Bahama Birds!

Not a whole lot of time or energy to write for this post, but I do have quite a few photos to upload!  Needless to say, my coworkers, supervisor, and job are all really great.  This island has a lot to offer in many ways, and these photos will only do the tiniest justice.  I also haven't managed to do any snorkeling since my last barracuda encounter, the water has been pretty rough.

I have added a life bird every day so far!  I would be worried about jinxing myself, but we are surveying a White-tailed Tropicbird nesting colony tomorrow, so the streak should continue.  Here is just a taste of some of the fantastic bird life of southern Abaco (I forgot to watermark these, so don't go getting rich with them):

Mangrove Cuckoo...in my yard!

Wilson's Plover, common nesters on our beach

Black-bellied Plover (non-breeding plumage).  I think they just showed up from up north, these probably being unsuccessful breeders.

I also have a good feeling these are going to flag as rare on eBird.  eBird data is lacking for this island, and lots of my birds have been flagged so far.

Gull-billed Tern!  Another life bird, and listed as uncommon and localized in the Bahamas.

Semipalmated Plover (foreground) with Wilson's Plover (background).  The Semipalms have been flagged as rare.

Willet, common on our beach.

Wilson's Plover scaring me away from her nest.

Ruddy Turnstone (still breeding plumage) with Semipalmated Plover.  Good chance these are both flagged as rare.  

Breeding plumage Ruddy Turnstone and Willet.

Western Sandpipers (non-breeding plumage), will probably flag as rare.

RUTU, WESA, WIPL

Poisonwood, basically poison ivy.

Olive-capped Warbler!  Veyr common in the pine forests in Abaco National Park, where I am doing my field work.

Western Spindalis!  A bird I am really impressed with.  Formerly the Western Stripe-headed Tanager.

Banaquit, another common bird on the island.  Very wren-like, just way more colorful.

Female Olive-capped Warbler

The first active parrot nest cavity I found!

Bahama Mockingbird, common in the pine forest, but replaced by the familiar Northern Mockingbird in the coppice.

Who I am studying...Bahama Parrots!