Mary Fulford brings dynamism and innovation to the sustainable tourism space! Through Island Mystique, she offers exciting, culturally immersive adventures. From delightful foodie deep dives featuring the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) must-try dishes, to handcrafting with local artisans, to listening as historians weave folklore tales by the crackle of a fire pit—Mary promises to take visitors off the beaten path by sharing the TCI that exists beyond the ‘sun, sea and sand’. Passionate about connecting guests to the wondrous diversity of her islands, Mary seized the opportunity to join the Caribbean Birding Trail (CBT) Bird Guide Training Workshop and explore TCI’s incredible avifauna! Read on for Mary’s account of her CBT experience, and learn how she is already incorporating birding into her thrilling offerings.
When I saw that BirdsCaribbean was coming to the Turks and Caicos Islands to host a certificate guide training for the Caribbean Birding Trail, I knew I had to be there!
Participating in this training was important for me as the owner of Island Mystique—a culturally immersive tour experience company here in Turks and Caicos. During our creative tours, I want travelers to get off the beaten path and enjoy our culture through a different lens. My employee participated in the training as well and he could not stop enthusing about the wealth of information he gained, and how fun and engaging the training was! Thanks to the training, we are now better equipped to facilitate our tours, whilst teaching our customers about the bird ecosystem here in the TCI.
I have never participated in birdwatching before, so all of this was new to me—and exciting! There was so much information to take in and dissect—like learning how to identify birds based on their different characteristic traits and features. The mix between theory and getting out into the field was valuable, offering me an opportunity to go out and put what I learned into practice.
Mary stepped in to help Lisa with a Birding 101 demonstration!
The theory taught in the classroom came to life everyday with exciting field trips to TCI’s top birding hotspots!
Delicious lunches and digiscoping!
These were five action-packed days of training, laughter, bonding, birding, sights, and great lunches (there was lobster on the menu with crab and rice—I am an island girl and we love our island food!). One of the main highlights for me from this experience was going out into the field and birding. It was such a great experience learning about different birds and using our binoculars and scope to see them up close and personal. I even learned how to digiscope—thanks, Beny! These little moments taught us not only how to be great birding tour guides but great tour guides in general, ensuring that our guests leave with happy smiles—as we did every day.
I partnered with Charmaine Francis from the Bahamas, and we practiced identifying birds. It was a valuable exercise, which helped us spot the birds’ distinguishing features, and become familiar with how their names recalled their different characteristics. For example, the all-black Smooth-billed Aniis a beautiful bird that reminds me of the song ‘Smooth Operator’—it just looks so suave!
Mary and Charmaine partnered up to put the ‘How to Identify Birds’ session in practice.
“He’s a smooth operator.” Smooth-billed Anis cut a fine form with their elegant black plumage. (Photo by Roberto Jovel)
Thanks to our sponsors, all participants received their very own copy of “Birds of the West Indies” to familiarize themselves with the field marks, behaviors, and habitats of our region’s birds.
Bringing a deeper meaning to tour guiding
Rick’s presentation on Interpretive Communication taught me how to bring extra meaning to my guests through our experiences, by encouraging them (and myself) to look at the bigger picture—the “Why?” Interpretation* is a form of mission-based communication that helps humans understand the natural world through storytelling with a message that can help them form a positive, sustainable relationship with the environment.
Rick helped us to figure out and understand what our target audience wants, which helps us to tailor our offering to suit them best. It’s quite similar to the concept of an elevator pitch. A key takeaway for me was that you have to truly believe in what you’re selling, because that’s what makes an individual buy into your brand, service, and passion. Conveying your message plainly yet effectively really helps to build that connection.
Rick Morales takes participants through Tilden’s 6 Principles of Interpretation, and underscores how passion brings them all together.
What has the Caribbean Birding Trail done for me?
This training has offered me insights on how to be a better tour guide. I now have a better understanding of the market and target audience, which then allows me to personalize my experiences to meet our guest’s demands. Island Mystique offers a Sip and Paint Bird Watching Premium Experience, where we first trek the bird trail with our clients, seeing and enjoying different birds. We then come to a gazebo which offers an excellent vantage point for spotting even more birdlife, and we paint one of the birds found in the TCI, with light refreshments…
How cool, right?
As a sustainably operated company, having our Caribbean Birding Trail Interpretive Guide Training certificate not only gives us a competitive advantage in the market, but also gains the trust of customers looking to book with us. This market is beginning to take flight in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and we look forward to contributing to the promotion of this niche through our service offerings (with the cooperation of our birds of course!), and to conserving and protecting the birds that we have here.
As a company, we are excited to grow in the eco- and sustainable tourism market, showcasing another side to our country’s diversity beyond ‘Sun, Sea and Sand’.
