The 2022 joint AOS-BC Conference in Puerto Rico was the setting for BirdsCaribbean’s fourth biennial photography competition. Over 800 wildlife professionals from 34 countries attended the conference with many of them using their cameras while they explored Puerto Rico’s rich biodiversity. With over 280+ gorgeous photographs submitted for review, the five judges certainly had their work cut out for them!
The judges found beautiful composition, impressive technique, and humor while reviewing the collection. Photos were taken between June 23 and July 5, 2022 and uploaded to Flickr (photo sharing site). Click here to see all the photos submitted in the contest (labeled with tag: BCPhotoContest2022). The Grand Prize was donated by Vortex Optics.
Photographers had the opportunity to submit up to six photographs in each of three categories:
Endemics – including endemic birds of Puerto Rico and regional endemics;
Fun With Birds and People – showing humans, birds and nature interacting (including conference activities); and
Birds and Nature – featuring Puerto Rico’s non-endemic birds, close-up shots of other wildlife, natural habitats, and landscapes.
BELOW ARE THE WINNERS, WITH SOME COMMENTS FROM THE JUDGES:
Grand Prize Winner
Red-legged Thrush by Edward Hernández-Lara. “Beautiful, expressive shot with great background and context.” The judges noted that the “colours are terrific,” and the photographer created a “fabulous bokeh effect with the thrush in sharp focus off-centre.” The Red-legged Thrush is a regional endemic found in the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico.
Red-legged Thrush by Edward Hernández-Lara.
ENDEMICS
FIRST PRIZE: Puerto Rican Owl by Ricardo Sanchez. “A wonderful shot that captures a brief moment between the subject and the photographer.” “Beautifully captured through the foliage.”
Puerto Rican Owl by Ricardo Sanchez.
SECOND PRIZE:Pearly-eyed Thrasher by Jadyn Scott. “The texture of the leaves is astounding, a flawless composition.” “This photo is so visually interesting but keeps the thrasher as the center of focus.”
Pearly-eyed Thrasher by Jadyn Scott.
THIRD PRIZE: Scaly-naped Pigeon by Jen O. “Great composition of an unusual pose.”
Scaly-naped Pigeon by Jen O.
Honorable Mentions in Endemics:King of the Jungle by Russell Campbell and Puerto Rican Tody by August Davidson-Onsgard. See photos in gallery below.
FUN WITH BIRDS AND PEOPLE
FIRST PRIZE: Local Feeding Pigeons in Old San Juan by Christina Kolbmann. “A well-lit, great shot that really sums up people’s engagement with the bird world.”
Local Feeding Pigeons in Old San Juan by Christina Kolbmann.
SECOND PRIZE: PROALAS Practice by Holly Garrod. “The framing and light capture a beautiful morning birdwatching.”
Practice Point Count in the BirdsCaribbean one-day post-conference Workshop on use of the PROALAS monitoring methods, Cambache Forest. Photo by Holly Garrod.
THIRD PRIZE:Chicken Crossing by Stella Uiterwaal. “Chickens take centre stage with soft focus of unaware people behind.”
FIRST PRIZE: Bananaquit Call by David Lariviere. “A lovely composition.” “You can almost hear the Coereva singing when you see this image.”
Bananaquit Call by David Lariviere.
SECOND PRIZE:Green Heron by A. Dorian Rose. “The lighting is fantastic with the shadowy breast and sun on the face and back.” “A well-lit, atmospheric shot.”
Green Heron by A. Dorian Rose.
THIRD PRIZE:Bridled Tern by Ricardo Sanchez. “A crisp image of a stunning bird; the cool palette reminds me of birdwatching on windy cliffs.”
Many thanks to our five fabulous judges: Andrew Dobson, Stephen Cutting, Daniel Serva, Ernesto Reyes, and Jessica Cañizares for their time and thoughtful consideration of each entry. Huge thanks also to Vortex Optics for donating the Grand Prize. We also really appreciate the effort everyone took to respectfully capture Puerto Rico’s wildlife and conference events. A big thank you to all those who entered the contest with your captivating and beautiful photos!
PLEASE ENJOY THIS PHOTO GALLERY OF ALL THE HONORABLE MENTIONS!
King of the Jungle, Puerto Rican Lizard Cuckoo by Russell Campbell. Honorable mention in the Endemics category.
Puerto Rican Tody by August Davidson-Onsgard. Honorable mention in the Endemics category.
Scanning for White-tailed Tropicbirds at Quebradillas by David LaPuma. Honorable mention in the Fun with Birds and People category.
Eggs for breakfast? Greater Antillean Grackles by Maggie MacPherson. Honorable mention in the Fun with Birds and People category.
Ubiquitous but beautiful Bananaquit by Amber Roth. Honorable mention in the Birds and Nature category.
Northern Red Bishop by Jessica Guenther. Honorable mention in the Birds and Nature category.
Roseate Tern by Bruce Lyon. Honorable mention in the Birds and Nature category.
The 12th annual Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) starts on Thursday January 14th and we need your help surveying all types of waterbirds on your island! Anyone can participate in the CWC. Grab your binoculars and your mask, head out to your nearest wetland or beach, and record the birds you see. Detailed information about how to conduct surveys can be found here.
Starting in 2010, dedicated bird enthusiasts have ventured into wetlands across the Caribbean to systematically survey all types of waterbirds (shorebirds, seabirds, wading birds, marshbirds, and waterfowl) each January 14th to February 3rd. The Caribbean is home to over 185 species of waterbirds, including a number of endemic and globally threatened species and many migrants. A structured, ongoing survey is essential for understanding how to best conserve this exceptional group of birds and manage their habitats.
Good luck, stay safe, and we look forward to hearing about your findings. If you have any exciting observations to report or photos to share, or need help with bird ID, please post to our Waterbird Group Listserve (everyone is welcome to join) and/or on our BirdsCaribbean Facebook page. For sharing on social media, use hashtags: #CaribbeanWaterbirdCensus and #WaterbirdsCount AND please tag us: @BirdsCaribbean
Count Birds & Stay Healthy
In these extraordinary times, many of our friends and partners are still trying to navigate their new normal and safely participate in outdoor activities. However, in many countries, we understand it is still not possible to do so. Participants of the Caribbean Waterbird Census should check their national guidelines to make sure their activities are in compliance with local health recommendations. Please take all the necessary precautions and stay safe, wherever you are!
The CWC Provides Critical Information about Wetlands & the Birds that Rely on Them
Wetlands are unique ecosystems that provide critical habitat to many specialist species. They are also one of the most threatened habitats in the world. Since 1900, 64% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared, and the Caribbean region is no exception to this crisis. In order to properly manage habitat for waterbirds in the Caribbean, we need to understand waterbird population trends. In addition, monitoring the health of waterbird populations and their habitats is beneficial to both birds and people, since we rely on the same habitats for our health and well-being.
Survey Team for North and Middle Caicos, Sarah Neima, Caleb Spiegel, Junel Blaise, B Naqqi Manco, Elise Elliott-Smith, Dodley Prosper, Craig Watson (Photo by Jen Rock)
Recent survey work in Turks and Caicos has revealed important sites for many shorebird species, including birds of conservation concern such as the Piping Plover and rufa Red Knot. In fact, teams surveying there recently documented record-breaking numbers of wintering Piping Plover in some areas and recording new Piping Plover sites altogether. This information is so important for conservation as just a few decades ago it was not well-understood where these endangered birds spent the winter. Now, we know the Caribbean plays a major role for the species and we are learning more with every survey effort.
Survey data can also be used as a tool to designate habitats that are essential for birds. For example, The Cargill Salt Ponds in Bonaire were designated a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) site of Regional Importance as a direct result of survey efforts. With the survey data we collected, our team was able to provide evidence that the site met the criteria for listing. Now, Cargill is dedicated to managing habitat for shorebirds on their property. It’s amazing what birding can achieve!
The CWC is also important for monitoring how hurricanes effect bird abundance and distribution. In 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria wreaked havoc in the Caribbean, damaging fragile wetland ecosystems. Results from the CWC in 2018 several months later were concerning, with our counters reporting dramatic declines in common bird species. The CWC in 2019 revealed encouraging numbers, especially for shorebird populations. It is important to continue monitoring the response of birds to hurricanes in the years that follow and we look forward to what the 2021 CWC will reveal.
Banded Birds
Be sure to be on the lookout for banded birds! Especially Piping Plovers, Red Knots, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, and Sanderlings. You may report your sightings to BandedBirds.org and the USGS Bird Banding Lab which oversee all banding in the United States.
Need Help?
Find a tricky shorebird in winter plumage that you can’t identify? Need help setting up an eBird account? Want to participate in the CWC but you’re not sure how to get started? Please contact BirdsCaribbean’s Executive Director Lisa Sorenson at lisa.sorenson@birdscaribbean.org.
Shorebird ID Resources
You can find all our free, downloadable shorebird resources by clicking “Resources” –> “Shorebird Resources” at the top of the page. You can download the pdf of our Quick ID Guide to Common Shorebirds of the Caribbeanhere. For use in the field, print on cardstock and laminate.
Also, check out our Common Shorebirds of the Caribbean poster, which is available in English, Spanish, and French. Download them from this page.
We also have available a two-page Common Shorebirds of the Caribbean ID Guide – you can download it here. All these ID resources work well in the entire Atlantic Flyway, not just the Caribbean islands.
Entering CWC Data in eBird
CWC data is stored on eBird Caribbean. If you participate in the CWC, it’s very important that you enter your data through this website using the correct CWC protocol, because this is where we collate all the data used for analyses. We don’t want to miss a single bird or site! Simply making an eBird list during these dates is not enough- the protocol is required for it to be CWC data.
If you are using the mobile eBird app to enter your data:
First, make sure the portal is set to eBird Caribbean (“Settings” –> “Portal”)
After you are done birding and press stop “Stop Track”
On the next page under the Date/Location and above Observers, click on “Incidental”
Select the appropriate CWC protocol under Observation Type
If you are using a desktopcomputer to enter your data:
Sign into your account on ebird.org/Caribbean
Enter location information
Select the appropriate CWC protocol under Observation Type
If you recorded your CWC data using the mobile eBird app and didn’t use the eBird Caribbean portal/input the correct CWC protocol :
After you have submitted your checklist on your smartphone:
Log into eBird on a desktop computer
Click on “My eBird” at the top of the screen
Click on “Manage My Checklists” on the right menu
For your CWC checklist, click on “View or Edit”
Click on “Edit Date and Effort”
For Observation Type, select “Other” and then choose the appropriate CWC protocol
Caribbean shorebirds count in 2020! With growing threats to their habitats, perhaps now more than ever.
As shorebirds begin to arrive in the Caribbean, many still have not fully transitioned from their breeding plumage, like this beautiful Black-bellied Plover. In the winter, these birds are mottled gray and white overall. (Photo by Jerome Foster)
Our Caribbean partners went out “shorebirding” in their favorite spots between September 3 and 9, 2020, as part of the Global Shorebird Count. Despite some local challenges, the efforts of Caribbean birders were rewarded. Worldwide, preliminary results show 1,567checklists from 1,303 unique locations where 146 species of shorebirds were recorded. The official 2020 results summary results have not been posted yet but will appear on the World Shorebirds Day website. The Caribbean should be well represented.
In the Dominican Republic, Grupo Acción Ecológica visited several sites important to shorebirds in Samaná, San Cristobál, La Vega and Peravia. They recorded a wide range of shorebird species and some large groups of birds including 800 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 600 Stilt Sandpipers, 420 Black-bellied Plover, and 350 Semipalmated Plover. They even encountered some less common species, likea group of three Wilson’s Phalaropes.
In Barbados, several BirdsCaribbean members spent the week of The Global Shorebird Count visiting the many swamps across the island. Notable observations included an impressive group of 32 Whimbrels, in addition to 6 Upland Sandpipers and another Wilson’s Phalarope. Other birds observed included Semipalmated Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Ruddy Turnstone, among many others.
Black-necked Stilts are found in the Caribbean throughout the year. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)
In Guadeloupe, Anthony Levesque visited Pointe des Chateaux and counted 430 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 19 Hudsonian Godwits and even a European subspecies of Whimbrel. See all the species on his eBird checklist here. On a different day during the week, he was able to capture an Eastern and Western subspecies of Willet foraging next to each other (see the eBird checklist for a photo). According to eBird, the “Eastern” subspecies breeds in saltmarshes along East Coast of U.S. while the “Western” breeds in marshy grasslands in the Interior West of North America. It seems that “East meets West” in Guadeloupe’s wetlands during migration!
Emma Lewis provided an excellent round-up of World Shorebirds Day with stunning photos in a blog article for Global Voices:
For some Jamaican birders, the highlight of World Shorebirds Day was perhaps the appearance of an adorable family of West Indian Whistling Ducks, captured on video by Damion Whyte, biologist, birder and a passionate social media educator on all things environmental. Others in Jamaica were not so lucky. Members of BirdLife Jamaica — much fewer in numbers this year, due to COVID-19 restrictions — trekked in ones and twos to their favorite viewing sites. One member, on arriving in Old Harbour Bay after heavy rains the day before, found the location overwhelmed with mud!
Young birders celebrate World Shorebirds Day in Ashton Lagoon with SusGren on Union Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. (Photo by SusGren)
There were also more sociable events on the calendar. The NGO SusGren (Sustainable Grenadines) shared photos of an educational trip to the newly-restored Ashton Lagoon on Union Island. In celebration of World Shorebirds Day 2020, SusGren in collaboration with Environmental Attackers conducted educational outreach for students of the Stephanie Brown Primary school. The high-spirited students, who were out of their beds as early as 5:30 a.m. for the session, were engaged in activities such as bird labeling, bingo, and bird identification.
Shorebirds rely on Caribbean habitats to rest and refuel during their long migratory journeys, while some are resident year-round in the region. Large tourism developments, including hotels, marinas and other projects, continue to be built along the islands’ coastlines, resulting in the destruction of vital mangroves and wetlands. Currently, three tourism projects under way in Grenada threaten wetlands that shelter birds and other endangered species, including turtles. On other islands, hunting and plastic pollution are major threats for shorebirds.
As Emma noted, “World Shorebirds Day in the Caribbean is not only a celebration of the birds themselves, but of the beautiful places they call home, even if only temporarily for many of them.”Thank you to everyone who participated in the event this year!
In case you missed it earlier, you can download the pdf of our Quick ID Guide to Common Shorebirds of the Caribbean here. For use in the field, print on card-stock and laminate.
A Semipalmated Plover. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)
A Willet in flight, Barbados. (Photo by John Webster)
Grupo Acción Ecológica members counting shorebirds in the Dominican Republic. (Photo by Maria Paulino).
Spotted Sandpipers don’t have their breeding plumage spots year-round. During the winter in the Caribbean, they are commonly seen without them. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)
Short-billed Dowitchers feeding and resting near Great Bay, St Elizabeth, Jamaica, 6 September 2020. (photo by Ann Sutton)
A pair of Hudsonian Godwits in Barbados. (Photo by John Webster)
A striking Wilson’s Plover. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)
A Curlew Sandpiper. (Photo by Jerome Foster)
Semipalmated Plovers in the Dominican Republic. (Photo by Maria Paulino).
Wilson’s Snipe in Barbados. (Photo by John Webster)
A group of Whimbrels at Chancery Lane, Barbados. (Photo by Julian Moore).
Red dots represent 2020 Global Shorebird Count participation; gray dots represent previous year’s locations.
Least Sandpiper foraging at Great Pedro Pond in Jamaica, 6 September 2020 (photo by Ann Sutton)
A Ruddy Turnstone and Lesser Yellowlegs in the Dominican Republic. (Photo by Pedro Genaro)
American Golden-Plovers, Willets, Short-billed Dowitchers, and Southern Lapwing. (Photo by Jerome Foster)
September is right around the corner and migratory birds are making their way south. World Shorebirds Day 2020 is Sunday, September 6th and we need your help to count Caribbean shorebirds at your favorite birding spot (or spots)!
This year’s Global Shorebird Count will take place from September 3 to 9, 2020. All across the Caribbean, birders will be compiling checklists from island to island and recording them on eBird Caribbean. Our migratory shorebirds are more vulnerable than ever, threatened by human activities that have changed or destroyed their habitat. Most species of shorebirds are in decline around the world.
Where are these fascinating birds to be found? While you will find them on shores and beaches, some shorebirds use habitats further inland, including freshwater and brackish marshes and ponds. Shorebirds are also fond of salt ponds, mud flats, mangrove areas, and tidal flats.
eBird Caribbean is a critical tool for tracking and understanding bird migration and population changes – never more so than for our shorebirds. If you do not have an account, it is easy to register – here’s a quick guide to enter eBird data online. There is even a free eBird Essentials course to get you fully oriented. Download the free mobile app for recording your data in the field.
The top 25 countries participating in the Global Shorebird Count 2014-2019.
Your checklists matter! We are so excited that of the top 25 countries around the world participating in the Global Shorebird Count from 2014-2019, the Caribbean was listed three times. Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Barbados – keep up the good work. Let’s see if we can add any other Caribbean islands to the list!
These three locations were certainly not the only areas in the region to participate. Islands from The Bahamas down to Trinidad joined in to count shorebirds with checklists from 19 islands/nations.
Make Your Shorebirds Count—Submit & Share Your Data!
To make your submitted data visible to World Shorebirds Day, please be sure to share your checklist with worldshorebirdsday eBird username of World Shorebirds Day, or add shorebirdsday@gmail.com email address, to your contact list, and share all your related checklists. Only checklists made during the World Shorebirds Day count period between 3–9 September 2019 (inclusive) are eligible. Guidelines for sharing eBird checklists are here.
We hope you will visit as many sites as possible during the 6 days of the count! For more tips on how to do the Global Shorebird Count, go to the World Shorebirds Day website.
Shorebird ID Resources
Need a quick reference for a shorebird you spotted? Or an educational resource for your school or office? Download the pdf of our Quick ID Guide to Common Shorebirds of the Caribbeanhere. For use in the field, print on cardstock and laminate.
Also, check out our Common Shorebirds of the Caribbean poster, which is available in English, Spanish, and French. Download them from this page.
We also have available a two-page Common Shorebirds of the Caribbean ID Guide – you can download it here. All these ID resources work well in the entire Atlantic Flyway, not just the Caribbean islands.
Count Shorebirds & Stay Healthy
In these extraordinary times, we are still trying to get back to some sort new normal. However, in many countries, it is still not possible to do so. Participants of the World Shorebirds Day and the Global Shorebird Count should check their national guidelines to make sure their activities are in compliance with local health recommendations. Please take all the necessary precautions and stay safe, wherever you are!
What To Do if You See Banded Birds
Be sure to be on the lookout for banded birds! Especially Piping Plovers, Red Knots, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, and Sanderlings. You may report your sightings to BandedBirds.org and the USGS Bird Banding Lab which oversee all banding in the United States.
Handout from the US Fish and Wildlife Service that provides information about Piping Plover banding locations and how to read the flags.
Wilson’s Plovers are one of the many shorebird species found in the Caribbean. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)
The biggest birding day of the year — Global Big Day —took place on Saturday May 9, 2020. More than 50,000 people from around the world joined in to record their sightings. Close to 300 participants from throughout the West Indies recorded 345 different species of birds! Cuba had the most species by country (135) followed closely by the Bahamas (126) and Puerto Rico (125). Regionally, 1,051 checklists were submitted, 205 more than last year. That’s an incredible achievement — way to go birders!
Birders from Cuba looking great with their BirdsCaribbean buffs in Zapata Swamp on Global Big Day. We will share more about the birding experiences on the different teams in a second blog post.
This year was quite a different experience as much of the world remains under stay at home orders or is following social distancing guidelines. Certainly many of the great open spaces that are go-to spots for birders were not open to the public for safety reasons. Nevertheless, eBird recorded a 32% participation increase from Global Big Day 2019 and more than 120,000eBird checklists were submitted. Many of us, birding from our backyards and balconies, contributed valuable knowledge about our urban and garden birds. Indeed, there has been a new and renewed interest in and appreciation of the wildlife in our yards, a silver lining to this pandemic.
For the first time, and what we hope to now have as a yearly tradition, BirdsCaribbean formed a Global Big Day fundraising campaign involving a friendly competition between teams of birders to support the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology (JCO). JCO is BirdsCaribbean’s in-house, peer-reviewed scientific publication has served our community for 32 years and counting and needs help to keep its publications free and open-access to the world.
