At the unveiling of the information sign featuring a Spotted Sandpiper, at Shell Beach, Antigua. (Photo by wadadliunplugged.com).
Illegal dumping of trash is a problem at some of Antigua’s wetlands, including those that are Important Bird Areas (IBAs). These places are vitally important for migratory shorebirds, who, after traveling thousands of kilometers, need a winter home that is safe and clean, not full of trash! Wildlife Officer, Joshel Wilson from the NGO ‘The Environmental Awareness Group’ (EAG) tells us about efforts by EAG and the ‘Wadadli Warblers’ Birding Club to use shorebird themed signs to reduce this problem and make these important wetlands havens for wildlife as well as more enjoyable for people to visit.
The Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) is Antigua and Barbuda’s oldest non-governmental environmental organization and has been at the forefront of conservation work for over 30 years. From restoring offshore islands and saving species from extinction to education, community engagement, and influencing environmental policy, the EAG works collaboratively to enact environmental change in Antigua and Barbuda.
Core to our work is our aspiration to have “a society with individual and collective responsibility to care for and value biodiversity and ecosystems for the long-term benefit of people and wildlife.” To do that, we stand strongly on integrity and the belief that environmental work should not only be worthwhile but also interesting and satisfying, with a hint of adventure.
Silver Linings During the Pandemic
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EAG promoted a virtual bird identification training that would allow participants, specifically Antiguans and Barbudans, to enjoy birding in their backyards. Following the six intense training sessions, the ‘Wadadli Warblers’ Birding Club was formed in May 2020. The club now has 35 members who participate in monthly birding expeditions across the island, regularly sharing bird photos, bird calls, and videos in their WhatsApp group. Once fully trained in Bird ID and survey methods we thought that the Wadadli Warblers would be the perfect partners to assist with conducting the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) surveys. As such, they have collaborated with the EAG in 2021 and 2022, assisting with monitoring and data collection and allowing individuals from the club to contribute to citizen science, which will lead to better management of IBAs on the island.
The Wadadli Warblers birding group out on a waterbird survey in Antigua during the Caribbean Waterbird Census 2022. (Photo by EAG/ Wadadli Warblers)
Wetlands with a Problem
During the EAG’s Caribbean Waterbird Census survey and Trash Challenge initiative (our country-wide wetland clean-up days), it had been noted that there is significant illegal dumping at IBAs in Antigua, despite potential fines of EC$3000-$15,000 for littering. This issue poses threats to the resident and migratory birds that live in and visit these important areas.
Wilson’s Plover, Antigua. (Photo by EAG/ Wadadli Warblers)
Illegal dumping is a problem at Antigua’s important wetlands. (Photo by Joshel Wilson)
A Whimbrel flies over a salt salt pond on Antigua. (Photo by EAG/ Wadadli Warblers)
But what could be done to reduce this illegal dumping of trash? During this project we aimed to tackle the issue by raising awareness about the importance of shorebird protection in Antigua and Barbuda, thereby increasing public participation in conservation efforts. We also aimed to reduce illegal dumping at IBAs through the development of informative shorebird signs, working with the Wadadli Warblers to make this happen!
Shorebird Signs Show the Way
I am excited to share with you the success of this project, led by the Wadadli Warblers Birding Club and supported by the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG), aimed at improving shorebird habitats and discouraging illegal dumping in Antigua and Barbuda. As part of the project, six signs were designed and installed at Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas where shorebirds are found and illegal dumping is an issue.
Five of the six signs featuring shorebirds and waterbirds in situ at their wetland sites in Antigua. (Photos by Deri Benjamin and Joshel Wilson)
We successfully achieved our project objectives by implementing several activities, starting with selecting suitable sites that met specific criteria. Data collected during previous Caribbean Waterbird Censuses (CWC) was used to identify sites with high shorebird presence, illegal dumping issues, and easy public access. The Wadadli Warblers formed a sign committee comprised of eight members, five men and three women, to assess the areas and select the six major site locations that met the criteria.
During the sign-planning process engaging with landowners was a crucial aspect of the project to ensure that the signs were in maximum view of the public. We also developed a plan that outlined the benefits of installing the signs for landowners, such as increased awareness of the importance of shorebirds and their habitats and reduced illegal dumping in the area. The landowners were visited to discuss the benefits of the signs and address any concerns that they had.
Shorebird Sign, discouraging illegal dumping and featuring a Whimbrel. (Sign by Patrick Joseph aka Stooge Co.)
Once the sites were identified and landowners were on board, the Wadadli Warblers’ Sign Committee was tasked with developing the content for the signs. They worked with a graphic designer, Patrick Joseph, principal of Stooge Co., to create unique signs. Once the designs were finalized they were created by sign printer, Select Signs and Graphix, using high-quality materials. This is important as these new signs need to withstand the high winds and salty conditions at the sites where they are installed.
Cleaning Up and Raising Awareness
A Wetland clean-up during “Trash Challenge” on Antigua. (Photo by Sherrel Charles/ EAG)
In addition to installing the signs, we conducted clean-ups at some of our target wetlands, including Darkwood Beach, Shell Beach, Ffryes Beach, Fitches Creek Mangrove, and Johnson’s Point. Our clean-ups were a collaboration between the Wadadli Warblers Birding Club, EAG members, the National Solid Waste Management Authority, Youth Today, and the Parham Alliance for the Beautification and Revitalization Organization (PABRO), in a local effort to reduce waste along our coasts. This activity helped raise awareness of the impact of illegal dumping on shorebird habitats while also keeping the areas clean and free of waste.
To ensure the public was aware of the newly erected signs, an unveiling was held at Shell Beach on February 6, 2023, accompanied by a birding session with the Department of Environment, the Ministry of Tourism, members of the Wadadli Warblers Birding Club, EAG Board members, the National Solid Waste Management Authority, and media personnel from Antigua/Barbuda Broadcasting Services and Wadadli Unplugged.
A Brighter Future for Wetlands and Shorebirds
Looking out for Shorebirds! Birdwatching at the sign unveiling, Shell Beach, Antigua. (Photo by wadadliunplugged.com)
The project’s success was further cemented by partnering with the Ministry of Tourism’s Sustainable Tourism Unit to promote avi-tourism as a viable option in Antigua and Barbuda. Bird tourism could potentially be used by the EAG as sustainable financing, increasing our ability to manage more areas for shorebird protection in the future!
I am thrilled to have been part of a project that successfully achieved its objectives, and I commend the Wadadli Warblers Sign Committee, the Ministry of Tourism, and all those involved in making it a reality. This project’s success shows that with dedication, hard work, and collaboration, we can make a positive impact on our environment and promote sustainable tourism.
This project was made possible with funding from Environment and Climate Change Canada via a BirdsCaribbean grant to EAG.
BirdsCaribbean Seabird Working Group Newsletter – click on the image to view and download a PDF, OR read on your device as a full-screen flipbook (click below). For Spanish and French versions, click on the images below.
The annual BirdsCaribbean Seabird Working Group (SWG) newsletter is now available! Catch up on the latest research, conservation, restoration, and education projects happening across the Caribbean Basin – in English, Spanish, and French!
This issue outlines the outcomes of the 2021 Seabird Fest and presents plans for a 2023 regional seabird census – which includes an informative seabird webinar series, focused on the techniques required to survey seabirds in the Caribbean.
Review updates on recent and ongoing regional projects and publications, covering Least Terns, Red-billed Tropicbirds, and Brown Pelicans, among others. The newsletter also features a “seabirder spotlight” on Patricia Bradley, conservationist stalwart in the Cayman islands and the wider Caribbean region.
Learn about the Seabird Working Group’s co-chairs, who are working hard behind the scenes to ramp up activities and communications, and find out the many ways that you can connect with the Seabird WG and its members, including our Facebook group!
Interested in getting involved? Please take advantage of the many avenues for communication described in the newsletter and if you have seabird news to share, let us know! We would love to feature your work in the next issue!
P.P.S. We are keen to hear from you if you enjoyed our newsletter! Please let us know if you have any recommendations on how to improve future editions.
BirdsCaribbean Seabird Working Group Newsletter in Spanish – click on the image to view and download the PDF.BirdsCaribbean Seabird Working Group Newsletter in French – click on the image to view and download the PDF.
Conservian is setting sail again this May for important shorebird and seabird conservation and research – join us! The mission is a continuation of on-the-ground protection and restoration measures at key shorebird and seabird sites in The Bahamas with support from Conservian, BirdsCaribbean, Bahamas National Trust, and partners.
Volunteers Needed for Shorebird Habitat Conservation & Restoration!
We need your help to protect beach-nesting birds, nests and young. Conservian is seeking a weekly crew of 10 enthusiastic volunteers for our Bahamas Shorebird Habitat Conservation Program in May 2022 aboard our 75ft research schooner. Crews fly to The Bahamas each week to designated airports for shuttle transport to the schooner. All trips include bunk, onboard meals, drinks, and ground transportation associated with the project. A valid passport is required. Airfare and health travel insurance are not included. Trip cost is $1875 per person/week. Please go to Coastalbird.org for more info!
This is a wonderful opportunity to gain field experience and shorebird ID skills or simply a once-in-a-lifetime experience! In 2018, BirdsCaribbean’s own Jennifer Wheeler joined the trip. Read all about her amazing adventures here. And check out an article by Margo about one of the past expeditions.
Conservian, BirdsCaribbean, Bahamas National Trust, and partners continue on-the-ground protective measures to limit human-caused disturbance and restore coastal habitats at key shorebird/seabird sites.
May 2022 Expedition Dates & Locations:
Choose one week or more! Each week includes 7 nights aboard the schooner.
Week 1: May 1-8 – Joulter Cays & S. Andros (Nassau Int Apt)
Week 2: May 8-15 – Exumas & Great Exuma (Nassau Int Apt/Exuma Int. Apt)
Week 3: May 15-22 – Cat Island & Eleuthera (Exuma Int. Apt/Nassau Int. Apt)
Long Island flats. (Photo by Margo Zdravkovic)
To join our conservation pirate crew please contact Margo Zdravkovic at MargoZ@Coastalbird.org Watch the short video below, and visit Coastalbird.org for more information on our 2022 expedition itinerary and Conservian’s coastal bird conservation work.
Expedition flyer (Click to open as a pdf).
IMPORTANT: Applicants must be responsible, adventurous, in good physical condition, enjoy working in teams, and be capable of walking several miles during warm weather on Bahamas beaches. Applicants must be comfortable living communally onboard a schooner for a week and riding in small boats to access survey sites.
