A CRUISE FROM VALPARAISO, CHILE TO BARBADOS 28TH NOVEMBER, 2003 TO 12TH DECEMBER, 2003. J.F. & MRS. D.R.COOPER.
We again left the booking to almost the last day, and we obtained a good reduction in the price of this cruise. The advantage of this cruise is that it sailed almost right along the Humbolt Current which can be very good for sea-birds and also a run through the Panama Canal, as well as landing on the Barbados. On board the Oriana liner we met up with several other birders who joined us for sea-watching during the cruise. We have previously travelled on the Oriana, and we knew we would be able to watch from the front of the liner as well as the sides. All the following photographs were taken by ourselves.
ITINERARY
28th November, 2003
Flew into Santiago Airport, Chile arriving around 9.00 hrs. Caught coach from Airport to Valparaiso birding from coach en route. Spent afternoon on Oriana in Valparaiso Harbour and departing at 18.00 hrs. on a northerly course following the coast of Chile towards Coquimbo. Sea-watched, 20.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs (32S & 71W), Wind W. Force 3.
29th November, 2003. Woke at 5.00 hrs. (29.55S & 71.26W), Wind SW. Force 5. Arrived Coquimbo Harbour at 7.00 hrs. Bird-watched around harbour. Left Coquimbo at 18.00 hrs and sea-watched until dark.
30th November, 2003. Woke at 5.00 hrs (26.4S & 71.2W). Wind SSW. Force 3-4. All day at Sea, between Coquimbo and Arica. Sea-watched all day (apart for meals) until 17.00hrs. Noon position (24.24S & 71.11W), final position (22.33S & 70.56W).
1st December,2003. Arrived Arica Harbour at 7.00 hrs and spent the day birding along the sea-front to the high tide roost. Left Arica at 18.00 hrs (18.28S & 70.19W) and sea-watched until dark (18.45S &70.47W).Wind light and variable.
2nd December,2003.Sailing all day North towards Callao, Peru. Sea-watched 6.15 hrs. to 8.20 hrs (16.10S & 74.18W), 09.45 hrs to 12.30 hrs (15.58W & 75.37W) and 13.10 hrs (15.20 S & 75.37W) to 17.15 hrs. (14.23 S & 76.29W). Wind SE. Force 4.
3rd December,2003. Arrived Callao, Peru at 6.00 hrs, birded around harbour and left Callao at 18.00 hrs.Wind S. Force 3.
4th December,2003. All day at Sea. Sea-watched 6.00 hrs (08.56S & 79.45W) to 8.00 hrs, 8.45 hrs. (07.54S & 80.26W) to 12.30hrs (06.51S & 81.26W), 13.45 hrs (06.20S & 81.15W) to 16.15 hrs. (05.15 S & 81.28W) and 17.00 hrs to 17.45 hrs (05.44S & 81.28W). Wind SSW Force 3-4.
5th December,2003. All day at Sea. Sea-watched 06.00 hrs (0.31S & 81.9W) to 12.30 hrs (01.41 N & 80.45 W) and 16.00 hrs to 17.40 hrs (03.28N & 80.26W). Wind SW Force 5.
6th December,2003. Morning at Sea, en route to Balboa, Panama. Sea-watched 06.00 hrs. (07N & 79 W) to 8.25 hrs. (08.87 N & 79.35 W) and 9.15 hrs to 11.30 hrs (08.87N & 79.35W). Arrived Balboa at 11.30 hours and bird-watched around harbour. Wind W.Force 4.
7th December,2003. Left Balboa at 7.30 hrs. and sailed through the Panama Canal birding en-route. Sailed out into the Caribbean Sea at 16.30hrs. Sea-watched 17.00 hrs to 17.40 hrs (09.37 N & 79.44W).
8th December,2003. All day at Sea sailing to Bonaire. Sea-watched from 7.00 hrs. (11.32N & 74.44W) to 17.45 hrs (12.28N & 72.14W), stopping for meals etc. Wind NE Force 5.
