a more reliable differentiation, though we had great difficulty deciding which species were calling from dry forest at La Couronne (10/4).

Ruddy Quail-Dove Geotrygon montana
Based on the recordings of Benito-Espinal, all calling Quail-Dove spp. were considered to be Ruddy. Mq: Caravelle; 1 heard (8/4) and (14/4). La Demarché; 4+ (8/4). Plateau Boucher; 2+ (9/4) including one netted and ringed. Dm: Syndicate Estate; 2 heard (12/4). Soufrière Sulphur Springs; 1 (13/4). St: 1 heard Anse la Raye (15/4).

St. Lucia Parrot Amazona versicolor
St: Edmund Forest; A total of 6+ birds in pairs and singles seen along the access road and feeding in the forest (15,16/4).

Red-necked Parrot Amazona arausiaca
Dm: Syndicate Estate; About 15 (12/4) along higher portions of the access road and from the nature trail viewpoints.

Imperial Parrot Amazona imperialis
Dm: Syndicate Estate; About 20 birds in a loose feeding flock seen well (down to 25 metres) feeding in trees directly below the two furthest viewpoints. The highlight of the trip.

Mangrove Cuckoo Coccyzus minor
Mq: Caravelle; 1 heard (8/4), and 2 (14/4). La Demarché; 2 (8/4). Gp: La Couronne; 2 (10/4). Dm: Cabrits; 1 (11/4). Soufrière Sulphur Springs; 3 (13/4). St: Anse la Raye; 2 (15/4).

Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Dm: Soufrière Sulphur Springs: 3 (13/4).

St. Lucia (Rufous) Nightjar Caprimulgus (rufus) otiosus
St: A single flushed by workmen near Anse la Raye (15/4). The taxonomic status of this bird is questionable. Although split from Rufous Nightjar in some works, recent recordings of its vocalisations show they differ little, if at all, from Rufous Nightjar of South America.

Lesser Antillean Swift Chaetura martinica
Mq: Plateau Boucher; 1 (9/4). Gp: Rio Corossol; 1 (9/4). Dm: Common around the norther end of the island. Roseau; 1 (13/4). St: Edmund Forest; 6+ (15/4). Anse la Raye; 2+ (15/4).

Purple-throated Carib Eulampis jugularis
By far the commoner of the two Caribs. Small numbers in all areas. Most common at Edmund Forest on St. Lucia, where abundant.

Green-throated Carib Eulampis holosericeus
Mq: Caravelle; 1 (8/4). Gp: Rio Corossol; 2 (9/4). Dm: Morne Macaque; 20+ (12/4). St: Anse la Raye; 1 (15/4).

Antillean Crested Hummingbird Orthorhyncus cristatus
The commonest hummingbird, occurring in all habitats across all islands.

Blue-headed Hummingbird Cyanophaia bicolor
Dm: Syndicate Estate; A single in the forest understorey along the nature trail (12/4) was the only observation of the trip.

Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon
Dm: Cabrits National Park; 2 (11/4).

Guadeloupe Woodpecker Melanerpes herminieri
Gp: Rio Corossol; 9+ (9-11/4). La Couronne; 8+ (10/4).

Caribbean Elaenia Elaenia martinica
Recorded in small numbers daily, except on Guadeloupe, where only 2 seen at Rio Corossol (11/4).

Lesser Antillean Pewee Contopus latirostris
Gp: Rio Corossol; 1 heard (9/4) and 1 (11/4). La Couronne; 4 (10/4). Dm: Cabrits; 1 (11/4). Soufrière Sulphur Springs; 2 (13/4).

Lesser Antillean Flycatcher Myiarchus oberi
Gp: Rio Corossol; 1 (11/4). Dm: Cabrits; 1 (11/4) with a grey ring on the left leg. Syndicate Estate: 2 (12/4). St: Edmund Forest; 2 along the access road (15/4).

Grey Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis
Common and widespread.

Black-whiskered Vireo Vireo altiloquus
Common and widespread, mainly in the lowlands.

Forest Thrush Cichlherminia lherminieri
Shy, and generally difficult to see. Does not seem to be particularly responsive to tape play-back. Gp: Rio Corossol; 2 heard (9/4), and 1 seen well feeding around the picnic site early morning (10/4). Dm: 1-2 birds in low trees at the start of the trail at Morne Macaque (12/4).

Rufous-throated Solitaire Myadestes genibarbis
A beautiful species of montane rainforest. Mq: La Demarché; 10+ (8/4). Plateau Boucher; 4+ (9/4) including one netted and ringed. Dm: Morne Macaque; 4 (12/4). Surprisingly absent from rainforest on Syndicate Estate. St: Edmund Forest; 6+ (15/4).

