FOURTH NEW BIRD DISCOVERED IN ST. KITTS IN 2017!!!

By: Mikey Ryan

On day two of my annual bird species count in St .Kitts, I decided to head up to Wingfield level in the Mountains. Arriving there at 7:00 am, I ventured up the dirt road under the canopy of trees. A movement on the ground caught my eye, and I spotted a bird which was hopping along the ground, foraging for food. After checking it out in my Binoculars, I took several pictures. I guessed it was a Thrush, but was not sure. The closer I got to it, the more it casually moved up the road away from me!

Later in the day, I checked my pictures, and there was no doubt, it was a Swainson ’s Thrush. This bird is extremely rare, unlikely to be found this far South, and was probably blown in by Hurricane Maria.

A new addition to the St. Kitts list, and the fourth new bird added to our list this year. A good feeling indeed!