9th December,2003. Arrived Bonaire Island at 6.30 hrs. and spent the morning birding on the Island. Left Bonaire at 13.00 hrs and sailed towards Grenada. Sea-watched 13.45 until dark (12.86N & 67.70W). Wind ENE Force 4.
10th December,2003. Arrived Grenada at 8.30 hrs and walked around the harbour to the Fort. Left Granada at 18.00 hrs., for Barbados.
11th December,2003. Arrived Barbados at 7.00 hrs and spent all morning visiting local caves and an orchid farm. Spent afternoon on board Oriana recovering from a migraine.
Caves in Barbados.
12th December,2003. Spent the morning birding the area close to the harbour before leaving for Barbados Airport mid afternoon for flight to Gatwick.
Acknowledgements : We would like to thank Brian, Tony, Derrick, David and Chris for their good company on the cruise, and to P & O and the crew of the Oriana, for a very enjoyable cruise.
Systematic Bird list
Magellanic Penguin – Spheniscus magellanicus
Just 4 of these Penguins were seen swimming in the harbour at Coquimbo, Chile on the 29th.
Great Grebe – Podiceps major major
Six seen in Coquimbo Harbour, Chile on the 29th.
Great Grebe in Coquimbo Harbour.
Waved Albatross – Phoebastria irrorata
Six were seen on the 2nd with a fine total of 54 seen during the morning sea-watch on the 4th some duplication of numbers may have occurred. Several small parties were seen including a party of 8 and excellent views obtained. Superb, and one of the highlights of the trip.
Considered by Bird Life International, 2000, as Vulnerable due to its small breeding range.
The juveniles are similar to adults, but lack the the strong butterscotch wash on the hindneck.
Grey Headed Albatross – Thalassarche chrysostoma
A fine adult was seen well during the early morning of the 30th. Considered by Bird Life International, 2000, as Vulnerable due to mortality on longline fisheries. Breeds every two years, and the hindneck can often be paler than the head.
Grey Headed Albatross off Chile.
Black Browed Albatross – Thalassarche melanophris
One seen on the 29th, with 6 on the 30th. Most appeared to be immatures.
Immature Black Browed Albatross.
Buller’s Albatross – Thalassarche melanophris
A total of 24 were seen on the 30th with a further 5 on the 2nd. The races of these could not be determined. Considered by Bird Life International, 2000, as Vulnerable due to its small breeding area.
Buller’s Albatross in the Pacific.
Probably this belongs to the Southern race due to its paler head.
White Capped (Shy) Albatross – Thalassarche cauta cauta
Two seen on the 29th, one on the 30th and 4 on the 2nd.
Adult White Capped (Shy) Albatross.
Salvin’s (Shy) Albatross – Thalassarche cauta salvini
Just a single bird identified during the evening of the 28th. Considered by Bird Life International, 2000, as Vulnerable due to its very small breeding range.
Southern (Antarctic) Giant Petrel – Macronectes giganteus
One seen on the 30th with 2 on the 2nd. Considered by Bird Life International, 2000, as Vulnerable due to interactions with longline fisheries.
Northern (Hall’s) Giant Petrel – Macronectes halli
Just one seen on the 2nd. The dark tip to the bill was clearly seen allowing positive identification.
Kermadec Petrel – Pterodroma neglecta
A single light morph was seen on the 2nd with a pale head and white wing flashes well seen. DRC also felt she had a further 2 later during the morning.
Juan Fernandez Petrel – Pterodroma externa
Two seen on the 29th and during the morning of the 30th a total of 28 were seen many coming very close to the Oraina and giving excellent views. Considered by Bird Life International as Vulnerable due to its small breeding range.
Juan Fernandez Petrels off Chile.
Defilippe’s Petrel – Pterodroma deflipppiana
Fifteen during the evening on the 28th, with 26 on the 29th, 3 on the 30th and finally one on the 12th.