It was an extraordinary year. But then, so was 2020! Despite the ongoing roller coaster ride that was the COVID-19 pandemic, BirdsCaribbean pressed on. While some activities were necessarily curtailed, with our ever-enthusiastic partners we “pivoted,” adapted to the changing circumstances, and overcame obstacles. We had some great successes. We also turned to highlighting some pressing issues impacting our Caribbean birds. Now, we are looking forward to an exciting 2022, full of potential and possibilities!
We are feeling very positive about this new year. The theme of our upcoming conference in Puerto Rico (June 27 to July 2), which we are co-hosting for the first time with the American Ornithological Society (AOS), is “On the Wings of Recovery: Resilience and Action.”
This theme reflects the focus of our activities in the past year, supporting our partners as they work on solutions to the many challenges facing the region’s birds. We are also looking forward to hosting workshops in the Dominican Republic and The Bahamas, on Landbird Monitoring and Bird Banding, respectively.
In case you missed it, here’s an overview of BirdsCaribbean happenings in 2021:
It was a “quiet” year, but…
Ash plume on April 9th at 4 PM, the first day of eruptions (photo by Richard Robertson, UWI Seismic Research Centre)
Thankfully for the islands, the hurricane season was not as devastating as in previous years, although climate change is still with us. Year after year, the region continues to suffer from droughts, coastal erosion, and floods after heavy rains, damaging habitats and creating havoc in communities. However, there was still some unexpected drama this year.
The explosive eruptions of La Soufrière, a volcano in St. Vincent, began on April 9th, 2021, and continued spewing volcanic ash and debris into the atmosphere for weeks – displacing thousands and blanketing forests and towns in many inches of volcanic ash. Although it has now quietened down (its eruptive phase was declared over at the end of November, 2021) there was considerable damage to trees and river valleys from pyroclastic material, rocky debris and mudflows.
In the wake of the destruction, concerns for the St. Vincent Parrot and several other endemic bird species rose and we were thankful for the valiant efforts of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Forestry Department. With generous donations from friends and donors to the BirdsCaribbean fundraising site, we were able to ship a range of supplies to the Department, including field equipment, food, veterinary supplies, and much more. We also supported intensive surveys of the St. Vincent Parrot by Forestry staff in December, 2021 – more news on their status soon!
A Turkey Vulture costume, the biggest Big Day, and CWC was busy too
As usual, bird festivals were important days in our calendar. Island residents hosted at least scaled-down activities – whether virtual, in person, or a “hybrid” mixture, since COVID regulations varied from time to time.
Héctor Fidel Ravelo Romanguera wins first prize in the WMBD costume competition for his amazing Turkey Vulture costume. (Photo by Ines Lourdes Fernandez)
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) in Fall, when our beautiful “winter visitors” start to appear in gardens, fields and forests across the Caribbean, is always an opportunity for fun activities, especially with young people. This year’s theme, “Sing, Fly, Soar Like a Bird” inspired bird walks, field trips and an exciting Bird Costume Party, won by creative schoolchildren in Cuba. The winning Turkey Vulture costume was stunning! Many thanks to Environment for the Americas for assisting with educational materials.
Our Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF), which we have hosted for the past twenty years, is always a delight. 2021 did not disappoint. After all, we have no less than 171 endemic species to choose from! The theme “Sing, Fly, Soar Like a Bird” provided ample opportunities for fun activities and important learning through webinars, birding field trips, and activities and online resources for families and youth to celebrate. Check out the exciting webinars here! Our partners shared what the theme meant to them in short inspiring videos – these can be viewed here.
The 12th annual Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) was another important activity, which was highly successful. From mid January to early February, birders fanned out across wetlands and beaches to record their sightings on eBird Caribbean. From the offshore islands of Venezuela to the wetlands of Kingston Harbour, Jamaica, there was a great turnout of birders. Anguillan partners were excited to spot Piping Plovers, while in Antigua, a young birding group participated in a “Mask-erade.”
We did mention successes, didn’t we? Global Big Day 2021 (Saturday, May 8) was – well, big! Close to 2,000 checklists were submitted from the Caribbean – a big jump in participation. 364 species were spotted, beating last year’s record. Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas were stars, and fifteen teams participated, raising funds for Motus bird monitoring stations. Some wonderful photos were taken of birds and people, enjoying the day; take a look here at the winners of our Photography Awards.
An exciting project is about to unfold…
Earlier this year, we announced our plans for a new bird monitoring initiative, the Caribbean Motus Collaboration, to set up a Motus Wildlife Trafficking System that will use nano-tags tracked by receivers to gain valuable data on the movement of birds across our region. We are grateful to Birds Canada and the Northeast Motus Collaboration for their support. For full details and if you are interested in contributing in any way, please complete a short survey or make a contribution here.
A wealth of online material – yes, we went virtual again
Cover of Arnaldo Toledo’s amazing Grand Prize winning bird Zine
To enhance these programs and special calendar events, and also to boost our advocacy for birds, we were very busy throughout the year designing and producing a whole range of online products. In 2021, we again broadcast virtually “From the Nest” with an Endemic Bird of the Day for the CEBF, accompanied by related puzzles, games and coloring pages. Our very first “Bird Zine” contest garnered some beautiful, artistic products from contestants in various age groups, with winners from Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad and Tobago. For the Caribbean Waterbird Census we started off with no less than three webinars, helping us to identify tricky species and with an additional webinar on Puerto Rican waterbird species.
For the 2021 Caribbean Waterbird Census, we gave webinars on how to participate in the CWC, including presentations on using eBird Caribbean and Merlin, how to do a CWC count, and how to identify waterbirds and shorebirds – always challenging! Check out our helpful webinars on our Youtube channel CWC playlist.
For World Migratory Bird Day, we produced a series of four videos highlighting our migratory shorebirds, many of which are endangered. One species, the Lesser Yellowlegs, is in particular trouble, with a drastic decline in numbers since the 1970s. At a free webinar on October 8, wildlife biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Management Program Laura McDuffie explained the work she and colleagues are doing to track, monitor and gain more information on these vulnerable birds.
A major highlight of our year was the opportunity to present at the 2021 AOS Virtual Meeting, from August 9 – 13. BirdsCaribbean was thrilled to present a three-part symposium entitled “Resilient Caribbean Birds – Surviving and Thriving in a Challenging World,” in which we highlighted recent avian research and conservation projects in the region, on August 11 and 12. Our presentations were well attended and online networking and information sharingtook place.
And then, to business. Our General Business Meeting on October 28 had over 80 participants and lasted for over two hours (there was a lot to tell our members and supporters about!) providing a comprehensive update on BirdsCaribbean’s activities.
General Business Meeting 2021 Group Photo on Zoom 1
General Business Meeting 2021 Group Photo on Zoom 2
General Business Meeting 2021 Group Photo on Zoom 3
One memorable online event was the Seabird Fest on December 2, organized by our dynamic Seabird Working Group. The meeting provided a thorough update on the group’s impressive activities, from the Isla Contoy National Park (Island of Birds) off the Yucatan peninsula to Bermuda and the Cayman Islands – and all islands in between. There are 20 resident seabird species in the Caribbean, not all regularly monitored. The hope is to organize a big seabird monitoring effort in 2023. While it faces challenges, we applaud this group’s work. If you would like to know more, sign up for their recently launched newsletter!
Our advocacy for birds continues…
Our focus on shorebirds tied in with ongoing concerns among ornithologists and bird lovers regarding the hunting of these migratory gems on the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, and to a lesser extent Barbados. In a short video “Caribbean Shorebirds Under Fire” (available in English, French and Spanish here) that is at times distressing to watch we sought to explain this complex issue. We continued to support our partners’ efforts to have as many species as possible protected and to reduce this devastating harvest of endangered birds, through email petitions to the French authorities.
Images of wild bird trafficking in Cuba.
Many migratory species are also under threat on the island of Cuba, due to the illegal capture and sale of wild birds as they arrive on the island in the autumn months. Endemic and resident species are also targeted by trappers. BirdsCaribbean is extremely concerned at the dramatic increase in the trafficking of a range of species, both at home and extending overseas. We highlighted this growing concern recently in our investigative report, urging Cuban authorities to enforce wildlife protection laws. We are raising funds to help our colleagues combat this problem and we need your support! We will continue to shine the spotlight on these and other issues that are affecting our birds negatively.
We have had a frantically busy year, as you can see. Despite the difficulties of the pandemic, with the support of our wonderful donors and the boundless enthusiasm, dedication, and hard work of our partners on the ground, we feel a sense of achievement, and look forward to what 2022 will bring.
Wishing you all a happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year!
The online Seabird Fest on December 2 really made waves! It was a tremendous success, with a substantial participation by over 50 partners and individuals involved in seabird research and monitoring. The online meeting, over two hours long, was a sweeping and extensive overview of BirdsCaribbean’s Seabird Working Group’s (SWG) activities and findings, followed by a discussion on ways in which its members’ work can be strengthened. Reports came in from islands off the coast of Yucatan (including the Isla Contoy National Park, or Island of the Birds) to Bermuda, the Grenadines, and all the way to the offshore islands of Venezuela – and many islands in between.
Seabird Fest 2021 Group Photo on Zoom
A Caribbean Seabird Census?
The SWG is hoping to organize a major seabird monitoring effort in 2023, along the lines of the Caribbean Waterbird Census. A major part of the Seabird Fest was not only to report on activities and results, but also to seek ideas on the way forward, especially in regard to the proposed count. The goal was also to obtain feedback from partners on their needs and challenges. Would it be training, personnel, funds – or all of the above?
What is the Seabird Working group?
Rhiannon Austin, a seabird ecologist working in the UK Overseas Territories since 2015, gave a short introduction to the work of the SWG. Its core objectives are to connect people, share knowledge, promote conservation, and advocate for seabirds. In the past year the SWG has done a revamp of its web pages, updated its database, and is seeking to create new ways of sharing information – for example, they now have a Facebook group and have launched a Seabird Newsletter. And funding and support is always needed!
Seabirds are one of the most threatened groups of birds in the world, both at sea and on land.
Participants in a Seabird-focused Workshop in San Salvador, 2013 (Photo by Jennifer Wheeler)
Building capacity to study, monitor and conserve Caribbean seabirds
Grenadian biologists conducting a seabird survey at Diamond Rock (Photo by A. Mitchell)
There are some 23 resident seabird species in the Caribbean – not all regularly monitored. There are some gaps in information. At the Seabird Fest, participants shared updates on the work they have been doing and the status of seabirds in their area. Most of the published information only extended up to 2012, so updates were greatly needed.
Austin noted that many partners need help with planning, as well as support for seabird research, education and training. With this in mind, a series of workshops and webinars is planned for 2022.
