Saturday 5 January 2013

Dominican Republic I

Another early arrival in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and once again I believe it was me who led the parade down the 'gang plank'. From information read and received there was to be lots of potential here and to make things easier most of it could be found in the
a 20 minute taxi rid away. The big surprise came with the price, just $5, so I booked the return journey for 4 hours hence.
Hardly through the gates of this well kept site and the first 'lifer' was in the bag, by way of the 'endemic'
PALMCHAT*
All around was the sweet singing of TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD similar to that of the Orioles,
and next to happen along was
YELLOW-FACED GRASSQUIT* another addition to the Trip List.
An 'Island' endemic
HISPANIOLAN LIZARD CUCKOO*
and HISPANIOLAN WOODPECKER*.
Might need a confirmation on this CAPE MAY WARBLER*
while this LIZARD remains just Sp. and the screaming of Antillean Palm Swifts met the ear.
Various Hummingbirds were buzzing around all over the place, but this difficult to see and photograph, ANTILLEAN MANGO did at least make it to the log and Trip List.
GREY KINGBIRD
along with another even more obliging Hipaniolan Woodpecker.
Northern Parula followed by
the second 'Hummer'
VERVAIN HUMMINGBIRD*.
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI
and PRAIRIE WARBLER