| McNair, D. G., F. Sibley, E. B. Massiah, and M. D. Frost. 2002. Ground-based Nearctic-Neotropic landbird migration during autumn in the eastern Caribbean. Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Occasional Paper 11:86-103. ABSTRACT.--We examined ground-based Nearctic-Neotropic landbird migration during autumn at coastal sites on two islands about 775 km apart in the eastern Caribbean, where autumn migration had not been previously studied using mist-nets. We sampled migrants using mist-nets at Harrison Point (HP), Barbados, for 42 days in 1997 and 31 days in 1998-1999, and at Guana Island (GI), British Virgin Islands, for 52 days during 1995-1999. We also obtained information on landbird migration from sight observations. We recorded 28 species of Nearctic-Neotropic landbird migrants at HP and 23 species at GI, for a total of 36 species. The volume of migration was low at both sites. The Blackpoll Warbler (Dendroica striata) was the most abundant migrant (98 captures, 206 observations at HP; 132 captures, 263 observations at GI). The Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) was the second most abundant migrant at HP (six captures, 101 observations), but was rare at GI (seven observations). The Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo o. olivaceus), previously considered a vagrant or scarce transient in the eastern Caribbean, was the third most abundant nocturnal migrant at HP (12 captures, 8 observations). At HP and GI, respectively, 23% and 33% of captured Blackpoll Warblers were after hatching year birds, compared to 8% and 14% for other Nearctic-Neotropic migrants. At both sites we recorded many scarce transients or apparent vagrants, some verified or seen for the first time in the eastern Caribbean. All species recorded except Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) at HP and Nashville Warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla) at GI, have been recorded at least once during winter in South America; however, more species wintering primarily within the West Indies occurred at GI. Autumn migration of Nearctic-Neotropic landbirds is a regular phenomenon to the eastern Caribbean for a few relatively abundant species moving to their winter range in South America, and also includes a large variety of scarce species. Other than Blackpoll Warblers, which migrate during autumn over the western North Atlantic Ocean through the West Indies to South America, the other Nearctic-Neotropic landbird migrants probably departed from southeastern North America for a shorter over-water crossing through the Greater Antilles and over the Caribbean Sea. RESUMEN.--Se estudi� la migraci�n por tierra del ne�rtico al neotr�pico de aves terestres durante el oto�o en sitios costeros de dos islas separadas aproximadamente 775 km la una de la otra en el este del Caribe, donde no se ha estudiado previamente la migraci�n de oto�o usando redes de neblina. Se muestrearon migratorios usando redes de neblina en Harrison Point (HP), Barbados, por 42 d�as en 1997 y 31 d�as en 1998-1999, y en Isla Guana (IG), Islas V�rgenes de Inglaterra, por 52 d�as durante 1995-1999. Tambi�n se obtuvo informaci�n sobre la migraci�n de aves terrestres por observaciones visuales. Se registraron 28 especies de aves migratorias terrestres ne�rtico-neotr�pico en HP y 23 especies en IG, para un total de 36 especies. El volumen de migraci�n fue bajo en ambos sitios. La Reinita Rayada (Dendroica striata) fue el migratorio m�s abundante (98 capturas, 206 observaciones en HP; 132 capturas, 263 observaciones en IG). El Cuclillo Pico Amarillo (Coccyzus americanus) fue el segundo migratorio m�s abundante en HP (seis capturas, 101 observaciones), pero fue raro en IG (siete observaciones). El Juli�n Chiv� Ojirrojo (Vireo o. olivaceus), previamente considerado vagante o escaso, fue el tercer migratorio nocturno m�s abundante en HP (12 capturas, 8 observaciones). En HP y GI, respectivamente, 23% y 33% de las capturas de Reinita Rayada fueron de aves de m�s de un a�o de edad, comparados con 8% y 14% de otros migratorios ne�rtico-neotr�pico. En ambos sitios se registraron muchos transeuntes escasos o vagantes aparentes, algunos documentados u observados por primera vez en el este del Caribe. Todas las especies registradas, salvo la Golondrina Ala de Sierra (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) en HP y la Reinita de Nashville (Vermivora ruficapilla) en IG, han sido registradas por lo menos una vez durante el invierno del norte en Sudam�rica; sin embargo, en IG se registraron m�s especies que invernan principalmente dentro de las Indias Occidentales. La migraci�n de oto�o ne�rtico-neotropico de las aves terrestres es un fen�mino regular en el este del Caribe para las especies relativamente abundantes que migran hacia su �rea de invernada en Sudam�rica, y tambi�n incluye una amplia variedad de especies escasas. Ademas de las Reinitas Rayadas, que migran durante el oto�o sobre el Noroeste Atl�ntico por las Indias Occidentales hasta Sudam�rica, las otras especies migratorias terrestres ne�rtico-neotr�pico probablemente parten del sudeste de Norteam�rica realizando un cruce m�s corto sobre el Mar del Caribe por las Antillas Mayores. KEY WORDS.--abundance, age, autumn migration, Barbados, Caribbean Sea, Coccyzus americanus, Dendroica striata, landbirds, migratory routes, Nearctic-Neotropic migrants, vagrants, Vireo o. olivaceus, Virgin Islands |
| ABSTRACT |
| STUDIES IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ORNITHOLOGY HONOURING RICHARD FFRENCH Edited by Floyd E. Hayes and Stanley A. Temple Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Occasional Paper 11, 2002 |