Cats, rats, and humans – a problem for nesting seabirds
Tweet shared during Miguel Landestoy’s presentation on seabird monitoring in the Dominican Republic – Seabird Fest 2021
As each island reported on its progress, it became apparent that partners involved in seabird monitoring had several issues in common. Invasive species and human disturbances were of concern in almost all the territories, including Dominican Republic, where Miguel Landestoy reported that surveys of inland salt ponds where Least Terns breed can only be done on foot. From the offshore islands of Belize, however, Dominique Lizama was happy to report that Half Moon Caye is “rat-free.” In the Cayman Islands, where seabird monitoring by the Department of Environment is supported by the Darwin Plus Project, cats remain a significant problem. On Anguilla, mouse eradication has been successful but the work continues to prevent reinvasions.
As noted, there are information gaps in some islands, for example in Trinidad and Tobago, where there is no national monitoring of the four species that breed there, according to Shivam Mahadeo. There are many challenges in the Grenadines also, where there are more than eighty islands, islets and cays with three globally important seabird colonies and more than 18 of regional significance. The islands have 12 breeding species and a number of non-breeding and migrant species. What a task to monitor them all!
The impact of climate change
Some islands face even greater challenges, many due to aspects of climate change. Dominica, for example, currently has no seabird monitoring on the island; Hurricane Maria in 2017 had a very negative impact on White-tailed Tropicbird colonies and seabird records were all lost in the storm. Bermuda’s report was mixed: its population of Common Terns has been badly impacted by numerous storms, and sea level rise has also affected breeding sites. Anguilla is also suffering from coastal flooding.
Seabirds are under pressure in many areas. For example, in Turks and Caicos Islands, where there are very large numbers, tourism development is taking place on many of the cays, while up to date information and management plans are needed. In the US and British Virgin islands, the numbers of boobies have “crashed.” Developments and the inability to monitor privately owned islands is an issue in some areas.
A busy Working Group with good news to report
However, the seabirds are fighting back, thanks to SWG members: the Bermuda Petrel or Cahow has benefited from a sixty-year long recovery program, now with 155 breeding pairs. Sixty years is truly long term! Their White-tailed Tropicbirds make up the North Atlantic’s largest breeding population, supported by no less than 800 artificial nests of fiber glass, installed on cliffs.
Bermuda Petrel (Cahow) chick receiving a health check on Global Big Day, Nonsuch Island, Bermuda (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
A Bermuda Petrel, also known as a Cahow. (Photo by Andrew Dobson)
SWG members are working hard. In the French Caribbean, partners are working on a Seabird Atlas, which includes a summary of all historical data of the 20th/21st centuries. The Environmental Awareness Group in Antigua (with 51 offshore islands) reported that it is conducting training and capacity building of volunteers and members of its bird club, who conduct surveys as citizen scientists. The UK territory of Montserrat, covered by the Darwin Plus Project, has been conducting surveys and has recently rediscovered a previously known nesting site of the Audubon’s Shearwater during a boat survey.
More resources needed – including funding!
For many of the islands, financial and trained human resources are in short supply. For example, in St. Kitts and Nevis, there is a need for equipment and boat time, according to Lynelle Bonaparte. Similarly, Dr. Ann Haynes Sutton reported from Jamaica that monitoring of its 14 breeding seabird species is “very much constrained” and funding is badly needed for training. Cuba also reported that it requires more technical personnel for monitoring, and funding to support field work. In Puerto Rico, funds are needed for boat time and to pay surveyors; training is also a great need.
Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean Lisa Sorensen wrapped up the lengthy session by encouraging participants to give talks, write articles, make videos, and raise awareness of seabirds in their countries. She also reminded partners to make sure to record sightings on eBird Caribbean.
BirdsCaribbean is committed to supporting all its Working Groups, and looks forward to working with them in 2022. If you would like to assist the Seabird WG in any way, you may contact them on their home page or via Facebook. We wish the Seabird WG all the best for the New Year as they get into their boats to go checking on those seabirds!
A BIG thank everyone that presented and participated in the Seabird Fest webinar of 2 December, 2021. Thanks also for taking the time to look through your data and share your work. We found it very exciting to learn about what is happening on the islands: despite many difficulties, there is a lot of work being done! We will soon share a written report summarizing all the information shared. If you missed the Seabird Fest, you can watch it here: n the meantime, you can watch the recording here.
Thanks also to EPIC (Environmental Protection in the Caribbean) for co-hosting the Seabird Fest with us!
We are following up on the suggestions made during the Seabird Fest and will organize quarterly online meetings to catch up and chat.
We are excited to announce that the David S. Lee Fund for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds will fund 9 projects in 2021! In the previous 4 years (2016-2020), the fund has provided assistance for 15 projects in 6 countries for work on dozens of species in the Caribbean.
This fund was created by generous donations from the family, friends, and collaborators of David S. Lee to continue his inspiring legacy of conservation in the Caribbean. You can help us to continue supporting these invaluable projects by making a donation here.
Congratulations to these exemplary researchers, and we look forward to hearing about your results in future blog articles and publications!
Investigating variation in cooperative breeding behavior between Puerto Rican Tody populations
Amber Wendler, Virginia Tech
Cooperative breeding occurs when some individuals, known as “helpers,” assist with raising their siblings, rather than reproducing themselves. This breeding strategy is used by many bird species, including the Puerto Rican Tody (Todus mexicanus). However, only some individuals of this species breed cooperatively, and differences are thought to be linked to habitat. Amber’s research will examine how the Tody’s cooperative breeding behavior differs in rainforest and dry forest habitats. By increasing our understanding of the Tody’s natural history, her work can help manage and conserve this endemic species.
Territory use of the Critically Endangered Bahama Oriole across the annual cycle
Michelle Moyer, University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)
The Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi) is a Critically Endangered species that is found only on Andros Island in The Bahamas. Thanks to recent work by the Bahama Oriole Project — a collaboration between UMBC and the Bahamas National Trust (BNT)— we have learned a lot about this species’ breeding habitat, including that it uses the native pine forest much more than previously thought. However, it is unknown how Orioles use the pine forest and other habitats outside of the breeding season. Using tiny, solar-powered transmitters (CTT Life Tags™ ), which will be attached to Orioles and detected by a central receiver (CTT Node), Michelle will track their movements throughout the full annual cycle. The results of her research will inform BNT’s conservation management strategies for the Oriole.
Caribbean psittacines as indirect controllers of ecosystem dynamics through commensal feeding associations and ecosystem engineering
Damion Whyte, University of the West Indies at Mona
Parrots and parakeets are notorious for not finishing the fruits that they open. As a result, they are often viewed as wasteful pests, and are feared by farmers. However, we do not have a great understanding of the impacts that this behavior can have on the local ecosystem, such as providing easier access to the fruit by other species and dispersing seeds. Damion’s research will quantify the ecosystem-wide effects of foraging by parrots and parakeets on the island of Curacao. Using observations and camera-traps, he will identify which species visit fruit that has been opened by, and how their behaviors vary. By providing insight into these species interactions, his work will support bird conservation and management in protected areas.
Pre-reproductive survival, movements, and habitat use of the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus) in Southwestern Puerto Rico
Jean P. Gonzalez Crespo, University of Wisconsin
The Yellow-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus) is an Endangered species that is endemic to Puerto Rico. Although conservation measures such as artificial nesting structures increased the reproductive success of this species, populations have continued to decline. Using CTT Life Tag™ transmitters Jean will track Blackbirds after they fledge from the nest and estimate their survival during this critical period. His work will help local and federal agencies determine whether survival rates before breeding are contributing to population declines, and identify the factors that influence survival.
Establishing a long-term banding program for migratory birds in Isla Contoy National Park, Mexico
Jonathan Nochebuena Jaramillo, Estación de Anillamiento Parque Nacional Isla Contoy
Isla Contoy National Park (PNIC) is a small Caribbean island (238 hectares) near the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The island is an important site for many migratory birds to rest and refuel on their long journeys between North, Central, and South America. In 2019, Jonathan personally initiated a banding program in PNIC. He will continue and expand this program to document and spread awareness of the importance of the island for a wide diversity of birds, and provide information to conserve birds and their habitats on the island.
Understanding nestling diet composition of Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) through fecal DNA Metabarcoding
Luis Ramos, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
Environmental changes such as rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification pose many threats to seabirds and the marine food sources that they depend on. The Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii ) is a species of conservation concern in the Caribbean, including in Puerto Rico. Yet we know little about foraging behavior, ecology, and population trends of this species. Luis’s research will use an advanced molecular method (DNA metabarcoding) to assess the diet composition of chicks in Tern populations on the southern and northern coasts of Puerto Rico. His work will identify the fish and other prey that are available to Terns in different colonies, and advance our understanding of DNA metabarcoding as an important biomonitoring tool.
Evaluating the effects of greening actions on avian diversity on tropical urban landscapes
Julissa Irizarry, Penn State University
Expansion of urban areas contributes to loss and fragmentation of habitats across the globe. These drastic landscape changes can negatively impact biodiversity, especially on islands. Large-scale tree planting efforts, such as those planned in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria, have the potential to increase the suitability of urban areas for native wildlife. Julissa’s project will investigate the benefits of urban reforestation for resident and migratory birds. Using an experimental approach, she will compare how birds use newly planted trees—“functional” tree species that are known to be important for foraging and “structural” plants that are traditionally used for landscaping. Her work will inform best practices for implementing urban greening projects in order to maximize conservation benefits.
Current status of the breeding colonies of Red-footed Booby, Brown Booby, and Masked Booby in Los Roques Archipelago, Venezuela
Los Roques Archipelago National Park is in the Caribbean Sea 130 km north of Venezuela. It has 42 islets and 200 sandbanks arranged around an internal lagoon. It is home to all the typical ecosystems of tropical maritime and coastal areas: sandy beaches, coral formations, salt and brackish water lagoons, seagrass meadows, and mangroves. This archipelago was declared a National Park in 1972, and its Use Regulation and Management Plan was finalized in 1990. Los Roques is home to a great diversity of seabirds and is a priority area for conservation. Conserving seabirds in the Caribbean is essential, as their numbers have been decreasing over time. Documenting their status and trends is needed to develop conservation plans. Two species of boobies have breeding colonies in Los Roques: Red-footed Booby and Brown Booby. Masked Booby’s presence has been documented, but their reproduction has not been confirmed. 20 years have passed since the last assessment of the population of seabirds in the Los Roques Archipelago. Since then there have been many political, economic and environmental changes in Venezuela—changes that may put the Los Roques Archipelago and the booby colonies at risk. We propose to survey and evaluate the reproductive colonies of boobies in 4 keys of the archipelago. We will also explore other cays to look for confirmation of breeding activity. We will integrate the local “Roqueños” communities in the censuses and outreach activities.