Bare-eyed Thrush Turdus nudigenis
Mq: Caravelle; 10+ (8,14/4). La Demarché; 4+ (8/4). Plateau Boucher; 10+ (9/4). St: Edmund Forest; One heard (16/4).

Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus
Mq: Caravelle; 2 in mangrove area (8/4). La Manzo; 2 (17/4).

Brown Trembler Cinclocerthia ruficauda
Gp: Rio Corossol; 8+ (9-11/4), including one bird feeding on the picnic tables early morning. La Couronne; 2 (10/4). Dm: 2+ (12/4) in trees near the last viewpoint.

Grey Trembler Cinclocerthia gutturalis
Mq: Plateau Boucher; 2+ (9/4) in tall trees next to the picnic hut. St: Edmund Forest; 3+ (15,16/4) in trees near the entrance. Anse la Raye; 1 (15/4). Note that the Brown Trembler has been recorded (as a regular migrant?) on both Martinique and St. Lucia.

White-breasted Thrasher Ramphocinclus brachyurus
Mq: Caravelle; 10+ (8,14,17/4), including several netted and ringed. Birds recorded from three separate areas.

Scaly-breasted Thrasher Margarops fuscus
Mq: Caravelle; 20+ (8,14,17/4). Easily found in tall trees around the ruins. Gp: Rio Corossol; 6+ (10,11/4). Dm: Cabrits; 4 (11/4). Syndicate Estate; 4 (12/4). Soufrière Sulphur Springs; 10+ (13/4). St: Edmund Forest; 20+ (15,16/4). Anse la Raye; 2 (15/4).

Pearly-eyed Thrasher Margarops fuscatus
Gp; Rio Corossol; 12+ (9-11/4).

House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Dm: Syndicate Estate; 6 (12/4). Morne Macaque; 2 (12/4). Soufrière Sulphur Springs; 2 (13/4).

Caribbean Martin Progne dominicensis
Mq: Caravelle; 8 (8,17/4). Gp: 4 en route (10/4). Rio Corossol; 3 (11/4). Dm; Scott's Head; 1 (13/4).

Sand Martin Riparia riparia
Dm: Scott's Head; 1 (13/4).

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Dm; Scott's Head; 1 (13/4).

Black-rumped Waxbill Estrilda troglodytes
An introduced species. Mq: La Manzo; 2 (17/4).

Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata
An introduced species. Gp; A group of 6 (adults and immatures) in a garden near Vernou (9/4).

Mangrove Warbler Dendroica erithachorides
Possibly a race of Yellow Warbler D. petechia. Not confined to mangroves. The West Indies complex includes many distinct races. For a discussion of the taxonomy of this complex see Curson et al. (1994). Mq: Caravelle; 10+ (8,14,17/4). La Demarché; 2+ (8/4). Plateau Boucher; 2 (9/4). Gp: La Couronne; 2 (10/4). Port-Louis mangroves; 10+ (10/4). Dm: Cabrits; 2 (11/4). Several en route along the coast (12/4). Soufrière Sulphur Springs; 2+ (13/4).

Adelaide's Warbler Dendroica adelaidae
St: Edmund Forest; 2 seen, several heard (15,16/4). Anse la Raye; 2 (15/4).

Plumbeous Warbler Dendroica plumbea
Gp: Rio Corossol; 12+ (9,11/4). Dm: Cabrits; 2 (11/4). Soufrière Sulphur Springs; 2 (13/4).

American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla
Gp: La Couronne; 1_ (10/4).

Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Widespread and common.

Black-faced Grassquit Tiaris bicolor
Widespread and common.

Lesser Antillean Bullfinch Loxigilla noctis
Widespread and common.

St. Lucia Black Finch Melanospiza richardsoni
St: Edmund Forest; 2+ in dense undergrowth along the forest trail (15/4). Bears a superficial resemblance to Lesser Antillean Bullfinch, but legs pink.

Streaked Saltator Saltator albicollis
Widespread and common, except on Guadeloupe where none observed.

St. Lucia Oriole Icterus laudabilis
St: Recorded in small numbers daily from all habitats (14-16/4).

Martinique Oriole Icterus bonana
Mq: Caravelle; 1 (8/4). La Demarché; 1 (8/4). Plateau Boucher; 1 (8/4). Tends to keep to lower heights, below the canopy.

Carib Grackle Quiscalus lugubris
Widespread and common.

Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
Mq: Caravelle; 2 (8/4). St: Edmund Forest; 1 (15/4). These were surprisingly the only sightings. Appears to have become much less common on Martinique in recent years (P.Bulens, pers. comm.).

Section 1 - Introduction, logistics, itinerary and general information.
Section 2 - Birding sites (Martinique).
Section 3 - Birding sites (Guadeloupe).
Section 4 - Birding sites (Dominica).
Section 5 - Birding sites (St. Lucia).