Antigua Trip Report - 7-21 July 1997

by Richard A Fuller & Rebecca M Webb

Introduction

The island of Antigua is situated in the Caribbean Sea, at the northern tip of the Lesser Antilles, with Anguilla and the US Virgin Islands to the north, and Guadeloupe to the south. The nation of Antigua and Barbuda gained independence from the UK in 1981, and also includes a third island, Redonda. The idyllic Caribbean beaches are the primary touristic attraction of Antigua. For the birder, Antigua holds no species which cannot be found on other Lesser Antillean islands (e.g. Guadeloupe). However, my girlfriend is a non-birder and we found this destination to be ideal in that a relaxing beachy holiday can be combined with some relaxing yet relatively productive all-round birding. We also visited Guadeloupe for 2 days (EC$389 for the flight - see appendix to this report). Our two-week self-catering holiday with Thomson cost £409 each, a late "Square Deal" booking.

Speciality Species

(See checklist for scientific names). The main species to look for on Antigua is Bridled Quail Dove, apparently very difficult on the other islands in its northern Lesser Antillean range. The nocturnal West Indian Tree Duck apparently occurs, but I failed with this species, and I doubt it is common here. The Tree Duck is best located on Barbuda (day trips can be arranged from Antigua). Other uncommon local species to be sought are Scaly-breasted and Pearly-eyed Thrashers, and Red-necked Pigeon, all of which I located with reasonable ease.

Habitat and Logistics

Antigua boasts a wide range of habitats, ranging from humid forest (not rainforest as the guides may lead you to believe) through dry woodland and scrub, mangrove swamps and salt lagoons to a large freshwater reservoir in the centre of the island. You will need the 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey map, which you can purchase for EC$21 from the Map Shop in St. Mary’s Street, St. Johns. There are no roadsigns and navigation is difficult even if you are a proficient map-reader!

Site Details for Antigua - July 1997

These sites are arranged in no particular order. If you have only a short time on the island, I would recommend the Wallings Reservoir area, Christian Valley, Potsworks Reservoir and Mc Kinnons Salt Pond in that order. Landbirds which are common to abundant in virtually all habitats are: Broad-winged Hawk, White-crowned Pigeon, Zenaida Dove, Common Ground Dove, Green-throated Carib, Antillean Crested Hummingbird, Grey Kingbird, Caribbean Elaenia, Black-whiskered Vireo, Yellow Warbler, Bananaquit, Carib Grackle, Lesser Antillean Bullfinch and Black-faced Grassquit. They are not mentioned in the following site accounts. American Kestrel and Caribbean (Purple) Martin are reasonably easy. Of the aquatic radiation, Brown Pelican, Magnificent Frigatebird, Cattle Egret, Snowy Egret, Great White Egret, Least Tern and Laughing Gull can all be seen roadside with ease.

Mc Kinnons Salt Pond

Best visited in the evening, this is the premier site for waders on Antigua. Head north out of St. John’s following the signs to Miller’s-by-the-Sea (Fort James). Just after passing the drive-thru KFC, turn left (signed to Miller’s). After about ½ mile, turn right onto the metalled road and follow this towards Runaway Beach to view the saltpond on the right. There are various pull-ins where you can stop and scan the pool. I visited this site twice and considered it suprisingly productive for the time of year: maxima were c50 Bahama Pintail, 7 Greater Yellowlegs, 4 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Stilt Sandpiper, 65 Short-billed Dowitcher, 50 Semipalmated Sandpiper, with 1 Least and 2 Westerns, 20 Semipalmated Plover, 15 Wilson’s Plover (with chicks), 20 Black-necked Stilt, 50 Sandwich Tern, 25 Least Tern, 50 Laughing Gull, 1 Great White Egret, 2 Yellow-crowned Night Heron and 2 Snowy Egret. Dark Wood Salt Pond contained a greater variety of herons (see below).

Fitches Creek

This mangrove swamp area is situated south of the airport. Take the minor road running from south of the terminal building through St. Georges to St. George Hill and stop en route at likely-looking spots. This site has Clapper Rail, but I unfortunately visited at high tide, thus greatly hampering my efforts. I tried to reach the mangroves by skirting around the US Air Force building north of St. George’s Church, but the thorny Acacias were impossible. However this was a brilliant area for photography as the birds were readily brought in by pishing here. The mangroves and brackish ponds by the road around St. George’s Hill (use the car as a hide) had a Spotted Sandpiper, 10 Snowy Egret, 3 Green-backed Heron, a Willet and 20 Black-necked Stilt.