Population dynamics, conservation and management of the American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) on Margarita Island, Venezuela
Anahy Marcano , INPARQUES / AveZona / PAAVe
Venezuela has about 38% of the total population of American Flamingos, Phoenicopterus ruber. It is considered a resident species on the Isla de Margarita in Venezuela. Although its population has shown variations in size and distribution, historically, American Flamingos have been observed on the Isla de Margarita since the beginning of the last century. Recently, a new flamingo nesting area has been identified on Margarita Island in the Laguna de las Marites Natural Monument. However, its population status is unknown and currently there is no plan for its conservation and management. As the first stage of this project we will estimate the size of the breeding population, the reproductive success, and the demographic parameters in two of the nine areas occupied by the American Flamingos on Margarita Island, las Marites Lake Natural Monument and La Restinga National Park. Visual observations will be conducted from a safe distance so as not to disturb the breeding areas. After the breeding season, the area used for the nests will be evaluated. As part of this project, we will involve local communities in the censuses and an educational campaign will be established.
The David S. Lee Fund for Conservation seeks to continue David’s passion for protecting wildlife. The fund supports direct, innovative conservation work in the Caribbean Region for birds and their habitats. The fund is managed by BirdsCaribbean and used for annual small grants. We are grateful to all those who have supported the fund, and also to our David S. Lee Fund Review Committee who carefully reviews proposals each year and makes recommendations on funding.
You can you help us to continue to fund invaluable research to conserve Caribbean birds by making a gift to the fund.
If you prefer to donate with a check, please make the check out to “BirdsCaribbean” and in the memo section, note that it is for the David S. Lee Fund. If you have questions or to make other arrangements for donating, please feel free to contact Jennifer Wheeler, BirdsCaribbean Financial Officer (jennifer.wheeler@birdscaribbean.org)
Checks can be mailed to: BirdsCaribbean, 841 Worcester St. #130, Natick, MA 01760-2076
Find out from Jean Gonzalez-Crespo, all about how a project aimed at restoring mangroves destroyed by Hurricanes Irma and Maria will help protect part of Puerto Rico’s coast-line and its wildlife, whilst also helping the people that live there.
Puerto Rico’s fragile coastline needs help, badly.
With the support of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, BirdsCaribbean, and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla’s Center for Coastal Restoration and Conservation, known locally as Vida Marina UPR, is about to start work on the restoration of four valuable mangrove forests in the Northwest region of Puerto Rico. These forests were destroyed after the two storms – Hurricanes Irma and Maria – hit the island in 2017, a “double whammy.” Critical infrastructure was left at the mercy of future storms, future hurricanes, and in danger of future destruction.
Secret Spot- Basin Mangrove in the Municipality of Isabela. This mangrove suffered close to 100% mortality due to the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. On its left is PR Road 466, an important evacuation route (Photo by Vida Marina UPR).
However, thanks to funding provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Coastal Resilience Grant, our center is now able to help in the recovery of these remarkable ecosystems—bulwarks against the impact of climate change. We are scheduled to start planting mangroves by the end of May 2021, but we already taking a look at the current conditions of our restoration sites, preparing for our work, and coordinating future activities that will integrate local communities into the restoration process.
What’s in it for humans?
Well, where do we start? There are actually so many important benefits. It’s a win for humans.
The restoration of these mangroves will reinstate the primary line of defense against storm surges for local communities, that increasingly threaten their livelihood and economies. Main access to roads and sanitary infrastructure, essential for those living on the coast, will be protected. The restored mangroves will also provide habitat for many species that, when carefully managed, will be sustainably harvested for local consumption or sale.
Also, thanks to the aid of UW-Madison’s Latino Earth Partnership’s training, we will get communities involved. Citizens on the ground will take “ownership” of the project, and the work will create a sense of stewardship that will result in stronger and more resilient coastal communities. The training will help create community groups that are empowered to identify and respond to threats to their homes and their livelihoods – swiftly and effectively.
Caño Madre Vieja Nature Reserve in the Municipality of Aguada. On the right is the Barrio Espinar community, which was heavily impacted by both storms in 2017. Many houses were flooded during these events as well as the only road that gives access to this community; something that left many families stranded and unable to be rescued (Photo by Vida Marina UPR)
Making life better for birds
It will take time, but the aim is to bring them back.
Our project will restore 59 hectares of severely degraded Basin Mangroves that serve as habitat for a wide range of species, including waterfowl. This should improve the diversity of waterfowl species, which appears to have decreased after the storms of 2017. We are currently carrying out periodic bird surveys, and will continue to do so throughout entire restoration process. If we are to be successful in this restoration, we should, among other things, be able to reach levels of waterfowl diversity like those before the hurricanes.
Efficient mangrove and wetland plant germination
It’s all about getting those seeds going. Now, we have the opportunity to grow and plant more trees, by improving our greenhouse arrangements.
A germination table installed inside Vida Marina UPR’s greenhouse in the University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla. This design adds to the integrity of the table and allows us to germinate multiple species without the risk of mixing them. Furthermore, these divisions also let us test different treatments that may increase seed germination rates (Photo by Vida Marina UPR).
We expect to plant at least 11,500 mangrove trees to be successful; it will take a great deal of time and effort. However, thanks to funding from BirdsCaribbean and ECCC, we were able to significantly increase the rate at which we can grow mangroves and other wetland plants in our greenhouse. With the construction of two seed germination tables, we will be able to grow mangroves more efficiently by maximizing our greenhouse’s limited space. Normally, we would have let all seeds germinate in flowerpots. Not all seeds planted will germinate, so this would result in unsuccessful pots occupying a space that a growing tree would have used. Our new germination tables will give a great boost to tree production. They will not only reduce the amount of time and effort invested in producing mangroves. They will also help us plant more trees in our sites than we initially planned.
Putting the green in greenhouse
Water is always a major concern.
Thanks to this funding, our greenhouse’s irrigation system is now able to run almost exclusively with stored rainwater. This “greener” alternative allows us to save a considerable amount of water each year. It’s a simple way in which we can help protect our country’s water supply and the environment. Additionally, this will give our plants enough water to survive through droughts that can result in the rationing of water.
Heriberto working on the installation of a water pump into the rainwater tank for the irrigation system. (Photo by Vida Marina UPR).
Training the next generation of ecologists and restoration practitioners
Young people will learn practical, hands-on techniques.
Under the mentorship of experienced researchers, undergraduate and high-school students involved in our project will be able to develop valuable research skills. Also, since they will take an active role in the monitoring of animal diversity, they will learn multiple survey techniques as well as the fundamentals of native plant and animal identification.
Our trainees will also have the opportunity to learn how to operate unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), as well as other types of technology, to solve different conservation issues. They will also learn how to interpret and analyze multiple types of data. Most importantly, they will be able to play a part in the planning and implementation process of wetland restoration. It will be a rich and rewarding learning experience for them.
Members of Vida Marina UPR’s taking a small break after finishing the construction of the large, germination table. In the picture, from left to right, are: Jean P. González Crespo, Heriberto Martir Vargas, and Jose J. Vera Rodriguez. Missing in this photo is Arianna Lopez Rodriguez, whose help was vital to the success of this project. (Photo by Vida Marina UPR)
It really does take a village to restore mangroves
Team work is everything. It is only through our partnerships with local communities, environmental groups and agencies, and both state and municipal governments that we will be able to achieve our restoration goals. Without their support, this project, like many others, would be close to impossible to complete. We are as excited as our partners as we get to work to bring back these wonderful forests, which make a tremendous difference to Puerto Rico’s coastal defenses. This is a project that will benefit both humans and wildlife in years to come.
Jean Gonzalez-Crespo is a PhD student from UW-Madison who works as a project assistant in this study. He has worked on multiple bird conservation projects in Puerto Rico since 2017. In addition to overseeing the anuran and avian monitoring of this project, Jean also works in the conservation of the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird—an endangered species unique to Puerto Rico.
Kristy Shortte, a Program Officer at the NGO Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.
A local community that understands the value of natural habitats and the wildlife that lives there is key to successful long-term conservation. Find out how this happens from Kristy Shortte, a Program Officer at the NGO ‘Sustainable Grenadines,’ on Union Island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. From building observation platforms at vital wetlands, to garbage clean-ups and installing information signs, to training locals to identify and help monitor birds, Kristy describes the amazing and inspiring range of work carried out by her organization, local partners – and of course, the local community!
At the trans-boundary NGO Sustainable Grenadines Inc (SusGren) we know that conserving the places where birds live is key to their survival. But how do we achieve this? So many of our habitats are under threat—from pollution and degradation by human activities, to outright destruction for development. When there are competing demands on the use of our natural resources, we need to make wise decisions. Sometimes we need to educate our local citizens about the immense value of these areas to people and wildlife, and to get them actively involved in their conservation. It’s a hands-on approach with community partners. Showing people the benefits of managing and protecting habitats is the best way to ensure the long-term health of bird populations and the habitats on which they depend.
Finding the best ways to protect birds and their habitats
Residents of Union island, harvesting salt at Belmont Salt Pond. (Photo by Radio Grenadines).
Here at SusGren, we have taken the initiative to support birds and protect the places they live through two projects – both completed during the pandemic of 2020! SusGren believes that some areas are so special that they need to be protected – no ifs, ands, or buts!!!!
After many years of hard work to restore Ashton Lagoon and develop it as a bird and nature sanctuary for enjoyment by all, we turned our attention to Belmont Salt Pond. This is the second largest ecosystem on the island of Union and one of the last two remaining salt ponds in the entire St. Vincent and the Grenadines (he other salt pond is on Mayreau). Salt picking is still practiced at Belmont, providing economic benefits to locals.
So…what’s so special about Belmont Salt Pond?
The Belmont Salt Pond area is significant, in that it provides habitat to many species of resident and migratory birds. Here you can see Whimbrels, Willets, Blue-winged Teal, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Mangrove Cuckoo, and even the American Flamingo on occasion. Migratory birds use Belmont as a place to rest and feed. This can be for a few days or weeks, before they continue with their migration, while others stay from fall to spring. For other birds, the Salt Pond is ‘home’ all year round.
Blue-winged Teal female spotted at Belmont Salt Pond. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc)
American Flamingo Spotted at Belmont Salt Pond. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc)
With this rich history and biodiversity and the salt pond threatened by human activities, SusGren decided to enhance the area for enjoyment by locals and visitors alike. This would help ensure the protection of the area’s biodiversity and would increase ecotourism opportunities in Union Island, following our successful restoration of nearby Ashton Lagoon 2 years ago. The platform would also help us to continue the long-term bird monitoring of our wetlands through participation in the Caribbean Waterbird Census.