Team Results
Over 160 people from across the globe joined one of seven teams and have so-far raised over $15,000, closing in on our original $20,000 goal! The seven teams varied greatly in size and geography but all had the common goal of seeing as many species as possible in a single day. Overall, the teams recorded a whopping 1,485 species in 43 countries – 106 species of which are endemic to the West Indies.
The Flying Pintails, led by Executive Director Lisa Sorenson, claimed the title for the most species (865) and the most West Indies endemics (78) recorded. This was the largest team by far, composed of 73 different individuals submitting eBird checklists from around the world. President’s Perch, a team of 32+ led by BirdsCaribbean President Andrew Dobson, came in a close second with 854 species and 62 West Indies endemics.
However, smaller and more local teams also had their advantages. When the total amount of species seen was divided by the number of people on the team, Far Flung Flock came in first, with an average of 33 species observed per person. The Dark-eyed Junkies observed a whopping 177 species, which is very impressive because their team of 16 were all based in the same country. Congratulations and thank you to all the teams for your enthusiastic participation; we will be sharing more about our experiences in a second GBD 2020 blog article.
The outstanding eBirder of our Global Big Day campaign was Miguel Garcia Cruz (Mexico) of the Flying Pintails, who over 11 hours recorded an incredible 114 species! He was followed by Daniel Hernandez(Mexico) of President’s Perch, who recorded 113 species. What a close finish! Both win a year’s membership in BirdsCaribbean and some awesome BC swag!
Special commendations go out to the following birders who had 15 or more endemics on their GBD checklist on May 9th:
Adrian Cobas (Casa Ana, Cuba) – 23
Ann Sutton (Jamaica) – 22
Ernesto Reyes (Cuba) – 21
Tania Piñeiro (Cuba) – 21
Maria Milagros Paulino (Dominican Republic) – 19
Ana M. Suárez – 19
Maikel Cañizares Morera (Cuba) – 18
Adrianne Tossas (Puerto Rico) – 16
Closing in on our Fundraising Goal and Thank You!
The Flying Pintails to date are in the overall lead for fundraising efforts, with over $6,600 and counting. Though when we account for team size, Far Flung Flock is far ahead, with Catbirds and Dogbirds not too far behind. A huge THANK YOU to all who have supported our campaign either through a donation and/or by joining one of the birding/ fundraising teams. It was an incredibly fun day and we look forward to doing it again next year. In the meantime, if you are able, please donate to our campaign to support science and conservation of Caribbean birds. We are very close to our $20,000 goal, your gift could put us over the top!
Team Profiles and Results on eBird
You can visit each birding team’s page profile on eBird to see maps of the team’s countries/ islands where birds were sighted and their checklists. You can also visit each team’s GoFundMe page and donate to specific teams to help them reach their fundraising goal, or donate to the general campaign.
Josmar Marquez, from AveZona, has lead bird monitoring projects on Coche Island in Venezuela since 2018. In addition to data collection, his work involves mentoring young conservationists and promoting nature-friendly behavior changes in the local community of the island. Here, Josmar describes his most recent Snowy Plover monitoring season and some exciting firsts for shorebird monitoring in Venezuela. (More photo and Español debajo)
In Venezuela, thanks to the support of the BirdsCaribbean David S. Lee Fund, AveZona and the ARA MACAO Scientific Foundation have carried out population surveys of Snowy Plovers (Charadrius nivosus tenuirostris) on Coche Island. A large number of the birds have been recorded in the “Salina de San Pedro de Coche.” This has lead to an appreciation and increased value of the island as this species is threatened in the Caribbean region.
A newly marked Snowy Plover. (Photo by Antonio Ros)
Our project formally began in 2019, and since then we have conducted monitoring visits monthly to the San Pedro de Coche salt pans. Before we stepped foot in the field, the first step was to receive permission from the Ministry of Ecosocialism (MINEC) for the relevant permits to be able to move forward with the project. Thankfully, we were successful.
During our monitoring visits, we record the following information: number and location of Snowy Plovers, their age (adults or juvenile), sex, and any reproductive activity. In addition to monitoring, we also have indivudally marked some of the birds. Our team marked the first Snowy Plover in Venezuela in September 2019. It may seem like a small feat but it represents a lot of work! The birds are marked with black flags and white codes (right leg) and metal rings (left leg). Marking the plovers will help us better understand the behavior of each individual and to determine their site fidelity. In addition, we can learn if there is any migratory movement across the Caribbean for our local population of Snowy Plovers. To date, we have tagged seven individuals.
In February and March, 2019, we were fortunate to count Snowy Plover nests and chicks in the San Pedro salina. Joining us for this activity were students from the local community at Napoleón Narváez Bolivarian High School. It was rewarding to share information about these precious birds with young people and they were amazed to learn that the salina is so important to the Snowy Plover and other bird species (for example, Least Terns also nest there).
How many plovers are there?
A young Snowy Plover chick and egg on the beach of Coche Island. (Photo by Antonio Ros)
Currently, we are partnering with with Adrián Naveda-Rodríguez from the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University, United States. Together, we are working on the detectability and abundance of the Snowy Plover in eastern Venezuela. The preliminary analyses are using samples from the non-reproductive season, from counts made at 12 points in the San Pedro de Coche salina.
We modeled the relationship between detection probability and air temperature, time of the day, and distance to salt. We included covariates for the number of feral dogs, horses and salt miners when modeling abundance. Detection probability was negatively affected by the distance to salt piles (0.49, 95% CI=0.49-0.5). Abundance was not associated with the presence or abundance of domestic animals nor salt mining activities. We estimated there were 96 (95% CI: 46-201) and 116 (95% CI=61-220) Snowy Plovers in February and December, respectively. We hope to present this information in more detail at the next NAOC and subsequently we plan to publish our results in a scientific journal.
Our group participated in the 22nd International BirdsCaribbean Conference in Guadeloupe in July 2019 and in the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group Meeting in October 2019 in Panama. We were so excited to present the latest results from our research and the ways in which we involve the community in our projects.
A community effort
Our partnership with the community has continued beyond school field trips. Recently, we created a unique bird-inspired mural in the school of “La Uva” community which, of course, included depictions of the Snowy Plover and the Least Tern. It is truly a beautiful work!
The new mural featuring Snowy Plovers and Least Terns. (Photo by Josmar Marquez)
One of the reasons for working in this region is to promote the integration of communities that have historically been marginalized from science and conservation. In search of improving this situation, we are carrying out activities within this project that integrate and dignify the local community, and also give recognition to the worldview of the inhabitants of the biological diversity of their island.
Josmar and students in the field observing Snowy Plovers. (Photo by Josmar Marquez)
Since the beginning of this project, we understood that in order to protect the salina and other places on the island, it is necessary to work hand in hand with the locals. We are very grateful for the school district of Coche Island, which has allowed us to work with educational institutions. Also, we are especially fond of the Napoleon Narváez Lyceum High School 9th Grade class, and teachers from various educational institutions for their receptivity and commitment. There are many locals that have opened their doors and hearts to this project and our team: Antonio Ros, Daniel Serva, Oscar Riera, Jose Gonzalez, Jesus Escalona, JC Fernández Ordoñez.
Many obstacles can arise when executing a project of this magnitude in Venezuela, but thanks to the constant support of BirdsCaribbean (including the David S. Lee Fund for Conservation) we are achieving our objectives. It’s very important to carry out this project that will help us to better understand the population of the Snowy Plover in the islands of the Venezuelan Caribbean. For me, it is a beautiful, very peculiar bird with very interesting habits. Luckily, in Venezuela it still can be observed very frequently in some places. Being able to say that there is a reproductive colony on Coche Island, and that it remains to this day, is a light of hope in the face of the global ecological crisis.
Please enjoy these short videos showing our work with the community from our Ave Zona Facebook page!
Josmar marquez, de AveZona, ha liderado proyectos de monitoreo de aves en Isla Coche, Venezuela, desde el 2018. Además de la colecta de datos, Su trabajo consiste en asesorar a jóvenes conservacionistas y la promoción de cambios conductuales ambientalmente amigables en la comunidad local de la isla. Aquí, Josmar describe su más reciente temporada de monitoreo del Chorlito Nevado.
Una pareja de chorlitos / A pair of plovers. (Photo by Antonio Ros)
En Venezuela gracias al apoyo de la beca David Lee, de BirdsCaribean, AveZona y la Fundación Científica ARA MACAO realizan el proyecto de evaluación poblacional del Chorlito Nevado (Charadrius nivosus tenuirostris) en la isla de Coche. En “Salina de San Pedro de Coche” se ha registrado un alto número de aves, lo que ha llevado a un aumento en la apreciación del valor de la isla para la especie, que se encuentra amenazada en la región del Caribe.
El proyecto comenzó formalmente en 2019, y se están realizado salidas mensuales a la salina de San Pedro de Coche. Antes de dirigirnos al área, el primer paso fue recibir el permiso del Ministerio de Ecosocialismo (MINEC) para el estudio de campo. Afortunadamente, tuvimos éxito.
Durante las visitas de monitoreo, anotamos la siguiente información: cantidad de individuos y localidad, edad (adultos o juveniles), sexo, y actividad reproductiva del Chorlito Nevado. Además del monitoreo, también hemos marcado algunos individuos. Nuestro equipo marcó el primer Chorlito Nevado de Venezuela en septiembre de 2019. ¡Toda una hazaña! Se usaron banderas negras con códigos blancos (pata derecha) y anillos metálicos (pata izquierda). Marcar los individuos nos ayudará a entender mejor su comportamiento y determinar su fidelidad al sitio. Además, podríamos llegar a saber si existe algún movimiento migratorio entre esta población y el resto del Caribe. Hasta la fecha se han logrado marcar 7 ejemplares de Chorlito Nevado.
Durante los meses de Febrero y Marzo de 2019 logramos contar nidos y pichones de Failecito en la Salina de San Pedro. A esta actividad asistieron jóvenes del Liceo Bolivariano Napoleón Narváez. Fue muy gratificante compartir información sobre estas preciosas aves con los jóvenes y se sorprendieron al saber que la salina es tan importante para el Chorlito Nevado y otras especies de aves (por ejemplo, el Charrán Menor también anida allí).
¿Cuántos Chorlito Nevados Hay?
Marcando uno de los siete chorlitos/ Marking one of the seven plovers. (Photo by Josmar Marquez)
Actualmente, nos estamos asociando con Adrián Naveda-Rodríguez del Departamento de Vida Silvestre, Pesca y Acuicultura de la Universidad Estatal de Mississippi, Estados Unidos. Juntos, estamos trabajando en la detectabilidad y abundancia del chorlito nevado en el este de Venezuela. Los análisis preliminares están utilizando muestras de la temporada no reproductiva, de conteos realizados en 12 puntos en la salina de San Pedro de Coche.
Modelamos la relación entre la probabilidad de detección y la temperatura del aire, tiempo del día y la distancia a las pilas de sal. Incluimos covariables para la cantidad de perros salvajes, caballos y mineros de sal al modelar la abundancia. La probabilidad de detección se vio afectada negativamente por la distancia a las pilas de sal (0.49, IC 95% = 0.49-0.5). La abundancia no se asoció con la presencia o abundancia de animales domésticos ni actividades de extracción de sal. Estimamos que había 96 (95% IC: 46-201) y 116 (IC 95% = 61-220) Chorlito Nevados en febrero y diciembre, respectivamente. Esperamos poder presentar esta información en la próxima reunión del NAOC y publicarla posteriormente en alguna revista científica.
En agosto de 2019, nuestro grupo participó en la conferencia internacional de BirdsCaribbean en la isla de la Guadeloupe, y en noviembre de 2019 en la Reunión del Grupo de Aves Playeras del Hemisferio Occidental, en Panamá. Allí presentamos los avances de nuestra investigación, y las maneras en que involucramos a las comunidades en este proyecto.
Un Esfuerzo Comunitario
Obteniendo todos los detalles perfectos en el mural/Getting all the details perfect on the mural. (Photo by Josmar Marquez)
Nuestra asociación con la comunidad ha continuado más allá de las excursiones de la escuela. Recientemente, creamos un mural único inspirado en las aves en la escuela de la comunidad “La Uva” que, por supuesto, incluía representaciones del Chorlito Nevado y el Charrán Menor. ¡Es realmente un trabajo hermoso!
Una de las razones para trabajar en esta región es promover la integración de comunidades que históricamente han sido apartadas de la ciencia y la conservación. En busca de mejorar esta situación, estamos llevando a cabo actividades dentro de este proyecto que integran y dignifican a la comunidad local, y también reconocen la cosmovisión de los habitantes sobre la diversidad biológica de su isla.
Desde el comienzo de este proyecto, entendimos que para proteger la salina y otros lugares de la isla, es necesario trabajar de la mano con los lugareños. Estamos muy agradecidos con la dirección del municipio escolar Obteniendo todos los detalles perfectos en el mural.de Isla de Coche, que nos ha permitido trabajar con las instituciones educativas; así como con el Liceo Napoleón Narváez y los jóvenes de 9no grado, y docentes de varias instituciones educativas por su receptividad y compromiso. Hay muchos miembros de la comunidad que han abierto sus puertas y corazón a este proyecto y a nuestro equipo: Antonio Ros, Daniel Serva, Oscar Riera, Jose Gonzalez, Jesus Escalona, JC Fernández Ordoñez.
Observando los chorlitos/ Observing the plovers (Photo by Antonio Ros)
Pueden surgir muchos obstáculos al ejecutar un proyecto de esta magnitud en Venezuela, pero gracias al apoyo constante de BirdsCaribbean estamos logrando nuestros objetivos. Es muy importante llevar a cabo este proyecto que nos ayudará a comprender mejor la población del chorlito nevado en las islas del Caribe venezolano. Para mí, es un pájaro hermoso, muy peculiar con hábitos muy interesantes. Afortunadamente, en Venezuela todavía se puede observar con mucha frecuencia en algunos lugares. Poder decir que hay una colonia reproductiva en la Isla de Coche y que permanece hasta el día de hoy es una luz de esperanza frente a la crisis ecológica mundial.
BirdsCaribbean is excited to support Nils Navarro’s newest project: an updated, comprehensive Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba. This is an ambitious and exciting venture, and we need your help to make it a reality!
Illustrations by Nils Navarro.
Nils Navarro is Co-Chair of the Caribbean Wildlife Art Working Group of BirdsCaribbean. He has dedicated his life to the study and conservation of the biodiversity of his native Cuba as well as other areas of the West Indies and Latin America. He holds a degree in Fine Arts with a specialization in painting. An extraordinarily versatile and internationally recognized wildlife artist and illustrator, Nils’ work is characterized by a refined technique combined with a profound understanding of the biodiversity of the Caribbean region. He is an avid conservationist and has pioneered the promotion and formation of young wildlife illustrators and artists in the Caribbean and Latin America. He co-authored the ground-breaking Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Cuba in 2017 and has published a new edition each year since.
Nils began work on the field guide over a year and a half ago. The new guide will contain the largest number of illustrations by species published by any guidebook on Caribbean birds. Nils will be accomplishing this over five years by drawing upon a thorough review of the literature, museum collections, and field work, as well as Nils’ personal experience, and his role as an eBird reviewer for the island. The field guide will cover the different species, subspecies and plumages, dimorphism, and much more, through a new and practical structure never before used for such a guide.
There has never been a better time to produce a guidebook like this. For the first time in the history of the country, there is a local community movement of birdwatchers who are making significant contributions to the knowledge of Cuban birds. This is accomplished through platforms based on citizen science (eBird Caribbean) and sharing knowledge (via Facebook), and the local community requires an updated comprehensive field guide for identification. Many of these people use a field guide as the main tool for their work. In addition, many people from all over the world visit Cuba to birdwatch. They will appreciate having a a new comprehensive guide that covers all of Cuba’s birds.
If you’re interested to purchase Endemic Birds of Cuba: A comprehensive Field Guide by Nils Navarro, click here. This book covers the endemic birds of Cuba as well as the regional endemics.
BirdsCaribbean is proud to be a sponsoring organization for the upcoming 7th North American Ornithological Congress (NAOC) held in San Juan, Puerto Rico August 10-15, 2020. The conference is held every four years and is one of the largest of ornithological meetings, with over 1,500 expected attendees. This is the first time the conference has ever been hosted in the Caribbean and BirdsCaribbean is excited to showcase the important and exciting work our partners have accomplished!
We are thrilled to have several BirdsCaribbean affiliates representing our community on various planning committees.
Steering Committee: Dr. Lisa Sorenson and Dr. Joe Wunderle
Local Planning Committee: José A. Salguero-Faría and Dr. Joe Wunderle
Scientific Program Committee: Dr. Adrianne Tossas
Diversity and Inclusion Committee: Sheylda Díaz-Méndez and Jessica Cañizares
Early Professional Committee: Dr. Ancilleno Davis
Student Travel & Presentations Awards Committee: Andrew Dobson
Pre- and Post-Conference Field Trips – Gabriel Lugo
In addition, BirdsCaribbean will be hosting a full-day symposium “Island Treasures: Lessons learned from 30 years of avian research, education and conservation.” We are excited to share the great work and success stories of our partners, students, and researchers across the Caribbean. We hope to see you there!
Register for the Conference (Abstracts due March 9th)
Visit the registration page to learn more about pricing for students, those from particular countries that receive reduced registration costs, early professionals, and more! The deadline for abstracts and Student & Postdoc Travel and Presentation Awards has been extended to March 9th. Be sure to submit by this date in order to secure a place to share your work.
BirdsCaribbean is incredibly excited to announce that the island of Trinidad will be the location for our 23rd International Conference to be held in late July 2021! We are happy to be working with the world renowned Asa Wright Nature Center and Tourism Trinidad Limited, as well as other evolving partnerships, to create an unforgettable conference.
American Flamingo and Scarlet Ibis in Caroni Swamp. (Photo by Richard Lakhan)
Trinidad is in the very southern reaches of the Caribbean, just 11 kilometers from mainland Venezuela. Because of this, it boasts a unique blend of South American and Caribbean avifauna. If you have never been birding in South America, Trinidad is both a spectacular and manageable introduction to continental families. With almost 500 species of birds, you are sure to be amazed by the incredible biodiversity found on this tropical island.
In 2003, the BirdsCaribbean conference was hosted on Tobago, the other island in this twin-island nation. 1995 – when we were called the Society of Caribbean Ornithology – was the last and only time we held a conference in Trinidad. We think it’s high time we return to this birding paradise!
BirdsCaribbean is planning a scouting trip this spring to work on all the conference logistics, so stay tuned for more information. Please keep the second half of July 2021 open on your calendars until we confirm the exact dates for the conference. We look forward to sharing more news with you as our plans develop!
Join Chris Johnson as he recounts his experience conducting the Christmas Bird Count on Abaco just two months after Hurricane Dorian devastated the region. While the survey was a somber reminder of the destructive forces of nature and how much recovery is still needed, Chris and his team found hope and encouragement in the birds they encountered. #AbacoStrong
Abaco – my beloved island
The Bahama Yellowthroat (endemic to the Bahamas) is one of many species of birds directly affected by Hurricane Dorian. (Photo by Chris Johnson)
I have been bird-watching in Abaco, an island in the northern Bahamas, for a little over eleven years. Actually, Abaco is where I started birding at the age 7. Needless to say, Abaco is very near and dear to my heart. When Hurricane Dorian hit the island that I have so much love for, I was heartbroken. I could not begin to fathom how my favorite island would be changed forever.
The hurricane occurred in September 2019, and shortly after, I made a trip back to assist some family members. The destruction I saw was catastrophic and the numbers of bird species had declined dramatically. On December 7th, 2019 , I learned that there would be no annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for North and South Abaco. I asked fellow birder and mentor Dr. Elwood Bracey if there were any plans to conduct the CBCs on Abaco. I was distraught to learn that the two annual leaders – Dr. Bracey and Reg Patterson – would not be able to attend and assist in the conducting of these surveys. The Abaco CBCs are a yearly tradition for the past ten years; I was very disheartened. I thought it over and said to myself, “If there’s nobody else who can lead it… You have to do it!” I contacted my Abaco emailing list and began to “round up the troops” for the 2020 Abaco CBCs.
After I touched down in Marsh Harbour for the second time post-Dorian, I realized immense reconstruction had begun. Roofs were being replaced, trash was being hauled back and forth to the dumps, the roads had been cleared of debris, and the well-known Abaco food store, Maxwell’s, had reopened. Sadly, however, the resident bird life in Marsh Harbour was still immensely affected. During three hours in Marsh Harbour the only resident birds that were seen or heard were four Great Egrets; five Eurasian Collared-Doves (invasive species, now resident); and a Turkey Vulture.