Galley Bay

On the Five Islands Peninsula to the west of St. Johns, the pool inland from the Galley Bay Hotel held a variety of waterbirds, primarily herons and waterfowl and could be worth a visit if you have time. Take the right fork heading west out of Five Islands Village to view.

Christian Valley

A must. This site has both Scaly-breasted and Pearly-eyed Thrashers. Bridled Quail Dove has also occurred, but I could not find any in my two visits. Take the well-defined track south from the main road, about 3 miles S of St. Johns. If you have trouble locating the track, get to the Caribbean Radio Lighthouse building by the side of the road between Bolans and Jennings and then drive towards St. Johns. The track is about 500m away on the right. If you are driving, do not take the track opposite the Radio Lighthouse as this is impassable at the creek crossing where it joins the main Christian Valley track. The main track is gated about a mile and half from the main road, and the area which is an agricultural station opens at 7.00am. You could climb the gate or sneak through along the creek bed, but be prepared to do some explaining. I had both thrashers at about 8am.

Jolly Harbour Marina Club Hotel

If you struggle for Caribbean Martin, which is certainly not abundant, try this hotel as there were usually a few over the marina itself, or around the car park area by the security barrier. Access to all beaches in Antigua is public, so don't worry about going into hotel grounds. Jolly Harbour is on the west coast about 4 miles south of St. Johns.

Dark Wood Salt Pond

Very good for herons and waterfowl, but contained few migratory waders (for which try Mc Kinnons Salt Pond) and possibly deteriorated since previous reports I was using. Viewable from the coast road about 6 miles south of St. Johns. Maxima here were: 4 Yellow-crowned Night Heron, 1 Black-crowned Night Heron, 15 Wilson’s Plover (with chicks), 1 Semipalmated Plover, 80 Least Tern, 2 Black-necked Stilt (with chick), 8 Bahama Pintail, 3 Great Blue Heron, 1 Tricoloured Heron, 3 Snowy Egret, 2 Green-backed Heron, 1 Little Blue Heron. Clapper Rail has been seen here. A female Masked Duck was present for three days on the second roadside pond north of the salt pond, and a pair of American Kestrel were breeding in the further ruined windmill from the road towards Ffryes Bay. The pools and mangrove swamps by the coast road between Crab Hill and Old Road are worth exploring if you have time.

Wallings Reservoir Area

By the road between John Hughes and Old Road, this area contains Red-necked Pigeon and Bridled Quail Dove, and is a must. I did not visit the reservoir itself as prior permission was necessary. I parked at the pull-in by the hairpin 100m west of the western pumping station. Walk back to the roadside pond, cross the marshy inlet at the NE corner, and follow the track up into the humid forest. The resonant call of Bridled Quail Dove can be heard from a great distance, but the bird is hard to pin down, and it took me half an hour to get a brief glimpse of this bird. I had two flyover Red-necked Pigeon. This forest looks like the best bet on Antigua for Antillean Euphonia, but I couldn’t locate any.

Potsworks Reservoir

Very productive and well worth a visit, this site has patently improved since previous reports. You can drive to the water’s edge and use the car as a hide. The road from St. Johns via the Sugar Factory is the best way to approach this reservoir. I spent about 3 hours here, and noted 47 Pied-billed Grebe, 30 Moorhen, 2 Caribbean Coot, 30 Cattle Egret, 50 Great White Egret, 3 Great Blue Heron, 75 Black-necked Stilt, 100 Laughing Gull, 7 Semipalmated Plover, 8 Turnstone, 13 Snowy Egret, 6 Willet, 5 Short-billed Dowitcher, 20 Least Tern, 4 Brown Pelican and 1 Little Blue Heron as well as a remarkable 117 Ruddy Duck. The nearby Collin’s Reservoir held of note 3 Green-backed Heron, 3 Pied-billed Grebe and 2 Bahama Pintail.