Taking a community-based approach
The ‘’Clean up Squad’’ at Belmont Salt Pond. (Photo by Zoe Jennett)
Due to a lack of community knowledge of the importance of the area, it was being used for the burning of charcoal and dumping garbage. We knew that over time these activities would damage Belmont Salt Pond and biodiversity would be negatively impacted. So at Susgren we decided to carry out a project in partnership with members of the community, to ensure that such behavior is reduced and eventually eliminated.
As part of this approach, SusGren contributed towards a cleanup organized by a local group of 10 people called “Union Island Cleanup Squad.” They held massive cleaning up sessions at the Belmont Salt Pond on May 7th and May 13th, 2020. A total of 30 bags of trash was collected during the first session, and 40 additional bags of trash were picked up at the second cleanup around the edges of the pond. It was great to see local community groups actively taking up the stewardship mantle of their island!
Follow the signs!
Interpretive sign at Belmont Salt Pond. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc)
Our project also involved the construction of viewing platforms at Belmont Salt Pond, designed to provide people with a fantastic overview of the wetland and the birds living there. At each of the Belmont Salt Pond platforms – and at the Ashton Lagoon Eco Trail – we installed interpretive signs displaying resident and migratory birds. We worked with BirdsCaribbean to design signs that included land birds, wetland birds, and shorebirds likely to be seen at each of the sites. At Ashton Lagoon, one sign also provides visitors with knowledge about the marine and terrestrial species of animals found in the area.
Our interpretive signs include features on bird identification. Thus, someone using the platforms at Belmont Salt Pond or our bird towers at Ashton Lagoon can receive a “self-crash-course” in basic bird identification. Moreover, there are now three 4 x 6 billboard signs installed at Belmont Salt Pond that explain the history of the area and its cultural and environmental importance. Two ‘rules’ signs also notify visitors about appropriate behavior in the area.
Keeping the trash at bay
“Bird branded” garbage bins and signs at Belmont Salt Pond. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc)
To reduce the problem of litter, we installed attractive garbage receptacles at both Belmont Salt Pond and Ashton Lagoon. The bright green receptacles are adorned with images of the various birds one can see in the area. Our hope is that this will help build local pride and community ownership and encourage people to dispose of their garbage in a responsible way.
Since the installation of 4 bins at each location, we are gratified to see that people are using them. The local solid waste management company ‘’Uni Clean’ assists with the weekly disposal of trash from these areas.
Reaching out in different ways
We found different ways of reaching out to our stakeholders and the general public. Normally, we would have been hosting lots of in-person outreach and birding activities and events with the community and schools during the last year. But due to the pandemic and schools closing, we used radio and social media platforms to engage the community and key stakeholders. We made phone calls and delivered letters with updates on our projects. We also sent out a media blast with the local telecommunications company on the island, so that recipients could obtain a poster of the activities being undertaken at Belmont Salt Pond on their phones.
Finally, we had a hugely successful radio interview and webinar with the show, “Conversation Tree” on Radio Grenadines. SusGren’s Program Director, Orisha Joseph and I gave a presentation and discussed our activities with the radio host. This was seen by over 2,000 people and was very well-received.
World Shorebirds Day
Kristy Shortte pointing out and identifying birds on a guided birding walk. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc).
To further community involvement in our work and help people develop a love for the environment and birds, we collaborated with Katrina Collins-Coy, Union Island Environmental Attackers, and celebrated World Shorebirds Day in September, 2020. Eleven students and two teachers from the Stephanie Browne Primary School participated.
The celebration involved a birding walk with Bird Bingo and a Bird Identification tour along the Ashton Lagoon Trail. The children also enjoyed activities in the classroom, such as learning about the Parts of a Bird, bird games, and bird arts and crafts. We were elated to see the enthusiastic students and teachers come out as early as 5:30 am to be a part of the session!
Birds of Belmont Salt Pond – A New Resource!
Through this project (with matched funding from the SVG Conservation Fund) we also developed a booklet entitled “Birds of Belmont Salt Pond.” The booklet includes notes from SusGren’s directors, information on the project’s team, a brief history of the Belmont Salt Pond, photographs of resident and migratory birds found there, and a full checklist and space for taking notes while bird watching and monitoring. Thirty copies were printed and distributed to key stakeholders in the community and other organizations in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We hope this will be a great resource for visitors.
Belmont Salt Point. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc)
Bird Identification Training Workshop—“Conserving Caribbean Shorebirds and their Habitats”
Participants taking part in a Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) Basic Bird ID Training Workshop. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc)
We weren’t finished yet! We also held a five-day bird identification training workshop as part of the project, during October 2020. The workshop was facilitated by Lystra Culzac, who is the Founder and Manager of Science Initiative for Environmental Conservation and Education (SCIENCE) and graduate of our Conserving Caribbean Shorebirds and their Habitats Training Workshop in 2019 (as is Kristy!). Those taking part represented a wide range of professions, from Park Rangers, Tourism Division, Environmental Groups, and regular community members. As part of the training, a bird monitoring trip took place at the newly installed platforms, making good use of our new booklet “Birds of Belmont Salt Pond.”
We included training in seabird monitoring as part of the workshop and participants took a trip to Catholic Island and Tobago Cays Marine Park. Here they got the opportunity to learn firsthand how to identify a wider variety of the seabird species in their natural habitats. Following the bird watching trip in the Tobago Cays, SusGren, in partnership with SCIENCE, collaborated on a clean-up effort at Petit Bateau, one of the cays in the Marine Park and a known seabird habitat. A total of 6 bags of trash was collected.
Continued CWC Monitoring
At both Ashton Lagoon and Belmont Salt Pond we have been carrying out Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) surveys for many years. These surveys help us to keep track of which birds are using these sites, while keeping an eye out for any changes or threats to the habitats. During the project we carried out 9 CWC surveys across Ashton Lagoon and Belmont Salt Pond, making visits twice a month. Now that the project is over we plan to continue to monitor the birds at both sites using CWC surveys. With all our newly trained birders on Union island, equipped with binoculars and copies of the ‘Birds of Belmont Salt Point,’ we should have plenty of support to do this!
How did the community respond to our work?
During an Attitude and Perception survey interview done with residents on the island, persons expressed excitement and satisfaction with the new development. One noted interviewee was Benjamin Wilson, a Tobago Cays Park Ranger. Wilson said, “Before the enhancement, I would have passed the salt pond straight – but now I have to gaze at the work that was done.’’ SusGren believes that this project was the first step towards having a local community that value ‘their’ wetland. The wildlife viewing platform is now being regularly used by locals and tourists alike!
Mission accomplished? Yes, for that phase, which is a first step in the right direction towards bird and habitat conservation.
This project was made possible with funding and support from BirdsCaribbean via the US Fish and Wildlife Service NMBCA program and BirdsCaribbean members and donors, with matching funds from the SVG Conservation Fund.
Kristy Shortte has worked with Sustainable Grenadines Inc since 2013, starting out as an Administrative and Research Assistant. Since 2017 she has served as a Program Officer. Kristy has qualifications in Business Studies, and since working at Sustainable Grenadines, she has been dedicated to using her business knowledge and environmental training and experience to empower her community in the Grenadines to protect and develop their resources sustainably. She has grown to love and be inspired by nature and birds since working for SusGren. She comments, “A lot of times I would look at birds and observe how they are so fearless and free in the sky and by looking at these creatures you learn from them about how to create a beautiful life.”
Salt being produced at Belmont. (Photo by Radio Grenadines)
One of the new signs showing the bird of Belmont Salt Pond. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc)
The new platform at Belmont Salt Pond. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc)
Lesser Yellowlegs at Belmont Salt Pond. (photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc)
Kids with BirdSleuth Caribbean Bird Bingo-cards. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc)
Kids learning about birds with BirdSleuth Caribbean and World Migratory Bird Day materials. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc)
Belmont Salt Pond. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc)
Viewing Platform at Belmont Salt Pond. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc)
Viewing Platform at Belmont Salt Pond. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc)
American Flamingo Spotted at Belmont Salt Pond. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc)
BirdsCaribbean Seabird Working Group Newsletter – click on the image to view and download a PDF, OR read on your device as a full-screen flipbook (click below). For Spanish and French versions, click on the images below.
EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it! We’re excited to announce that the BirdsCaribbean Seabird Working Group (WG) has launched a Seabird Newsletter! Available in English, Spanish, and French, it gives a picture of seabird-related activity across the Caribbean Basin. Anyone who works on or is interested in seabirds should take a look to catch up on the latest research, conservation, restoration, and education projects happening in the islands.
The newsletter starts with an inspiring Foreword by BirdsCaribbean’s new president, Dr. Adrianne, Tossas. You can also meet the Seabird Working Group’s new co-chairs, who are working hard to ramp up activities and communications by the WG. Find out the many ways that you can connect with the Seabird WG and its members, including a new Facebook group!
Do you remember the survey about seabird work that we sent around last year? The newsletter summarizes the responses from 78 participants and provides insights into mutual needs and possible collaborations. One collaboration that stands out is the possibility of a region-wide seabird survey effort in 2023 ….. interested?
The newsletter includes a list of recent publications, covering Roseate Terns, Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Red-billed Tropicbirds, among others. It also has island-by-island updates—find out what has been happening on your own island or explore further afield. There is also a “seabirder spotlight” feature—our first issue features Hannah Madden, who is studying tropicbirds in St. Eustatius. Finally, check out the discussion on the seabird regional census and BirdsCaribbean’s plans for a centralized bird banding network.
Of course, it’s possible we’ve left something out; if you have seabird news to share, please take advantage of the many avenues for communication described in the newsletter. And let us know if you would like your work to be featured in the next edition!
P.S. Don’t forget to visit the Seabird Working Group webpages and our Seabirds Resources page. If you would like to order copies of our beautiful Save Our Seabirds Posters (available in English and Spanish), and “Inventory of the Breeding Seabirds of the Caribbean” book, we would be glad to get these resources into your hands!
P.P.S. We are keen to hear from you if you enjoyed our newsletter, and to know how often you would like to receive these updates going forward (quarterly, biannually, yearly)? Please also let us know if you have any recommendations on how to improve future editions. We would love to hear from you if you would like your work to be featured in the next edition!
BirdsCaribbean Seabird Working Group Newsletter in Spanish – click on the image to view and download the PDF.BirdsCaribbean Seabird Working Group Newsletter in French – click on the image to view and download the PDF.
