Dominican Republic II

Another morning at the Botanical Gardens in Santa Domingo and maybe chance to capitalise on yesterday's finds. Before leaving I had found a breeding colony of Antillean Palm Swift (not surprisingly in a Palm Tree) but no matter how I tried no photos materialised of these super fast flying machines.

However, it was far less of a wait for the first addition to the World List and an 'endemic' to boot

BLACK-CROWNED PALM-TANAGER

Another presumed CAPE MAY WARBLER

but this was all I could do with the only AMERICAN REDSTART of the day, a female.

An even greater miss, of catastrophic proportions, was not getting a better photograph of this nifty

BLACK and WHITE WARBLER

another LIZARD and a

hovering BUTTERFLY

along with more of the same HISPANIOLAN LIZARD CUCKOO

PRAIRIE WARBLER

YELLOW-FACED GRASSQUIT and then

the 'third' Hummer

the 'endemic' HISPANIOLAN EMERALD* (male)

along with a number of juvenile males.

with moustachial stripe showing, should be safe to

ID this as BLACK-WHISKERED VIREO

This was when the up until now

the 'heard only'

HISPANIOLAN PARAKEET*

put in a show

another 'endemic' and by definition 'Lifer'.

A Hispaniolan Woodpecker takes a peek out of the nest hole.

Perched DRAGONFLY

along with the final bird of the day and another 'Lifer' GREATER ANTILLEAN BULLFINCH
Trip Total stands at  =  158
Lifers  =  24

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