Friday 28 December 2012

Grenada

The day didn't start quite as planned, mainly due to a default in the Internet access. I was unable to contact Anthony (Jerry) Jeremiah via that mode so had to wait until we hit the beach and get someone to volunteer their mobile phone to make contact. 
 
 While waiting we did clock this BLUE HERON on the harbour wall as Jerry was there in a matter of moments, but as we headed towards our first stop the
another phone call up-skittled things even further. Jerry had 'double booked' and with 2 of us already in a four seater Peter graciously backed out to accompany Janet on an organised tour. Dropping me at the Visitor Center to have a scout around Jerry took Peter back and picked up the others.
Meanwhile I started off silently through the forest where recent torrential rain had mad things almost impassable! Some FUNGI,
Plenty of Fauna
including this one foot high CACTUS
at least kept the camera clicking.
With just 20 minutes at my disposal I turned to return, and there directly in front of me was the day's target bird
GRENADA DOVE* (endemic)
agreed not very good photographs
but in poor light and shaking like a kitten it's not surprising! There are thought to be less than 200 of these Doves in existence, which are still being strongly predated by introduced Mongoose which are being eradicated painfully slowly.
The other 2 joined us, an American man and wife who live in Costa Rica, who were so 'anti-social' that even after introducing myself with a hand shake I still, at time of writing don't know their names!
Some of the local terrain.
GRENADA FLYCATCHER 
was next on the list, the second 'Lifer' in quick succession. Then to the
where
LESSER YELLOWLEGS,
TRICOLORED HERON*
and FIDDLER CRABs just viewable as only the 'clump claw' was shown.
Another BLUE HERON,
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON,
CARIB GRACKLE
along with the first SMOOTH-BILLED ANI* of the trip.
Driving to what would be the highest point of the day, we 'staked out' these food plants for the
RUFOUS-BREASTED HERMIT* which performed very well.
LIZARD
LADY wearing a pink dress in a BLACK BOAT is how the Islanders describe the MACE/NUTMEG.
The pink is the former, black the latter.
GOLDEN APPLES
CARIBBEAN COOT with BLUE-WINGED TEAL
PASSION FLOWER
another LIZARD
and a TERMITES NEST.
Jerry was a very good guide, who's link I will add at a later date.
If you decide on 'birding' Grenada then best decide on Jerry!