Daily Log for Antigua - July 1997

7th July

Arrived on schedule early afternoon at Antigua International Airport, noting 4 adult summer Laughing Gulls upon leaving the 767. A couple of Carib Grackles were feeding outside the airport as we waited for a taxi. Reeling from our first experience of Antiguan roads, we recorded 2 Magnificent Frigatebirds, 2 Broad-winged Hawks, 8 Cattle Egrets and a Great White Egret on the way to the hotel. Antigua is dry, and there is little avian activity during the middle part of the day. Our accommodation was allocated on arrival and we were somewhat relieved to find ours was to be the Jolly Harbour Hotel. Our apartment was spacious, airy and clean. A walk round the hotel grounds produced Caribbean Martin, White-crowned Pigeon, Zenaida Dove, Brown Pelican, Least Tern, Bananaquit, Black-faced Grassquit, Grey Kingbird and Lesser Antillean Bullfinch. Had an excellent burger and a beer in the evening at the barbecue.

8th July

Up at 5.30am and walked to the Christian Valley. A cracking singing male Yellow Warbler was by the track to the valley and Common Ground Dove was common here. A tiny Antillean Crested Hummingbird was an amazing sight as it flitted at unbelievable speed between flowering bushes. 3 Brown Rats were present in a ramshackle roadside building and Indian Mongoose was abundant here. A couple of Caribbean Elaenias were singing along the small track off to the left before reaching the buildings in the valley, and a calling Broad-winged Hawk was there. No sign or sound of any thrashers or Bridled Quail Dove. We hired a couple of bikes and after lunch headed south to Picarts Bay. Crashing out on the beach, only c25 Least Tern, c10 Magnificent Frigatebirds and c25 Laughing Gulls were noted. Attempted to construct our own meal this evening. Hmm.

9th July

Got up at a not-so-enthusiastic 7am and cycled to Dark Wood Salt Pond. The pond was fairly dry, and probably not performing as well as it can. Additionally the level of disturbance here was unfortunately very high with kids regularly crossing straight through the area scaring the birds for fun. I noted 4 Yellow-crowned Night Herons, a juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron, 5 Wilson’s Plover, including a pair with two young chicks, c80 Least Tern, 4 Bahama Pintail, 2 Great Blue Herons (1 white phase), 3 Snowy Egret, 2 Green-backed Heron and 39 Laughing Gulls. A Black-necked Stilt was very agitated in defence of its half-grown chick. Landbirds around the pond were 4 Caribbean Elaenia, 5 Black-faced Grassquit, 2 Bananaquit, 7 Zenaida Doves, 2 White-crowned Pigeon, a Grey Kingbird, 2 singing Yellow Warblers and a Common Ground Dove. A half-hour seawatch off Picarts Bay produced 2 Audubon’s Shearwater, 7 Magnificent Frigatebirds, 9 Laughing Gulls and a Least Tern. The rest of the day was spent relaxing on the beach!

10th July

Up at 6am and cycled to the Christian Valley again. Arrived at the gate at about 6.30 and birded around the entrance area for a while. A Pearly-eyed Thrasher was singing from the hillside to the N of the gate. Lost patience when the gate hadn't opened by 7.00 and wheeled the bike along the creek bed bypassing the main fence. Carried on up the valley, taking the right hand track just before the road reaches the buildings. About 100m up this track, got crippling views of a juvenile Broad-winged Hawk as it perched in low trees calling. Single Scaly-breasted and Pearly-eyed Thrashers were singing either side of the narrow footpath between the clearing and the "fields" and had good views of a singing male Yellow Warbler. We visited Picarts Bay again in the afternoon, and I briefly looked at the salt pond from the southern edge. There were 25 Brown Pelicans, 3 Snowy Egrets, 2 Wilson's Plover and an immature Little Blue Heron. Got some good photos of a pair of Caribbean Elaenias and a Green-throated Carib whizzed by. A Black-whiskered Vireo was in the pondside vegetation.

Visited the York Salt Pond on the way back to the hotel. It was fairly dry and contained only 2 Wilson's Plovers. A flock of 25 Carib Grackles was drinking it a freshwater puddle nearby. A shrill call brought three American Kestrels to my attention along the approach road. They perhaps had bred in the more seaward of the two ruined windmills, as two juveniles were eating prey and an adult was in attendance. A female Masked Duck was an unexpected find on the small pond by the main road opposite the end of the track. This species is quite different to Ruddy Duck - very noticeably smaller, with a more barred face, barred back and large white flashes in the wings. I saw both species of Oxyura on Antigua during this trip.