Considered by Birdlife International, 2000, to be Vulnerable due to its small breeding range.
Stejneger’s Petrel – Pterodroma longirostris
One seen well on the 29th ,as it passed down the side of the liner and then crossed the wake, with a further 3 on the 30th.
Classified by Bird Life International, 2000, as Vulnerable due to its small breeding range and introduced predators.
Poor record shot of a distant Stejneger’s Petrel.
White Chinned Petrel – Procellaria aequinoctialis
The commonest Petrel, with 2 on the 29th, 2 on the 30th, 120 on the 2nd although with birds flying around the liner, there may have been some duplication in numbers. Finaly one on the 4th must be at its very Northern edge of its range. Considered by Bird Life International, 2000, to be Vulnerable due to massive mortality at longline fisheries.
White Chinned Petrel in the Pacific.
Pink Footed Shearwater – Puffinus creatopus
Recorded on six dates with a maximum of 21 on the 2nd. Considered Vulnerable by Bird Life International, 2000, due to its very small breeding range.
Pink-footed Shearwater.
Buller’s Shearwater – Puffinus bulleri
Just 2 seen, with singles seen on the 29th and the 2nd, suggesting most have returned to their breeding grounds off New Zealand at this time of the year. Considered by Bird Life International, 2000, as Vulnerable due to its very small breeding range.
Buller's Shearwater.
Sooty Shearwater – Puffinus griseus
Recorded in fair numbers on seven dates with a daily maximum of 120 on the 2nd.
Sooty Shearwater taking off.
Audubon’s Shearwater – Puffinus therminieri
Just 7 seen, all on the 6th. One got off the sea very close to the liner and gave excellent views and I was struck just how brown they appeared on their upper-parts.
Wilson’s Storm-Petrel – Oceanites oceanicus
Recorded on four dates, with 20 on the 30th, 2 on the 1st, 30 on the 2nd, and 6 on the 4th. In general, Storm-Petrels seem to keep some distance from the liner and fair numbers of Storm-Petrels just could not be identified although I felt most were probably Wilson’s.
White Bellied Storm-Petrel – Fregetta grallaria
One spent several minutes criss-crossing the front of the liner at close range during the early morning on the 6th. The position of the liner was 07N & 79 W on our way to Balboa, Panama. It showed striking white under-parts strongly demarcated from its black upper-breast and throat and large conspicuous white wedges on its dark under-wings. Superb!
Least Storm-Petrel – Oceanodroma microsoma
Three small all black storm-petrels seen on the 6th at (8.87N & 79.35W), were considerably smaller than Markhams, which were seen shortly after these, with a shorter and more rounded tail appearance and considerably different flight. Least Storm-Petrel is now seen as far south as Ecuador, South of the Equator, and I therefore tentatively identified these as Least as they appeared to small for Ashy and dark rumped Leach’s.
Band Rumped Storm-Petrel – Oceanodroma leucorhoa
Just two seen on the 5th, just after we had crossed the Equator. They both showed well for several minutes and the rump and jizz well seen.
Markham’s Storm-Petrel – Oceanodroma markhami
Unlike a lot of Storm-Petrels, this species appeared to have no fear of the liner, passing right in front of us and with us looking down on them you could clearly see the whole of the upper-wing pattern. They also had a lot different flight to the other storm-petrels and could be quite easy to pick out at some distance. I did not see Black Storm-Petrel and all the ones I identified proved to be Markhams. Recorded on four dates with 26 on the 30th, 2 on the 2nd, 11 on the 4th and finally 2 on the 6th ,which although we were now North of the Equator and in the overlap range with Black, I still felt confident that these 2 were Markhams.
Hornby’s (Ringed) Storm-Petrel – Oceanodroma hornbyi
Just 2 of this stunning Storm-Petrel seen during the early morning of the 4th. They both crossed close in front of the liner and were some 5 minutes apart. Quite superb, better and larger than expected and probably the highlight of the sea-birds.