Size of Award: Several grants up to $1,000 each Application Deadline: February 19th, 2021 at 5 p.m. EST. Address Questions and Send Application to: Will Mackin, BirdsCaribbean, willmackin@gmail.com with copy to info@birdscaribbean.orgAnnouncement of Awards: March 15th, 2021 Donations to the Fund: Tax-deductible (U.S.) at this link. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dave Lee holding a White-tailed Tropicbird in the Bahamas. (photo by Mary Kay Clark)
David S. Lee (1943-2014) was a pioneering naturalist and conservation biologist who helped get BirdsCaribbean started nearly 30 years ago. He inspired many naturalists with his work and his writing. He was a man of many interests, and with respect to the Caribbean, published numerous papers and articles in the popular press on seabirds, Bahamian fish, turtles, snakes, bats, and orchids.
Donations from Dave’s wife, Mary Kay Clark and his mother, June Bash, allowed the establishment of the David S. Lee Fund for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds that will award money to conservation projects in his honor. The money is being held in a trust and will be used to award annual grants for innovative projects that protect Caribbean birds and their habitats.
Goal of the Fund: The David S. Lee Fund for Conservation seeks to continue David’s passion for protecting wildlife. The fund will support direct, innovative conservation work in the Caribbean Region for birds and their habitats. The fund will be managed by BirdsCaribbean and used for annual small grants. Applicants should demonstrate how their project will work with conservation groups and local communities in the Caribbean.
Eligibility: Scientists/naturalists working in the Caribbean, in conservation organizations or academic programs, may apply. Applicants should be students or early career ornithologists, conservationists, or wildlife professionals (i.e., not established faculty or senior staff of a conservation organization, less than 10 years post-graduation). A student must be enrolled in accredited Masters or PhD program in ecology, biology, conservation, or related field to be eligible. Applicants must be paid or sponsored members of BirdsCaribbean at the time of application.
Use of Funds: The funds can cover travel to field sites, living expenses in the field, or costs for equipment and supplies to conduct conservation projects. Examples of equipment and supplies include traps, cameras, automated recording units, nest boxes, etc. Ineligible costs include salary or other wages, overhead fees, etc. Projects that foster collaboration between scientists/naturalists in different island groups of the Caribbean, such as joint projects to test conservation techniques for similar species, will be favored. Application Guidelines:
Proposals may be submitted in English, French, or Spanish. All should have an English version of the abstract.
Applications should be emailed as a Microsoft Word document.
The application should include a cover page, proposal (download guidelines below), and a curriculum vitae for the applicant.
Separately, by email, three individuals who can attest to your effectiveness in previous work should submit letters of recommendation. For students, this would include your academic advisor.
Evaluation:
A committee appointed by BirdsCaribbean will review the proposals and award the grants.
The awardee will be required to submit a report one year from the day of the award explaining how the award money was spent and the results of the project to that point. The awardee is also asked to write an article for BirdsCaribbean’s blog about their work (informal article for a lay audience).
Eligible applicants can download the application here. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Help support the Dave Lee Fund by being a sponsor!
Reddish Egrets (dark morph). (photo by Tania Thomson, Shutterstock)
This fund will be for the conservation of any bird in the Caribbean as a reflection of Dave’s diverse interests. He was an important part of many projects, ranging from those of the Black-capped Petrel and Seabird Working Group to the scholarly debate leading to the elevation of the Bahama Yellow-throated Warbler to a full species. At the moment the fund contains $12,000. Our initial goal is to raise $25,000 so that we can award $1,000 every year to a worthy student or early career ornithologist, conservationist or wildlife professional. Not only will this fund encourage creative field work for projects that make a difference, but it will also help build the knowledge and skills of young conservationists that are urgently needed to make sure that the Caribbean birds and habitats that Dave treasured are still around for future generations to enjoy.
Cuban Parrot surveying his domain. (photo by Elliotte Rusty-Harold, Shutterstock)
At the 2015 BirdsCaribbean meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, a round of beers was purchased in Dave’s honor, since he always seemed to have a cooler full when people wanted one (and even when they didn’t). Think of this fund like a cooler full of refreshing beverages that Dave would have around if he were here. We owe it to Dave to stock that cooler—to vitalize naturalists and empower them in their work to help wildlife. Please give a tax deductible donation to the David S. Lee Fund. Give generously. The more we put into the fund, the more we can give out each year. Thanks to all those that have contributed to the fund!
If you prefer to donate with a check, please make the check out to “BirdsCaribbean” and in the memo section, note that it is for the David S. Lee Fund. If you have questions or to make other arrangements for donating, please feel free to contact Jennifer Wheeler, BirdsCaribbean Financial Officer (jennifer.wheeler@birdscaribbean.org) Checks can be mailed to: BirdsCaribbean, 841 Worcester St. #130, Natick, MA 01760-2076
Thank you for your participation and support!
Reports from Projects Supported with Dave Lee Fund Scholarships:
Shanna with critically endangered Antiguan Racer (Photo by Chaso Media)
BirdsCaribbean is delighted by the news that the Environmental Awareness Group’s (EAG) Shanna Challenger, based on the island of Antigua, has received the Euan P. McFarlane Environmental Leadership Award. The award, which honors young Caribbean environmental leaders under the age of 30, was announced recently by the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI). Puerto Rican water specialist Amira Odeh was also a recipient.
Lisa Sorenson, Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean, noted that EAG has been a long-standing partner of the organization on several important projects.
“Shanna is truly a star!” said Sorenson. “We have worked closely with her for the past four years and have been impressed by her energy, her enthusiasm, and her leadership skills. Shanna participated in our surveys of the Barbuda Warbler, following the devastation of Hurricane Maria on Antigua’s sister isle in 2017. We congratulate Shanna on her outstanding work on the Redonda Restoration Program, which was tremendously successful.”
An Honors graduate in Ecology from the University of the West Indies in 2016, Shanna went on to study for her Master of Science in Conservation Biology, which she achieved with Distinction at the University of Kent in the UK under a Chevening Scholarship. She joined EAG in 2016, managing the Redonda Restoration Program, and working on plans for a proposed protection area on the small island with government, regional bodies, and international non-governmental organizations.
Redonda Tree Lizard (Anolis nubilus). (Photo by Ed Marshall).
She now coordinates the Offshore Islands Conservation Program, which was responsible for saving the world’s rarest snake, the Antigua Racer, from extinction. Shanna is developing a ridge-to-reef program, working with communities to conserve species and habitats. As if that is not enough, she continues to volunteer with a local youth non-profit organization.
Lisa Sorenson noted Shanna’s dynamic personality, which enlivens meetings of BirdsCaribbean’s Media Working Group meetings, as well as our training workshops and conferences. Shanna helps to promote the value of Antigua and Barbuda’s ecosystems and wildlife on local media, planning and implementing BirdsCaribbean activities such as the Caribbean Waterbird Census, Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival, and World Migratory Bird Day, particularly in Antigua’s extensive mangrove areas.
Shanna dressed as Barbuda Warbler for the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (Photo by Rudolph Zachariah)
“Shanna has been known to enthusiastically impersonate a Barbuda Warbler in full costume for children during the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival. This past May, Shanna and her talented EAG colleagues Natalya Lawrence and Andrea Otto, presented a six-session Zoom course for beginning birders on bird identification and monitoring. As a result, the study group formed a birding club, the Wadadli Warblers, which keeps in touch on the WhatsApp platform and meets regularly for birding trips. Club members are also undertaking Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) surveys in Antigua for this year’s census. This is quite an achievement when COVID-19 restrictions are still in place,” added Sorenson.
“There is no doubt that the Caribbean needs more “home grown” youth activists in the conservation field. We commend the CFVI on offering this award, which we feel sure will inspire other young people across the region to take up the reins in the field of biodiversity conservation. We are equally convinced that Shanna will keep on growing as a leader. We look forward to continuing our vibrant partnership with her and with EAG.”
Male Brown Booby with nest in vegetation (Photo by Shanna Challenger)
Shanna about to board the helicopter to Redonda (Photo by Sophia Steele)
Barren landscape on Redonda in 2012 before invasive rats and goats were removed (Photo by Jenny Daltry)
Redonda transformed from bare rock to a carpet of vegetation in 2020, after removal of invasive species (Photo by Cole White)
Shanna diving on Redonda’s reefs (Photo by Ruleo Camacho)
Find out more about the Euan P. McFarlane Environmental Leadership Award winners & The TransforMAtion of Rodonda Island:
The Red-legged Thrush is a key seed disperser in the forests of the Dominican Republic. (photo by Dax Roman)
Spencer Schubert’s adventures into the remote corners of the Dominican Republic Part continue, all in the name of science and conservation.
If you are reading this, I probably do not have to convince you that birds are great. The more interesting discussion to be had, of course, would be what makes them so great. We are all drawn to birds for different reasons. For some of us, the sights and sounds they provide to the ambience of our backyard or local natural area are enough to endear them to us. For many others it comes from their experience as pet owners. Even the tradition of hunting can inspire reverence for birds and a passion for their conservation. I have always liked birds, but I can hardly claim that they were any more interesting to me than lizards or turtles, for example. Indeed, on my grumpiest of days, I sometimes refer to myself as a failed herpetologist.
My gateway to birds has been a fascination with their role as seed dispersers. It may not be the first thing that you notice, but no matter where you go, as long as you’re standing on dry land and there is some green vegetation nearby, you would be hard pressed to find somewhere where there aren’t birds eating fruits and seeds. These feeding behaviors by birds are a key component to many terrestrial ecosystems. By swallowing fruits or otherwise carrying away seeds in their bill, potentially flying great distances, birds give plants a major boost in their potential to propagate in the environment.
Our restoration plots, constructed in 2017, are small pasture areas each about the size of a basketball court. By enclosing these areas with barbed wire fences, our objective was to eliminate the effects of cattle grazing, trampling, and landscaping efforts by farmers in order to observe the process of seed dispersal and plant growth. Perches with crossbars were installed to attract birds and collect droppings and seeds.
One of the major implications of seed dispersal in a world with ever diminishing forests is the prospects for degraded ecosystems to bounce back. About two years ago, I contributed an article to this blog on up-and-coming work in the small town Jarabacoa in the central mountains of the Dominican Republic. I was studying whether constructed perches could be used to attract birds to restoration sites on abandoned parcels of farmland, with the goal of promoting natural seed dispersal and forest recovery. It all began with a simple principle: If you build it, they will come.
To some extent this was true. We found that installing perches increased the number of birds visiting restoration plots. However, some key seed dispersers such as the Palmchat, Black-crowned Palm Tanager, and Red-legged Thrush – to name a few – showed little to no interest in our perches. So, I got to thinking, maybe we need a better sales pitch.