The aftermath of Hurricane Dorian during one of the author’s visits showing the destruction of St. Francis De Sales Catholic School and defoliated trees. (Video by Chris Johnson)
At the end of the first day in Abaco, a gorgeous sunset peered through the pulverized pine barrens. It was a beautiful ending to the day; the South Abaco CBC would follow the very next day.
South Abaco Christmas Bird Count
I woke up on the morning of South Abaco CBC anxious for the day to come. I brewed my two cups of coffee and sat on the porch as I felt the 20 mile per hour winds roll through Cherokee Sound. My Uncle, Keith Kemp arrived at my grandfather’s house at around 6:30 a.m. so we could begin our journey south to “The Y” (a popular landmark in South Abaco) at the Abaco National Park. Along the way we collected fellow birder and leader for the South Count, Niles Primrose. Along the 28-mile drive from Cherokee Sound down to The Y, we discussed the team grouping and the leaders for each team. We all agreed that my uncle would lead the team going North of the Abaco National Park, Niles would lead the Sandy Point team and I would lead the Abaco National Park (Forest) team. We arrived at the meet-up spot for 7:30 promptly. At the Y we met our additional birding peers: Janene Roessler and Lavonda Smith. After catching up for a short time we were met by Bahamas National Trust (BNT) park warden Marcus Davis. As we discussed the plans for the day a resident Red-Tailed Hawk flew over the group. A great first bird for the Forest Team! With everyone assembled we split into our respective groups and went our separate ways.
Abaco is located in the northern Bahamas. (Map by Aly Ollivierre)
The forest team, consisting of Marcus Davis and myself, travelled into the forest armed with our binoculars, field guides and one oversized camera to count all the bird species that we could possibly find. The first species that we saw was a male Cuban Emerald, fluttering around some morning glory flowers. He was eventually chased away from his routine pollination job by another Cuban Emerald, who also wanted a taste of the nectar. As we continued traversing the forest, we were listening closely for some Bahamian specialties such as the Bahama Warbler and Olive-capped Warbler. The next bird of interest was a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker hard at work on drilling into a Caribbean Pine Tree.
The sapsucker, who was reaping rewards from his task of drilling into the dense pine tree, became “antsy” very quickly. Before our eyes the bird was under attack from another species of the raptor family. A Merlin had seemingly dropped out of the sky to attempt to catch the apsucker for a meal. However, the plot had failed and the Merlin decided to sit on a long pine branch. After a great photo-op, the small falcon decided that enough was enough and he was back on the hunt. He began coasting along the track road that appeared unaffected by Dorian, awaiting another opportunity for prey to present itself.
A Resilient Abaco National Park
As we journeyed deeper into the National Park, Marcus began to explain how lucky South Abaco was. It was minimally affected by Hurricane Dorian. And the numbers, even within the pine forest, were proving this statement. As we continued our conversation, a vivacious song filled the forest. Not one, not two, but three Pine Warblers flew into the pine right in front of our vehicle. The bright yellow warblers flew onto the bark of the pines, flitting about and dropping into the understory. After these warblers, we saw an Abaco and Grand Bahama specialty bird. The tiny and long-tailed Olive-capped Warblers maneuvered through the large pine tree tops, singing and chirping. The show continued for another ten minutes as we watched the tiny warblers ramble about the pine forest.
Northern Parula posing in Abaco National Park. (Photo by Chris Johnson)
Forty minutes in and we were already up to 17 species. However, we were still missing a few species. The Bahama Warbler, a relative of the North American Yellow-throated Warbler was finally seen for the first time of the day clinging onto the bark of the large pine trees and moving transversely. I decided to use a playback of a Bahama Warbler in an attempt to coax the fascinating warbler out. The explosive song from the pint-sized warbler began to ring out from within the forest. 1..2..3..4..5..6..7… seven Bahama Warblers flew into the pines directly in front of Marcus and me. What a sight to see! All of these warblers congregated together even after Hurricane Dorian.
After many more encounters with the Bahamian specialties, we began to spot and note many more migrant and winter resident species. Some of these species’ behavior and feeding habits had definitely changed thanks to Hurricane Dorian. For example, I noted a group of Indigo Buntings hopping about and feeding along the quarry road, something I had not seen in my ten-plus years of birding. Many birds were also grouped together, something quite abnormal for the time of year. One by one winter residents began to appear: Black-and-white Warblers, Northern Parulas, Yellow-throated Warblers, American Redstarts, Common Yellowthroats and an abundance of Palm Warblers.
A Thick-billed Vireo spotted during the count. (Photo by Chris Johnson)
We eventually arrived at Cross Harbour to begin counting some water birds and shorebirds. Upon arrival at Cross Harbour, we were greeted by two new species. Sticking to each other very closely were a Yellow-rumped Warbler of the Myrtle variety and a Cuban Pewee. Both concentrated on catching insects for a quick meal. With all of the wind on the shorefront, catching bugs would prove to be a difficult task.
As Marcus and I traversed the seemingly endless beach and shore we also spotted new species! Three new herons and egrets had positioned themselves on the beach to begin fishing for their food. The species included a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Reddish Egret and a Great Egret. The tiny “tail-bobbing” Spotted Sandpiper decided to make an appearance for the day as it foraged on the shorefront for any small crustaceans that it could fit its beak around.
Along the trail which would eventually lead back to “The Y”, I noticed that we had not seen any species of dove for the day. The Common Ground Doves and Zenaida Doves, which were usually plentiful on the track roads, were now few and far between.
We eventually arrived back at “The Y” and arranged with the other teams to count all the bird species – as well as make time for a group picture in front of the Bahamas National Trust’s Abaco National Park sign! By the time everything was said and done the South count had totaled 62 species on the day of CBC and 67 species after count week. *Count week is the period of time before and after the day of CBC*. The numbers for the South were great post-Dorian as in past years the total number of birds were sometimes over 70.
POST CBC TRIP TO Bahama Palm Shores
After the CBC information was gathered and shared amongst ourselves, we all parted ways and returned back to our homes. I had decided that I just did not get enough birding during the CBC and decided to head to Bahama Palm Shores (BPS). I started off the checklist by stopping near a large patch of coppice. There was a dead tree trunk with dead branches still attached. Upon “pishing” for a few minutes, four Magnolia Warblers appeared. They put on a show by approaching me and got within three feet! The other species that made themselves known were Greater Antillean Bullfinches, Red-legged Thrushes, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and an abundance of Northern Parulas.
As I was just about to wrap up, I heard a vociferous chatter and calling near the easternmost street within Bahama Palm. I knew the chatter well; it was the species that got me started on bird-watching. The Bahama / Cuban Amazon Parrot had established a small population within BPS. I counted a total of more than 45 parrots in that particular area. This was abnormal, as I had never seen a group of more than thirty parrots in Bahama Palm Shores. They all appeared healthy and were actively feeding on Gum Elemi berries. Within the hour and four minutes I had spent at Bahama Palm Shores I had a total of 26 species and 114 individuals sighted (see the full eBird checklist here).
North Abaco Christmas Bird Count
The South Abaco Team. From left to right: Janene Roessler, Chris Johnson, Keith Kemp, Lavonda Smith, Marcus Davis & Niles Primrose. (Photo by Chris Johnson)
The morning of the North Abaco CBC started much like the previous morning. I started brewing my coffee and sat on the porch. This morning was much cooler than the morning of the South Abaco CBC. My Uncle Keith Kemp arrived at the house packed and ready for the day. We jumped in the truck and proceeded to the road that connects Cherokee to the Great Abaco Highway. There at the “turnoff” (the road where the Cherokee and Great Abaco Highway meet) we collected birding buddy Janene Roessler, who would be our scribe for the day.
As we began to inch closer towards Treasure Cay on the S.C. Bootle Highway, we witnessed a bizarre number of Great Egrets grouped in the ruinous wetland. There was a total of 14 Great Egrets in this one area and that was it. No Common Gallinule, Coots, Grebes, or any herons in sight. It was heartbreaking to see the damage to the North; it was undoubtedly worse than the catastrophe that struck Marsh Harbour in Central Abaco.
We arrived at the original meeting point for all the previous North counts. “Spanky’s Parking Lot” was located within Treasure Cay. It was almost unrecognizable, if not for the large liquor store, which was still standing but had lost all of its windows during the storm. The damage at “Spanky’s” would be minuscule compared to the damage within Treasure Cay.
A Cuban Pewee seemingly undaunted by a human with a large camera approaching. (Photo by Chris Johnson)
The first location would be to stop at the waterfront gas station to assess the damage the storm had done to the pylons and small rocky shorefront. After some substantial searching with our binoculars assisted by my 200-500mm camera lens we were able to pick up the first birds for the North Abaco CBC. We found: one Ring-billed Gull, one Black-bellied Plover, one Short-billed Dowitcher, and two Royal Terns.
We meandered our way through the debris-covered roads and paths for the next half hour with our destination in mind. My uncle had always spoken about a sandbank at the eastern end of Treasure Cay that always had birds. On our way out to the beach we were shocked to see Indigo Buntings perched low to the ground in dead shrubs foraging for food. The sandbank tragically held nothing for the count and we continued within the easternmost point. The damage at this end of the settlement was extraordinary. We saw entire “seawalls” washed out by the storm, houses seemingly torn in half, and cars flipped upside down.
Months after the hurricane, forests (like this one near Treasure Cay) have only begun to recover, and it will be years before they are able to support the same biodiversity as before the storm. (Video by Chris Johnson)
The next location was the Treasure Cay Golf Course Ponds. Many species had been counted on these small ponds in previous years. This area was by far our most active for the day. Our most notable species in this area were: White-cheeked Pintails, Least Grebes, Cattle Egrets, Merlin, White-eyed Vireo and the prize bird of the day… a Hooded Merganser! We noted quite a few new species for the count – but the storm-ravaged ponds and golf course were quite distressing to see.
The last few locations that we would check proved extremely disappointing. Sunset Ridge was a famed birding spot within Treasure Cay. Species ranging from Roseate Spoonbills to American White Pelicans, to the extremely rare Bald Eagle sighted by Dr. Bracey for many years had been recorded there. However, hope began to dwindle for the Dorian-devastated wetland. With the assistance of my camera we came to add a few more species to the “slowly-but-surely” growing list. One Belted Kingfisher, two Reddish Egrets, three Little Blue Herons, – and peculiarly enough, another large group of Great Egrets: a total of 26 individuals!
A resident Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was a welcome and familiar sight during the CBC. (Photo by Chris Johnson)
We then decided it would be in our best interest to make our way to Cooper’s Town foreshore to count some gulls and cormorants. Our trip to the foreshore allowed us to add numerous species to the list. It included: 25 Double-crested Cormorants, 18 Laughing Gulls, 11 Ring-billed Gulls, 4 Herring Gulls, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1 Great Black-backed Gull!
At the end of the count, we had a total of 43 species for the North. This 2019 total was frightening as in previous years we would sometimes have totals of over 90 species. The number of species was effectively cut by fifty percent.
Final Thoughts
We all know that Dorian has done irreversible damage to Abaco. I would have never thought that such damage could be done to my second home. The catastrophic damage on this island is heartbreaking. The population counts are proving that we have not only lost many birds in the storm, but that birds in Abaco are still struggling to find food and shelter post-Dorian. There are many ways we can assist this Bahamian island in the rebuilding and replenishing of habitat for these avian species that make their home there. BirdsCaribbean and the Bahamas National Trust have done, and continue to do fantastic work in supporting research and replenishment of both Abaco and Grand Bahama. If you would like to assist these organizations in their efforts, please donate to the BirdsCaribbean Hurricane relief fund or The Bahamas National Trust.
Abaco and Grand Bahama will come back in time, and hopefully the birds with them. #AbacoStrong
Hover each photo to see the caption; click on a photo to see a slide show.
This Merlin was hunting along the track road in the forest. (photo by Chris Johnson)
Reddish Egret spotted at Crossing Harbour. (photo by Chris Johson)
We were thrilled to have 8 Bahama Warblers (endemic to the Bahamas) fly right in front of us in the forest. (photo by Chris Johnson)
This Bahama Parrot was attempting to blend into the treetop and allowed for great shots as he remained absolutely still. (photo by Chris Johnson)
Chris Johnson is an avid 18-year-old birder and photographer. He has been birding for over 10 years and has gotten opportunities to further his birding skills namely the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Young Birder Event. He enjoys spending his time on many Bahamian family islands and photographing the fauna around him. You can find him on Instagram @cmjphotography242 to see more photos from this young photographer and birder.
The 11th annual Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) starts on Tuesday January 14th and we need your help surveying all types of waterbirds on your island! Anyone can participate in the CWC. Grab a friend, head out to your nearest wetland or beach, and record the birds you see. Detailed information about how to conduct surveys can be found here.
Starting in 2010, dedicated bird enthusiasts have ventured into wetlands across the Caribbean to systematically survey all types of waterbirds (shorebirds, seabirds, wading birds, marshbirds, and waterfowl) each January 14th to February 3rd. The Caribbean is home to over 185 species of waterbirds, including a number of endemic and globally threatened species and many migrants. A structured, ongoing survey is essential for understanding how to best conserve this exceptional group of birds and manage their habitats.
Increasing Caribbean eBird Presence
For all eBird records for the year 2019, there were 36 countries and regions across the world that doubled their eBird growth compared to 2018. We are so excited that 4 Caribbean countries were among them! Saint Martin (French part) (265.52% growth), Turks and Caicos Islands (204.3%), Sint Maarten (115%), and Antigua and Barbuda (101%). Joining the CWC in 2020 is a great way to keep the momentum going and to continue putting the Caribbean and its birds on the global stage! In 2019, the three-week CWC period yielded a total of 321 checklists from 19 countries.
The CWC Is an Important Tool for Conservation
Piping Plover are one of the shorebird species that rely on Caribbean habitats. (photo by Walker Golder)
Since 1900, 64% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared, and the Caribbean region is no exception to this crisis. Wetlands are in urgent need of conservation. They are unique ecosystems that provide critical habitats to specialist species. Yet, they face many threats ranging from complete conversion due to development, degradation due to pollution and introduced species, and loss due to sea-level rise.
The waterbirds that rely on wetlands not only face the threats of their habitat being altered or destroyed but also hunting and introduced predators. In order to properly manage habitat for waterbirds in the Caribbean, we need to understand waterbird population trends. In addition, monitoring the health of waterbird populations and their habitats is beneficial to both birds and people, since we rely on the same habitats for our health and well-being.
The CWC is an important tool for monitoring how hurricanes effect bird abundance and distribution. In 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria wreaked havoc in the Caribbean, damaging fragile wetland ecosystems. Results from the CWC in 2018 several months later were concerning, with our counters reporting dramatic declines in common bird species. The CWC in 2019 revealed encouraging numbers, especially for shorebird populations. We look forward to the 2020 CWC to know if bird diversity and abundance have continued to recover. In addition, we anxiously await results from areas hit by Hurricane Dorian in September 2019.
In addition, survey data can be used as a tool to designate habitats that are essential for birds. The Cargill Salt Ponds in Bonaire were designated a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) site of Regional Importance as a direct result of survey efforts. With the survey data we collected, our team was able to provide evidence that the site met the criteria for listing. Now, Cargill is dedicated to managing habitat for shorebirds on their property. It’s amazing what birding can achieve!
Good luck, have fun, and we look forward to hearing about your findings. If you have any photos to share, please share them on our BirdsCaribbean Facebook page. For sharing on social media, use hashtags: #CaribbeanWaterbirdCensus and #WaterbirdsCount AND please tag us: @BirdsCaribbean
Banded Birds
Be sure to be on the lookout for banded birds! Especially Piping Plovers, Red Knots, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, and Sanderlings. You may report your sightings to BandedBirds.org and the USGS Bird Banding Lab which oversee all banding in the United States.
Need Help?
Find a tricky shorebird in winter plumage that you can’t identify? Need help setting up an eBird account? Want to participate in the CWC but you’re not sure how to get started? Please contact BirdsCaribbean’s Waterbird Program Manager, Jessica Rozek Cañizares at jessica.rozek@birdscaribbean.org.
Entering CWC Data in eBird
CWC data is stored on eBird Caribbean. If you participate in the CWC, it’s very important that you enter your data through this website using the correct protocol on Step 2, because this is where we collate all the data used for analyses. We don’t want to miss a single bird or site! Simply making an eBird list during these dates is not enough- the protocol is required for it to be CWC data.
If you are using a desktopcomputer to enter your data:
Sign into your account on ebird.org/Caribbean
Enter location information
Select the appropriate CWC protocol under Observation Type
If you recorded your CWC data using the mobile eBird app:
After you have submitted your checklist on your smartphone:
Log into eBird on a desktop computer
Click on “My eBird” at the top of the screen
Click on “Manage My Checklists” on the right menu
For your CWC checklist, click on “View or Edit”
Click on “Edit Date and Effort”
For Observation Type, select “Other” and then choose the appropriate CWC protocol
Looking back on 2019, the year provided us with a range of experiences. There was excitement, success, tragedy, and hope. When we reflect on all that we have accomplished this year, in both the good times and the bad, there was one common theme: collaboration. Sometimes it took the form of official partnerships and other times grassroots community efforts. Even fundraising, which was critical for efforts like hurricane relief, is a collaborative process. Here, we review some of the most important moments of the past year and acknowledge and thank all those who collaborated with us to further our mission. We are also grateful to our many members, volunteers, and donors who generously support our work. We have an awesome community!
Celebrating Success & Partnerships
The Cuban contingent! A record 20 Cubans attended, thanks to our generous sponsors! (photo by Fred Sapotille)
Keeping Birds Aloft! This was the inspirational theme of our 22nd BirdsCaribbean International Conference held in July. Over 250 delegates from 34 countries grabbed French phrasebooks and headed to the Karibea Beach Hotel in Le Gosier, Guadeloupe. The lively, productive and thought-provoking meeting was organized with our major partners, the Parc National de la Guadeloupe. Keynote speakers, workshops and brainstorming sessions helped participants plan how to engage their communities, combat wildlife trafficking, and address the varied environmental threats facing the Caribbean and its birds. A mentorship program for younger members was launched. (Check out what a few of our sponsored delegates had to say about how they benefited from attending the conference). Despite the profound topics being discussed, participants were upbeat and as would be expected of any Caribbean event, there was dancing on the final night!
At the conference, we were humbled and proud to receive the 2018 Partners in Flight Award. Our Board President Andrew Dobson accepted the award, presented by the U.S. Forest Service, in recognition of BirdsCaribbean relief and recovery work in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
Ceremony celebrating the the opening of the restored Ashton Lagoon.
BirdsCaribbean was thrilled to celebrate the official reopening of the restored Ashton Lagoon, which took place on May 31, 2019. After 13 years of truly challenging work, our partners in the island archipelago between St. Vincent and Grenada – called the Transboundary Grenadines – proudly welcomed supporters and generous donors to Union Island. After a misguided tourism project at the site lay in ruins for 25 years, the neglected wetlands finally have a chance to reawaken. Orisha Joseph and her team at Sustainable Grenadines, Inc. (SusGren) were the stars of the show. Next step: to have the Lagoon and its surroundings designated as a Marine Protected Area.
During the restoration work, BirdsCaribbean organized a highly successful Interpretive Bird Guide Training Workshop on Union Island, empowering citizens from the Grenadines and beyond. In August, the Caribbean Birding Trail’s spectacular new website – https://www.caribbeanbirdingtrail.org – covering more than 150 birding sites in 24 countries, was launched. If you have not already done so, we invite you to explore – both virtually and in person, with our enthusiastic trained guides!
Devastation from Hurricane Dorian
Six Grand Bahama Island Birders carried out the first bird survey of the Eastern End of Grand Bahama Island one month after Hurricane Dorian. Left to right – Shelagh Paton-Ash, Delores Kellman, Gena Granger, Bridget David (recorder) and Erika Gates. (photo by Martha Cartwright)
Just a few weeks after our conference, we watched with heavy hearts as tragedy of incredible proportions struck the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama. The Category Five Hurricane Dorian, which lingered from September 1 to 3 over these islands, brought death and destruction to many communities, and devastated the landscape.
Immediately, BirdsCaribbean formed a response team to raise funds and deliver supplies. The first tentative forays by our Bahamian partners were subdued and sad, with moments of joy and relief when bird species such as the Bahama Parrot, thought to be badly impacted from the island by the storm, were discovered to be doing okay. As always, severe storms bring strong emotions in their wake – and for conservationists, deep anxiety over whether habitats and birds will eventually recover.