Peruvian Diving-Petrel – Pelecanoides garnotii
Just a single bird recorded on the 29th shortly after leaving Coquimbo, Chile. Considered by Bird Life International, 2000, as Endangered due to declines in its small breeding range.
Red-Billed Tropicbird – Phaethon aethereus
Three seen on the 2nd, 2 on the 4th and 2 on the 5th. All were adults with 2 of them flying right over the front of the liner giving superb views.
Distant poor view of an adult Red-billed Tropicbird.
Peruvian Pelican – Pelecanus thagus
Good numbers recorded on six dates with a daily maximum of 300 on the 29th. Last seen on the 4th.
Peruvian Pelican at Coquimbo.
Peruvian Pelicans in flight at Arica
Brown Pelican – Pelecanus occidentalis
Seen North from Balboa, Panama with 50 on the 6th, 100 as we travelled through the Panama Canal on the 7th, but then only 4 on the 9th at Bonaire Island. Not recorded in the other Caribbean Islands visited.
Brown Pe;ican at Balboa.
Blue Footed Booby – Sula nebouxii
Strangely, only seen on the 4th when a total of 160 were seen during the second sea-watch of the day at (07S&80W). Fair numbers of Peruvian Boobies were still being seen but the Blue Footed were very distinctive giving excellent views with the white patch on the back, streaked head and when they took off the blue legs could easily be seen.
Blue Footed Booby in the Pacific.
Peruvian Booby – Sula variegata
Good numbers seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 300 on the 29th. They were seen as far north as 07S on the 4th when 12 were logged and several were in association with Blue Footed.
Peruvian Boobies.
Masked Booby – Sula dactylatra
Just one seen on the 8th in the Caribbean, showed very well alongside the liner for just 2 minutes.
Nazca Booby – Sula granti
This recently split Booby was first seen with one on the 30th ,which was a surprise so far South at around 24S&71W. A further 8 were seen on the 5th as we were crossing the Equator.
Red Footed Booby – Sula sula
Eighty were seen in the Caribbean after we left Bonaire Island on the 9th with a further 10 on the 10th. All the colour phases were seen including fine white morphs, brown morphs, and white tailed,white headed brown morphs. Also a number of brown morphs with white secondaries were seen and these were perhaps intergrades. When close the red legs and feet were striking.
Another distant Red Footed Boobies picture in the Caribbean.
Brown Booby – Sula leucogaster
First seen on the 6th, when 20 were seen while still in the Pacific on our way to Balboa. The remainder were seen in the Caribbean with 6 on the 8th, 15 on the 9th and 10 on the 10th.
Adult Brown Booby near Balboa.
Neotropic (Olivaceous) Cormorant – Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Good numbers seen on six dates in the Pacific and through the Panama Canal, but not seen in the Caribbean. Daily maximum of 200 on the 7th.
Neotropical Cormorant at Coquimbo.
Guanay Cormorant – Phalacrocorax bougainvillii
200 seen on the 29th, 15 on the lst, 15 on the 3rd and finally 1 on the 4th.
Red Legged Cormorant – Phalacrocorax gaimardi
One seen on the 28th in Valparaiso Harbour, 30 on the 29th in Coquimbo Harbour and then 1 on the 30th out in the Pacific.
Red Legged Cormorant at Coquimbo.
Anhinga – Anhinga anhinga
One flew over the Oraina on the 6th when we were berthed at Balboa, Panama.
Magnificent Frigatebird – Fregata magnificens
Sixty seen on the 6th, 50 on the 7th, 10 on the 9th,and 5 on the 10th.
Magnificent Frigatebirds at Balboa.
Great Blue Heron – Ardea herodias
Two seen on the 6th, at Balboa, six on the 7th, as we went through the Panama Canal,and 1 on the 9th, on Bonaire Island.
Great Blue Heron along the Panama Canal.
Great Egret – Ardea alba
Twelve seen on the 6th at Balboa and 20 as we went through the Panama Canal on the 7th.
Great White Egret along the Panama Canal.