11th July

We cycled out to Pearns Point for the day, finding some superb unspoilt and deserted beaches. Two American Oystercatchers were on the Five Islands off Pearns Point, along with about 20 Magnificent Frigatebirds perched on the rocks. The common passerines were at their most abundant on this peninsula.

12th July

Another late rise, and a day spent touring the southern part of Antigua. The main birding event of the day was finding the Masked Duck still present in the afternoon on the small roadside pond near Dark Wood Salt Pond. It concealed itself very quickly in the vegetation as soon as it saw me approaching. It is amazing how a Masked Duck and 5 Moorhen can disappear into such a small area of vegetation.

13th July

Up at 6am for a look around the Wallings Reservoir area. Stopped to look at the Masked Duck pool, but there was no sign of the bird, and I did not see it subsequently. Just after parking the car by the lookout, a Red-necked Pigeon overflew. I made my way up the track into the humid woodland and soon heard a Bridled Quail Dove calling. Following the sound, I eventually managed to get a brief glimpse of the bird in the transitional zone between the humid and dry forest after about half and hour of searching. Another Red-necked Pigeon was observed at the top of the track, and brilliant views of an adult Broad-winged Hawk with a prey item were had on the way back down. Black-whiskered Vireo was abundant in this area. On the way back, I dropped in at Dark Wood Salt Pond which produced of note a fine adult Tricoloured Heron, 3 Great Blue Herons, 8 Bahama Pintail and an adult Semipalmated Plover. The Jolly Harbour Hotel produced 2 Caribbean Martins over the car park at about midday. After a beachy afternoon, I visited Mc Kinnons Salt Pond in the evening. Viewed from the western side, this proved to be an excellent site for waders, "migrants" including a Stilt Sandpiper (with a broken leg) 7 Greater Yellowlegs, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, 18 Short-billed Dowitchers, c50 Semipalmated Sandpiper, with a couple of possible Westerns and 3 Semipalmated Plover.

14th July

Up early for a visit to Potsworks Reservoir in the centre of the island. The reservoir held 47 Pied-billed Grebe, 30 Moorhen, 2 Caribbean Coot, 30 Cattle Egret, 50 Great White Egret, 3 Great Blue Heron, 75 Black-necked Stilt, 100 Laughing Gull, 7 Semipalmated Plover, 8 Turnstone, 13 Snowy Egret, 6 Willet, 5 Short-billed Dowitcher, 20 Least Tern, 4 Brown Pelican and 1 Little Blue Heron as well as a remarkable 117 Ruddy Duck. Nearby Collins Reservoir was also checked, but produced no more than 3 Green-backed Herons, 3 Pied-billed Grebes and 2 Bahama Pintail. Two American Kestrels were noted from on the journey back in the Belmont area, just east of St. Johns. During an afternoon visit to Long Bay Beach in the eastern part of Antigua, a Common Tern was fishing along the beach front, and I got some good photos of a very aggressive Green-throated Carib which was chasing off Grey Kingbirds and Carib Grackles with gusto! Back to Mc Kinnons Salt Pond in the evening where 65 Short-billed Dowitchers, 4 Lesser Yellowlegs, 2 Greater Yellowlegs, c50 Semipalmated Sandpipers, with 1 Least and 2 Westerns, and c20 Semipalmated Plover were notable, and the Stilt Sandpiper was still present.

15th July

An early morning visit to Fitches Creek in search of mangrove species (Mangrove Cuckoo and Clapper Rail) proved largely unsuccessful. Rather carelessly, my visit coincided with high tide, and the mangrove swamp was inaccessible and little mud was exposed. A Spotted Sandpiper photographed at close range and a Willet flying low overhead were the highlights. An attempt to reach the mangrove swamp via the US Air Force building proved a non-starter; the Acacia bushes were extremely thorny and the swamp edges were inaccessible. However, I got some pretty good photos of passerines in this area (particularly Yellow Warbler) which were relatively easy to approach closely.

We visited Betty's Hope Sugar Mill in the afternoon, where we discovered a pair of American Kestrels which seemed to be nesting in one of the windmill towers. We spent the later part of the afternoon on the Hawksbill Bay Resort beach, where I noted a splendid Red-billed Tropicbird offshore. Dropped in at Galley Bay Lake at dusk to look for West Indian Tree Duck without success and then went to Millers-by-the-sea that evening for a beer.

