West Indies & Bermuda: Fall 2025

Wildfowl to shorebirds

In Bermuda, a record high 23 Canada Goose were counted flying over Evans Pond, Southampton on 21 Oct (Trevor Rawson). A female Eurasian Wigeon, the first record for Guadeloupe, was photographed at Saline du Bourg from 24–30 Nov+ (Lionel Sineux). A Northern Pintail photographed at Charquita de Yeguada, Puerto Rico on 7 Oct was still in the area to 21 Oct (Gabriel Lugo-Ortíz, Sergio Colón López). Bermuda’s third record of Common Eider was photographed off Fort St. Catherine on 17 Nov, remaining in St. Georges Harbour until 22 Nov (Stephen Davies). A female Black Scoter was seen at La Isla de Turiguanó, Ciego de Ávila on 15 Nov for the first record in Cuba and the West Indies (Nicolás Días Pérez)—there have been nine records from Bermuda. Rare in the Bahamas, a Bufflehead was photographed at Pelican Point, Grand Bahama on 22 Nov (Martha Cartwright et al). The only Fall record of a Hooded Merganser in the West Indies was one at the Cricket Grounds, George Town, Cayman Islands from 26–30 Nov+ (Charlene Quinlan). A transient Common Nighthawk was observed hawking over Puerto Escondido on 10 Nov (Iván Mota). Four vagrant Antillean Palm Swifts were seen over the Agricultural Grounds, Grand Cayman on 11 Oct (Simon Artuch, Jen Artuch). In Bermuda, a single Ruby-throated Hummingbird was photographed at Ferry Point Park on 28 Sep (Paul Watson, Andrea Webb), with another at the Arboretum on 16 Nov (Paul Watson). An American Oystercatcher was rediscovered at North Point, St. Lucy, Barbados from 21–22 Sep (Julian Moore). A bird once thought lost to the Barbadian landscape made an unexpected reappearance—a Southern Lapwing, last seen in 2021, appeared at St Lucy, Barbados on 14 Sep (John Webster). The second and third records of Common Ringed Plover in Barbados were discovered at Long Pond, Saint Andrew, Barbados on 12 Oct (Eddie Massiah) and at North Point, Saint Lucy from 21 Oct–30 Nov+ (Muriel Aboso, Anthony Levesque). Coincidentally, the only previous record of Common Ringed Plover in Barbados was a bird shot and collected by J. P. Massiah in 1888, a relative of Eddie Massiah who found the second record—there are only two other records of this Old World species in the West Indies, from Guadeloupe.

Rare in Bermuda, a Hudsonian Godwit was present at Bermuda Airport from 29 Aug–5 Sep (Paul Watson); another was photographed at Monumento Natural Bahía de las Calderas (Salinas de Bani), Dominican Republic on 28 Oct (Maria Milagros Paulino); and one was seen at Sport Center Road, Nassau New Providence, Bahamas on 8 Nov (Hendrew Haley). A Red-necked Phalarope was photographed at Humedal de Mota, Granma, Cuba on 5 Oct (Ricel Polán Hdez). Sightings of Ruff are becoming more common in the West Indies and Bermuda regions. A Ruff at Alaska Impoundment, Bright Hall, St. Lucy, Barbados on 24 Oct–29 Nov (Michael St. John) was joined by a second bird on 9 Nov (Eddie Massiah); while another Ruff was on the south of the island at Congo Road Private Impoundment from 26 Oct–14 Nov (John Webster) before relocating to Woodbourne Shorebird Reserve on 21 Nov (Julian Moore). A further bird was photographed at Charca Yeguada, Camuy, Puerto Rico on 8 Nov (Gabriel Lugo); and another was discovered at Kindley Field, Bermuda on 14 Sep (Herb Marshall) and joined by a second bird from 19–21 Sep, with one bird remaining to 2 Oct. Bermuda hosted two Buff-breasted Sandpipers, one on Port Royal GC from 25 Aug–6 Sep (Neal Morris) and at Malabar Field Oct 21–23 (Paul Watson, Ian Fisher). In Barbados, two Buff-breasted Sandpipers were seen at Fosters Private Wetland, Saint Lucy on 22 Sep; then single birds at Congo Road on 27 Sep (John Webster) and Alaska Shooting Swamp 21–22 Oct (Muriel Aboso and Anthony Levesque). Scarce in Bermuda, two Baird’s Sandpipers were noted, with individuals at Ship’s Hill Pond on 12 Sep and Bermuda Airport on 2 Oct (Paul Watson). Unusually, a total of 13 White-rumped Sandpipers were recorded on Vieques Island, Puerto Rico 14–17 Sep including a record high six birds at Playa La Plata on 17 Sep (Gustavo Meléndez).