Reddish Egret – Egretta rufescens
Two seen along the Panama Canal on the 7th,and 3 seen on Bonaire Island on the 9th.
Reddish Egret on Bonaire Island.
Tri -coloured Heron – Egretta tricolor
Two seen on the 7th, along the Panama Canal, with 1 on the 9th on Bonaire Island.
Tri-coloured Heron along the Panama Canal.
Little Blue Heron – Egretta caerulea
Just 2 seen on the 1st at Arica, Chile.
Little Blue Heron at Arica.
Snowy Egret – Egretta thula
13 seen on the 1st at Arica, 30 on the 6th at Balboa, 20 on the 7th along the Panama Canal and 2 on the 9th on Bonaire Island.
Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis
Ten seen on the 11th on Barbados.
Green Heron – Butororides virescens
Two seen on the 7thalong the Panama Canal.
Black Crowned Night Heron – Nycticorax nycticorax
Two seen on the 29th at Coquimbo, and 8 on the 1st at Arica.
Yellow Crowned Night Heron – Nyctanassa violacea
Four seen on the 7th at Balboa.
Wood Stork – Mycteria Americana
Forty seen along the Panama Canal on the 7th.
White Ibis – Eudocimus albus
Ten seen on the 6th and 7th at Balboa, Panama.
Poor record shot of a White Ibis seen on Balboa.
Caribbean Flamingo – Phoenicopterus ruber
400 of this recently split species were seen on Bonaire Island on the 9th
Caribbean Flamingo on Bonaire Island.
Blue Winged Teal – Anas discors
Three seen on the 9th on Bonaire Island.
Black Vulture – Coragyps atratus
Sixty seen on the 6th at Balboa and upto 500 along the Panama Canal on the 7th.
Turkey Vulture – Cathartes aura
Recorded on 6 dates in the various port areas with a daily maximum of 100 along the Panama Canal on the 7th.
Osprey – Pandion haliaetus
Eight seen on the 7th along the Panama Canal with 6 on the 9th on Bonaire Island.
Grey Hawk – Asturina nitida
Two well seen on the 7th along the Panama Canal.
Broad Winged Hawk – Buteo platypterus antillarum
One seen on the 10th on Grenada.
Crested Caracara – Caracara plancus cheriway
Just one seen on Bonaire Island on the 9th.
Chimango Caracara – Milvago chimango temucoensis
Eight seen on the journey to Valparaiso, Chile on the 28th.
American Kestrel – Falco sparverius cinnamonimus
Singles seen on the 28th and the 29th.
Aplomado Falcon – Falco femoralis
Two seen on the journey to Valparaiso, Chile on the 28th.
Peregrine Falcon – Falco peregrinus cassini
One found resting on the Oraina during the early morning on the 2nd, and 2 found in Callao Port on the 3rd.
Blackish Oystercatcher – Haematopus ater
A pair at the high tide roost at Arica on the 1st.
Pair of Blackish Oystercatchers at Arica.
Black necked Stilt – Himantopus mexicanus
Ten seen along the Panama Canal on the 7th,and 30 on Bonaire Island on the 9th.
Southern Lapwing – Vanellus chilensis
Twenty seen on the 28th at Santiago Airport, and on the journey to Valparaiso.
Black Bellied (Grey) Plover – Pluvialis squatarola
Ten seen along the Panama Canal on the 7th, with one on Bonaire Island on the 9th.
Semipalmated Plover – Charadrius semipalmatus
Two seen along the Panama Canal on the 7th and 10 on Bonaire Island on the 9th.
Snowy Plover – Charadrius alexandrinus
Four seen on the 9th on Bonaire Island.
Short Billed Dowitcher – Limnodromus griseus
Five seen on Bonaire Island on the 9th.
Hudsonian Whimbrel – Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus
Four seen on the 29th, 50 on the 1st and 2 on the 3rd. All were of the “hudsonian” race.
Hudsonian Whimbrel at Arica.
