Times of the Islands Winter 2022/23

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At the peak of the last ice age (roughly 20,000 years ago), almost all of Canada and some of the northern US was covered in ice and much of the area south of this was similar to Arctic conditions extant today — taiga down to the Gulf of Mexico, cold steppe grassland on the Great Plains. As the ice retreated, many birds began to move north each season to exploit the increasing area of habitat available. This north to south movement, increasing over thousands of years as the ice retreated, likely formed the origins of the annual avian migration pattern we see today. Migration patterns continue to change in response to environmental factors. Many swans, ducks, and geese are no longer flying as far south and west as in the past to escape cold weather in the east and north. The waterbodies that they use now remain unfrozen for longer periods because of milder winters. They have no need to use up precious energy resources flying further than necessary. This phenomenon has become known as “short-stopping.” We are yet to notice any short-stopping in TCI (though this is not to say it is not happening). To record such a phenomenon requires years of regular monitoring so that change can be detected. This monitoring has not happened here as it does in the more populous countries where there are hundreds of thousands of birdwatchers who want to put their hobby to good use. As volunteers, their data is collected and analysed. Around 75% of all the regular species found in North America migrate. These means that over four billion birds migrate in fall across North America. Some move only as far as the southern states and the Gulf coast, others into Central America and the Caribbean, and a few much further down to southern Argentina. Species that migrate vary from the well-known and obvious snow and Canada geese and sandhill cranes, to a host of small birds like warblers, tanagers, orioles, and sparrows — many of which occur here in TCI. These are generally birds of the bush, but many are as likely to occur (and much more likely to be observed) in your garden or yard as they are in an area of bush. They will come to you, their stories are fascinating, and together form one of the natural world’s great events. One example: On October 21, 2022, hundreds of thousands of blackpoll warblers appeared across TCI. There was a steady movement east all day and birds appeared everywhere from ground level to the tops of the tallest trees. Over the next few days, numbers grew, with birds using even a single tree in an otherwise urban area. Many were reported dead or injured from collisions with windows, falling prey to cats, or becoming victims of traffic. By early November, numbers had fallen dramatically through mortality and presumably, the birds continuing on their next stage of migration. SIMON BUSUTTIL Cape May warblers spend the winter in TCI, feeding on fruit, nectar, and invertebrates. This one was photographed near Juba Sound, Providenciales in November 2021. 52 www.timespub.tc
Blackpoll warblers breed in the extensive spruce forests of Alaska and Canada and migrate to spend the winter in northern South America. It is thought that in autumn, the entire world population of this species passes through the Caribbean. For the Alaskan breeders this is an annual round trip of 11,000 miles. Birds leave Canada when the wind is from the northwest, heading southeast out into the Atlantic before picking up the easterly trade winds over the Tropics to arrive on their wintering grounds. It is likely that this year, they encountered unusual weather that forced them west and “grounded” them in TCI in particularly large numbers. Warblers are the typical small birds of the bush that “seep” and “sip” and disappear into the leaves. They always occur in larger numbers in autumn than in spring. Numbers moving across North America are about half a billion lower in spring after mortality during the winter months and from losses on migration. Also, birds migrate more quickly in spring. There is an understandable urgency to press on quickly to the northern breeding grounds and claim a mate and territory. Unlike the blackpoll warblers, most North American birds migrate through Mexico with only outlying individuals coming through the Lucayan archipelago. The peak time to look out for these scarcer migrants — colourful orioles, tanagers, grosbeaks, and warblers — is in October, but migration runs from August through to November and then again in the spring. Most migration takes place at night. Early morning is when these birds are most obvious — hungry after their night’s flight and learning about their new temporary environment. But they will be active all day if you sit tight and wait. Fresh water in a garden can be a great attraction as the day wears on. Whilst many of these birds, including the blackpoll warblers, move on by late November, several species spend the winter with us, departing north in spring. Cape May warblers feed on fruit, nectar, and invertebrates during their winter in TCI. They can be found in both native bush and landscaped grounds. Numbers vary enormously each year as the population is controlled by the number of spruce budworms available to feed their young in the forests of northern North America. In good years the population booms. (This winter 2022/23 is a poor one compared to last year.) Alongside Cape May warblers there are delicate grey and yellow parula warblers, and both black-throated blue warblers and yellow-throated warblers whose names describe them perfectly. The former two are more There are many inconspicuous birds that have only been recorded a few times in TCI but are likely more common. From top: Rose-breasted grosbeak photographed along the road to North West Point, Providenciales in November 2022. Eastern wood pewee photographed near Juba Sound, Providenciales in November 2021. Tennessee warbler photographed near Juba Sound, Providenciales in October 2021. JEFFREY HAAKE SIMON BUSUTTIL Times of the Islands Winter 2022/23 53
Page 1 and 2: TIMES OF THE SAMPLING THE SOUL OF T
Page 4 and 5: contents Departments 6 From the Edi
Page 6 and 7: from the editor MICHAEL MORTON—WW
Page 8 and 9: The Leading Private Bank in the Tur
Page 11: Building Your Vision, Delivering Ex
Page 17 and 18: PROTECT THE HOME YOU LOVE WHEN YOU
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Times of the Islands Winter 2022/23

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