Our Hurricane Dorian Recovery Fund has raised US$29,000 to date, with less than one month to go. Thanks to our generous supporters, we shipped thousands of pounds of bird seed and hundreds of feeders. We also used funds to help replace equipment the Bahamas National Trust lost during the storm in addition to funding field surveys. Now the questions loom: Did the Bahama Nuthatch population survive? How quickly will the parrots recover? Will the waterbirds return? While there are encouraging signs, the future is still uncertain. There is much work to be done.
Supporting Conservation & Community
Participants of the shorebird conservation workshop on a field trip within Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
This year we also focused on our most vulnerable migratory species, shorebirds. We know these birds are in trouble; this is a global phenomenon. In February, we hosted the International Training WorkshopConserving Caribbean Shorebirds and Their Habitats in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico with 33 enthusiastic participants on “Conserving Caribbean Shorebirds and their Habitats.” Our partners were Manomet and local NGO Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña (SOPI).
Our Betty Petersen Conservation Fund provided support to finance direct conservation actions for three endangered Caribbean species: The Black-capped Petrel in Haiti, the Ridgway’s Hawk in the Dominican Republic, and the White-breasted Thrasher in St. Lucia. In all these projects, community involvement (especially youth) has been a key factor. In Haiti, entire farming communities that cultivate lands adjacent to the Petrel’s nesting colonies are pledging to protect these critical breeding areas while in the Dominican Republic, teenagers are volunteering to guard the hawks’ nests. This work would not be possible without the many generous donations to the Betty Fund.
Children in the Dominican Republic learn to celebrate their endemic raptor with the new Ridgeway’s Hawk brochure. (photo by Marta Curti)
Meanwhile, our dedicated citizen scientists have been hard at work again. Global Big Day was – well, really big. 846 checklists were posted on May 4 – over twenty percent more than in 2018. The Bahamas ran away with the top number of species this time – 138. Runners up were Puerto Rico and third-place Cuba were not far behind. In all, eighty percent of the Caribbean’s endemics were spotted in just one day. BirdsCaribbean is proud of its partnership with eBird through our portal eBird Caribbean. Have you downloaded the free mobile app? Every bird counts!
In 2019 we all learned how to protect birds by becoming the solution to plastic pollution. This was a hugely popular theme for the Caribbean region, which witnesses daily the scourge of plastic pollution and its harmful impacts on birds. Dozens of coordinators organized many events related to this theme for our annual Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival in spring and World Migratory Bird Day celebrations in fall, including beach and wetland clean-ups, raising awareness about the issue and how plastic pollution harms us and wildlife, and how to personally reduce your use of plastic. Many Caribbean countries are leading the way with this global problem by banning plastic bags, plastic straws, and styrofoam. And, we continue to train and empower local educators so that they can develop the next generation of bird conservationists and environmental stewards – watch this inspiring short story from one of our star educators, Natalya Lawrence.
Creative use of plastic waste to make bird feeders! St. Croix Environmental Association WMBD event. (photo by Jen Valiulis)
Finally, there were lessons learned (or re-learned) in 2019. In the face of climate change, Caribbean islands must build greater resilience, especially along their vulnerable coastlines. The restoration of wildlife habitat is critical. So is the sustained and determined protection of our most endangered bird species, including migratory birds, in the face of encroaching human development. But we cannot do it alone. We need the support and the active participation of the communities where birds live – and we need you!
Then, and only then, will Caribbean residents – humans, birds, and wildlife in general – truly thrive, and continue to thrive in the future.
Our sincere gratitude to all of our donors and funding agencies for your generous support in 2019, which allowed us to carry out the work highlighted above, and much more! And a big thanks to all of our awesome partners, members, and volunteers for your dedication and hard work. You all inspire us every day!!!
Bananaquit by Aslam I. Castellan Maure. This unique shot of our logo bird won an Honorable Mention in our 2019 Photography Contest.
BirdsCaribbean’s third biennial photography competition took place at our 22nd International Conference in Guadeloupe. The five judges found it difficult to decide on the winners in each of three categories, and in particular the Grand Prize Winner. Artistry, composition, technique, colour, humour – and a great love for the subject matter – were embodied in the striking photographs submitted. Photos were taken between July 21 and August 3, 2019 and uploaded via BirdsCaribbean’s Flickr site. The Grand Prize was donated by Vortex Optics. Click here to see all the photos submitted (hashtag #BCPhotoContest2019). The three categories were:
Endemics – including endemic and regional (West Indies) endemic birds of Guadeloupe;
Fun With Birds and People – showing humans, birds and nature interacting (including conference activities); and
Birds and Nature – featuring Guadeloupe’s non-endemic birds, close-up shots of other wildlife, natural habitats, and landscapes.
Below are the winners, with some comments from the judges:
Grand Prize Winner
Grand Prize Winner: Guadeloupe Woodpecker by Frantz Delcroix
Guadeloupe Woodpecker by Frantz Delcroix: The only endemic bird of Guadeloupe has just caught a moth and is sitting near his nest with his meal in his bill. “Nicely focused and composed,” with the light catching his rufous breast feathers.
Endemics
1st Prize:Antillean Crested Hummingbird by Aslam I. Castellón Maure. The eye and the crest are in sharp focus. “It draws you into the picture…Great portrait.”
Antillean Crested Hummingbird by Aslam I. Castellón Maure
2nd Prize:Purple-throated Carib by John C. Sterling. A “wood fairy bursting out of the shadows. Dazzling and puzzling at the same time.”
Purple-throated Carib by John Sterling
3rd Prize:Guadeloupe Woodpecker by Judd Patterson. “Really sharp, especially eye, good habitat setting, exposure is spot on.”
1st Prize:Seabird Viewing by John Webster. A panoramic view of a field trip group. “This speaks to what the conference does…connect people to others passionate about birds and the actual environment all seek to preserve, protect and nurture…Could be oil painting!”
Seabird Viewing by John Webster
2nd Prize: Beach Break! by John Webster. “Great focus and depth of field. Good use of a smartphone!”
Beach Break by John Webster
3rd Prize: Recording Guadeloupe Woodpecker by Venicio Wilson Altamiranda. An atmospheric image… “Science and fashion in the shot. Note the foot lifted as he is working it.”
Recording Guadeloupe Woodpecker by VenicioWilson Altamiranda
1st Prize: Guadeloupe Anole by Judd Patterson. “Beautifully framed by the vegetation.” “Great composition, framing – green within green.” “The blurred foreground frame adds to the surprise moment for both anole and photographer.”
Guadeloupe Anole by Judd Patterson
2nd Prize: Three Pelicans Plunging by Holly Garrod. “I like the raw energy of this trio, as if they are doing an air show.” “The marvelous, crazy shapes of the birds – wings, beaks, feet.”
Three Pelicans Plunging by Holly Garrod
3rd Prize: Snowy Egret by Aslam I. Castellón Maure. “This is an amazing shot…the feathering reminds me of a fashion shoot with this gorgeous model.”
Snowy Egre by Aslam I. Castellón Maure
Honorable Mentions:Black-necked Stilt by Venicio Wilson Altamiranda. Stick Insect by Frantz Delcroix. Bananaquit by Aslam I. Castellón Maure. Congratulations to all our winners!
The Grand Prize winner will receive a Vortex Viper Angled Spotting Scope: 20 – 60 x 85. First Prize Winners will receive an Echo (2nd Generation) Smart Speaker with Alexa and Dolby processing. Those coming in second will receive an Echo Dot (3rd Generation) Smart Speaker with Alexa. Third place winners will receive a LETSCOM Fitness Tracker with Heart Rate Monitor, Slim Sports Activity Tracker Watch, Waterproof Pedometer Watch with Sleep Monitor.
Many thanks to our five fabulous judges: Ivan Mota, Skip Glenn, Andrew Dobson, Stephen Cutting and Emma Lewis, for their time, their keen eyes, and thoughtful consideration of each entry. Huge thanks also to Vortex Optics for donating the Grand Prize. Last but not least – our deepest appreciation to all those who entered the contest. We really enjoyed these beautiful shots, making it quite challenging for judges to choose.
Please enjoy this photo gallery of all the Honorable Mentions!
Grassland Yellow Finch by Martin Gebauer
Scaly-breasted Thrasher by Judd Patterson
Walking Deshaies Guadeloupe by Venicio Wilson Altamiranda
BirdsCaribbean is excited to announce the release of The Complete Checklist of the Birds of the West Indies! Jeff Gerbracht and Anthony Levesque, in consultation with experts across the region, have compiled important details for all of the bird species observed in the West Indies, including abundance, seasonality, breeding status, endemism and establishment.
The goal of The Checklist is to provide consistent, accurate and up-to-date information for use by researchers, conservationists and policy makers. The taxonomy of species follows the current version of the Clements Checklist of birds of the world. The most recent version of the checklist can be downloaded here and consists of two different documents:
The first document includes the introduction and explanatory text, definitions used and a summarized version of the species list as a pdf.
The second is a more detailed checklist in an excel spreadsheet. Providing the checklist as a spreadsheet enables you to easily sort and summarize the checklist by the columns you are most interested in, such as ‘Endemic Region’ or ‘Abundance’.
The Caribbean is home to over 700 species of bird, including 171 species that are endemic to the region and found nowhere else in the world. You can use the checklist to explore the many birds that are endemic to the Greater Antilles (109 species), to learn about the migrants and visitors that rely on the Caribbean habitats (334 species), or to check just how rare it is to see a Common Ringed Plover (very rare).
The excel spreadsheet is an invaluable resource, allowing you to manipulate the checklist and extract important information for your research, grant proposals, or personal interest. For example, how many endangered bird species are there in the Dominican Republic? Using the sort functions in excel, we see that there are six, with five of them endemic to Hispaniola: Ridgway’s Hawk, White-fronted Quail-Dove, Bay-breasted Cuckoo, La Selle Thrush, Hispaniolan Crossbill, and Black-capped Petrel.
At the BirdsCaribbean 21st International Conference in Guadeloupe, Jeff and Anthony facilitated a West Indies Checklist Working Group meeting. During the meeting we announced the release of the first checklist and quickly reviewed the format and types of information contained in the checklist. There was great interest in this initial release and we had several lively discussions about the future direction and expansion of the checklist. Creating country and island versions of the checklist is our next step in expanding the checklist coverage and a number of representatives agreed to begin work on country lists. Additionally, there was strong interest in expanding the checklist to cover subspecies (the current version of the checklist covers birds at the species level only). Everyone agreed that this checklist fills a much-needed void in open access to information on birds in the region and the enthusiasm around moving it forward was exciting and bodes well for the future of this working group.
When you are birding, remember to record all your observations in eBird Caribbean as those records will be used to keep this checklist up to date.
A Puerto Rican Flycatcher sings at first light on Global Big Day. (Photo by Hector Ortiz)
Congratulations to all our citizen scientists out there! The biggest day in birding was even bigger for the Caribbean this year. May 4, Global Big Day 2019, saw 846 checklists posted on the eBird Caribbean site, topping last year’s 698. This is quite a big jump in one year!
Whether it was by the sea, in the hills or in backyards, over 200 Caribbean birdwatchers, ornithologists, photographers and nature enthusiasts grabbed binoculars and cameras on May 4. They recorded 330 species in total, including 140 endemics. This means that no less than 80% of the Caribbean’s special birds, found nowhere else in the world, were seen in one single day. This is a very encouraging development. You can see all of the Global Big Day data from the West Indies on eBird.
A pair of Bobolinks were spotted on the Cayman Islands. (Photo by Denny Swaby)
This year, 21 islands played a part in Global Big Day. In recent years, an annual (friendly) competition in the West Indies has been warming up between the Bahamas and Puerto Rico. This year the race to the top was again close, but the Bahamas emerged as winners, spotting 138 species. Puerto Rico came in just six species behind and Cuba came in third with 125. Who will the winner be next year? Trinidad and Tobago, grouped with South America in Global Big Day counts, spotted 194 species.
Globally, a record 33,459 enthusiasts went out birdwatching in 171 countries, finding 6,842 species. Two thirds of the world’s bird species were spotted in a single day. The Western Hemisphere dominated the global results; Colombia came out on top for the third consecutive year with the stunning total of 1,591 species, followed by Peru.
A Wilson’s Plover in Anguilla. (Jacqueline A. Cestero)
BirdsCaribbean and eBird Caribbean thank all who went out on Global Big Day, even if only for a short time. The main point is that you participated, making an invaluable contribution to science and conservation. As the world’s largest biodiversity-related citizen science project, eBird had 1.85 million observations on Global Big Day. eBird is managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, in collaboration with partner groups such as BirdsCaribbean – and hundreds of thousands of eBirders. For more information, go to the Caribbean portal: https://ebird.org/caribbean/home. You may also download the free mobile app, which makes tallying those numbers even easier. Enjoy!
Field technicians check the the hawk chicks for Philornis pici fly larvae. These parasites will feed off the chick’s blood which can result in death. (Photo by Eladio Fernandez)
These are two names sometimes given to the elegant Ridgway’s Hawk, a Critically Endangered bird of prey which lives only on the island of Hispaniola. This hawk has an estimated population of just 450 individuals in the Dominican Republic, and is believed to be extirpated in Haiti. Since 2000, The Peregrine Fund – a non-profit organization working for the conservation of threatened and endangered birds of prey worldwide – has been in the Dominican Republic, fighting to save this species. The program consists of four major components: scientific research and monitoring, assisted dispersal, environmental education and community development.
I came on board this project in 2011 and have been amazed at the incredible strides our great team has made for the conservation of this species. As I write this, we are right in the middle of the busiest time of year – Ridgway’s Hawk nesting season! As many of our local field crew are busy nest monitoring, banding chicks and treating young for botfly infestations, I have had the privilege to spend some time at our new release site in Aniana Vargas National Park.
The Community is Key
A newly released Ridgway’s Hawk spending some time on the release tower. (Photo by Marta Curti)
Part of our long-term goals for the conservation of this species include creating 3 additional populations outside of Los Haitises National Park – the location of the last known population of this species. Last year, our team leader, Thomas Hayes, spent a lot of time searching for potential new release sites that would provide the hawks with sufficient prey and nesting habitat as well as relative protection from human threats. In fact, one of the main reasons we chose this park was because of the communities that surround it. Most of them make their living selling organic cacao and are already committed to environmental protection!
But before we could begin releases in this area, we had to do much more than pick a spot and set up a release site. We had to make sure we had the support from the local community members. After all, the success of the project and the survival of the hawks very much depends on the residents’ reactions to these efforts.
So, over the past several months our team has made many visits to Los Brazos, the nearest community to the release site. We held town meetings to discuss the possibility of releasing hawks in the area. We also brought a few individuals from the town of Los Limones (outside of Los Haitises National Park) where we have been working for close to two decades. The residents learned from them first-hand what benefits the project could bring to their own community. After receiving the go-ahead and full support of the people of Los Brazos, in March we constructed two towers to house the young hawks prior to release. We hired several community members to help with transporting materials through the forest to the site (about a 30-minute walk) and construction.
How Are the New Releases Doing?
Members of all ages from the surrounding community were able to enjoy the hawks. (Photo by Marta Curti)
As of the writing of this report, 14 Ridgway’s Hawks have been released into the park. They continue to do well. Nine more are currently in the hack boxes* and will be released within the next two weeks. We hope to bring at least two more hawks to the site, to be able to release a total of 25 individuals this year. All the hawks have been fitted with transmitters which help us locate them during this critical stage of their development.
In order to benefit the community as well as the hawks, we built and provided one free chicken coop to each household in Los Brazos. This will help prevent any conflicts between Ridgway’s Hawks, other raptors and domestic fowl. We also hired and are in the process of training three full-time, seasonal employees and three seasonal, paid volunteers. These young community members are responsible for monitoring and caring for the released hawks, under the supervision of Julio and Sete Gañan. Some have even taken the initiative to give presentations in nearby communities and schools. Our presence in Los Brazos also provides other sources of income for individuals as we pay for additional services such as cooking, laundry, house rental and transportation, among others. We have been overjoyed by the enthusiasm shown by the people of Los Brazos and surrounding communities in support of this project and the Ridgway’s Hawk.
Over the next few months, the released hawks will naturally develop their hunting and survival skills and in no time – they will become completely independent. When that happens, the young hawks will disperse to other areas within and outside the park.
Learning More About the Guaraguaíto
Los Brazos community members giving presentations on the Ridgway’s Hawk in local schools. (Photo by Marta Curti)
In order to keep the hawks as protected as possible once this happens, we have to make sure our education program reaches other surrounding communities before the hawks do. To that end, we expanded our education program to the region. To date we have visited 10 other communities that surround the park, going door-to-door, and giving presentations in local schools. We have also engaged local teachers to help us spread this important conservation message.
To date, we have conducted two workshops for a total of 38teachers working in schools around Aniana Vargas National Park. These two-day workshops are designed to provide teachers with the tools necessary to be able to talk about conservation issues one-on-one within their communities and in the classroom. The training also showed how to utilize whatever materials are on hand to create fun and dynamic learning experiences for their students. Our goal is for the educators to duplicate what they learned and help spread the word about the hawk and conservation far and wide.
Workshop activities include creating artistic sculptures of Ridgway’s Hawks out of recyclable materials; putting on a play – complete with actors, costumes and scenery; a bird watching excursion; playing a food-chain game; and participating in “Raptor Olympics.” During these exercises, the teachers are learning about the Ridgway’s Hawk’s biology, food chains, birds of prey, and conservation issues and actions. We have since received word from some participants, who are already putting what they learned into action. Some teachers have begun giving presentations at their schools about the hawks, and one hosted a mini-workshop with the other teachers at her school. We have also conducted art activities in several schools around the area, focused on birds of prey and the Ridgway’s Hawk.
The Future Looks Brighter, Thanks to Support!
Kids with our new Ridgeway’s Hawk brochure. (photo by Marta Curti)
Additionally, we have printed our first children’s brochure (in Spanish and Haitian Creole) and poster, and we are making progress on several other educational materials! We still have a lot of work to do in order to conserve this species and to reduce the human threat to its survival. However, we have made great strides and will continue to work hard for a better future for this beautiful raptor and for all wildlife and wild places, besides the human communities in Dominican Republic that live alongside them. I can’t wait!
We are grateful to our in-country partners Fundación Grupo Puntacana, Fundación Propagas, ZooDom, Cooperativa Vega Real, and Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales: and to our generous donors: BirdsCaribbean and the Betty Petersen Conservation Fund, and Premios Brugal Cree en Su Gente. And very importantly, we thank all of our local employees and volunteers, and all the community members for ensuring the success of this project. We could not do it without your support!
Hover over each photo to see the caption or click on the photo to see a slide show.
Youth showing her Ridgeway’s Hawk artwork. (photo by Marta Curti)
Newly released Ridgeway’s Hawks spending time near the release tower. (photo by Marta Curti)
Locals monitoring the released hawks. (photo by Marta Curti)
Local volunteers and community members tracking the hawks using radio telemetry. (photo by Marta Curti)
Hack box for the Ridgeway’s Hawk (photo by Marta Curti)
Teacher Training Workshop: Playing a food chain race game to learn about the importance of food chains. (photo by Marta Curti)
Art activity – learning to draw Ridgeway’s Hawk. (photo by Marta Curti)
Morning meeting in the field. (Photo by Eladio Fernandez)
Art activity using new children’s brochure on the Ridgeway’s Hawk. (photo by Marta Curti)
Learning to identify birds seen on our walk at a Teacher Training Workshop (photo by Marta Curti)
Bos Brazos community members giving a presentation on the Ridgeway’s Hawk in a local school. (photo by Marta Curti)
Banding the chicks is important for identification and research. (Photo by Eladio Fernandez)
Community members come to see the released hawks. (photo by Marta Curti)
By Marta Curti, The Peregrine Fund. Marta Curti began working as a field biologist with The Peregrine Fund (TPF) in 2000 when she worked as a hack site attendant on the Aplomado Falcon project in southern Texas. She has since worked as a biologist and environmental educator on several TPF projects from California Condors in Arizona to Harpy Eagles and Orange-breasted Falcons in Belize and Panama. She has been working with the Ridgway’s Hawk Project since 2011.
* A hack box is a specially designed aviary that serves as a temporary nest for young hawks awaiting release into a new area. The hawks are places in the hack box at a young age (before they are naturally able to fly). They remain in the hack box for about 7-10 days, until they are at the age of fledging. During their time in the hack box they are fed daily and become accustomed to their new home so that when the doors are open, they will naturally want to return to the site for food. Over time they will develop their hunting skills and once independent they will disperse naturally from the release area and no longer show up for the food we provision.