Jaeger to kingbirds

A Pomarine Jaeger was photographed resting on the ocean at Bonefish Point, Turks and Caicos Islands on 5 Oct (Agile LeVin). A Gull-billed Tern at Punta Glinde, Vieques Island, Puerto Rico on 17 Sep was the fifth island record (Gustavo Meléndez). Guadeloupe’s fourth record of White-winged Tern was photographed at Barrage de Gaschet and present from 1–8 Oct (Anthony Levesque); another was seen at Fosters Private Wetland, Saint Lucy, Barbados on 7 Nov (Julian Moore). Single Sandwich Terns were at Oistins Jetty, Christ Church, Barbados from 4–9 Aug (Julian Moore) and at Chancery Lane on 29 Aug (Michael St. John). An albatross (Diomedeidae sp.) was seen from HMS Diamond Rock, Martinique on 13 Nov—a huge bird about 600 meters from the boat flying across the waves without flapping its wings. Entirely white underneath with a slight dark border on the outer parts of the wings. Back, tail, and uppertail coverts were entirely white, with the mantle and wings entirely dark grey—almost slate-coloured. The head and neck were entirely white with a strong, dark bill (Gilles Duboux). Pelagic trips a few miles off the northeast coast of Bermuda in November produced a maximum of 75 Cahows (Bermuda Petrel) on 14 Nov and a rarely seen Black-capped Petrel was photographed on 18 Nov (Bob Flood et al). A Brown Pelican was first seen around Six Men’s Bay, Barbados on 15 Sep (Qunicy Clarke) and then seen at Oistins from 26 Oct to 8 Nov (Muriel Aboso and Anthony Levesque). A Grey Heron continued its stay on Barbados, seen at Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge from 22 Sep–30 Nov+ (Ian Alkins); while another was photographed at Vasière – Savane des Pétrifications, Martinique on 15 Oct (Patrice Laune).