16th July

Having to take the hire car back to Hertz, we spent the whole day relaxing on

the beach and drinking fine Antiguan Cavalier Rum! 3 Feral Doves which overflew the Jolly Harbour Hotel were possibly of direct domestic origin.

17th - 19th July

We made a trip to Guadeloupe, described in the appendix.

20th July

Another day spent on the beach, an evening seawatch from the hotel beach produced 6+ Audubon’s Shearwaters and 2 Bahama Pintails. A couple of Caribbean Martins were again over the Jolly Harbour Hotel.

21st July

The final morning of trip was spent packing, and the only observation of note was a couple of Sandwich Terns visiting the marina briefly. We left Antigua on the 1530 brown, refreshed and with 52 new species (this was my first trip to the New World).

Antigua and Guadeloupe ‘97 - Trip List

1. Pied-billed Grebe - Podilymbus podiceps antillarum
   Good numbers in appropriate freshwater habitat - flocks of 47 and 3 on Potsworks and Collins Reservoirs respectively on 14th
2. Audubon’s Shearwater - Puffinus lherminieri lherminieri
   Just 2 birds off Picarts Bay on 9th, and 6+ off Jolly Harbour beach on 20th
3. Red-billed Tropicbird - Phaethon aethereus mesonauta
   A single from the Hawksbill Resort Beach on 15th
4. Brown Pelican - Pelecanus occidentalis occidentalis
   A common bird throughout Antigua on salt ponds and freshwater lakes.
5. Magnificent Frigatebird - Fregata magnificens rothschildi
   Common coastally with one or two birds almost always in sight
6. Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias occidentalis
   Two (including one white phase bird) at Dark Wood Salt Pond on 9th, three there on 13th and three at Potsworks Reservoir on 14th
7. Green-backed Heron - Butorides virescens virescens
   A common bird, noted at all freshwater and saltwater sites, often in very small roadside ponds.
8. Little Blue Heron - Egretta caerulea
   An immature was on Dark Wood Salt Pond on 10th, and an adult was at Potsworks Reservoir on 14th
9. Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis ibis
   An abundant bird on Antigua.
10. Great White Egret - Egretta alba egretta
    Common in fresh and saltwater habitats in Antigua - maximum count was c50 at Potsworks Reservoir on 14th
11. Snowy Egret - Egretta thula
    Again, common in aquatic habitats, maximum count was 13 at Potsworks Reservoir on 14th. I checked all birds for Little Egret, and identified none of the latter.
12. Tricoloured Heron - Egretta tricolor ruficollis
    A fine adult was noted at Dark Wood Salt Pond on 13th
13. Black-crowned Night Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax hoactii
    Small numbers of birds seen at the coastal sites of Mc Kinnons and Dark Wood Salt Ponds.
14. Yellow-crowned Night Heron - Nycticorax violaceus bancrofti
    More common than Black-crowned Night Heron, with a maximum of 4 birds at Dark Wood Salt Pond. Both night herons seem to have declined in Antigua.
15. Bahama Pintail - Anas bahamensis bahamensis
    A common bird coastally, and at any substantial area of water. Maximum count was c50 at Mc Kinnons Salt Pond on 13th
16. Ruddy Duck - Oxyura jamaicensis jamaicensis
    A flock of 117 birds was on Potsworks Reservoir on 14th
17. Masked Duck - Oxyura dominica
    A female was present on the second small pond north of Dark Wood Salt Pond from 10th - 12th, but not subsequently.
18. Broad-winged Hawk - Buteo platypterus insulicola
    A common and widespread species in Antigua, perched birds often heard calling. The form insulicola is restricted to Antigua island.
19. American Kestrel - Falco sparverius caribaearum
    Widespread and relatively common in Antigua. Two probable nesting sites were in two of the ninety ruined windmills dotted across the island. Two juveniles were observed with an adult in close attendance at Dark Wood on 10th.
20. Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus cerceris
    A common species in suitable freshwater habitat across the island.
21. Caribbean Coot - Fulica caribaea
    Two birds were on Potsworks Reservoir on 14th.
22. American Oystercatcher - Haematopus palliatus palliatus
    Two were on the Five Islands off Pearn’s Point on 11th.
23. Semipalmated Plover - Charadrius semipalmatus
    1 at Dark Wood Salt Pond on
24. Wilson’s Plover - Charadrius wilsonia rufinucha
    A total of 48 "bird days" - Observed at Mc Kinnons Salt Pond (max=15), Dark Wood Salt Pond (max=15), York Salt Pond (2) and roadside in southern Antigua (3)
25. Turnstone - Arenaria interpres morinella
    Eight birds were at Potsworks Reservoir on 14th
26. Black-necked Stilt - Himantopus mexicanus
    A total of 125 "bird days" - Observed at many salt at freshwater sites - maximum 75 at Potsworks Reservoir on 14th.
27. Greater Yellowlegs - Tringa melanoleuca
    7 birds at Mc Kinnons Salt Pond on 13th and 2 there the following evening.
28. Lesser Yellowlegs - Tringa flavipes
    1 at Mc Kinnons Salt Pond on 13th and 4 there the following evening.
29. Willet - Catoptrophorus semipalmatus semipalmatus
    6 at Potsworks Reservoir on the 14th and a single bird at Fitches Creek the following day.
30. Least Sandpiper - Calidris minutilla
    A single at Mc Kinnons Salt Pond on 14th.
31. Semipalmated Sandpiper - Calidris pusilla
    c50 at Mc Kinnons Salt Pond on 13th & 14th.
32. Western Sandpiper - Calidris mauri
    2 at Mc Kinnons Salt Pond on 14th.
33. Stilt Sandpiper - Micropalama himantopus
    A single bird with a broken leg on Mc Kinnons Salt Pond on 13th & 14th.
34. Spotted Sandpiper - Actitis macularia
    Single at Fitches Creek on 15th.
35. Laughing Gull - Larus atricilla
    A very common bird coastally. Maximum number was a group of c100 birds at Potsworks Reservoir on 14th.
36. Common Tern - Sterna hirundo hirundo
    A breeding-plumaged adult fishing along the beach at Long Bay on 14th.
37. Least Tern - Sterna antillarum antillarum
    A common species of coastal areas, the largest concentration was at Dark Wood Salt Pond where c80 were seen on 9th.
38. Sandwich Tern - Sterna sandvicensis acuflavidus
    Observed at Mc Kinnons Salt Pond and Jolly Harbour Hotel. Max was c50 on 13th at the former site.
39. Brown Noddy - Anous stolidus stolidus
    A single past Jolly Harbour Hotel beach on 20th was the only record.
40. White-crowned Pigeon - Columba leucocephala
    A thinly-spread but not uncommon bird all over Antigua, usually seen in singles and pairs, and often overflying. Maximum was 4 birds at Jolly Harbour Hotel on 7th.
41. Red-necked Pigeon - Columba squamosa
    Two birds overflying the Wallings Reservoir area on 13th.
42. Feral Dove - Columba livia
    Three birds, possibly of direct domestic origin, overflew the Jolly Harbour Hotel on 16th.
43. Zenaida Dove - Zenaida aurita aurita
    A very common species in all habitats.
    
