Route 66 - Chuck Berry et al

Well if you ever plan to motor west  
Just take my way that's the highway that's the best  
Get your kicks on Route 66

On my final full day in Puerto Rico there was really only one goal, that was to get back to San Juan. However, that was before far more powerful forces were sent to try me. No great distance, just 40 minutes by road, but taxis are in short supply, buses nonexistent and 'hitching' an unheard of practice here, so I am told. The unforeseen force came by way of Hilda Morales as she had 2 American lady birders in her care for the day. As a result she asked them if I could be included in their final foray to look for two Hummers that I had seen before but was keen to re-acquaint. In addition she had arranged transport for them to return to the capital, so with me sharing the cost was cut three ways - all was working out well! Picked up at my hotel at noon, as arranged, we were soon underway to the Hummer's site via Route 66. Approaching an underpass one of the ladies asked about the Hirundines flying close by to be told by Hilda "oh they are just the regular breeding colony of

 

 CAVE SWALLOWs"

'just' Cave Swallows, a long awaited 'lifer' for me!

If I was ever going to get to see this species, the nearest to UK would be Florida or Texas and even there they are said to be a little 'thin on the ground'. What a bonus! 

Well it winds from Chicago to L.A.

More than 2000 miles all the way

Get your kicks on Route 66

 

 

At the first blossoming 'Cedar' (as they call them) tree there was something of a heart-stopper as Hilda announced that the 'Grackle' like bird could well be an immature YELLOW-SHOULDERED BLACKBIRD, which she had seen at this location before. The matter is still not resolved, my (humble) opinion is Greater Antillean Grackle, but for once I will be delighted to be wrong. No Hummers there so quickly on as time was of the essence, and at the third time of asking there high in the tops was a

male GREEN-THROATED CARIB

 

and quite obliging. Little more time than for a few rapid shots
before departing for a known territory being vigorously defended.

Just as predicted by Hilda the

male ANTILLEAN CRESTED HUMMINGBIRD was extremely active, so I for one didn't get a photograph. Please note that some of the images in today's postare courtesy of Wiki! 

The PR List

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD, BROWN PELICAN, ROYAL TERN, CATTLE EGRET, SNOWY EGRET, GREAT EGRET, YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, GREEN HERON, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, WILSON’S PLOVER, KILLDEER, TURNSTONE, LEAST SANDPIPER, SANDERLING, MOORHEN, BROAD-WINGED HAWK*, RED-TAILED HAWK, OSPREY, SCALY-NAPED PIGEON, FERAL PIGEON, RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE*, WHITE-WINGED DOVE, ZENAIDA DOVE, COMMON GROUND-DOVE, CANARY-WINGED PARAKEET*, SMOOTH-BILLED ANI, BLACK SWIFT, PUERTO RICAN SCREECH-OWL (E)*, PUERTO RICAN LIZARD-CUCKOO (E)*, PUERTO RICAN EMERALD (E)*, ANTILLEAN CRESTED HUMMINGBIRD. GREEN-THROATED CARIB, GREEN MANGO (E)*, PUERTO RICAN WOODPECKER (E)*, PUERTO RICAN TODY (E)*, PUERTO RICAN FLYCATCHER (E)*, GREY KINGBIRD, CARIBBEAN MARTIN*, CAVE SWALLOW*, NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, PEARLY-EYED THRASHER, RED-LEGGED THRUSH, BLACK-WHISKERED VIREO, PUERTO RICAN VIREO (E)*, NORTHERN PARULA, BANANAQUIT, ANTILLEAN EUPHONIA*, PUERTO RICAN SPINDALIS (E)*, PUERTO RICAN TANAGER (E)*, BLACK-COWLED ORIOLE*, SHINY COWBIRD, GREATER ANTILLEAN GRACKLE, YELLOW-FACED GRASSQUIT, HOUSE SPARROW, PUERTO RICAN BULLFINCH (E)*, BRONZE MANNIKIN*.  

Lifers in Red, Additions to Trip List  *
PR Total = 56

PR 'Lifers' = 14

Trip Total = 698

Trip 'Lifers' = 286 
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Well goes from St. Louie down to Missouri

Oklahoma City looks oh so pretty

You'll see Amarillo and Gallup, New Mexico

Flagstaff, Arizona don't forget Winona

Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino

Would you get hip to this kindly tip

And go take that California trip

Get your kicks on Route 66  

Which will also take you back to San Juan!