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Columns : Bird Talk - Erika Gates Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM


Grand Bahama Birding Group views over 20 species of bird on recent walk
By Erika Gates
Apr 12, 2013 - 12:40:24 AM

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Receiving Bahamas Birding Certificates are Judy Bierma 64 species,Mary Seidel 79 species, Chuck Seidel 109 species, Granddaughter Edith Holmsten with 53 species

Freeport, Bahamas - Grand Bahama Birders March monthly fieldtrip took place on Saturday, March 23rd and the following species were recorded during a two hour walk at Garden of the Groves and the adjacent Shannon Nature Trail:
 
Least Grebe; Pied-billed Grebe; Little blue Heron; White-cheeked Pintail; Turkey Vulture; American Coot; Common Gallinule; White-crowned Pigeon; Eurasian-collared Dove; Cuban Emerald Hummingbird; Hairy Woodpecker; La Sagra's Flycatcher; Northern Mockingbird; Gray Catbird; Red-legged Thrush; American Redstart; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher; Black and white Warbler; Prairie Warbler; Western Spindalis; and Thick-billed Vireo.
 
After the bird walk the group recorded their observations at the Garden cafe deck and several birders were issued their Bahamas Birding Certificate. These certificates are sponsored by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Grand Bahama Nature Tours and encourage resident and visiting birders to get out there and add new Bahamian species to their life list.
 
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Painted Bunting - Photo by Chuck Seidel

Good wishes and good birding in Texas were expressed by all to Mary and Chuck Seidel who are leaving the island to return to their home in Houston. Chuck has contributed many outstanding bird photographs to my birding articles and his expertise in capturing the beauty of our feathered friends will be missed. He and Mary will have plenty of time to pursue their hobby on the Great Texas Birding Trail as Professor Seidel has recently retired from his teaching position at Ross University.
 
I was able to treat Mary and Chuck and their daughter Jennifer and husband John as well as their grandchildren Edith and Natalie to a special farewell show later that day in our Garden at home. I asked the family to visit at a certain time when I know that the birds appear for their evening bath. I wanted Chuck to have one last opportunity to "shoot" his final photos of our special Bahamian birds and we were not disappointed as is obvious from the pictures below which Chuck sent me that same evening! Thanks Chuck!
 
Our next field trip will take place on April 20th. We will meet at Garden of the Groves at 8 am and visit the pine forest to look for Olive-capped and Pine Warbler, Bahama Warbler and the elusive Nuthatch, followed by birding at Lucayan National Park. This will be an extended field trip and I suggest to bring a sandwich or such and beverage. We will have a break at Grand Bahama Nature Tours' picnic site on Gold Rock Beach.

I will make an 11 seater bus available. Duration of field trip: 4 hours.

Great birding!

(thanks for recording, Mary Tarzwell!)


Erika Gates – Bird Talk: owner of Kayak Nature Tours (one of the first Eco-Tour businesses in The Bahamas); co-founder of the Ecotourism Association; a published writer; and a Cacique award winner! Her column Bird Talk will enlighten and educate us about birds of The Bahamas, as well as the importance of Ecology. Erika can be reached at gbntours@hotmail.com



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La Sagra's Flycatcher - photo by Chuck Seidel



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Thick-billed Vireo - photo by Chuck Seidel



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