Lesser Yellowlegs – Tringa flavipes
One seen on the 7th along the Panama Canal and up to 10 on Bonaire Island on the 9th.
Spotted Sandpiper – Actitis macularia
Six seen along the Panama Canal on the 7th.
Willet – Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inornatus
Ten seen on the 1st at Arica.
Willet at Arica.
Ruddy Turnstone – Arenaria interpres
Twelve seen on the 29th, 10 on the 1st and 5 on the 7th.
Surfbird – Aphriza virgata
Six seen on the 1st at Arica.
Surfbird at Arica.
Sanderling – Calidris alba
A flock of 70 were present at Callao Harbour on the 3rd, with 2 on Bonaire Island on the 9th.
Least Sandpiper – Calidris minutilla
Two seen on the 9th on Bonaire Island and, 10 very tame birds on Barbados on the 12th.
Least Sandpiper on Barbados.
Stilt Sandpiper – Calidris himantopus
Twenty seen on Bonaire Island on the 9th, some of which were very tame.
Stilt Sandpiper on Bonaire Island.
Wilson’s Phalarope – Phalaropus tricolor
One on the sea with Grey Phalaropes on the 4th at (08S & 80W) was a surprise, it flew off with the Grey Phalaropes.
[Red Necked Phalarope – Phalaropus lobatus
A party of 16 Phalaropes flushed by the liner out to sea on the 4th, appeared very brown on the back and were probably Red Necked Phalaropes.
Grey (Red) Phalarope – Phalaropus fulicarid
90 were seen out to sea on the 2nd, with 7 on the 4th and 10 on the 5th.
South Polar Skua – Catharacta maccormicki
One seen on the 1st after leaving Arica, Chile with 3 on the 2nd off the Peru coast.
Brown (Antarctic) Skua – Catharacta Antarctica
One seen on the 29th out to sea after leaving Coquimbo, with 3 on the 30th off the Chilean coast en route to Arica.
Pomarine Skua – Stercorarius pomarinus
One on the 2nd, with 16 including several with “spoons” on the 4th.
Arctic (Parasitic) Skua – Stercorarius parasiticus
One on the 2nd with 2 in Callao Harbour on the 3rd.
Long Tailed Skua – Stercorarius longicaudus
11, including one flock of 8 on the 2nd out to sea off Peru, and 1 adult with longish tail streamers on the 4th.
Band Tailed Gull – Larus belcheri
40 seen on the 1st at Arica, and 150 in Callao Harbour on the 3rd.
Adult Band Tailed Gull in Callao Harbour.
Juvenile Band Tailed Gulls at Arica.
Grey Gull – Larus modestus
Just 40 seen at Arica on the 1st, 10 on the 2nd out to sea, and 20 at Callao on the 3rd.
Grey Gulls at Arica.
Kelp Gull – Larus dominicanus
60 Seen on the 28th at Valparaiso, 300 on the 29th at Coquimbo, 1 on the 2nd out to sea and 2 on the 3rd at Callo.
Adult Kelp Gull at Callo.
Laughing Gull – Larus atricilla
40 seen on the 6th approaching Balboa, Panama, and 70 on the 7th along the Panama Canal.
Laughing Gull along the Panama Canal.
Franklin’s Gull – Larus pipixcan
Huge numbers seen around the harbours on five dates in Chile and Peru as follows: 1500 on the 28th, 200 on the 29th, 200 on the 1st, 20 on the 2nd and an astonishing 20,000 on the 3rd all roosting on the concrete piers in Callao Harbour, Peru.
Adult Franklin’s Gull at Callao Harbour.
Juvenile Franklin’s Gulls at Coquimbo.
Sabine’s Gull – Xema sabini
An adult seen out to sea on the 2nd and a party of 4 on the 4th.
A poor records shot of a Sabines Gull out to sea.
Swallow Tailed Gull – Creagrus furcatus
Five seen on the 2nd, 9 including 2 summer plumage birds with black hoods on the 4th and finally 1 on the 6th North of the Equator on our way to Balboa, Panama. Superb.