Barbuda Warbler, endemic to the tiny island of Barbuda. The world’s population of this bird is restricted to 62 square miles. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
March 28th, 2019: A year and a half after Category 5 Hurricane Irma smashed into the beautiful island of Barbuda. A survey team is on the local ferry, returning to conduct follow-up population assessments of the endemic Barbuda Warbler and the Magnificent Frigatebird colony. The Barbuda Warbler was last evaluated by the IUCN in October, 2016 and was classified as Near Threatened; the Magnificent Frigatebird colony is the largest breeding colony in the western hemisphere. As an endemic, the Barbuda Warbler is completely restricted to the 62 square mile island and with its relatively small population, is at a higher risk from extreme weather events and habitat loss. The frigatebird colony as the largest breeding colony in the region is critical to the continued success of this species in the Atlantic. When Hurricane Irma swept over the island, we feared for the safety of both the Barbuda Warbler and the frigatebird breeding colony. An assessment team was quickly gathered and sent to assess both species in October 2017. We found that the Barbuda Warbler seemed to have survived the hurricane well and the Magnificent Frigatebirds were already started to return in numbers. But, we were returning to investigate: how were these populations both doing 18 months later?
Of Tents, Tarps, and Old Friends
Shanna and Junior observing while Fernando records the observations. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
Immediately upon landing at the ferry docks, we were greeted by the faces of friends we had made on the previous visit. Kelly Burton, Codrington Lagoon National Park Manager (Dept of Environment), was there making sure that the arrangements for transportation, food and lodging were taken care of and that our sometimes ‘unusual’ needs were met. Once we settled into our lodgings, we had a quick look around the town of Codrington, which had been nearly destroyed by the hurricane. Many homes now have electricity and roofs, but many were still without the basic needs of a simple roof. Tents and tarps are still being used by many Barbudans. Before we even left Codrington for an initial training session on methods, we encountered several Barbuda Warblers and the local subspecies of Yellow Warbler. A good sign for the first day.
We then headed north towards Two Foot Bay, where Jeff Gerbracht and Fernando Simal from BirdsCaribbean oriented the rest of the team with the survey methodology and what to expect for the following week: early mornings, late evenings and lots of walking, counting birds and good company!! Natalya Lawrence (Environmental Awareness Group – EAG), Sophia Steele (Flora & Fauna International) and Joseph (Junior) Prosper (EAG) enthusiastically dove right into the methods, asking great questions about the survey forms and practicing the count protocol. Sophia was part of the field team just after Irma and her prior experience with the methods was an added bonus. Of the eight point counts made that first afternoon, only one didn’t include a Barbuda Warbler, again a great start to a great week.
Revisiting Old Haunts, Meeting the Barbudans, and Lobster Wraps for Lunch
Discussing the Barbuda Warbler with John Mussington, secondary school principal and science teacher. (Photo by Natalya Lawrence)
The next day started with sunrise, with two teams visiting the points we had sampled a year and a half earlier. Generally, each team was able to cover 8-15 points before the sun drove both us and the warblers into hiding. We looked forward to the lunch breaks with fantastic lobster wraps provided by Claudette and the occasional visits by her lovely granddaughter. After a relaxing lunch and brief rest, we were back in the field by 3pm, covering as many points as possible before sunset. Evenings were a group dinner, followed by a few Wadadlis (local beer!) and strategizing for the following day.
One of the biggest differences from my prior visit was the number of people that were back on the island. During our first visit, Codrington was almost deserted, and this time it was a vibrant community. This also meant we could meet with the community members, discuss what we were doing and why, and also begin to understand their lives and challenges post-Irma. We met with the principals of both schools, gave presentations on the Barbuda Warbler and the monitoring efforts to several of the classes, and had many enlightening discussions with Barbudans we would meet in and around town. Several times during the week we met children returning home from school, which often resulted in some impromptu birding classes.
The Frigatebird Revival
Most of the smaller groups of mangroves appeared to be dead though the frigatebirds are still using them for nesting. The larger sections of mangrove appear to be slowly recovering with much dead vegetation still in evidence. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
Partway through the week, Natalya and Sophia had to return to Antigua and Shanna Challenger (Flora and Fauna International), also an alum from the first season, joined the field crew and quickly showed her talent for spotting hard to find birds. With the help of Shanna and Joseph (who walked more miles than any of us), we were able to complete the necessary point counts, which gave us some extra time to conduct a rapid count of the Magnificent Frigatebird colony in the Codrington Lagoon NP. An afternoon boat trip to the colony was spectacular. We were joined by additional EAG staff (Nathan Wilson) and we counted as much of the colony as possible. One person counted adults, a second counted downy chicks and a third counted the ‘white-headed’ birds (mostly birds hatched either last year or very early this year). We counted a whopping 7,451 frigatebirds. The mangroves appear to be recovering slowly but that didn’t seem to bother the frigatebirds too much.
Connecting with Barbudans of All Ages
One of the very important aspects of our trip, besides counting the birds of course, was interacting with the Barbudans. During the second half of the trip, a team from EAG traveled from Antigua to do just that. In addition to the visits that we had already made to both schools, Arica Hill, EAG’s Executive Director, led the charge to host Barbuda Warbler presentations at the elementary school, complete with Shanna dressed as a Barbuda Warbler! Arica and EAG Director, Tahambay Smith, also organized a town hall meeting that was held with Barbudans, to gauge their interest in establishing an arm of the EAG over there. And let’s not forget filming! Lawson Lewis captured moments in the field, in the schools and in the meeting. These will be made into a short documentary that should become available very soon.
A New Airport Raises Concerns
Survey point now in the middle of the new airport runway. (Photo by Joseph Prosper)
Back to the field work! During the first few days, we kicked up clouds of red dust as we walked from point to point to count the Barbuda Warbler. Then, there were a few unexpected challenges, some caused by the much-needed heavy rains we encountered (Antigua and Barbuda have been in a drought for several years). But folks were happy to pull us out of the resulting mud when we got stuck and we were able to complete our surveys despite several rain delays. The construction of the new airport meant that several points we had previously counted were now either on the runway or in the middle of the rock quarry supporting the new construction. Habitat loss and concerns about the impact the airport will have on the surrounding warblers are something that should be closely monitored into the future.
There was also good news. We observed warblers throughout the island in numbers roughly similar to the previous counts shortly after the hurricane. 71 of the 105 random points counted during the week included at least one Barbuda Warbler. Certainly, one of the reasons the Barbuda Warbler population is doing this well, following a direct hit by Irma, is simply the amount of habitat available on Barbuda. The small human population and communal land ownership laws on Barbuda have resulted in most of the island remaining in a wild state, providing the warbler and other life with ample habitat. This likely provides significant buffers to the impacts of natural disasters such as droughts and hurricanes. As that habitat decreases, however, with the developments that are sure to follow the opening of a new airport, the risks to the warbler and its long term survival will also increase.
While the warbler appears to be doing fairly well, the data are still being analyzed and any conjecture about the true population status at this time is based on our observations and not statistics. We will follow up this blog post with the population estimates once the numbers have been crunched (and we will also present our work at BirdsCaribbean’s 22nd International Conference in Guadeloupe). The data are now off to Dr. Frank Rivera-Milan (who led the team during the first visit) – he will be running the various models to produce a current population estimate.
All in all, it was a very busy week but we had a wonderful time. Counting birds, meeting new friends, and spending time on such a beautiful, mostly wild island is a special experience—I’m ready to go back !!!
Thank you to our Partners!
We thank our donors and supporters who made this trip a successful one. Firstly, many thanks are expressed to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Fund), Global Wildlife Conservation, and Mr. Lamont Brown for providing funding for these important surveys and also for the educational outreach in Barbuda. Sincere thanks to the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) for assisting with the logistics, especially Ms. Arica Hill and Mr. Kelly Burton (Dept of Environment). Thanks to Fernando Simal (WILDCONSCIENCE), Joseph (Junior) Prosper, Natalya Lawrence, Shanna Challenger, and Sophie Punnett-Steele for tireless help with the field work. Thank you to Mr. John Mussington and Ms. Charlene Harris, principals at both the secondary and elementary schools in Barbuda, for affording us the opportunity to visit and speak with the students. Finally, we wish to thank the Barbuda Council and the Barbudan people who provided us with their assistance and support.
By Jeff Gerbracht, Lead Application Developer, eBird, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. For many years, Jeff has served as a volunteer facilitator at our BirdsCaribbean training workshops and assisted with a number of field survey and monitoring efforts.
Hover over each photo to see the caption or click on the first photo to see a slide show.
Jeff showing Barbudan child how to use binoculars and catch a glimpse of local birds. (Photo by Joseph Prosper)
Natalya and Jeff in the field. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
The quarry, which is the source for the new airport foundation. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
Sunset at the Codrington wharf. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
Lesser Antillean Bullfinch, seen and heard on many of our points. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
Natalya Lawrence recording birds and vegetation cover. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
Jefff and Fernando planning logistics with Kelly Burton. (Photo by Natalya Lawrence)
Magnificent Frigatebird chicks. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
Impromptu bird monitoring class. Fernando showing some school children how to use binoculars. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
Roofs yet to be repaired and some businesses still aren’t open. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
Counting Magnificent Frigatebirds, white-headed immatures and downy chicks in abundance. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
Clearing surrounding new runaway and road to quarry. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
The Caribbean islands are home to 172 endemic bird species that are found nowhere else in the world. Many survive on just one island. Right now, these birds, and their habitats, are under increasing pressure from badly planned commercial development, poaching for sport and subsistence, as well as increasingly deadly storms due to climate change, to name just a few threats. The Caribbean’s biodiversity is at serious risk with about 1/3 of the region’s species threatened with extinction, making the Caribbean one of the top hotspots assessed by the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund for globally threatened species.
That is why Saint Lucia artists, Christopher Cox, Donna Grandin & Daniel Jean-Baptiste, have donated their work, including an outstanding image of the Imperial Parrot, to raise funds to protect this and other magnificent endemic Caribbean species. The auction will launch on May 3rd at https://www.32auctions.com/SaveCaribbeanBirds You can buy one of these incredible pieces of art and, with your purchase, ensure the work needed to save these birds in the wild continues. This is vital work so reward yourself and purchase art that will protect the most endangered birds of the Caribbean.
Caribbean Species Continue to Face Serious Challenges
For years, Caribbean conservation organizations have toiled to bring these species back from the brink of extinction. Recent hurricanes and lack of resources have caused huge setbacks that conservationists are desperately working to resolve. Funds raised from this auction will all go to support the recovery of critically endangered Caribbean island species: protecting their habitat and ensuring local communities are engaged in protecting them – actions that will guarantee their survival. Please support our effort and purchase some of the Caribbean’s finest artwork.
Christopher Cox and the Imperial Parrot of Dominica
“Imperials of Waitukabuli – Imperial Parrots” by Christopher Cox
The auction is the brainchild of Christopher Cox, who felt compelled to support preservation of Imperial Parrots after he saw the massive devastation on their island home, Dominica, caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017. Having worked at Saint Lucia’s Forestry Department for many years, Chris knew how much this hurricane’s destructive force would impact this magnificent species’ already stressed chance for long-term survival. This painting depicts the birds in their element – as they should be forever – high in the rugged rainforest, with the poise of majesty and hope of a secure future.
Chris feels privileged to be among the few recognized wildlife artists from the region. He has combined his passion for wildlife art with his conservation career; working with Saint Lucia’s government and then with a regional environmental agency. Recently, he has opened up new horizons beyond the Caribbean, having relocated to Nairobi, Kenya in 2014, where he pursues his professional career with the United Nations Environment Program working on combating marine pollution. His art is expressed in a variety of media from watercolors to acrylics to oils.
His stunning image of Imperial Parrots in the wild, titled “Imperials of Waitukabuli – Imperial Parrots,” is an oil painting on canvas. Its dimensions are 48×36″ – based on the current size of the stretcher it is on; *note that when re-stretched it may be slightly smaller.
“Mango Delight” – a Vibrant Work That Expresses Joy
“Mango Delight” by Daniel Gabriel Angelo Jean-Baptiste.
Silk painting artist Daniel Gabriel Angelo Jean-Baptiste of Saint Lucia immediately joined with Chris on the idea of an auction to support Caribbean birds. Daniel uses tropical nature as his inspiration and silk as his canvas. His creations reflect on a life of growing up in the beautiful tropical paradise of the Caribbean. His works are in the private art collections of golf champion Arnold Palmer, heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman, singer/songwriter Paul Simon, U.S. President Bill Clinton, U.S. President George W. Bush, South African President Nelson Mandela, and CEO of Sandals Resorts Gordon “Butch” Stewart.
Daniel’s contribution to the auction, “Mango Delight” is a commissioned one-of-a-kind. It is hand drawn water-based resistant and hand painted using Sumi sheep hair brushes to apply a water-based liquid pigment silk paint onto 10mm, 100% Habotai silk. This magnificent image measures 40″high x 30″wide. The piece is unframed and is shipped as a rolled textile.
Daniel states, “My life is one which is so close to nature that I feel a part of all her splendor and mystery. When I paint, I become my subject, from the tree frog in the mist of Fond St. Jacques rainforest to the sea turtle gliding in the deep blue waters of Anse Chastanet Bay… I do not just want to paint, but I want you to create so that you too can feel the intense joy that I experience in being here.”
A Third Saint Lucia Artist Has Stepped Up
“Pondlife with Snowy Egrets” by Donna Grandin
Donna Grandin is a professional fine artist from Saint Lucia. She studied art in Canada and, since then, has been exhibiting her acrylic paintings in the Caribbean and Canada, gaining collectors from those areas and beyond. Donna also responded to Chris’s call and has provided the third piece for the auction.
Donna states that Nature provides a feast of inspiration for the artist. With its organic shapes and patterns, nature provides her with an endless supply of interesting compositions. “As an acrylic painter, I capture and translate these compositions through the filters of my personal sense of color and interest in visual rhythm, to convey mood and movement.”
Her piece, “Pondlife with Snowy Egrets,” conveys the serenity of nature. Her inspiration for Pondlife was the pond in front of the Auberge Seraphin at Vigie, in Saint Lucia. This beautiful image is a 30”x40” acrylics.
Let the Bidding Begin!
Now that you have seen the images, let’s all go bid on them! It’s easy, all you have to do is click on https://www.32auctions.com/SaveCaribbeanBirds and put a bid on one or all of the paintings. Mark your calendars – the auction begins on Friday, May 3 and closes on Sunday, May 12, 2019.
Please spread the word as well. Tell everyone you know about the auction by e-mailing the link, pasting the link into your social media with a post encouraging friends to enter the auction and any other creative ways to make the auction a success. Let’s ensure the birds and habitats of the Caribbean, especially Dominica’s Imperial Parrots, survive for generations to come. Thank you!
Cuban Oriole, one of 26 endemic birds in Cuba. (photo by Aslam Ibrahim)
Last May, more than 30,000 people took to fields and forests around the world, noting 7,025 species in a single day—Global Big Day. A world record! In less than 2 weeks, birding’s biggest day is coming back.
On Saturday, May 4th, will you represent the Caribbean and join birders across the world as part of Global Big Day? You don’t have to commit to birding for 24 hours- just an hour or even 10 minutes of watching birds makes you part of the team. This annual event raises the profile of birds, conservation issues, and gathers a snapshot of bird distribution around the globe—and we need your help to do it!
The Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival is ongoing and incorporating Global Big Day as an activity into your events is the perfect opportunity to introduce newcomers to the joys of birding. You can practice bird identification, proper equipment use, and field skills like keeping a checklist. Visit your favorite spot or search out someplace new!
A Little Friendly Competition
In 2018, a total of 254 Caribbean birders reported an incredible 453 species on Global Big Day! Here are some of the top contenders from last year (see all the West Indies data on eBird). Will they be able to defend their titles in 2019?
Species diversity:
Trinidad and Tobago: 178 species (yes, yes, we know TT is on a different level, being so close to South America)
Puerto Rico: 136 species
The Bahamas: 135 species
Guadeloupe: 83 species
Cuba: 82 species
Number of checklists (of 926 total across the region):
Puerto Rico: 249 checklists
Bahamas: 167 Checklists
Cayman Islands: 50 checklists
Guadeloupe: 42 checklists
U.S. Virgin Islands: 41 checklists
In 2018, 104 of the 175 West Indian endemics were reported. Can we do better this year? If your island has endemic bird species, near endemics or endemic subspecies, make sure they are represented on the count!
Global Big Day last year also resulted in some interesting and rare birds in the Caribbean. In Barbados, a Pacific Golden Plover and a Eurasian Spoonbill were both spotted on the same day. In Antigua, a Black Kite was reported. We are curious what rarities or vagrants might show up this year!
How Do I Participate?
Birding at Ashton Lagoon, Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
You don’t need to be a bird expert, you just have to go out and enjoy birds. Here’s our two-step guide:
Watch birds on Saturday, May 4th: Can’t commit to an excursion? Even 10 minutes in your backyard will help. Global Big Day runs from midnight to midnight in your local time zone. You can report birds from anywhere in the world.
Enter what you see and hear on eBird Caribbean: You can enter your sightings via the website or—even easier—use the free eBird Mobile app. You can enter and submit lists while you’re still out birding, and the app will even keep track of how far you’ve walked, so you can just focus on watching birds. Counts conducted at wetlands, ponds, mud flats and beaches can be entered as Caribbean Waterbird Census counts. (On a desktop when entering your data on eBird.org, on Step 2 “Date and Effort” page, be sure to choose either the “CWC Point Count” “CWC Traveling Count” or “CWC Area Search” observation type. If you are using the EBird Mobile app – adjust your settings – choose eBird Caribbean as your portal and these options will show up!)
Global Big Day Tips:
If you’re looking for a new place to find birds, explore eBird Hotspots near you.
Get together with friends and set a goal for your birding—most unusual species? biggest flock? all the species in your favorite family? The possibilities are endless.
Make your sightings more valuable: submit complete checklists, keep counts of the birds that you see, and keep multiple checklists throughout the course of your birding—if you get in the car, end that checklist and start a new one when you get to the next location.
Share what you’re seeing on social media with #globalbigday! Add your planned May 4th location to the global map.
Last year’s Global Big Day was record-breaking in terms of effort and species reported. On May 4th, we hope you will join us for the word’s next birding record!
Plastic is killing our planet – not least our beautiful birds. But you can help! This year, the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) and World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) address this critical issue with the conservation theme Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution.
While migration is in full swing, in the Caribbean, it’s a time to celebrate the birds that live only in the region and that stay here all year round. The Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival, organized by BirdsCaribbean, focuses on these special birds that we know and love. CEBF events are held between Earth Day on April 22nd and International Biodiversity Day on May 22nd.
What can we do about plastic?
BirdsCaribbean workshop participants clean up plastic trash in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
We know that all the plastic ever manufactured since the 1950s is still with us, in some form or another. Globally, only around 9% of plastic is recycled. According to the Ocean Conservancy, which sponsors International Coastal Cleanups in the Caribbean and around the world, 8 million metric tons of plastic enter our seas annually – adding to the 150 million tons that is already floating around!
Like other parts of the world, the Caribbean has become increasingly aware of the scourge of plastic pollution. Several islands have already moved to ban various forms of plastic as well as Styrofoam, including Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and the French-speaking islands—kudos to these countries! Others have plans in place to reduce the use of single-use plastic in the next year or two. Meanwhile, private and government-led plastic recycling programmes have started up. But much more needs to be done.
Plastic pollution ruins our beautiful beaches and coastlines, and blocks drains and gullies. It impacts our own health and lifestyle and hampers economic growth, especially in the tourism sector. What is more, it is harming all kinds of marine life, including endangered Caribbean turtles.
During recent beach cleanups around the Caribbean, non-biodegradable, indigestible plastic has been by far the most common type of trash to be collected from our shorelines, rivers and gullies by local volunteers. Plastic bottles, especially for soda and water, are the most common plastics that end up in our waters and on our beaches, as well as small items such as bottle caps, single-use plastic cutlery and straws and toothbrushes. Electronics (e-waste) of various types is increasingly washing up on our shoreline. Plastic shopping bags are also a great danger to our marine life, including birds.
Killer Trash
A dead Albatross chick at the remote Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge; it’s stomach is filled with marine debris plastic.
Have we thought about how plastic affects our birds? It is estimated that 80% of seabirds and waterbirds have ingested plastic.
