Xenornis

Yesterday afternoon, Rosabel Miró, Yenifer Díaz, Dinora López and Delicia and Darién Montañez ventured out on the mud at Playa El Agallito to get a better look at the flock of terns at the surf's edge. Tern of the day was an adult Forster's Tern in non-breeding plumage, easily told apart from the others by its size and bold black spectacles. Also seen were about five Common Terns and two Caspian Terns . The mudflats were full of shorebirds, including a few Sanderlings and American Oystercatchers. Then this afternoon, Rosabel, Yenifer, Dinora and Alfred Raab returned and saw at least 15 Blue-footed Boobies flying and fishing at the distance. I've never heard of them beeing seen at El Agallito. Is this the beginning of an El Niño invasion? Remember the recent records of large flocks from the upper reaches of the Gulf of Panama. We'll keep you posted.

Bill Porteous and Indra Candanedo spent the weekend on the Azuero Peninsula and sent a report on some interesting sightings: Aplomado Falcon. An adult, possibly 2, or the same bird seen twice. First seen on Friday 11 Feb hunting over a recently cut cane field just south of Divisa on the road to Chitré. Then on Sunday 13 Feb perched on a utility tower just west of Aguadulce by the side of the Panamerican Highway. These two sites are quite close together, which is why I think it may be the same bird. Caspian Tern. Two, with Gull-billed Terns, at the Ciénaga de las Macanas in Herrera, on 13 Feb. We watched both of them for some time as they flew around near the observation tower. The all-dark crown and thick, dark red bill were well seen as was the obvious dark tip on the underwing formed by the dark outer primaries. There was a flock of about 45 Lesser Scaup there as well. Prairie Warbler. An adult male in good plumage. This one was in a patch of mangrove 24Km west of Pedasí on the road ...

The PAS fieldtrip to Costa del Este could not locate any Long-billed Curlews, but had a Lesser Black-backed Gull, most likely the same individual that was seen the previous thursday at Paitilla. Also seen were Upland and Stilt Sandpipers, Least and Caspian Terns, and small flocks of migrating Mississippi Kites.

Easily a hundred, and possibly more, Gray Gulls were seen at Costa del Este on high tide. We also saw many Elegant Terns and one Caspian Tern . Last week's rains have flooded Costa del Este, creating two different ponds that were full of seabirds during high tide on Saturday and Sunday. They were mostly cormorants, but also Lughing and large groups of Franklin's Gulls, not to mention the Gray Gulls: about 25 were counted on Saturday, and at least a hundred were present on Sunday. Also, a small flock of Surfbirds in full breeding plumage, small flocks of Elegant Terns, a few Common Terns and one Caspian among the commoner Gull-billed and Sandwich's Terns. The ponds were noticeably smaller on Sunday, so it would be wise to check them ASAP, unless it keeps on raining. Expect an article about the Gray Gull Saga on the next Toucan