In Barbados, Glossy Ibis numbers peaked at 40 birds on 3 Sep including flocks of 24 at Fosters Private Wetland (Michael St John) and 15 at Woodbourne Shorebird Reserve (Quincy Clarke, Julian Moore). A White-faced Ibis was photographed on Lyford Cay GC, New Providence, Bahamas from 11 Oct–30 Nov+ (Peter Kemp, Carolyn Wardle). A single Eurasian Spoonbill was flying over Easy Benn Guest House, Saint Joseph, Barbados on 4 Sep, remaining to 30 Nov+ at Fosters Private Wetland, Saint Lucy (Julian Moore); another was discovered at Grand Marais de Port-Louis on 10 Sep with two present 17–24 Sep. These mark the second and third records for Guadeloupe, with one bird last seen at Barrage de Gaschet on 8 Oct (Anthony Levesque). A Swallow-tailed Kite over Crystal Caves, Bermuda on 6 Sep was a very rare fall record (Ted Nichols II). A White-tailed Hawk was last seen at Long Pond, Saint Andrew, Barbados on 10 Nov (Frantz Delcroix, John Webster). A Red-shouldered Hawk was photographed at P.T.R Turiguano, Ciego de Ávila on 22 Nov for the first Cuban record (Serguei Alexander López Perez)—due to the bird’s distinctly pale plumage, it was identified to the non-migratory subspecies resident in southern Florida (B.l.extimus), probably the result of a wave of Arctic weather coming from Florida in mid-November. The first Common Kestrel for Barbados was seen at the Bell Pumping Station Antenna Site, St. Michael from 26 Oct–12 Nov (Muriel Aboso and Anthony Levesque)—the third record for the West Indies. A Vermilion Flycatcher was photographed at PN Guanahacabibes Casa del Leñador, Pinar del Rio, Cuba on 30 Oct (José Alberto Pérez Hechavarría). Single Western Kingbirds were seen on Hinson’s Island, Bermuda on 22 Oct (Erich Hetzel); and photographed at Faro Roncali, Piar del Rio, Cuba on 30 Oct (José Alberto Pérez Hechavarría); and photographed in the Ardastra Zoo and Gardens, New Providence, Bahamas from 11–16 Nov (Hendrew Haley). Single Grey Kingbirds were seen in Bermuda at Cedar Grove Fields on 9 Sep (Luke Foster) and photographed at Somerset Long Bay NR on 16 Oct (Neam Morris).

Vireos to cowbird

Two Red-eyed Vireos were seen at Harrison’s Point, Barbados on 19 Oct (Julian Moore).

A Cuban Martin was a surprise at Spring Hall, St. Lucy from 26 Aug–23 Sep mingling with a flock of Caribbean Martins (Julian Moore). An impressive flock of at least 120 Barn Swallows was counted at Bermuda Airport on 14 Oct (Eva Bottelli). With only three records in the past 40 years, the appearance of a Cave Swallow at the East End of Bermuda from 8–11 Sep and a likely second individual from 29–31 Oct were notable. The second record of Arctic Warbler for the region was discovered at Port Royal GC, Bermuda from 26–28 Oct. Astonishingly, this was only metres from the first record in 2014. Its identity was once again confirmed with sound recordings as well as excellent photos (Ian Fisher, Joanne Smith, Paul Watson). Rarely seen in Bermuda, a Red-breasted Nuthatch was seen in St. Georges on 22 Oct (Ian Fisher).

A Grey-cheeked Thrush was sound recorded at Les Jardins des Lataniers (La Désirade), Guadeloupe on 31 Oct (Anthony Levesque, Muriel Aboso, Jérôme Oster). A Swainson’s Thrush was photographed in Boven NP, Sint Eustatius on 21 Oct (Jake Bass, Stenapa Research). Three Red Crossbills were seen at Fort Victoria, Bermuda on 15 Nov (Paul Watson). Lapland Longspurs have only been recorded twice in the West Indies (Cuba),—though there are multiple records from Bermuda—so two additional records in Cuba were significant. One was photographed at Guanahacabibes, Pinar del Río, Cuba on 21 Oct (José Alberto Pérez Hechavarría), with another photographed at Camino Las Salinas, Matanzas, Cuba on 30 Oct (Felix Figueroa). An American Pipit, the first record for the Cayman Islands, was photographed at the Sewage Ponds, George Town on 21 Oct (Simon Artuch), and it was joined by a second bird on 15 Nov (Matt Southgate). A Lark Sparrow was a very good find on Reef GC, Freeport, Bahamas on 25 Sep (Martha Cartwright). Very rare in the Bahamas, a Vesper Sparrow was photographed on Sand Cay, West Grand Bahama on 16 Nov (Hrudy Sawyer). A Yellow-headed Blackbird was a great find at Cedar Grove Fields, Bermuda on 1–2 Sep (Luke Foster)—the first record for 48 years. An Orchard Oriole was photographed at Morgan’s Point, Bermuda on 21 Aug (Trevor Rawson). Cuba’s first record of Bronzed Cowbird was photographed at Cabo San Antonio, Pinar del Río, Cuba on 14 Oct (Dayron Breto).