“Plastic pollution is a global issue. Here in the Caribbean it is having a major impact, not only on our important tourism product, but also on our fragile environment,” explained festival coordinator Sheylda Diaz Mendez. “Our islands are home to over 170 endemic birds – found nowhere else in the world. Just like our human visitors, the birds that live year-round on our islands need to feel welcome and comfortable in a clean, healthy environment. Solid waste, mostly consisting of plastics, is upsetting the balance of our ecosystems, for birds and for ourselves.”
“The number of seabirds dying as a result of plastic may be as high as one million annually,” said BirdsCaribbean Executive Director Lisa Sorenson. “Many Caribbean birds are eating plastic daily. The pileup of plastic can also hamper nesting, breeding and feeding on land and prevents important habitats such as mangroves and wetlands from flourishing. This year, our volunteer CEBF coordinators will be organizing this spring, to raise awareness about plastics pollution, how you can reduce your use of single use plastic, doing clean-ups and other activities.”
World Migratory Bird Day Poster showing different groups of birds that are affected by plastic pollution. (Artwork by Arnaldo Toledo)
Plastic breaks down into tiny fragments (microplastics), which can be ingested and lead to disease and suffering in birds – as well as in smaller members of the food chain that birds may eat. It can gradually kill a bird, filling its stomach and essentially starving it to death. Plastic bags can choke and smother birds and animals. In the Caribbean, birds often become entangled in plastic fishing nets, lines, and other equipment, causing serious injury or death.
Which birds are particularly impacted by plastic pollution? The twelve bird species selected for the beautiful WMBD poster produced by Environment for the Americas this year have each been negatively affected by plastic, even though their feeding habits and the places where they live are very different. They are the Magellanic Penguin; the Black Skimmer, which feeds by flying low over the waves; the Lesser Scaup, a diving duck; the Chilean Flamingo; the Common Tern; the Northern Fulmar; the Magnificent Frigatebird (which you may see soaring around our coastlines), the splendid Osprey, a fish hawk; the lively Belted Kingfisher; the stately Tricolored Heron; the Killdeer, a shorebird; and the lovely yellow Prothonotary Warbler.
By the way, the gorgeous artwork on this poster is by Arnaldo Toledo Sotolongo, from Santa Clara, Cuba, a BirdsCaribbean member, who works as a scientific illustrator, photographer and designer and volunteers in conservation projects in his free time.
Be the Solution
Plastic is a worldwide epidemic. We need to work together to be the solution, for the sake of our birds and ourselves!
What YOU Can Do to Beat Plastic Pollution:
Use reusable metal bottles for your drinking water.
Travel with your own metal cutlery and use glass or metal storage containers.
Take cloth shopping bags with you to the grocery store.
Try reusable bamboo or metal straws.
Refuse plastic straws or containers in restaurants and stores.
Avoid plastic packaging in food stores as much as possible, including clamshell containers.
Take your plastics to the nearest recycling centre.
Reuse plastic items as much as possible in and around the home.
Host a beach or community cleanup day. Get local companies on board as sponsors. Share your photos.
Get involved! Join a local environmental or community group. Get your neighbours involved, too!
Design art competitions highlighting the problem of plastic trash.
Contact your local environmental group to find out about events on your island, or contact BirdsCaribbean to organize an event of your own.
The Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival celebrates the 172 species of birds that are found only in the Caribbean and nowhere else in the world. World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is a celebration of the thousands of birds that make their way to and fro across the Americas and the Caribbean each year. To raise awareness about the need for bird conservation, volunteer coordinators organize events in the Caribbean in April and May for CEBF and September and October for WMBD. For much more information about CEBF, WMBD and the 2019 plastics theme, visit www.BirdsCaribbean.org and www.migratorybirdday.org/
It’s that time of year again – spring migration! Migratory birds have started making their way to the temperate areas of the globe for breeding, Some of these birds have spent the entire winter in the Caribbean and others are passing through as part of a longer journey. In both cases, the Caribbean provides essential habitat that supports these fearless travelers. Safe, clean places to rest and refuel are critical to their survival.
A round trip migration for the Pectoral Sandpipers can reach over 18,000 miles (30,000 km). (Photo by Nick Dorian)
Some of the longest trips made this spring will be completed by the arctic-breeding shorebirds. If you catch a glimpse of a Red Knot in the next few weeks, you are seeing it on just a small part of its 9,300 mile (15,00 km) journey! Shorebirds are both incredible athletes and world travelers: they can travel hundreds of miles a day without rest and pass over continents in weeks.
Capturing data of birds during migration is vital to understanding their status, distribution, and how they are using sites in the Caribbean throughout their life cycle. While you are out birding don’t forget to log your observations in eBird Caribbean. If you are visiting a wetland, please do a Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) count! The regional count occurs in January and February, but CWC data is collected year-round! When entering your data on eBird, on Step 2 “Date and Effort” page, be sure to choose either the “CWC Point Count” “CWC Traveling Count” or “CWC Area Search” observation type. (you can also choose one of these options if you are using the EBird Mobile app – adjust your settings – choose eBird Caribbean as your portal and the options will show up!)
Is that a Least Sandpiper or a Western?
Earlier this year, we redesigned an existing poster of common shorebirds in the Caribbean which features many of the sandpipers, plovers and larger shorebirds that you may see while birding. This poster is a great resource because: 1) it shows the relative size of the shorebirds to each other and 2) all the birds are in their winter plumage. In their non-breeding plumage shorebirds – especially peeps – can be challenging to identify. We hope that this resource is a helpful guide for those learning their shorebird identification.
The poster is also available in Spanish and French. Below the English common name and scientific name, the common name of the bird appears in Spanish for Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. For example, the Red Knot has three Spanish common names: Zarapico Raro (Cuba), Playero Gordo (Dominican Republic), and Playero Pechirrojo (Puerto Rico). If only two Spanish common names appear, this indicates that two of these three countries have the same common name for the bird.
Do you have access to a large format printer and want to have a hard copy of this beautiful resource? The poster is the perfect addition to wildlife offices, public education spaces, or to have on hand for events like presentations and bird festivals! Larger versions of the posters can be downloaded here: French, English and Spanish.
We very much appreciate the National Audubon Society and the Bahamas National Trust allowing us to redesign their original poster and for Manomet’s input during the process. We thank the Canadian Wildlife Service for supporting poster printing costs in 2019. Participants at the Conserving Caribbean Shorebirds and Their Habitats Workshop were treated to small versions of the poster thanks to a generous donation from the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
It’s a hit – for students, teachers and communities.
Binkie van Es leads an eager BirdSleuth group at Les Fruits de Mer Natural History Museum on St. Martin. (photo by Mark Yokoyama)
“This program is so well designed that once introduced to educators it sells itself. It brings knowledge with the help of fun activities, and because birds are all around us, it helps children and adults alike to better appreciate our immediate surroundings, and inspires environmental stewardship for our surrounding habitats,” said Binkie van Es, an educator and guide on the island of St. Martin/ St. Maarten.
What was Binkie enthusing about? It is the BirdSleuth Caribbean program “Connecting Kids Through Birds,” an innovative, vibrant curriculum that uses birds to teach youth how to study, appreciate and conserve Caribbean birds. Designed for students 9-13 years old, the BirdSleuth Caribbean program contains lessons, activities and learning games that can be done in the classroom and outdoors.
BirdsCaribbean recently submitted its Final Report on the five-year program, which received funding support from the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Fund of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
BirdsCaribbean is proud to report that over the five years almost 50,000 children and community members on 22 islands/ countries joined in a range of BirdSleuth activities and learning opportunities. From Junior Rangers in the Grenadines to pre-school teachers in Haiti and Montserrat, Caribbean citizens of all ages got involved.
Detectives of Discovery
A young BirdSleuth participant in Carriacou is fully focused on documenting the clues. (Photo by P. Becker)
Now, what exactly is a sleuth? He (or she) is a person who tracks things; a keen investigator who unearths all kinds of interesting facts. Inquiry is an important feature of the BirdSleuth Caribbean curriculum, which was adapted for the Caribbean by Project Coordinator Lisa Sorenson and her team. The study of our birds means asking questions: What? (species identification) Where? (habitats) and How? (the interactive nature of the learning process). There is also a Why? (the important role our birds play in Caribbean ecosystems). Why, indeed, are birds important? At the end of any BirdSleuth training session, students can all answer that question – and in many different ways.
The program got off to an exciting start in October, 2014, when 27 participants from 23 different islands attended a workshop at the Headquarters of the Bahamas National Trust in Nassau. The three-day workshop included field trips as well as classroom sessions, and peer teaching. With workshop kits and relevant materials tucked under their arms, the trained educators returned home and held 39 Birdsleuth Training Workshops for over 1,000 educators in their own countries. The response was overwhelmingly positive.
Project Coordinator and BirdsCaribbean Executive Director Lisa Sorenson is happy at the achievements of the program – and very optimistic about its prospects for sustainability. “We are especially pleased that we were able to adapt the materials from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s highly-successful BirdSleuth International Program for a Caribbean audience,” she said. “This was welcomed by teachers, who did not see it as an ‘imported’ curriculum, but immediately embraced and adopted it as their own. This brought the whole program to life.”
Inclusive for all Avian Investigators
Dr. Sorenson also sees it as important that all the project materials are available in English, Spanish and French. BirdsCaribbean partners are also working on Creole and Dutch versions. All the materials are available for download free of cost on the BirdsCaribbean website. Those who are interested in starting their own BirdSleuth program – whether a school, a community group or a conservation organization – can get in touch with their local BirdSleuth partners for guidance. It’s a sustainable, ongoing project.
BirdSleuth students with their certificates on Abaco, The Bahamas.
So, where have the ”Bird Sleuths” been busy sleuthing? The program has not only been taking place in school classrooms, but also at summer camps, after-school science clubs, and at events organized by youth and community organizations. Les Fruits de Mer’s Heritage Museum in St. Martin has a permanent BirdSleuth activity station for visitors. BirdSleuth Caribbean activities have also been used in annual celebrations such as World Wetlands Day, World Migatory Bird Day, and the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival.
The feedback from the 2014 workshop and beyond has been positive. “The materials are extremely entertaining, which appeals to the children,” said Johanna Rodriguez of Grupo Acción Ecologica in the Dominican Republic. Amy Avenant of the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs in the Turks and Caicos Islands noted: “The curriculum is well structured and uncomplicated, driving home the need for habitat conservation and equipping youth with an empathetic looking-glass through which they can view both migratory and resident bird species, alike.”
Gumshoes Achieving Goals
Children and adults have been both inspired and entertained, engaging in a wide range of activities such as planting native plants beneficial to birds, developing birding trails, conducting clean-ups, and monitoring local birds using eBird Caribbean. Despite some challenges (including hurricanes, and fitting in with teachers’ busy schedules) there were many high points. One example is the declaration of the Petite Carenage wetland on Carriacou as a protected bird sanctuary, thanks to local partner, the KIDO Foundation. They have turned nearly the entire island into a community that cares about birds and have been busy building and installing nest boxes, planting trees, and creating original artwork for their interpretive materials and signage.
The Petit Carenage Sanctuary in Carriacou, one of the Grenadine islands of Grenada. (photo courtesy of the KIDO Foundation)
“The goal of BirdSleuth Caribbean is to encourage Caribbean people in the study, appreciation and protection of endemic and migratory birds and their habitats,” explained Lisa Sorenson. “In the past five years, we have realized that the study of our beautiful birds has sparked a new excitement and an interest in teaching – and learning – more about science and conservation. And once that spark is lit, it often grows into a real passion for birds, which we at BirdsCaribbean share, of course!”
BirdSleuth Caribbean is an inquiry-based science curriculum that engages kids in scientific study and real data collection. BirdSleuth encourages kids to answer their own questions about nature using the scientific process. Students will spend more time outdoors, connecting with nature by focusing on the fascinating sights, sounds and behaviors of birds.Click here for more information on the BirdSleuth Caribbean program.
We are extremely grateful to the USFWS Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Fund for providing the main funding for this program. We also thank the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, US Forest Service International Program, Optics for the Tropics, Vortex Optics, Bahamas National Trust, and Parc National de la Guadeloupe for funding and support.
Photo gallery: Hover over each photo to see the caption. Click on the first photo to start a slide show.
The BirdSleuth Caribbean curriculum and supporting materials (posters, games, etc.) is available in English, Spanish and French.
A group of teachers works on bird ID basics at a training workshop in Puerto Rico organized by Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña (photo by Israel Guzman)
Cuba BirdSleuth teachers receive their certificates after a fun and eventful training.
Petit Carenage, planting red mangroves where a hurricane destroyed a vast forest. (photo by P. Becker)
Birding field trip on Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (photo courtesy of Sustainable Grenadines Inc).
Children in Grenada on a birding trip, learning about the special birds that call the island home. (photo by KIDO Foundtaion)
BIrdSleuth Caribbean Teacher’s Workshop in Jamaica, led by Ava Tomlinson of the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA). (photo courtesy of NEPA)
Senior birders and very good friends, Jamal and Anthony, in the Bird Watching Club in Carriacou Grenada. (photo by P. Becker)
Officer Antonia giving a lesson on bird identification to the junior group at KIDO in Carricou.
BirdSleuth Workshop Participants in Haiti. (Photo by Debbie Baker)
Jamaican teacher learning to identify local birds by size and shape. (photo courtesy of National Environment and Planning Agency)
Learning to use a scope at the Petit Carenage Bird Sanctuary. (photo by A.Peters)
Understanding the life cycle and needs of birds – teacher artwork in a workshop led by Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña (photo by Israel Guzman)
Read about the success of this project in these articles:
We are impressed. We are excited. We are hopeful. Yes, CWC 2019 has sparked some emotions among us all!
First and foremost, we at BirdsCaribbean wish to thank you – our partners, who joined in the 2019 Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC). The Census is now in its tenth year of data collection by energetic birders across the region. Over the three-week count period ending on February 3rd, we received a total of 321 checklists from 19 countries, with 212 different species observed. We are deeply impressed by the work you have all put in!
This year’s CWC was unusual in some ways. We were not sure what to expect. In 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria cut a swathe of chaos and destruction across parts of the region. Our birds suffered and struggled to survive, and conservationists struggled to recover along with them. Results from the CWC in 2018 a few months later were worrying. Our counters reported dramatic declines in the diversity and numbers, even of some of our most common bird species. We might have expected this as the hurricanes damaged fragile wetland habitats – which had already been threatened in recent years by human activities. Even though the storms occurred in 2017, those ecosystems still have a long road to recovery.
The results from this year were heartening, compared to the post-hurricane CWC results in 2018. There were quite a few surprises and records during the counts.
Locations of the sites surveyed during the 2019 Caribbean Waterbird Census (Map by Aly Ollivierre)
Encouraging Numbers
It’s early days yet. We won’t have a complete picture of how birds are recovering until we analyze all of the data. However, there have been promising reports from the field. In the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Canadian Wildlife Service led Piping Plover surveys with a team of partners and volunteers. The team counted 134Piping Plovers this year at six sites – compared to 62 plovers at three sites in 2018. Among these birds, the surveyors spotted 15 marked with unique leg codes (including ten from their own study!).
A group of Piping Plovers foraging in Cayo Paredon Grande, Cuba. (Photo by Martin Acosta)
The teams visited a variety of good shorebird sites including foraging sand and mud flats, salinas, and ponds. Black Rock, an area of islets and sandbar on the south side of Middle Caicos, came out top in terms of the range of species and numbers counted. Almost 1,500 shorebirds were spotted, including 180Red Knot (five of which were banded with unique codes). In the past, this location has yielded many bird sightings, but in the post-hurricane count last year numbers were lower (around 500 birds). This may have been due to the redistribution of sand from Hurricane Irma which limited good foraging habitat. The abundance of birds has since tripled – which is exciting news.
In Cuba, Professor Lourdes Mugica and her team from the University of Havana counted 41Piping Plovers in Cayo Paredon Grande on the north coast of the island. Lourdes reports that they observed more Piping Plovers in other areas. However, interestingly this is the largest flock her team has ever encountered in four years of CWC monitoring. Five of the birds were banded – these were read and reported in their eBird entry.
Is it too early to suggest that this lovable, endlessly fascinating bird is making a comeback?
Exciting Discoveries
Does this plover look suspicious to you? It’s a Common Ringed Plover, which should be overwintering in Africa. Seen in Guadeloupe, this is the third record for the Caribbean. (Photo by Anthony Levesque)
On to Antigua, where Andrea Otto and her team from the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) spotted a Wattled Jacana! Not only is this a new island record, but it is a first sighting for the West Indies. This range map from eBird Caribbean clearly shows that this is a South American species. In addition to the jacana, the group also saw an American White Pelican – a new record for the island. Both are incredible sightings – check out the eBird report here!
Andrea and Natalya Lawrence shared the news of the Wattled Jacana sighting, explaining the importance of the CWC and Antigua’s waterbirds in a lively television interview on the “Antigua Barbuda Today” morning show. To see the interview, complete with photos, advance to 2:05:15 here). Our partners at EAG really helped to put their island’s waterbirds on the map!
Nature Explorers Anguilla also had an unexpected American White Pelican during their CWC count at Meads Bay Pond in Anguilla. According to the literature available and eBird records, it would appear to be a first record for the island. Way to go team! Their eBird list is available here.
Anthony Levesque in Guadeloupe spotted a Common Ringed Plover. This is only the 2nd Guadeloupe and 3rd Caribbean record of this species! Common Ringed Plovers usually overwinter in Africa (see the eBird range map). They are quite a challenge to identify in the field, especially when they are supposed to be on the other side of the world! Read Anthony’s descriptive notes on his eBird list here.
In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Lystra Culzac spotted a single male American Wigeon. This is also a rare, and possibly first, sighting for the island.
Future CWC Surveyors in the Making
Students practice their waterbird identification in Jamaica during the CWC. (Photo by Ava Tomlinson)
In Jamaica, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) hosted 65 students to participate in the CWC in the Palisadoes, Port Royal Protected Area. Students learned about the importance of the area, which is a RAMSAR site close to the capital city of Kingston, and the species they might encounter. In addition, they learned about the impact of pollution on this fragile environment.
The students used materials from BirdsCaribbean, including “Wetland Birds of the Caribbean” and “Seabirds of the Caribbean,” identification cards, binoculars, and data sheets, and set out to record their observations. They worked in groups of four, validating the type of birds seen under the guidance of NEPA staff. The students were excited to see the Belted Kingfisher, Magnificent Frigatebird, Royal Tern, Ruddy Turnstone, and Sandwich Tern.
On World Wetlands Day, a group from BirdLife Jamaica counted in the same area, which is slated for tourism development – including a retractable pier for cruise ships that is already on the island. How will this affect the wetland habitat and the birds that shelter there? Time will tell. Among the species counted there was a “party boat” full of Laughing Gulls.
Disturbing Events
Grupo Acción Ecológica (Dominican Republic) discovered and removed over 300 traps for waterbirds during their CWC counts. Here, an American Flamingo is freed. (Photo by Maria Paulino)
Wetlands were the focus for Maria Paulino and her team from Grupo Acción Ecológica in the Dominican Republic. However, there were some unhappy discoveries. At one of the country’s important wetland sites, Monte Cristi on the north coast, the team found large traps designed to catch American Flamingos. Tragically, other species were casualties – including a dead Snowy Egret, a dead Reddish Egret – and two days later, a similar trap was found with three dead Tricolored Herons. The team freed one trapped flamingo from a trap.
Altogether, the team removed over 300 traps! This terrible situation was reported to the Environmental Department in Santo Domingo and (hopefully) this will pressure the government into taking some action. It is not clear what the fate of the flamingos would be when caught, but Maria Paulino has heard that they are sold to resorts and hotels.
What is the CWC?
The Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) is a multi-partner, region-wide waterbird and wetland monitoring program led by BirdsCaribbean. The goal of this program is to learn more about the distribution, status, and abundance of waterbirds in the Caribbean in order to better conserve and manage these beautiful birds and their habitats.
Environmental Awareness Group in Antigua discussed the CWC and their record findings in a television interview.
The program also aims to increase awareness, build capacity (for example through training workshops), and engage communities and volunteers in wetland monitoring and conservation. Ultimately, we want to identify and ensure that as many important wetland sites as possible are protected, thus nurturing the many fascinating bird species that live in them.
Since the program began in 2010, dedicated bird enthusiasts have ventured into wetlands across the Caribbean to systematically survey all types of waterbirds (shorebirds, seabirds, wading birds, marshbirds, and waterfowl). The three-week regional counting period begins on January 14th and ends on February 3rd each year – just including World Wetlands Day (February 2nd).
However, this is not a “once per year” event – you certainly don’t have to wait until January of 2020 to join the CWC. We collect data all year-round! To learn more about migration routes and important stopover sites, everyone is asked to count waterbirds as often as possible throughout the year, especially during migration periods in fall (August-November) and spring (March-May).