Adult and Immature Swallow-tailed Gulls in the Pacific.
Elegant Tern – Sterna elegans
Three seen on the 29th at Coquimbo, 800 at the roost at Arica on the 1st, 20 out to sea on the 2nd, 500 on the 3rd at Callao, 12 on the 4th out to sea. Considered by Bird Life International, 2000, as Near Threatened due to its small breeding range.
Elegant Terns at Arica.
Sandwich Tern – Sterna sandvicensis
One seen on the 3rd in Callao Harbour, with 40 on the 7th along the Panama Canal.
Royal Tern – Sterna maxima
First seen on the 6th at Balboa, Panama, 10 on the 7th, 12 on the 9th on Bonaire Island and 8 on the 10th Grenada.
Royal Tern at Grenada.
South American Tern – Sterna hirundinacea
Ten seen in Valparaiso Harbour on the 28th, with 50 in Coquimbo Harbour on the 29th.
Adult South American Tern in Coquimbo Harbour.
Common Tern – Sterna hirundo
One seen on the 3rd as we were coming into Callao Harbour and 4 on the 4th resting on drift wood out to sea.
Least Tern – Sterna antillarum
Just 5 seen on the 6th at Balboa, Panama.
Bridled Tern – Sterna anaethetus
Just 2 seen on the 8th in the Caribbean Sea.
Black Tern – Chilidonias niger surinamensis
A large flock of 400 were seen around fish in the Pacific as we approached Balboa, Panama on the 6th.
Inca Tern – Larosterna inca
25 seen at Coquimbo on the 29th, 60 on the 1st at Arica, 6 on the 2nd out to sea and 250 with all the Franklin’s Gulls at Callao on the 3rd.
Inca Tern trying to gain unauthorised entry
onto the Oriana, perhaps he has heard about
the superb food.
Adult Inca Tern in flight in Callao Harbour.
Chilean Pigeon – Columba araucana
Two were seen sitting in a tree en route to Valparaiso on the 28th.
Eared Dove – Zenaida auriculata vinacerorufa
Just 5 identified on Bonaire Island on the 9th.
Zenaida Dove – Zenaida aurita autita
10 were seen on our last morning in Barbados on the 12th.
Zenaida Dove on Barbados Island.
Pacific Dove – Zenaida meloda
Four seen on the 1st at Arica, and 20 on the 3rd at Callao.
Pacific Dove at Arica.
Common Ground Dove – Columbina passerina
Recorded in small numbers on Bonaire Island, Grenada and Barbados.
White Tipped Dove – Leptotila verreauxi
Four recorded on the 9th on Bonaire Island, and up to 10 seen on both days in Barbados.
Brown Throated Parakeet – Aratinga pertinax xanthogenia
4 seen on the 9th on Bonaire Island.
Red Lored Parrot – Amazona autumnalis salvini
A party of eight seen along the Panama Canal on the 7th.
Groove Billed Ani – Crotophaga sulcirostris
Two seen on the 6th and 6 on the 7th along the Panama Canal.
Chapman’s Swift – Chaetura chapmani
Ten small all black with no tail Swifts passed low over the Panama Canal at Gunton Lock on the 7th, during a rain shower and as they lacked the pale throat were identified as Chapman’s.
Green Throated Carib – Eulampis holosericeus
Just seen on Barbados, with a fine adult male at the Orchid Farm on the 11th and 2 males and a female near the harbour on the 12th.
Belted Kingfisher – Ceryle alcyon
One seen along the Panama Canal on the 7th.
Ringed Kingfisher – Ceryle torquata torquata
Two seen along the Panama Canal on the 7th
Keel Billed Toucan – Ramphastos sulfuratus brevicarinatus
Excellent views of 7, sat out for over half an hour along the Panama Canal on the 7th.
Keel Billed Toucan along the Panama Canal.