Warblers to tanagers

Two Prothonotary Warblers were seen in Barbados at Graeme Hall Swamp on 9 Nov (Musse Björklund) and at Fusilier Road, St. George on 22 Nov (Macrae Hoyos). A Tennessee Warbler was photographed at Fosters Private Wetland, St. Lucy, Barbados on 31 Oct (Michael St. John). A Kentucky Warbler was photographed at Quill NP, Sint Eustatius on 24 Sep (Adam Mitchell). A rather unusual Blackburnian Warbler was photographed in Saint Barthélemy at Rue Jacques-Antoine Laplace on 13 Sep (Robert Lockett). A Townsend’s Warbler was present at the Garden of the Groves, Grand Bahama on 21–27 Sep (ph. Martha Cartwright). An exciting record for the Cayman Islands was an extremely rarely recorded young male Black-throated Blue Warbler x Yellow-rumped Warbler. Close examination shows this bird has the coloration and features such as a mask, white axillaries and white wing check resembling a Black-throated Blue Warbler. The uppertail covert pattern (gray with black centers), yellowish breast, fainter side streaking, mask, and a bold supercilium fit well with a Yellow-rumped Warbler. There are only two eBird records of this hybrid, both documented in 2025 coincidentally.

Also in the Cayman Islands, an immature/female Mourning Warbler in Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, Grand Cayman on 3 Nov (Tonja Wight, Ian Kirkham, Simon Artuch); single Golden-winged Warblers photographed on Canaan Land Road on 1 Oct (Ian Kirkham, Scott Elliott, Simon Artuch) and in Barker’s NP on 13 Oct (Denny Swaby); and a Kentucky Warbler in George Town on 25 Aug (Jen Artuch, Simon Artuch). Notable warbler sightings in Guadeloupe included: three Tennessee Warblers with one photographed at Big Canique (La Désirade) from 3–4 Oct (Anthony Levesque), another photographed at Étang du Vieux Fort (Sainte-Rose) on 16 Nov (Claire Affagard), and a third seen at Grande Anse (Deshaies) on 20 Nov (Anthony Levesque); a male Hooded Warbler photographed on Marie-Galante on 29 Nov (Anthony Levesque); a Bay-breasted Warbler photographed at Chemin de la Ramée (La Désirade) on 30 Oct and 1 Nov (Anthony Levesque); and a significant fallout of Blackpoll Warblers included a maximum count of 80 birds at Parcelles Est Gîtes Amour d’Olivier (La Désirade) on 27 Oct (Anthony Levesque, Jérôme Oster).

Scarce migrant warblers in Puerto Rico included a Swainson’s Warbler photographed at Reserva Natural Punta Guaniquilla, Cabo Rojo on 22 Oct (Julio Salgado); and a Canada Warbler photographed at Aguadilla on 21 Oct (Julio Salgado). On Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, 15 migrating warbler species were recorded during the fall including: the third fall records of Louisiana Waterthrush and Magnolia Warbler on the road to the radar facility on 27 Nov (Gustavo Meléndez); Blue-winged Warbler (second island record) at Cerro El Buey on 21 Nov (Erick Bermúndez); Kentucky Warbler (fifth island record) at Vieques National Wildlife Refuge on 18 Oct (Julio Salgado); Bay-breasted Warbler (an island first and a rare migrant in Puerto Rico) at Punta Arenason 17 Oct (Julio Salgado); and a record high count of 32 Blackpoll Warblers along the Laguna Boca Quebrada road on 18 Oct (Julio Salgado). Five Summer Tanagers were seen in Bermuda Arboretum on 25 Oct (Ian Fisher, Paul Watson)—a record high count. A Scarlet Tanager, only the third island record for Vieques Island, Puerto Rico was seen along the Laguna Boca Quebrada Road on 18 Oct (Julio Salgado).

Report edited by Andrew Keaveney, 03 Mar 2026.