The CWC forms part of the International Waterbird Census (IWC) – the largest volunteer waterbird count in the world, organized by Wetlands International and now in its 53rd year. We are still relatively “new kids on the block,” but after ten years we are making valuable contributions to the knowledge base for these critical but often overlooked species.
The collected data is recorded on the newly designed eBird Caribbean online platform.
Any time you are counting birds in Caribbean wetlands, you can enter your data on eBird as a CWC Point Count or Traveling Count. Make sure to choose one of these protocols on “Observation Type” if using the eBird Mobile app (be sure to choose eBird Caribbean portal in your Settings), or on Step 2 of data entry on your laptop.
A rare American Wigeon (male) spotted by Lystra Culzac and Glenroy Games in St. Vincent. (photo by Lystra Culzac)2019 CWC Survey team in the Dominican Republic – Kate Wallace, Maria Paulino and Daniel Mejia.
The Guadeloupe Woodpecker is endemic to Guadeloupe. (Photo by Frantz Delcroix)
Join us for the BirdsCaribbean 22nd International Conference, registration is now open! Please visit the conference website to register and to find information about field trips, travel support, accommodations and much more. The Call for Papers and opportunity to apply for Travel Support is also open (see below).
BirdsCaribbean and Parc National de la Guadeloupe have been working hard to put together a diverse, interesting, and relevant scientific program for the 2019 conference. And of course there is plenty of room for adventure and bird-watching in our pre, mid and post conference field trips. Hike a volcano or head to the waterfalls with chances to see Caribbean endemics like the Guadeloupe Woodpecker, Brown Trembler and Purple-throated Carib.
The conference theme is “Keeping Caribbean Birds Aloft.” “Keeping” implies that we, as a Caribbean community, are: 1) actively involved in the effort, and 2) working on ways to build resilience in the face of many challenges that Caribbean birds are facing. “Aloft” is an encouraging choice of words that reminds us what we’re all in this for – to see our Caribbean birds 1) in flight, 2) alive and well, 3) in their natural place, and 4) thriving.
To learn more about the amazing island that is hosting us this year, BirdsCaribbean Vice President Justin Proctor detailed his scouting trip to Guadeloupe here.
Brown Trembler photo by Anthony Levesque
Call for Papers & Travel Support
The Call for Papers is also open with a deadline for submission on April 15th. Thinking about submitting a talk or poster? Check out the themes/sessions at this year’s conference.
If you are in need of Travel Support to attend the conference, please visit this page and fill out the application form as soon as possible!
Travel to Guadeloupe is a bit challenging – we are encouraging everyone to register and sort out their flights as soon as possible – procrastination is not advised! We offer lots of great information and support for finding a flight on our Travel Logistics page.
Remember to check the conference website over time as information will continue to be added and updated. This includes plenary speakers, workshops, symposia, round-tables, and more.
See you in Guadeloupe! #BirdsCarib2019
The beautiful Scaly-breasted Thrasher is endemic to the Lesser Antilles. (Photo by Frantz Delcroix)
Will you see this shy Forest Thrush in Guadeloupe this year? (Photo by Frantz Delcroix)
Spectacular natural features of Guadeloupe await. (Photo by Fabien Salles)
The Brown Trembler is endemic to the Lesser Antilles. (Photo by Frantz Delcroix)
The Purple-throated Carib is a spectacular Caribbean endemic. (Photo by Anthony Levesque)
Over five days, 33 enthusiastic participants learned about shorebird identification, monitoring techniques and conservation strategies. They shared ideas, compared experiences, and trekked around watery habitats practicing new field skills. “We were thrilled to work with this enthusiastic group of conservationists this week,” said Lisa Sorenson, Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean. “They have all have pledged to use what they learned to help study and protect threatened shorebirds in their home countries.”
Why Shorebirds?
Shorebirds, like sandpipers and plovers, are among the most threatened groups of birds in the world. Most of them migrate incredible distances every year from high in the Arctic where they breed down to southern South America and back again. Some species, like the Red Knot, will fly over 9,300 miles (15,000 km) — and that’s just one way. Many migratory shorebird species, like Black-bellied Plovers, Greater Yellowlegs, and Semipalmated Sandpipers, rely on Caribbean wetlands to stop and refuel during their long journeys. Some even spend the entire winter! However, shorebird species have been in steady decline since the 1970s. This is due to several factors, all connected with human activities such as loss of habitat from development, disturbance on beaches, and hunting.
Black-bellied Plover (in winter plumage) at Combate Beach, Puerto Rico. This shorebird, and many other species rely on Caribbean beaches and wetlands for a safe haven during migration and overwintering. (Photo by Brad Winn)
The group of eager Caribbean conservationists at the workshop learned more about these threats, not only direct threats to shorebirds and waterbirds, but also to their habitats: beaches, mudflats, mangroves, and some agricultural areas. They also discussed best practices in monitoring the birds and conducting conservation activities. Importantly, they learned how to take part in two critical monitoring programs, the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) and the International Shorebird Survey (ISS). All of this led to a deeper understanding of the birds’ ecology and conservation.
Another major threat to Caribbean shorebirds is plastic pollution, and the theme of World Migratory Bird Day 2019 reflects this: “Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution.” With a growing awareness of the harmful impact of plastic across the region on public health and the environment, the group was soon busy with a cleanup at one of the field trip sites, collecting 50 pounds of trash. The exercise was led by Sheylda Diaz Mendez of Environment for the Americas (EFTA) and representatives from the Scuba Dogs Society. This was an excellent hands-on exercise for participants on the management and organization of a cleanup (which is not as easy as it sounds). Plus, the participants had fun, and were delighted to receive cleanup equipment to take back home, thanks to EFTA.
Sharing Experiences Reveals Common Themes
Group photo on the last day wearing our 2019 World Migratory Bird Day shirts—33 participants from 14 island nations. (photo by Ana Roman)
While the first three days focused on basic shorebird and waterbird identification, life history, threats to birds and habitats, and collecting and exploring data, the final two days turned to conservation solutions. After sharing the challenges they face in their countries, it was evident that many islands were experiencing similar issues. Facilitators and trainees then shared ideas and strategies for reducing threats.
In the coming days, participants will have the opportunity to apply for funding from BirdsCaribbean to carry out conservation activities on their islands. The group discussions and brainstorming sessions during the workshop were fantastic opportunities for participants to begin to develop project ideas for this funding. Depending on the threats and priorities at a given site, these projects might include activities such as shorebird and waterbird monitoring, public outreach and education, or a wetland cleanup.
Having people with the same interests and passions from across the region also had other benefits — reminding each other that we are all conserving birds together! “It’s really cool to see how many of us are actually doing this kind of work. Because when you’re on these islands, it’s just you, and you’re like, “The world is on my shoulders! These birds, I’m all they have!” said Shanna Challenger of the Environmental Awareness Group on Antigua. “And it’s really cool to see how many people we have working on the same thing.”
The group of students, wildlife managers and educators from both the government and the non-profit sectors represented 14 island nations: Antigua, the Bahamas, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Maarten, Trinidad and Tobago, and the US Virgin Islands.
BirdsCaribbean also benefited from sharing experiences during the week with our partners and co-facilitators for the workshop, Manomet, Inc. Experts in shorebird identification, life history and habitat management, the Manomet team provided enthusiasm and invaluable insights in the classroom and in the field. Their Habitats for Shorebirds Project aligned with the goals of the workshop and BirdsCaribbean is very grateful for all of their help and expertise.
Practice Makes Perfect In the Field
Field trip within Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
In addition to 30 hours of classroom learning, the group went on six field trips to local wetlands throughout the week. The field trips around Cabo Rojo offered students the opportunity to identify birds in the field and to practice count methods. “The workshop was amazing!” said Zoya Buckmire of the Grenada Fund for Conservation. “We went to a variety of wetland habitats from salt ponds to lakes to beaches. We got to see many different birds and learned some fantastic techniques for identifying and counting them.”
Shorebirds in their non-breeding, or wintering, plumage are notoriously difficult to identify. Sometimes only subtle details harbor the clues. Are the legs black? Are the wingtips longer than the tail? Does the bill droop slightly at the tip?? By the end of the week, the group was becoming more confident in the field marks for tricky birds. The Least Sandpipers at Cabo Rojo Salt Flats were a welcome new species for the group, though many were not convinced of the “yellow” in their yellow-green legs! However, with a week of field trips, it became clear to all that the more you practice, the better you are at field identification.
The workshop ended on a high, with two final field trips to Laguna Cartagena and Salina Fortuna. These were excellent places to practice flock estimation and point counts. While several species of herons and egrets and hundreds of Black-necked Stilts and Glossy Ibis were observed, taking a good look at more secretive species like the Clapper Rail and Sora were a perfect way to end the week. All participants received new Vortex binoculars and ten organizations received a new Vortex spotting scope and tripod – “must-have” equipment for monitoring programs and ensuring proper identification. The group also received field guides and other resources for bird identification and data collection.
Participant Perspectives
A group enthusiastic to clean up shorebird habitat! (Photo by Monica Iglecia)
The participants came away with plans to share their newfound knowledge with colleagues. “Thank you so much for always providing opportunities for conservationists in the Caribbean like myself,” wrote Laura Baboolal from Trinidad. She aims to start a shorebird monitoring program for Trinidadian wetlands, and adds: “We hope this can evolve into something greater…Hoping to have some exciting news soon!”
Most Caribbean people live on or near the coast, but have not appreciated or learned much about the birds that inhabit their seashores and wetlands. One of these was participant Reneive Rhoden, from Jamaica’s National Environment and Planning Agency. “I’ve learned so much about shorebirds!” said Reneive. “I grew up on the seaside and I didn’t know anything about shorebirds – and now I know a lot! I can now teach my kids, children in school, and Jamaicans that I work with in my job.”
We are very grateful to the following generous sponsors and partners for contributing to this workshop: Manomet, Inc.; Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network; Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña; US Fish and Wildlife Service (Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Fund); US Forest Service International Programs; Environment Canada; The Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, Para La Naturaleza; Optics for the Tropics, Inc.; Environment for the Americas; Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, and Vortex Optics.
We invite you to enjoy the gallery of photos below. Hover over each photo to see the caption or click on the first photo to see a slide show.
Birding at Combate Beach (L to R): Jeanette Victor, St. Lucia; Lisa Sorenson, BirdsCaribbean; Kristy Shortte, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Reneive Rhoden, Jamaica. (Photo by Jessica Cañizares)
In the classroom at Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Early morning birding at Combate Beach. (Photo by Jessica Cañizares)
Cataloging trash collection. (Photo by Jessica Cañizares)
Brad Winn reveals shorebird food using a sieve. (Photo by Monica Iglecia)
Setting the scope high. (Photo by Monica Iglecia)
Looking at a Spotted Sandpiper on the beach. (Photo by Monica Iglecia)
Perfect waterbird habitat at Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Getting a closer look always helps with ID. (Photo by Jessica Cañizares)
Anderson Jean and Francoise Benjamin practicing plover ID with Brad Winn. (Photo by Jessica Cañizares)
Reneive Rhoden helps clean up the refuge. (Photo by Jessica Cañizares)
Birding in Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Taking a closer look at shorebird food resources. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Group photo after the beach cleanup. (Photo by Monica Iglecia)
Lisa Sorenson discusses threats to birds and their habitats with a group. (Photo by Monica Iglecia)
Participants presenting their group discussions about shorebird conservation. (Photo by Monica Iglecia)
Workshop participants and facilitators group photo at Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, Puerto Rico. Everyone is wearing their World Migratory Bird Day t-shirts: Be the solution to plastic pollution. (photo by Ana Roman)
The Imperial Parrot, locally known as the Sisserou, is the National Bird of Dominica. (Photo by Paul Reillo)
In April 2018, we published an article about the controversial export of threatened parrots from Dominica to Germany. After the 2017 hurricane season, the Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots (ACTP) exported two Sisserou (Imperial Parrots; Amazona imperialis) and ten Jaco (Red-necked Parrots; Amazona arausiaca) in March 2018. ACTP claimed that establishing a captive breeding population at their facility in Germany was an “emergency measure.”
A new report by Lisa Cox in The Guardian has uncovered just how dishonest ACTP has been in its dealings with captive birds. It also reveals the criminal history of its director, Martin Guth. This new information amplifies our initial outrage and serious concern for the exported birds from Dominica. Before we highlight the report’s findings, here is a brief history of events:
Timeline
17 Mar 2018:
2 Imperial Parrots and 10 Red-necked Parrots are secretly removed from Dominica’s Parrot Conservation and Research Centre. They are exported via private charter plane to ACTP’s facility in Germany.
3 Apr 2018:
BirdsCaribbean publishes their first blog post about the incident, describing the legal, scientific and ethical problems with this export.
5 April 2018:
Thirteen organizations, including BirdsCaribbean, prepared and signed a letter to the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) expressing outrage over the transfer. The letter was also sent to representatives within CITES, the government of Dominica, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the European Union, .
April 2018:
ATCP publishes a statement in responses to the letter arguing that an external facility is the best option to protect these birds from natural disasters.
1 May 2018:
Forty international researchers, veterinarians and conservation leaders, including BirdsCaribbean, continued to express concern. They recommended the repatriation of the parrots and a full investigation into ACTP’s activities. This letter was sent to Dominica’s Director of the Environmental Coordinating Unit and Director of Forestry, Wildlife and Parks in addition to Germany’s Federal Agency for Conservation of Nature.
10 Dec 2018:
The Guardian publishes two articles by Lisa Cox about ACTP. The first is an exposé into how ACTP has acquired one of the world’s largest collections of endangered parrots. The second details Australia’s own dealings with ACTP, despite concerns.
What did the investigative report reveal?
Red-necked Parrots, also known as Jacos, are endemic to Dominica. (Photo by Paul Reillo)
Dominica has not been the only country to have questionable dealings with the ACTP. Since 2015, ACTP has removed 232 parrots from Australia (80% of all live native bird exports) including endangered birds like the Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo. In Brazil, the Spix’s Macaw is extinct in the wild; ACTP has 90 per cent of the existing global population (142 of the 159 birds left). The organization has also acquired endemic parrots from St. Lucia and St. Vincent.
The article reports that the ACTP has a license to operate as a zoo in Germany. Exports to zoos are typically granted under the assumption that the birds will be on exhibit. But the site is not easily accessible by public transport, there is no car park, and no clear indication that the facility is open to the public. There are no signs that offer information about opening hours or admission prices. Also, ACTP is not registered with any major international zoological association.
So what happens to the birds? That remains unclear as ACTP does not publish inventories, animal transactions, or financial reports. The article does note, however, that the German federal conservation agency is aware of private social media messages that show Australian birds apparently imported by ACTP offered for sale for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Guardian reporters describe Martin Guth as a convicted criminal, former nightclub manager, and “unofficial debt collector.” He served a five-year jail sentence for kidnapping and extortion in 1996 and a 20-month term for extortion in 2009. The reports also allege that “at least one individual who works with ACTP has a conviction for involvement with illegal bird trading.” German authorities reportedly deny any knowledge of Guth’s criminal background.
Yet, when ACTP applied to the Environment Department in Australia to be recognized as a zoo, it was asked: “If the zoo is privately owned, has the owner ever been convicted of a criminal offence or declared bankrupt?” ACTP responded that it was not privately owned. Its response in relation to criminal offences was marked “n/a”.
The Guardian reports have sparked strong reactions among conservationists on social media. Stephen Durand from Dominica’s Forestry Department said they confirm his worst fears: “When Martin Guth visited Dominica in January 2018…his first declaration was that he had absolutely no interest whatsoever to conduct any breeding programme for Dominica’s Parrots. And so here it is. History to confirm that Dominica’s Parrots were traded to a fraudulent zoo in the name of conservation, owned by a convicted criminal businessman.”
The Sisserou is endangered and endemic to Dominica. (Photo by Paul Reillo)
BirdsCaribbean and our fellow conservation organizations will continue to put pressure on authorities and individuals responsible for the controversial export of Dominica’s wildlife to ACTP. We stand by our recommendation to repatriate the 12 parrots. First, transfer the birds to a credentialed, experienced zoological facility to check for diseases. If deemed healthy and disease-free, return the birds to the Parrot Conservation and Research Centre in Roseau, Dominica. We also recommend a full investigation of all parrot imports by ACTP into Germany as well as ACTP’s activities with CITES I species (including inventory history). Finally, we support a ban on all future transfers of Caribbean parrots to the ACTP.
Dr. Paul R. Reillo, President of the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation and co-Director of the Tropical Conservation Institute at Florida International University, points out: “Dominica’s parrots have survived hurricanes for millennia, and wild populations have rebounded thanks to broad-based, on-island conservation measures.” Dr. Reillo, who has worked in Dominica for over 20 years, also believes the parrots should be returned as soon as possible.
The lush habitat for which Dominica is famous, and the birds that live in it, were dealt a bitter blow by Hurricane Maria. However, like its people, the island is resilient – and so are its birds. The island’s biodiversity should be allowed to recover at its own pace – and within its own borders, as Dr. Reillo notes.
Parrot habitat in Morne Diablotin National Park in Dominica – The forest is recovering after the passage of Hurricane Maria in September 2017. Photo taken in late 2018 by Stephen Durand.
BirdsCaribbean is excited to announce the first recipients of grants from the Betty Petersen Conservation Fund. Three excellent projects focusing on endangered birds endemic to the Caribbean were selected among many deserving proposals. Projects in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and St. Lucia were granted over $132,000 through the fund, with commitments of an additional $114,000 for the second year of these projects.
The organizations to receive 2019 Betty Petersen Conservation Fund grants from BirdsCaribbean are:
Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) for “Black-capped Petrel Conservation Through Poverty Alleviation in a Haitian Community”
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust for “Engaging Local Communities in Reversing the Decline of the Endangered White-breasted Thrasher by Restoring Key Nesting Sites and Reducing the Impacts of Invasive Species”
The Peregrine Fund for “A Holistic Approach to the Conservation of Critically Endangered Ridgway’s Hawk in Dominican Republic”
The “Betty Fund” was created to support conservation projects in the Caribbean that engage and empower communities and stakeholders to both protect and sustainably benefit from their birds. This approach was used successfully by the woman in whose memory the Betty Fund is named.
Difficult decisions after a tremendous response to call for proposals
Ridgway’s Hawks are critically endangered and found only in Los Haitises National Park in the Dominican Republic. (Photo by the Peregrine Fund)
“We received 24 pre-proposals representing extremely important conservation work in 16 island nations. We invited full proposals from six organizations, and while virtually all of these were deserving, we had to narrow these down to three projects,” said Andrew Dobson, Chair of BirdsCaribbean’s board and a member of the Betty Fund’s review committee. “It was a very difficult choice.”
BirdsCaribbean commends all the other applicants on their proposals and encourages re-application to the Betty Fund in the future as well as continued engagement in the BirdsCaribbean network as an aid to finding other sources of funding.
The 2019 Betty Fund projects all exemplify the principle that conservation is a social undertaking, and in each human empowerment and benefits are explicitly addressed. Project approaches include establishing tree nurseries with local schools in St. Lucia to help the White-breasted Thrasher, training in sustainable agricultural practices and sponsoring a soccer team in Haiti with the local name, Diablotin, of the Black-capped Petrel in Haiti, and providing hawk-proof chicken coops to farmers in the Dominican Republic to reduce shooting of the Ridgway’s Hawk.
Additionally, all three of the selected projects focus on an Endangered or Critically Endangered species endemic to the Caribbean. “Species endemism is not a requirement for support from the Betty Fund” explained Dr. Lisa Sorenson, Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean, “but it’s gratifying to be able to direct these inaugural funds towards birds that are uniquely Caribbean.”
2019 Betty Fund Grant Recipients
Black-capped Petrel Conservation Through Poverty Alleviation in a Haitian Community Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC)
The stories of the petrel and the people of Haiti run parallel – stories of hanging on in the face of hardship and a tenuous future in the face of great challenge; but stories also of resilience and hope based on local and international commitment to improving the environment and lives of people. The short film, “Haiti, Our Love, Our Home” portrays these stories. With dedicated funding for two years, EPIC will be able to continue and enhance activities to alleviate poverty and increase the ecological sustainability of agricultural practices, increase awareness, and foster stewardship of the Black-capped Petrel through education and outreach events. To assess the connections between their conservation efforts and local petrel populations they will map and monitor local petrel breeding habitat as well as track petrel breeding success in petrel nesting colonies adjacent to the project site.
