A number of species are restricted to the islands of the Lesser Antilles. The Lesser Antillean Pewee is another species confined to just a few islands including Dominica and is relatively easy to see in forest clearings and adjacent plantations. The Forest Thrush is also confined to the Lesser Antilles and whilst considered widely distributed in Dominica, both my visits failed to produce a sighting. The Scaly-breasted Thrasher, yet another Antillean speciality is far simpler to see favouring lowland dry woodland as much as rainforest. Birders in Britain waiting for the next twitchable Yellow Warbler will wonder why they have had to wait so long once they see the density of the species in Dominica.
Autumn brings a variety of North American migrants many of which over-winter.
But Dominica is not all forests. Along the coastline, mangroves, lagoons and marshy swamps all attract a variety of species which, during passage, include many visiting North American waders. A number of kingfisher and heron species make their home here. On the north-west coast the Cabrits Marine Park encompasses a peninsula joined to the mainland by a marine reserve of mangrove and swamp. At sea, Brown Pelicans, Royal Terns, Pomarine Skuas and Magnificent Frigatebirds can be seen at any time of the year.