Red Crowned Woodpecker – Melanerpes rubricapillus rubricapillus
One seen at Balboa on the 6th.
Great Kiskadee – Pitangus sulphuratus guatimalensis
Four seen on the 7th along the Panama Canal.
Tropical Kingbird – Tyrannus melancholicus
Six seen on the 6th at Balboa and 6 on the 7th along the Panama Canal.
Grey Kingbird – Tyrannus dominicensis
Ten seen on the 9th on Bonaire Island, 2 on the 10th on Grenada, 6 on the 11th and 4 on the 12th on Barbados.
Grey Kingbird on Grenada.
Grey Breasted Martin – Progne chalybea
15 seen on the 3rd in Lima, 6 on the 6th at Balboa and 100 along the Panama Canal on the 7th.
Mangrove Swallow – Tachycineta albilinea
Six of these attractive Swallows seen sitting on the bouys in the Panama Canal on the 7th.
Chilean Swallow – Tachycineta meyeni
Three seen on the 29th at Coquimbo.
Blue and White Swallow – Pygochelidon cyanoleuca patagonica
Four seen at Valparaiso on the 28th.
Southern Rough Winged Swallow – Stelgidopteryx ruficollis decolor
Up to 30 seen along the Panama Canal on the 7th.
Barn Swallow – Hirundo rustica erythrogaster
Just 5 seen at Balboa, Panama on the 6th.
House Wren – Troglodytes aedon
Just a single bird seen near Callao, Peru on the 3rd.
Tropical Mockingbird – Mimus gilvus
One seen on the 7th along the Panama Canal, 30 seen on the 9th on Bonaire Island, 2 on the 10th on Grenada and 3 on the 11th on Barbados.
Clay Coloured Robin – Turdus grayi casius
One seen on the 6th at Balboa, and 4 on the 7th along the Panama Canal.
House Sparrow – Passer domesticus
Recorded on six dates throughout the trip.
Yellow Warbler – Dendroica petechia
Two seen on the 6th at Balboa and a fine adult male seen on the 9th on Bonaire Island belonged to the race “rufopileata”.
Bananaquit – Coereba flaveola
15 on the 9th on Bonaire Island, and 4 on Barbados on the 12th.
Bananaquit on Bonaire Island.
Cinereous Conebill – Conirostrum cinereum littorale
One seen at Arica on the 1st.
Summer Tanager – Piranga rubra
A female seen at Balboa, Panama on the 7th.
Blue Grey Tanager – Thraupis episcopus
One on the 6th at Balboa.
Palm Tanager – Thraupis palmarum atripennis
One on the 6th at Balboa.
Yellow Bellied Seedeater – Sporophila nigricollis nigricollis
Eight seen on Grenada on the 10th.
Black Faced Grassquit – Tiaris bicolour
Twelve seen on the 10th on Grenada, and up to 20 seen on both dates on Barbados.
Lesser Antillean Bullfinch – Loxigilla noctis
A male seen on Grenada on the 10th belonged to the race “grenadensis”. Thirty seen on Barbados on the 12th belonged to the race “barbadensis”.
Lesser Antillean Bullfinch on Barbados.
Rufous Collared Sparrow – Zonotrichia capensis
Only seen on the 1st with 20 at Arica.
Great Tailed Grackle – Quiscalus mexicanus peruvianus
Thirty seen on the 6th at Balboa, and 40 on the 7th along the Panama Canal.
Carib Grackle – Quiscalus lugubris
Three seen on the 9th on Bonaire Island, and up to 40 each day on Barbados
Carib Grackle on Barbados.
Shiny Cowbird – Molothrus bonariensis
Just 8 seen on Barbados on the 12th.
Yellow Oriole – Icterus nigrogularis curasoensis
A single male briefly seen on Bonaire Island on the 9th.
Venezuelan Troupial – Icterkus icterus ridgwayi
Six seen on Bonaire Island on the 9th.
Venezuelan Troupial on Bonaire Island.
Sunset on the Oriana.
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