Engaging Local Communities in Reversing the Decline of the Endangered White-breasted Thrasher by Restoring Key Nesting Sites and Reducing the Impacts of Invasive Species Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
The White-breasted Thrasher is endemic to St. Lucia and Critically Endangered. New funding from the Betty Fund will help restore the species’ habitat and engage the local community in conservation. (photo by Steffen Oppel)
The goal of this project is to reverse the decline of the endangered White-breasted Thrasher found in Saint Lucia. Degradation of the thrasher’s dry-forest habitat, caused by unsustainable land use by local communities, and predation from invasive species are having negative impacts on the reproductive success of this small population. The team aims to increase the area of suitable habitat by working with local communities and land owners to develop a cooperative land management system promoting the protection of key nesting sites and sustainable land use practices as well as restoring the habitat through a program of planting. To reduce the impacts of invasive species, a control program will be designed and implemented across key nesting sites and the effects on nesting success will be monitored using a network of camera traps. They will also engage local school children to aid with the analysis of the camera trap footage through a local outreach campaign.
A Holistic Approach to the Conservation of Critically Endangered Ridgway’s Hawk in Dominican Republic The Peregrine Fund
Ridgway’s Hawk is a critically endangered island endemic limited to one small, isolated population in the Dominican Republic, making it particularly vulnerable to extinction if human and natural pressures continue. The main threats are human persecution, infestation of botflies (Philornis pici) in nestlings, and habitat loss. Though the situation is dire, it is also hopeful. The Peregrine Fund has proven that most anthropogenic threats can be mitigated through environmental education and community engagement. They have developed an effective treatment protocol for Philornis infestations which has increased nestling survival by over 170%. Additionally, they have had great success with reintroductions in Punta Cana, where they released young hawks to create an additional population, which now numbers 18 pairs. The current goal is to create 1-2 more populations in Dominican Republic. Future successes will be measured by the number of hawks in each population, reduction of human-caused hawk mortality, and the advancement of local biologists to take on higher responsibilities.
About Betty Petersen and The Betty Fund
Betty Petersen helped many aspiring conservationists; we honor her legacy with this conservation fund. (photo by Jeffrey Gordon)
Betty Petersen (1943-2013), a lifelong resident of Massachusetts, was for many years director of a program called Birders Exchange (run by the American Birding Association), enabling birders in the US and Canada to provide resources to Latin American and Caribbean groups and individuals. In doing so, she created a network of friends and partners across all of the Americas, who loved and admired her deeply, as is evidenced by their generosity in supporting this project in her memory. The Betty Petersen Conservation Fund has been established, under BirdsCaribbean’s administration, by friends and family to keep her vision and dreams alive.
The Betty Fund was officially launched in 2018 from the generous donations of individuals who knew Betty Petersen personally or were inspired by her work. “I knew Betty for almost 30 years,” said BirdsCaribbean Board member, Charles Duncan. “She was, in her own way, a wizard. With nothing more than donated birding equipment, books, and a bit of cash, She turned local communities and school kids into committed conservationists, struggling NGOs into recognized players on the inter-American scene, and “paper parks” into real protected areas. And in the process she reminded us how rewarding it is to lend a hand when none is expected.”
Betty’s husband, Wayne Petersen, spoke on behalf of the family stating, ““Betty was neither a trained scientist nor an ornithologist. However she was a deeply caring, kind, and gentle soul who understood people, their needs, and their feelings. It was these attributes that made her sustained efforts on behalf of bird conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean so successful and what eventually made her a beloved, admired, and respected figure. I know that Betty would have been modestly overwhelmed by the way BirdsCaribbean is carrying forward her legacy – a legacy of which I am deeply proud.”
The Black-capped Petrel is a mysterious seabird locally known as Diablotin. It spends it life at sea returning to the mountains of the Caribbean to breed. Only recently was nesting by this species discovered in Haiti. (Photo by David Hollie)
BirdsCaribbean will continue to fundraise for the Betty Fund, especially given the commitment for year two funding for the three inaugural projects. Dr. Sorenson said, “The recipients have committed to raise almost $275,000 in matching funds for their projects so, in just the first two years of its existence, the Betty Petersen Fund will have enabled more than a half-million dollars for conservation of endemic birds in the Caribbean. We are off to a great start, and we can’t wait to see what other projects we can fund in the ensuing years.”
“What wonderful news!” commented Adam Brown of EPIC, a recipient of funding for his work on the endangered Black-capped Petrel in Haiti. “Thank you to you and the Committee for allowing us this opportunity. We look forward to promoting petrel conservation the way Betty would have been happy to support.”
For information on how to contribute to the Betty Fund and/or how to apply for funding please visit our page here. Thank you to all the generous donors for making this work possible!
The Avalon is setting sail again this May for important shorebird and seabird conservation and research. The mission is a continuation of on-the-ground protective and restorative measures to limit human-caused disturbance and control invasive Australian pine at key shorebird and seabird sites in The Bahamas with support from Conservian, BirdsCaribbean, Bahamas National Trust, and partners.
Volunteers Needed!
Our days will be filled with much adventure aboard the 75ft schooner “Avalon”. (Photo by Margo Zdravkovic)
We need your help to protect beach-nesting birds, nests & young. Conservian is seeking a weekly crew of 10 enthusiastic volunteers for our Bahamas shorebird habitat conservation project in May 2019 aboard our 75ft research schooner. Crews fly to the Bahamas each week to designated airports for shuttle transport to schooner. All trips include bunk, onboard meals, water, & ground transportation associated with project. Cost for week 1 or 2 trips is $1,750 per week. Week 3 patron trip cost includes “student sponsorship” and additional itinerary of cultural and historic site visits on Great Exuma. Please see website for more information at Coastalbird.org A valid passport is required. Airfare & insurance are not included.
This is a wonderful opportunity to gain field experience and shorebird ID skills or simply a once in a lifetime experience! Last year, BirdsCaribbean’s own Jennifer Wheeler joined the trip. Read all about her amazing adventures here.
May 2019 Expedition Dates & Locations:
American Oystercatcher with chick. (Photo by J. Gray)
Choose one week or more! Each week includes 7 nights aboard the schooner
Week 1: Joulter Cays & S. Andros- May 5-12 (Nassau Int Apt)
Week 2: Northern Exumas – May 12-19 (Nassau Int Apt/Exuma Int. Apt)
Week 3: All Exumas (including Great Exuma) – May 19-26 (Exuma Int. Apt/Nassau Int. Apt)
Project Crew Activities:
Protect, post & sign shorebird & seabird sites
Collect new data on nesting shorebirds, seabirds & habitat
Locate & protect shorebird & seabird nests & downy young
Control invasive Australian pine on beach habitats (select trips)
Work with local volunteers to accomplish the above goals
Snorkel reefs in gin clear waters
Learn sailing crew skills
Fish for dinner-catch of the day!
To join our conservation pirate crew please contact Margo Zdravkovic at MargoZ@Coastalbird.org Go to Coastalbird.org for more information on our 2019 expedition and Conservian’s coastal bird conservation work.
Aerial photo of prime shorebird habitat on Andros.
IMPORTANT: Applicants must be responsible, adventurous, in good physical condition, enjoy working in teams & be capable of walking several miles during warm weather on Bahamas beaches. Applicants must be comfortable living communally onboard a schooner for a week & riding in small boats to access survey sites.
The last time we met them, Yvan Satgé and his colleagues from Grupo Jaragua and USGS – South Carolina Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit were hiking up and down the high slopes of Loma del Toro, in the Dominican Republic. They were in search of active Black-capped Petrel burrows in which to set traps for adults returning to feed their chick. Read Part I of the story here.
“Hay uno!” – There is one!
The endangered Black-capped Petrel or “Diablotin” only breeds in the mountains of a few Caribbean nations. (Photo by David Hollie)
Excited by the prospect of capturing Black-capped Petrels for the first time, I am awake well before sunrise. Even the local rooster is surprised by the beam of my headlamp emerging from the tent. I knock on the door of the caseta where the rest of the team sleeps and, within a few minutes, our group heads into the forest, a flock of LED lights floating in the night mist. When we reach the ridge that marks the edge of the petrel colony, there is just enough light to sense the tall presence of Hispaniolan pines, their bark beaded with water droplets caught in lichen and moss. We catch our breath while listening to the muted sounds of dawn: a few birds warming up in the distance, insects starting to chirp in the bushes, and Pirrín…who never stops talking.
To avoid unnecessary disturbance, we decide that only Ivan, the youngest and fittest of the group, will check on the traps. If he finds a trapped petrel, he will call us by radio to join him. Ivan scrambles down the slope of loose soil and rocks and disappears into the dense understory vegetation. Up on the ridge, as we solemnly listen to the radio, even Pirrín is quiet. In the momentary silence, I review the steps in the tagging process myself: record the time; remove the bird from the trap; check it over for condition or injury; place it in the cloth bag; weigh it; attach a metal band to its right leg. If the petrel is heavy enough, glue the GPS tracker to the base of the tail feathers with epoxy, and secure it with strips of waterproof cloth tape and a small zip-tie. Take measurements: tarsus, wing cord, bill (culmen) length and depth; take a picture of the bird’s profile; place it back in the nest; record the time. Collect any poop samples. Breathe.
The radio screeches: “Hay uno!” – There is one. My heart races as we enter the ravine, single-file. Despite our excitement, we need to move slowly through the branches and vines that block our path at knee and chest height. In front of the burrow, we review the procedure once again and assign roles. Ivan removes the trap from the tunnel’s entrance, revealing a small but handsome black and white bird with a black mask over its eyes and a shiny thick black beak: Diablotín, the Black-capped Petrel. Patrick places the petrel into the cloth bag and weighs it as José Luis takes notes. Meanwhile I begin to prepare the GPS tracking equipment, but Patrick stops me halfway through: “370g: it’s a light bird…” I won’t need the tracking equipment this morning after all.
The Seabird Biologist Receives Two Gifts from the Diablotin
José Luis Castillo holds a Black-capped Petrel ready to be equipped with a GPS tracker, while Pirrín Matos watches the procedure. (Photo by Yvan Satgé)
An implicit standard in the tracking of birds’ movements is to keep the mass of the tracking equipment below 3% of the mass of the bird to avoid undue burden. Counting the waterproofing, epoxy, tape and zip-tie, the mass of our GPS loggers adds up to a bit less than 9g, meaning we could equip petrels weighing as little as 300g. The night before, however, we had decided to raise the weight limit in case the stress of tagging a smaller petrel might cause it to abandon its chick. As important as our research can be for the conservation of Black-capped Petrels, we do not want to jeopardize the health or reproductive success of the already-endangered birds we study. It is tempting to bend our own rule in our excitement – but it’s always best, in any expedition, to follow decisions made with a clear head.
The petrel rewards us with a gift of sorts: a fresh fecal sample for my diet study lands on my legs. Will this poop contain DNA from squid, or from some unknown prey? We hope to find out soon. Now, we band the petrel and, after quick measurements and a photo, it’s time to place it back in its burrow. Too happy to release my first Black-capped petrel, I am not careful enough of its beak and receive the mark of the seabird biologist: a bleeding gash into the flesh of my finger.
Over the next ten days, we capture eleven more Black-capped petrels, nine of which we equip with a GPS tracker. We also set up three “base-stations” near their burrows: powered by solar panels, the base-stations will download the data stored in a tracker whenever a petrel comes back to feed its chick. Ernst and his team will retrieve the base-stations and data when they come back in June for their monthly check of the colony.
A Patient Ball of Fluff
Gerson Feliz inspects the chamber of a newly found Black-capped Petrel nest, revealed by a fallen tree: Gerson will protect the 2-week old chick with an improvised roof of branches, rocks and soil. (Photo by Yvan Satgé)
During our discussions, while, bathing in the sun after afternoon rains, huddled around the cooking fire, or preparing GPS trackers in the caseta at night, I have realized that spending so much time at Loma del Toro is challenging for the team. My companions have families and other responsibilities in town (Ivan will leave early to take tests for his high school certificate – we all thought he was finished with school for the year!). Although cellphones and WhatsApp make it easier for José Luis to chat with his wife and young kids or for Ernst to keep working on a multitude of other projects, their monthly monitoring visits to the colony usually last only a few days. Hence, we use these two weeks on the mountain as fully as possible.
One afternoon, Patrick, an expert rock-climber, refreshes the team’s climbing skills with two duffel bags full of safety equipment donated by Ted Simons, the leader of a 2001 expedition to locate Black-capped Petrel nests in this area. We use the ropes, harnesses and helmets to practice rappelling down petrel escarpments and climbing up trees where Hispaniola Amazons, a vulnerable endemic parrot also monitored by Grupo Jaragua, build their nests.
On other days, we search for petrel burrows. After many hours of bushwhacking in dense underbrush, we find two new burrows near the monitoring area. One of them houses a grey ball of down feathers: a 2-week old Black-capped Petrel chick patiently waiting for its parents to bring it food. The other nest contains only a cold egg. This is the fifth abandoned egg that we have found in the area; in the 8 years that Grupo Jaragua has been monitoring the species, Ernst has only found a few such cases. The reason for these abandonments is difficult to pinpoint, but may include the presence of feral cats (which can kill or disturb incubating adult petrels) or the lack of available prey in the petrels’ foraging areas (which means the parents must spend more time searching for food and less time incubating their egg). We hope that our research will help us better understand how these threats affect the petrel population. I collect the egg for the Dominican Museum of Natural History while Gerson builds a new roof of branches, rocks and soil to protect the petrel chick.
The First Annual Diablotin Festival Takes Off In the Rain
With the help of Noah Jodice, Patrick’s son and a talented illustrator, I designed a poster of the Black-capped petrel’s travels that I had planned on giving to the village school. Unfortunately, the poster got lost during the trip from the US. (The poster is now also available online, in Spanish, French and Creole translations: just contact us).
When doing fieldwork, it is easy to lose track of the “normal” world and to forget which day it is. During this expedition, though, there is an important date on our calendar: April 19th, the day of the first annual Diablotin Festival organized by our colleagues Anderson Jean (Société Ecologique d’Haïti) and Adam Brown (Environmental Protection in the Caribbean). That day, we put on our best field clothes, clean our muddy shoes, pack some supplies for the hike and for our friends, and head down the mountain into Haiti.
We enter the village of Boucan Chat, where students from two local schools line both sides of the road, wearing bird masks or tree costumes over their school uniforms. The students have spent weeks learning about Black-capped Petrels and the importance of protecting their habitat in the surrounding mountains. Protecting habitats benefits not only the birds but also the whole forest. Preserved from illegal logging, forests can store more water during the rainy season, preventing farmed fields from flooding and keeping natural springs flowing during the dry season.
The buzz of a drone raises a few heads amongst the children but most of them seem accustomed to its presence. After three years of on-and-off filming in the area, the “Save the Devil” filming crew has almost finished its documentary on Black-capped Petrel conservation in Boucan Chat. The next day, they will screen a short version of the film in front of the Boucan Chat villagers, who will ask to see the film three times in a row!
A band arrives on a convoy of motorcycles, and the parade begins. Villagers hurry to the roadside to watch and the puzzled looks quickly give way to smiles. The parade doubles in size before reaching the football pitch in the center of the village, surrounded by vegetable fields and a few majestic Hispaniola pine trees, a reminder of the forests that once covered these foothills. The local Diablotins team, sponsored by Black-capped Petrel conservation work as a way to raise awareness and pride for the species, wear new uniforms emblazoned with an image of the petrel. A female team is now also supported to provide gender balance.
René Jeune, Haitian Black-capped petrel field biologist and at times human-size Diablotin, leads the parade of school children during the first annual Diablotin Festival in Boucan Chat, Haiti. (Photo by Ernst Rupp)
The dark clouds that have enveloped the mountains in mist since morning soon burst into torrential downpour. The audience runs for shelter under crowded house awnings while the dedicated players run and slide in the mud, keeping their eyes on the ball despite the violent rain. The game ends amid shouts of joy, with a victory for the Diablotins: the spirit of the tough little seabird may have given them an advantage. After soaked, shivering goodbyes and an hour-long hike in the rain, we are delighted to find that the heater of our pickup truck is working. While we drive back to the top of the mountain, however, we can’t help thinking of the football players who, after a passionate game in torrential rain, returned to cold, damp houses with only the pride in their communities to keep them warm.
Back at the caseta, we huddle around the cooking fire to enjoy the pot of soup that Ivan has prepared. The clouds have lifted and we can see the first stars between the crowns of the Hispaniolan pines. Soon, a Black-capped Petrel wearing a small GPS will swoop down into the forest and hurry into its burrow. When it comes out again and flies away for another fishing trip, invisible radio waves will have transported the secrets of its travels to our base-stations, patiently waiting for Ernst and his team to return to the mountain.
Next time, in Yvan’s last blog post, we will learn about the travels of the GPS-tagged Black-capped Petrels and of the fish they catch, from Colombia to the United States.
Yvan Satgé is a Research Associate in the Lab of Dr. Pat Jodice, at the South Carolina Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, Clemson University (Email: ysatge@clemson.edu). He has been studying various aspects of seabird ecology for the last few years.
A stunning Purple Gallinule enjoying a wetland in Cuba. (Photo by Arnaldo Toledo)
2019 marks the 10th annual Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) and we need your help surveying all types of waterbirds on your island! Anyone can participate in the CWC. Grab a friend, head out to your nearest wetland or beach, and record the birds you see. Detailed information about how to conduct surveys can be found here.
Starting in 2010, dedicated bird enthusiasts have ventured into the wetlands across the Caribbean to systematically survey all types of waterbirds (shorebirds, seabirds, wading birds, marshbirds, and waterfowl) each January 14th to February 3rd. The Caribbean is home to over 185 species of waterbirds, including a number of endemic and globally threatened species and many migrants. A structured, ongoing survey is essential for understanding how to best conserve this exceptional group of birds and manage their habitats.
The Cargill Salt Ponds in Bonaire were recently designated a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) site of Regional Importance as a direct result of survey efforts. With the survey data we collected, our team was able to provide evidence that the site met the criteria for listing. Now, Cargill is dedicated to managing habitat for shorebirds on their property. It’s amazing what birding can achieve!
Why Is the CWC Important?
Ruddy Turnstones are common winter shorebirds in the Caribbean. (Photo by Arnaldo Toledo)
Since 1900, 64% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared, and the Caribbean region is no exception to this crisis. Wetlands are in urgent need of conservation. They are unique ecosystems that provide critical habitats to specialist species. Yet, they face many threats ranging from complete conversion due to development, degradation due to pollution and introduced species, and loss due to sea-level rise.
The waterbirds that rely on wetlands not only face the threats of their habitat being altered or destroyed but also hunting and introduced predators. In order to properly manage habitat for waterbirds in the Caribbean, we need to understand waterbird population trends. In addition, monitoring the health of waterbird populations and their habitats is beneficial to both birds and people, since we rely on the same habitats for our health and well-being.
In 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria wreaked havoc in the Caribbean, damaging fragile wetland ecosystems. Results from the CWC in 2018 several months later were concerning, with our counters reporting dramatic declines in common bird species diversity and abundance. Have these sites recovered? We are hopeful and can’t wait for the results from the 2019 CWC!
Good luck, have fun, and we look forward to hearing about your findings. If you have any photos to share, please share them on our BirdsCaribbean Facebook page.
Banded Birds
Be sure to be on the lookout for banded birds! Especially Piping Plovers, Red Knots, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, and Sanderlings. You may report your sightings to BandedBirds.org and the USGS Bird Banding Lab which oversee all banding in the United States.
Need Help?
Find a tricky shorebird in winter plumage that you can’t identify? Need help setting up an eBird account? Want to participate in the CWC but you’re not sure how to get started? Please contact us at info@birdscaribbean.org.
A Note on Entering CWC Data in eBird
CWC data is stored on eBird Caribbean. If you participate in the CWC, it’s very important that you enter your data through this website using the correct protocol on Step 2, because this is where we collate all the data used for analyses. We don’t want to miss a single bird or site! Simply making an eBird list during these dates is not enough- the protocol is required for it to be CWC data.
If you are using a desktopcomputer to enter your data:
Sign into your account on ebird.org/Caribbean
Enter location information
Select the appropriate CWC protocol under Observation Type
If you recorded your CWC data using the mobile eBird app:
After you have submitted your checklist on your smartphone:
Log into eBird on a desktop computer
Click on “My eBird” at the top of the screen
Click on “Manage My Checklists” on the right menu
For your CWC checklist, click on “View or Edit”
Click on “Edit Date and Effort”
For Observation Type, select “Other” and then choose the appropriate CWC protocol
