From February 23-28, 2026, BirdsCaribbean, together with the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources of Puerto Rico and Manomet Conservation Sciences, hosted a five-day Shorebird and Waterbird Identification and Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) training workshop at Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The workshop brought together 27 conservationists from 10 Caribbean countries for a week of bird identification, wetland conservation, field surveys, and collaborative learning.
Caribbean wetlands are some of the region’s most important ecosystems. From mangroves and mudflats to salt ponds and beaches, these wetlands are special places for birds! They provide critical habitat for regional endemics like the West Indian Whistling-Duck, as well as thousands of migratory shorebirds traveling on the Atlantic Flyway. Yet these habitats continue to face mounting pressure from pollution, habitat degradation and development, disturbance, and climate change.
Monitoring helps conservationists identify and protect important sites, track population changes, understand threats, and guide management decisions. But effective monitoring requires people with the skills and confidence to identify birds, conduct surveys, and build long-term programs.
The perfect location?
Located on Puerto Rico’s southern coast, Jobos Bay NERR could not have been a better place to host a wetland and waterbird workshop. Its mangroves, salt flats, lagoons, and coastal wetlands support an impressive diversity of resident and migratory waterbirds, offering participants daily opportunities to practice identification and survey techniques in the field! Not only that, Jobos Bay has a wonderful classroom space to gather each day for presentations, quizzes and discussions. It was the ideal place to bring people together to learn about wetlands, waterbirds, and monitoring techniques. Participants gathered from across the region for a week of learning, idea-sharing, and fun.
Getting to know each other… and the birds
The workshop began with introductions, as participants got to know one another and learned about Jobos Bay and the surrounding area. With so many Spanish speakers in the room it was great to have the translation services of Efrén Esquivel, to make the workshop bilingual and smooth the way for seamless introductions and information sharing for the whole week.
Once everyone knew who everyone else was and all about our special location for the week it was time to find out more about BirdsCaribbean and our partners for the week Manomet Conservation Sciences. Everyone got to grips with the plan and aims for the week – including plenty of learning both in the classroom and out in the field.
On this first day the group got an overview of the Caribbean Waterbird Census program, and about the importance of wetlands across the Caribbean. Bird ID began with a gentle introduction getting everyone to think about key field marks to look for and thinking about how different groups of birds look and behave differently. But soon it was time to dive deeper and get an introduction to some of the common shorebirds and waterbirds of the Caribbean and how to identify them.
Everyone received a full set of resources to ensure they were ‘field-ready’, including binoculars, bird ID cards, tally counters, and survey forms. Before the end of the day it was time to put these resources to use and head into the field for the first time, for the first of many days, combining classroom learning with field practice. This made sure that everything that was learned in the classroom could be immediately practiced in the real world!
Wading into waterbirds
The second day focused on more bird identification and introduced participants to conducting surveys and survey methods. The day kicked off with a fun field session at Lago Canta Sapo, a small pond that punched above its weight in terms of wetland bird diversity. Participants had the chance to put the ID skills they learned the day before into practice. Small groups worked through identification challenges together while instructors were on hand with helpful tips and and identification challenges suited to all skill levels. Highlights included a Ruddy Duck and Least Bittern.
Back in the classroom the ID learning continues with more on waterbirds, shorebirds and landbirds! The group also started on a key topic for the week – monitoring. Finding out about the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) and getting a great introduction to the International Shorebird Survey (ISS). The good news for everyone was the CWC survey also ‘count’ as ISS surveys so they can contribute to two survey efforts in one go!
Studying shorebirds and understanding threats
The next day started early with a trip to Las Mareas – mangrove and mudflat area that is part of Jobos Bay NERR. Shorebird ID was the main focus of the morning. The birds certainly cooperated, providing everything from large Hudsonian Whimbrels down to the smallest “peeps” (small sandpipers) for participants to practice on.
In the classroom sessions shifted towards thinking about wetland sites, including monitoring and conservation challenges. Participants learned how monitoring programs can document habitat change, identify emerging threats, and support conservation planning and management decisions. Discussions explored threats facing Caribbean wetlands, including coastal development, pollution, invasive species, disturbance, and climate-related impacts such as sea level rise.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom, as the group also learned about site protection, and designation. This included an introduction to the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) and what is needed to get a site designated. This was followed up by an inspiring example of Cargill Salt Pond in Bonaire, the Caribbean’s second WHSRN site!
Data, surveys, and building programs
As the week continued, participants continued to practice their bird ID at some of the wonderful wetlands in Jobos, whilst also focusing on the practical side of running monitoring programs. There had been a distinct lack of birds during pre-workshop scouting visits, so it was a huge relief when they seemingly appeared on cue throughout the week! They must have known it was important to be there! In the classroom, sessions covered survey design, data recording, and the use of tools such as eBird to store and share observations. And, of course, participants continued honing their skills in the field.
The workshop emphasized that successful monitoring is not only about collecting data, but also about sustaining programs over time, training volunteers, and engaging local communities. Participants discussed how they might adapt what they learned to fit the realities of their own islands and organizations. By this point in the week, many participants were already talking about plans for expanding monitoring efforts back home.
Practice makes perfect
The final day brought together everything participants had learned throughout the week. The group spent the whole morning in the field at Aguirre State Forest and Punta Pozuelo. This gave everyone a final opportunity to practice identification and survey techniques before heading home. Then a quick stop by the beach and back to the Jobos Bay classroom via a fantastic local spot to cool down with some ‘Limbers’ (delicious frozen desserts in a cup).
Back at Jobos the group talked about funding and fundraising as well as discussing next steps for their local monitoring program, and local and regional collaboration and monitoring. We closed out with some fun, but highly competitive bird ID quizzes, some much deserved prizes from some of the outstanding participants from the week and certificates for everyone!
Looking ahead
Beyond the technical skills and many hours of practice in the field, the workshop also created space for Caribbean conservationists to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another. Participants left with stronger identification skills, muddy boots, memorable bird sightings, and an even stronger regional network of conservationists working toward a shared goal—protecting the Caribbean’s wetlands and waterbirds.
While the workshop was full of enthusiasm, discovery, and shared learning, it also highlighted the urgency of the work ahead. Wetlands across the region continue to face growing threats, and many migratory shorebird populations are declining. Building regional monitoring capacity is an important step toward better understanding and protecting these species and the habitats they depend on. Workshops like this help ensure that Caribbean conservationists have the knowledge, tools, and support needed to continue that work together.
We thank the US Forest Service International Programs, BirdsCaribbean donors & Cape Cod Bird Club for funding this workshop, and the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and Manomet Conservation Sciences for their invaluable partnership and support.