Antigua 2026

A few of my favourite shots from our family holiday in Antigua.

It turned out that late April/early May was not the best time to visit, in that the flow through of migrants had dried up, as had much of the standing water.  Fortunately, this was a beach holiday rather than birding expedition, and from that perspective Antigua was perfect!

The highlights for me were 1) the lifers, 2) the hummingbirds around the hotel and 3) the herons on McKinnon’s Pond.

Tri-coloured Heron

Very graceful birds.


Grey Kingbird

Not a shrike or a kingfisher, but looks like a bit of both.


Snowy Egret

These birds, together with the Great Egrets, dominate the local Heron population.


White crowned Pigeon

A new bird for me.


Black crowned Night Heron

I have been lucky enough to catch one in the UK this year. They are rare over here but numerous on McKinnon's pond and easy to see early in the morning



Yellow crowned Night Heron

I didn't even know such a bird existed until it appeared on the far shore of the pond on the third day. I was luck enough to catch a few shots of closer birds later in the holiday.



Antillean crested Hummingbird



Green Heron

A ubiquitous bird on the island. This is one of the first shots I took, as there were two Green Herons, adult and juvenile, on the shallow pond next to the hotel car park.





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