44. Common Ground Dove - Columbina passerina nigrirostris
    Common in all habitats.
    
45. Bridled Quail Dove - Geotrygon mystacea
    A single bird heard and subsequently glimpsed briefly at Wallings Reservoir on 13th.
46. Green-throated Carib - Sericotes holosericeus holosericeus
    A not uncommon species, although perhaps reduced in recent years. Found in all terrestrial habitats. No sign of any Purple-throated Caribs on Antigua.
47. Antillean Crested Hummingbird - Orthorhynchus cristatus exilis
    Commoner than Green-throated Carib and frequently observed in hotel grounds. Found in all terrestrial habitats.
48. Grey Kingbird - Tyrannus dominicensis vorax
    Another common species, frequently seen perched on telegraph wires. Found in all terrestrial habitats.
49. Caribbean Elaenia - Elaenia martinica risii
    Common, but sings mainly in the mornings and afternoons. Max count of nine birds in Christian Valley on 10th
    
50. Caribbean Martin - Progne dominicensis
    Uncommon species. Strangely, I only encountered it at the Jolly Harbour Hotel, where up to 7 birds were present throughout the trip.
51. Scaly-breasted Thrasher - Margarops fusca
    A single bird heard from the footpath to the farm plots at Christian Valley on 10th.
52. Pearly-eyed Thrasher - Margarops fuscatus ssp
    Two at Christian Valley on 10th.
53. Black-whiskered Vireo - Vireo altiloquus ssp
    A common species on Antigua in many habitats, but perhaps at its commonest in the Wallings Road area.
54. Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia bartholemica
    Common and frequently observed in mainly dry habitats.
    
