Guadeloupe

There is quite a problem with both shipboard and shoreside Internet access so for this reason some posts may be scant on narrative

Welcome to GUADELOUPE also known as the Butterfly Island due to the shape the 2 conjoined islands form.

Before leaving the ship we could hear both BLACK-FACED GRASSQUIT and

BANANAQUIT almost outdoing the welcoming 'Steel Band'.

Our guide ANTHONY LEVESQUE, seen here with PETER DAVIES, was contacted via the Birding Pal Website which has work very well for me on a number of occasions now. Antony was confident via his e-mails that we should see the countries only endemic and at least 13 Lesser Antillean endemics. Peter on the other hand turns out to be close friends of 2 of my mates who I met in Jordan Jill Williams. He and wife Janet also send their Best Wishes to Martin Cade, John Lucas, JR, Duncan Walbridge et al who he also knows. So yet another coincidence and a great chance to invite him along for the day. * indicates endemic, LA for Lesser Antillean, 'lifers' in red.

NUTMEG MANNIKIN along with Orange-cheeked Waxbill (both introduced species) were first on the list,

followed by this cracking YELLOW WARBLER.

The first proper stop got the true endemic in the bag immediately, so I had to warn Anthony he would have to buck his ideas up

GUADELOUPE WOODPECKER*

Next and in quick succession at the same site PLUMBEOUS WARBLER showed up mob-handed, and as we reached the crest of the hill

there were c3 BROWN TREMBLER* waiting. This species was seen in St Kitts but very poorly so this was an added bonus.

 LA BULLFINCH* along with Pearly eyed* and Scaly-breasted Thrasher* were also seen here.

Next came FOREST ROBIN* as we walked towards the lake, this at about 400 metres the highest point of the day.

Not totally approachable but good enough.

FUNGI for the Punk!

At the pond Anthony deftly 'called'

LA PEWEE* from the depths of the Rain Forest

before spotting 2 of the 3 BRIDLED QUAIL-DOVE* (photo © Google) i n the Mangrove root systems.

The last 2 birds had been seen from the very novel 'floating hide' from where we also saw this hunting GREEN HERON, at point blank rang,

and this really smart LIZARD

Moving location back to about 200m we were greated by a screaming squadron of AL SWIFT*, which were gone all too quickly, but did find all 3 of the LA 'Hummers' Crested Hummingbird* plus Green-throated* and PURPLE-THROATED CARIB* (above).

followed by this BANANAQUIT

seemingly still at the nest. LA Saltator* was also found here

as was this extremely smart

MANGROVE CUCKOO

Others on the list included American Redstart, Magnificent Frigatebird, Cattle Egret, Common Moorhen, American Kestrel, Osprey, Feral Pigeon, Zenaida Dove, Grey Kingbird, Bare-eyed Robin*

and finally

CARIBBEAN ELAENIA

 In a vain search for 'free' (or any) Internet access

I came across this dude who I stopped and talked to for a while before returning in heavy rain to the Voyager.

Finally, I should say that if you ever decided on Guadeloupe for birding Anthony would be your man. He is a professional guide and we could very well see why with 17 lifers for Peter and 6 for myself we also saw 14 of the Lesser Antillean endemics and the single true one. Best you get in touch!

Saint Lucia

 A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS ALL OVER THE WORLD

In 1965, aboard the Royal Navy frigate HMS Eskimo, I was privileged to visit the seaport of Massawa which was then part of the country of Ethiopia (now Eritrea). Along with a Russian Kotlin Sam missile destroyer , the USS Charles H Roan and a bevy of Ethiopian war canoes we were there to celebrate the ‘passing out’ of a number of the countries officer cadets from the Dartmouth Royal Naval College, Devon. Among them was one young Midshipman grandson of

EMPEROR HAILE SALASSIE

himself who inspected the various ‘guards’ of which I was part. The Lion of Judah and Power of the Trinity is not simply a figurehead to the Rastafarian People, but to many a God and revered as such, so this manifestation was to have far reaching effect on me in later life. I seemed to have something of an affinity with the Rasta and have enjoyed much of their company throughout the world, not least in London and Panama. Today was to be yet another delight in the same direction.

Talking of direction mine today was restricted to seeing, even if briefly, one of the most endangered birds in the world, and I would need some help. Seeing these 2 Rasta Men lounging in the middle of the capital Castries I made an enquiry which sent me scurrying for the

COLLECTIVO BUS to

SOUFIERE during which time I met

SIMION who turned out to be my guardian angel.

Not able to find me either a taxi or a guide, he directed me to the nearest bar to discus the next tactic over a couple of

Spiced Rums. After the board meeting we headed for the sea front where we met up with some of his Rasta pals 

who suggested, after buying me yet another beer,that the chances of my plight would be better from

but only after they had delivered some groceries and then headed for home.

Allow me to introduce you to my new found pals, from left, EDGAR, CRYER, KEVAN (the camera carrier) and SIDHAN.

HOME

What was the old Slave Massers house

The house is now owned by Mrs EDWARDS with splendid views

over CANERIES

and onward to the PITONS

EDGAR with ZIZI Cryer's daughter and
 
Mrs Edwards' grand daughter.

The GARDEN

and the BELL which be rung by the Masser should he see any slaves doing what they should not be.

The plan to find me transport and a guide had now paled, with Plan B being, they would take me themselves to the rain-forest.

Another of the Rasta's favourite passtimes followed and we were off.

Reaching the mountain top it was a steep, slippery and dangerous walk down hill

to the river and

On the way down (and back) we dined on COCOA BEANS

which you simply such at this time of year

GRALEFRUIT and Coconuts Yum, Yum!

Then, at last, the first bird a BROAD-WINGED HAWK

followed by TROPICAL MOCKINGINGBIRD

BELTED KINGFISHER

by which time it was raining cats and dogs but not what I wanted to see.
Then there was an almighty squawking and the lads ran into the forest and
flushed c2

SAINT LUCIA PARROTS
photo from Google.
The impossible had been achieved and we returned to the house wet through but very happy

A few more beers and a BLACK-FACED GRASSQUIT or two

before saying farewell to my new buddies.
The hand sign denotes the Power of the Trinity.

What a day, what fun, what an achievement and what company!
My thanks go to
Kevan, Edgar, Cryer and Sidhan - bless you and may your God go with you!
RESPECT!