Have you ever walked down the streets of a popular street in town looking for a place to eat or hang out? Would you rather walk into an establishment that is silent with no sign of people inside or one that is bustling with music and laughter? Atmosphere is what you’re looking for. All else being equal, you’re much more likely to walk into a restaurant that sounds like there are a lot of people inside than one that is quiet and seemingly empty. We use these social cues to inform our judgments of the quality of different businesses all the time. As it turns out, birds are not so different.
Birders will already be familiar with the magic of playback. Many bird species are readily stimulated by hearing their own call and often rush in to investigate whether the sound is from a mate, new neighbor, or a potential intruder to the territory. This is often used to draw in shy birds for us to have a closer look at them or prompt them to reply for better identification (Note: Playback may cause unnecessary stress for some species, particularly during nesting season, and is prohibited in some parks and in many cases for threatened species). Similarly, birds may be drawn to the sounds of both their own kind and other species as a signal to flock up to find high quality habitat or food.
Black-crowned Palm Tanager (Phaenicophilus palmarum) feeding on Inga vera. (photo by Spencer Schubert)
Here is where my idea set in. One aspect of my studies over the past four years has been the community-level analysis at our sites in the central Dominican Republic in an attempt to fully document all feeding/dispersal relationships between all of the bird and plant species that occur here. Through thousands of hours of observation, we have uncovered enormous variation in the extent to which different bird species act as seed dispersers.
Some “generalist” species are responsible for dispersing the seeds of large numbers of plant species. For example, our research has revealed that the Palmchat eats fruits from 42 species. That’s nearly half of all trees and shrubs that are found, collectively, at the sites we have surveyed! Other “specialist” species, like the Antillean Euphonia, are only known to feed on fruits from just a few species. So, if you were any average Joe Bird in the mood for some tasty fruits, which of these species would you rather take a recommendation from?
Antillean Euphonia (Euphonia musica) feeding on a mistletoe (Phoradendron racemosa). (photo by Spencer Schubert)
This is, effectively, the question we asked with our latest experiment. By broadcasting sounds of fruit-eating generalists, specialists, and birds that do not eat fruits in separate trials, we sought to test how these sounds affect bird activity in our restoration plots. We expected, first of all, that the sounds of particular species would attract members of that same species. Additionally, we expected experimental trials with sounds from generalist birds to attract more birds in general than in trials with sounds from specialists, non-frugivores, and no sound. We used digital video cameras to record the activity of birds in the plots during these experiments. At this time, we are still reviewing the footage from this study. But we have already seen some fascinating results! Several species that we had never before recorded in the plots were confirmed as visitors responding to the sound of their own species during this experiment.
Here we see a family of Grey Kingbirds (Tyrannus dominicensis) frolicking among the perches in one of our restoration plots. Kingbirds are, nominally, insectivores. However, they supplement their diet heavily with a large variety of fruits. Their propensity to venture out into open spaces to hunt for insects makes them highly prolific seed dispersers in deforested landscapes. (Video by Spencer Schubert)
Our work demonstrates that sound and social cues are likely a key factor in birds exploring degraded landscapes. And this exploration and habitat use by birds has a direct relationship with seed dispersal. While our work is only a first glance into these relatively unexplored aspects of bird behavior, there is reason to believe that it could have key implications for environmental management and conservation. Beyond simply tricking birds into showing up to a particular site, taking various measures to promote the local abundance of birds through providing resources and habitat can extend well beyond improving the well-being of birds. Helping birds in this context has great potential for restoring the ecosystem services like seed dispersal that birds provide, which will be key in our future struggle to support biodiverse and resilient ecosystems.
As an extension of plant surveys and phenology monitoring, we used a make-shift space at our field station to germinate and rear seedlings of more than 30 species. At the end of the summer, Plan Yaque Inc. helped us transport these to a large scale nursery that supplies ongoing forest restoration projects for the Ministry of the Environment.
In the time since the inception of our project, we have taken steps to ensure that measures will be taken to improve management practices to make landscapes more supportive of bird populations. Our biggest push in this regard has been emphasizing the importance of planting native species both in restoration areas and in backyard landscaping projects to support native birds.
Over the past year, we have collected seed and grown seedlings of more than 30 species of native plants, all of which produce fruit resources for birds. In July of this year, we donated more than two hundred of these seedlings to Plan Yaque Inc. (a local NGO working to conserve natural resources in the Rio Yaqui del Norte watershed) and the Ministry of the Environment to incorporate into routine forest restoration projects, including the plots where we have done our experiments. We hope that this will be an important first step to reforming forest restoration practices so that they may become more sustainable and effective in promoting native biodiversity.
A Palmchat, endemic to the Dominican Republic and an important seed disperser, uses one of our artificial perches. (photo by Holly Garrod)
I owe gratitude to many individuals and organizations for their roles in supporting this project over the past several years. Chiefly among these were project technicians: Joaris Samuel Gonzalez and Juan Miguel Liberata. Field assistants: Alex Lascher-Posner, Paris Werner, Kim Shoback, Tyler Glaser, Alejandra Monsiváis, Juan Carlos Cárdenas, and Lara Grevstad. Dr. Eric Walters of Old Dominion University helped advise the project and has been instrumental in the progression of my ideas and my development as a scientist. Holly Garrod has closely partnered with this project as a collaborator during the course of MS thesis on todies of Hispaniola. Local organizations Plan Yaque and Rancho Baiguate have provided key logistic support, without which this work would not have been possible. Furthermore, numerous private land owners have generously received us on their farms to conduct our field studies. This research was funded jointly by the Rufford Foundation, the Sophie Danforth Conservation Award from Roger Williams Park Zoo, the Old Dominion University Kirk Wetland Research Award, and the David S. Lee Fund from BirdsCaribbean.
By Spencer Schubert. Spencer is Ph.D. student in the ecology program at Old Dominion whose thesis focuses on the contributions of avian seed dispersal to tropical forest recovery and plant-frugivore seed dispersal networks on farmland landscapes in the Dominican Republic. Spencer is a recipient of two BirdsCaribbean David S. Lee Fund Grants and is using his research as a platform to raise interest in the ecological importance of birds for restoration projects in the region around Jarabacoa.
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.
New twin suspension bridges over breached gaps in failed marina causeway in the Ashton Lagoon (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
The local non-profit conservation organization Sustainable Grenadines (SusGren) welcomed guests to the lagoon’s (re)birthday celebration at its welcoming eco-friendly building on Union Island in the Grenadines on May 31, 2019. The building adjoins Ashton Lagoon, the largest natural bay and mangrove ecosystem in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This area was legally designated a Conservation Area in 1987 and named as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International in 2008.
The story of Ashton Lagoon is worthy of honor and rejoicing, far and wide. The birthday party guests wore beaming smiles.
After 13 years of diligent work, SusGren, supported by its national and international partners, has succeeded in restoring the lagoon—not only for the well-being of the marine and bird life, but also for that of future generations of Union Islanders. Now it is transformed, blossoming into a beautiful place in which to learn, observe, and enjoy the bounties of nature.
Orisha Joseph, Sustainable Grenadines Executive Director, welcomes everyone to the Ashton Lagoon Restoration Project Unveiling event on May 31st, 2019. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
As the King said in “Alice in Wonderland,” it’s best to begin at the beginning. The tale of Ashton Lagoon began some 25 years ago, in 1994. That year marked its decline—the moment when an overseas investor said: “Let’s build a golf course over the mangroves. Let’s build a marina for 300 boats!” as Joseph described it. A causeway was to join Frigate Rock to Union Island.
Map of Union Island ecosystems prior to the Ashton Marina Project and the airport runway extension (Map by Price & Price, 1998)
The following year, the investor went bankrupt. The project was abandoned, but the damage had already been done. Joseph described the development as a “catastrophe.” The causeway and marina berths, constructed from metal sheet piles and dredged coral, blocked the circulation of water, causing immense harm to the mangroves, reefs, and seagrass.
Thereafter, Ashton Lagoon languished. With its stagnant green waters and its degraded mangrove forest, locals—including fisherfolk who passed through to their fishing grounds—shunned it. It became a lonely place, Joseph recounted during her presentation in Guadeloupe (which you can watch below!).
But hope appeared on the horizon. In 2004, Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean Lisa Sorenson visited Union Island to deliver a Wetlands Education Training Workshop. The group took a field trip to the damaged lagoon and learned about the heartbreak residents and fishers felt living with the eyesore of the abandoned and algae-filled lagoon. Sorenson began work to raise funds, and in 2007, thanks to support from the USFWS, SusGren and BirdsCaribbean held a 3-day Participatory Planning Workshop with local stakeholders. All agreed (including, thankfully, donors) that something must be done. But wasn’t this a Herculean task?
An aerial view of Ashton Lagoon in 2004 shows how the failed marina disrupted the natural water flow. Impacts included stagnant polluted water in the lagoon and marked declines in marine life and the health of the mangrove. (Photo by Michele Kading)
Yes, it was. The Restoration Project was a tough, complex undertaking, not for the faint-hearted. Initially, stakeholders developed a vision for the management and sustainable use of the area, and wrote funding proposals. Surveys and monitoring of the ecologically sensitive area were conducted. And then, there were the engineering issues to be resolved. Joseph reserved special appreciation for the man she called her “miracle worker,” Ian Roberts, Engineer/ Works Supervisor for the restoration.
Joseph emphasized that, apart from the onerous technical issues that besieged them (how to deal with those horrible metal piles?) another challenge was a less “concrete” one: How to keep the local community engaged and interested. They were impatient and SusGren’s credibility and reputation were at stake on this small island with a population of 3,500.
The group went through a funding crisis in 2014—one that Joseph looked back on with wry humor. In 2016, when the funds began to work out, the project’s three broad objectives were refined. These were to restore the ecosystem; to strengthen the community’s resilience to climate change, for its economic benefit; and to increase environmental awareness.
In 2018, the water began to flow again. The “miracle workers” had created some breaches in the marina’s piles for it to flow through …after 24 years. “The lagoon said, ‘I can breathe again!’” laughed Joseph.
There followed a frantic period of activity, as SusGren worked on several projects simultaneously. The mangroves were flooded with new water and circulation in the lagoon restored through strategic breaches and culverts in the causeway and marina berths. Two bird towers were built (one named after Lisa Sorenson’s favorite seabird, the Royal Tern). The Interpretive Centre was built and some moorings at Frigate Island were created. A nursery of 3,000 red mangroves was created; the seedlings, donated by the Grenada Department of Forestry. They were planted using bamboo, rather than PVC. A community-owned apiculture and honey production enterprise started up (“bees like black mangroves,” noted Joseph).