55. Bananaquit - Coereba flaveola bartholemica
    An abundant species in all terrestrial habitats.
    
56. Carib Grackle - Quiscalus lugubris fortirostris
    A common species of open habitats. Introduced to Antigua from Barbados.
57. Lesser Antillean Bullfinch - Loxigilla noctis ridgwayi
    Common in all terrestrial habitats. A male was observed building a nest in the Christian Valley.
58. Black-faced Grassquit - Tiaris bicolor ssp
    Ubiquitous.

Appendix - Records from Guadeloupe - 17-19^th July 1997

Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis
Recorded on journey between airport and Vernou (Basse Terre) 17^th July.

American Kestrel - Falco sparverius
2 at Rio Corrosol on 18^th July..

Feral Dove - Columba livia
Several Basse-Terre Town on 18^th July and Pointe-a-Pitre 19^th July..

Red-necked Pigeon - Columba squamosa
Three flew low over Rio Corrosol on 18th.

Collared Dove - Streptopelia decaocto
Eight seen in Basse Terre town, where there seemed to be a small feral population.

Zenaida Dove - Zenaida aurita
Recorded on journey between airport and Vernou (Basse Terre) 17^th July..

Ruddy Quail Dove - Geotrygon montana
One heard Masion du Forêt on 17th July.

Black Swift - Nephoecetes niger
Eight seen from the swimming pool (!) at Mountfleuri Guest House in the evening of 17^th July and two over the track at Rio Corrosol on 18^th with a Lesser Antillean Swift loosely associating.

Lesser Antillean Swift - Chaetura martinica
One at the Guadeloupe Zoological Park 17th July, and another the following day with two Black Swifts over Rio Corrosol.

Purple-throated Carib - Eulampis jugularis
Three at Rio Corrosol 17th July, and one there the following day.

Green-throated Carib - Sericotes holosericeus
One at the Mountfleuri Guest House 17th July and one at Rio Corrosol the following day..

Antillean Crested Hummingbird - Orthorhyncus cristatus
One at the Chutes de Carbet 18th July.

Guadeloupe Woodpecker - Melanerpes herminieri
At least three birds observed at Masion du Forêt 17th July. An adult was seen feeding a juvenile. Another seen the following day at Rio Corrosol.

Lesser Antillean Pewee - Contopus latirostris
Two at Rio Corrosol 18^th July.

Wied's Crested Flycatcher - Myiarchus oberi
Three along approach road to Chutes de Carbet 18th July.

Grey Kingbird - Tyrannus dominicensis
Two at Rio Corrosol 17 & 18^th July.

Caribbean Martin - Progne dominicensis
In contrast to Antigua, a common bird, with several even perchced on aerials in the middle of Pointe-a-Pitre.

Brown Trembler - Cinclocerthia ruficauda
Five at Masion du Forêt on 17th, and a further five at Rio Corrosol the following day.

Scaly-breasted Thrasher - Allenia fusca
Singles at Rio Corrosol on 17^th & 18th.

Pearly-eyed Thrasher - Margarops fuscatus
Singles at Guadeloupe Zoological Park (17th) and Rio Corrosol (18th).

Forest Thrush - Cichlherminia lherminieri
Crippling views of a bird about 25 metres high in a tree 300m along the 1hour walk route at Masion du Forêt. The bird was watched for several minutes before it disappeared into the thick epiphytic vegetation.

Black-faced Grassquit - Tiaris bicolor
Recorded on journey between airport and Vernou (Basse Terre) 17th July. Also at Chutes de Carbet on 18th.

Lesser Antillean Bullfinch - Loxigilla noctis
Recorded at Guadeloupe Zoological Park (17th) and Chutes de Carbet (18th).

Bananaquit - Coereba flaveola
Recorded at Masion du Forêt (17th) and Rio Corrosol (18th).

Plumbeous Warbler - Dendroica plumbea
Very good views of a single at Rio Corrosol on 17th, with two there the following day.

Carib Grackle - Quiscalus lugubris
Recorded on journey between airport and Vernou (Basse Terre) 17^th July.