Approximately 3,000 red mangroves seedlings were replanted in the Ashton Lagoon (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
There are also two bridges. After the marina causeway and berths were breached in several places to allow the water to flow freely, the bridges were needed to provide access to the whole causeway—a part of which had been washed away by storms—as a place to walk and watch birds and wildlife. Now, the marina berths are turning into “little islets” with mangroves and other vegetation—growing well and providing a roosting place for birds and habitat for other wildlife.
Hon. Camilo Gonsalves (Minister of Finance, Economic Planning, Sustainable Development and Information Technology) and Hon. Saboto Ceasar (Minister of Agriculture, Industry, Forestry, Fisheries, and Rural Transformation) on the suspension bridge at Ashton Lagoon at the May 31st Restoration Unveiling event. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.).
Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean, Lisa Sorenson felt a great emotional investment in the project. “I could not stop smiling at the launch!” she confessed. “We are so proud of SusGren, their local partners and the donors for persevering with the project. This is a shining example of what can be done, with vision and determination, to right an environmental wrong that occurred many years ago. SusGren did not give up on Ashton Lagoon. Now it is a wonderful place for people—and birds—to visit. An American Flamingo showed up there recently, for the first time!”
BirdsCaribbean continues to provide support for clean-up activities, tree planting and additional signs for the bird towers.
Importantly, members of the public are using the Lagoon Eco Trail, including schoolchildren and teachers, eager to learn. In July, Danny’s Summer School on Union Island went birding at the Lagoon, identifying birds and exploring the trail. “This is what brings me most joy,” admits Orisha Joseph. Those years walking round the lonely lagoon with a colleague are gone. Now, at last, it is appreciated by local people. Non-motorized recreational activities have begun to take off. Kite surfing is booming!
Sustainable Grenadines, Inc. Junior Rangers visit to the Ashton Lagoon Trail. Students poses with Hon. Camillo Gonsalves, Dr. Lisa Sorenson, and Mr. Herman Belmar (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
World Migratory Bird Day monitoring with the Stephanie Browne Primary School students and teachers. The students pose with bird ID cards outside of SusGren’s new headquarters at the lagoon. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.).
Of course, more work remains to be done. SusGren and its partners now face a number of new and different challenges. They had not quite been prepared for a sudden flood of publicity (for example, in the Caribbean Compass yachting magazine) and the thousands of “likes” on social media. “We were even featured in the phone book!” said Joseph, with a hearty laugh.
Ashton Lagoon on Caribbean Compass cover
The Ashton Lagoon Restoration Project is still lobbying the Governments of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada—not only for funds, but to have the lagoon properly gazetted as a Marine Protected Area. On the ground, SusGren is tackling such issues as an invasion of cattle in the mangroves during the “let-go season” and management of vehicles. While increasing bird habitat, the organization wants to encourage community involvement that is orderly, and above all sustainable.
Kristy Shortte, SusGren Program Officer, conducts Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) bird monitoring from the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Birding Tower (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Now, the tides are flowing again in the lagoon, and the jewel-like waters, turquoise and opal, are clear and free. The mangroves are busy with bird life. Marine life is thriving. Pedestrian and boat access has been opened up.
Residents of Union Island visiting Ashton Lagoon (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
In some ways, the story of Ashton Lagoon is almost like a Hollywood plot: disasters, disappointments, struggle and ultimately a sense of triumph. The less glamorous sub-plot is the sheer hard work and determination to see the project through, tackling red tape and unexpected obstacles, worrying about funding. It is the story of many conservation non-profits across the region.
The story of Ashton Lagoon has a happy ending—but actually it has not ended. Ashton Lagoon is cared for, again. It has a bright future, for wildlife and for people.
Supporters of the Ashton Lagoon Project at the Ashton Lagoon Restoration Project Unveiling event on May 31st, 2019. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Partners and supporters of the Ashton Lagoon Restoration Project included:BirdsCaribbean; the Phillip Stephenson Foundation; The Nature Conservancy (TNC); the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Caribbean Marine Biodiversity Program (CMBP); the German Development Bank (KFW) through the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5C’s); the Global Environment Facility–Small Grants Program (GEF-SGP); US Fish and Wildlife Service, Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Fund, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Trust; Global Coral Reef Alliance; AvianEyes; Science Initiative for Environmental Conservation and Education; Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Transformation, Forestry, Fisheries and Industry; Construction Logistics, Inc.; Ministry of National Security, Lands and Survey Department; National Properties Limited; National Parks, Rivers and Beaches Authority; Grenadines Partnership Fund; University of New Hampshire; Union Island Environmental Attackers; Union Island Tourism Board; Union Island Association for Ecological Preservation (UIAEP); Union Island Ecotourism Movement, and others.
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.
Louise Mitchell (St. Vincent and the Grenadines Environment Fund ) and other attendees at the launch event marvel at the new gazebo and bridges. (photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc).
Humorous Signs Found in Ashton Lagoon (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Richmond Vale Academy, St Vincent- Visit to the Ashton Lagoon (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Shorebirds enjoying the peace of Ashton Lagoon (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Landbirds of Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (side 2) – these waterproof bird ID cards help residents and visitors to know and enjoy the country’s beautiful birds. (cards produced by BirdsCaribbean)
Signs at the Entrance of the Trail (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Visitors from Caribbean Tourism Authority (CTO) (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Birding Tower, named after local birder Katrina Collins Coy’s favorite bird (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Ruddy Turnstone (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Like mother, like son, birding in the Lagoon (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
View of mangroves and suspension bridges in the distance from the Royal Tern Observation Tower. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Many more shorebirds use the lagoon since it has been restored (photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc.)
Drone Shot of the Entrance to the Ashton Lagoon Trail (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
One of the interpretive signs along the trail.
Students from Stephanie Browne Primary School on World Migratory Bird Day, October 2019 (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Wallets rest in the protected waters of the Ashton Lagoon mangroves. (photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc).
Alex Smith- SusGren Junior Ranger participating in the planting of mangrove seedlings project in the Ashton Lagoon (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
A happy moment – Lisa Sorenson reunited with Martin Barriteau and Matthew Harvey at the restoration unveiling ceremony. Martin is the former Executive Director of SusGren and worked on the Ashton Lagoon Restoration Project for many years. Matthew Harvey is a local fisher whose livelihood was harmed by the failed marina development. He never gave up hope that the lagoon would be restored.
Students from Stephanie Browne Primary School enjoy bird watching on World Migratory Bird Day 2019 (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
View of the rejuvenating Ashton Marina (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Mermaid sign and mermaid on trail. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Wilson’s Plovers are common residents of Ashton Lagoon; they nest on mudflats near the mangroves. (photo by Peter Duce)
Educational signs found in Ashton Lagoon (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Kristy Shortte, SusGren Program Coordinator, conducting Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) bird counts (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Richmond Vale Academy, St Vincent- Visit to the Ashton Lagoon. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Grenada Flycatchers are found only in Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. (Photo by Ted Eubanks)
Ian Roberts, Engineer/ Works Supervisor, and Orisha Joseph on one of the suspension bridges that Mr. Roberts designed. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Wetlands are wonderful places for birds, recreation and learning. View of the Twin Bridges, Ashton Lagoon, Union Island, St Vincent and the Grenadines. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Panoramic view from the second floor of SusGren’s new headquarters at the Ashton Lagoon Restoration Unveiling Ceremony, May 31, 2019. (photo Lisa Sorenson)
The Whimbrel is a fairly common winter visitor to Ashton Lagoon and other wetlands in Union Island. (photo by Peter Duce).
Lisa and Orisha in front of the Royal Tern observation tower, named after Lisa’s favorite seabird. (photo by Ian Roberts)
Landbirds of Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (side 1) – these waterproof bird ID cards help residents and visitors to know and enjoy the country’s beautiful birds. (cards produced by BirdsCaribbean)
Hon. Saboto Ceasar, (Minister of Agriculture, Industry, Forestry, Fisheries, and Rural Transformation) giving the featured address at the Ashton Lagoon Restoration Unveiling Ceremony (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
A Whimbrel, a migratory shorebird, visits Ashton Lagoon. (photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Beautiful performance by the Cultural Conquerors at the Ashton Lagoon Restoration Unveiling event on May 31st, 2019. (photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc.)
Brief remarks by Mr. Joaquin Monserrat, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy of Barbados, Eastern Caribbean and the OECS. (photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
View of suspension bridges and Union Island. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
American Flamingo spotted at Ashton Lagoon (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Migratory shorebirds now find great wintering habitat in the newly restored lagoon, mangroves and salt pond. (photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc)
Green Heron (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Royal Terns on remains of Ashton Marina (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Yachts Anchored at Frigate Rock using SusGren mooring services (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
1st Birding tower from the entrance, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Tower (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Richmond Vale Academy, St Vincent- Visit to the Ashton Lagoon (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Everyone is excited about the new bridges! Hon. Saboto Ceasar, Orisha Joseph, and Dr. Lisa Sorenson (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Hon. Camilo Gonsalves (Minister of Finance, Economic Planning, Sustainable Development and Information Technology) provides brief remarks at the Ashton Lagoon Restoration Unveiling event. (photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Ribbon cutting ceremony for the new office and visitor centre of Sustainable Grenadines, Inc. adjacent to Ashton Lagoon. (photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Mayreau Government School visits the Ashton Lagoon (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Swales from the Entrance (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Mr. Edwin Snagg – Director Grenadine Affairs delivering brief remarks (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Richmond Vale Academy, St Vincent- Visit to the Ashton Lagoon (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
View of the marina berth islets and Union Island from the Twin Bridges (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Mangrove Sign (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Tropical Mockingbird (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
SusGren Staff (Sonia, Chandra, and Orisha) and Dr. Lisa Sorenson crossing the gap in 2013 in the days before the bridges! This was necessary to carry out Caribbean Waterbird Census bird counts. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
View of the causeway, marina berth islets, and Frigate Island from the Twin Bridges (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Directional Signs along the Trail (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Visitors on the Swing Bridges Following the Official Launch Ceremony for the Ashton Lagoon (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Visitors from Caribbean Tourism Authority (CTO) (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Manchineel Tree warning sign – although poisonous to humans, the Manchineel tree is a valuable food tree for birds. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Visitors to Ashton Lagoon (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Cinders Creative Nest Preschool visit to the Ashton Lagoon area (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines, Inc.)
Read more about the Ashton Lagoon Restoration Project (and also a project at Belmont Salt POnd) at the links below:
By Emma Lewis, Blogger, Writer, Online Activist, and member of BirdsCaribbean’s Media Working Group, based in Kingston, Jamaica. Follow Emma at Petchary’s Blog—Cries from Jamaica.