Mary gets a spectacular view of the waterbirds that were in abundance at Provo Golf Club (we received special permission for this visit).
An American Kestrel delighted participants by practically posing while everyone got great photos and views!
TCI’s rich and abundant wetlands makes it a haven for shorebirds and waterbirds!
Juvenile Snowy Egret. (Photo by Venecio Wilson)
Bryan Naqqi Manco, of the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources, enriched our experience by teaching us about the endemic flora of TCI.
Juvenile Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. (Photo by Venecio Wilson)
Simon Busittil, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, delivered a fascinating presentation on the East Caicos Wilderness Area!
Yellow-throated Warbler. (Photo by Venecio Wilson)
Participants learned about spotting scope set up and management – especially when dealing with the needs of a large group!
Reddish Egret. (Photo by Venecio Wilson)
Cuban Crows are know to often visit the beautiful Indian Cave.
Mary Fulford is a multi-hyphenate: Hotelier by profession, Founder and Managing Director of Island Mystique a Culturally Immersive Tour Experience Company and The Woman Code 4.0(NPO), Host and Creator of Let’s Get Candid, Speaker, Mentor, and a Community Activist. She is a lover of life, travel, adventure and music and encourages others to ‘create their own narrative’ by being assertive and giving their best effort. A humanitarian in essence, Mary is poised to lead the next generation of women to their true calling. Excited to learn more about Island Mystique culturally immersive packages? Visit their website, connect with them on Instagram and Facebook, or check out their latest reviews on Tripadvisor.
Acknowledgements: The CBT Interpretive Guide Training was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and local partners. These include the Sandals Foundation, the Turks and Caicos National Trust, Darwin Plus Initiative, the Turks and Caicos Department of Environment and Coastal Resources, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Marshall Reynolds Foundation, Shika Shika, US Forest Service International Programs, and Vortex Optics.
The TCI CBT Interpretive Guide training is the seventh training to be carried out by BirdsCaribbean. Previous trainings have been held in Grenada, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Bonaire, Cuba, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. These guide trainings are integral to advancing the vision of the CBT—connecting people to the extraordinary places, diverse cultures, and people of each island. Through the CBT, we promote natural and authentic experiences that benefit local people and encourage the protection of the Caribbean’s natural resources, including birds and their habitats.
*Interpretation is a purposeful approach to communication that facilitates meaningful, relevant, and inclusive experiences that deepen understanding, broaden perspectives, and inspire engagement with the world around us. (National Association of Interpretation).
For Turks and Caicos Islands Environmental Officer, Dodly Proper, our Caribbean Birding Trail (CBT) Bird Guide Training Workshop was “a mini-quest of self-discovery and the ‘human connection’.” Having worked with the TCI government across the realms of ecology and education, Dodly was uniquely positioned to apply the knowledge and skills taught in this workshop. Like other participants he was put through the wringer of bird identification in the classroom and in the field. And indeed, practice made perfect! But it was the lessons on interpretation* and sharing of real-life guiding experiences by two of the facilitators, Rick and Beny, that created the environment for exploring the nuances of interpersonal connection and building meaningful relationships with clients. Read on for Dodly’s lively and pop-culture reference laden account of his CBT experience!
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I walked through those doors. The topic was birds; it was the Caribbean Birding Trail workshop, after all. But as I sat and waited, the room began to fill with new and familiar faces, and lectures on bird identification began. I thought to myself: “I – I know this, I’m a birder”— and honestly, I did. I wasn’t a stranger to the birds of the Turks and Caicos Islands. This was apparent when we had our field practice exercise, virtual birding quiz and morning and evening birding trips, where colleague Della Higgs would occasionally say, “Dodly, you don’t get to answer; you know it already.” I wasn’t the only one being told that, as there were a couple of skilled individuals in our midst.
Although I am a birder, the binoculars lesson revealed something to me. Practice makes perfect, but good practice makes good results, and I wasn’t too good at using binoculars. I would like to blame all cameras for having a viewfinder that can only accommodate one eye. It was a game-changing revelation, especially when there were multiple birding events throughout the week.
One of the first practical sessions for participants was Binocular Usage 101! (Photo by Christel Mohammed)
Facilitators guided participants though the process of setting up their new binoculars (thanks to our sponsors, including Vortex Optics!) for the nuances of their vision. (Photo by Christel Mohammed)
Participants then practiced using their new specs to search the compound and record sightings of the ‘birds’ cleverly hidden amongst the trees by the facilitators! (Photo by Christel Mohammed)
Putting binoculars aside – how do we build a bird guiding business?
As we made it to the last half of the workshop, CBT Project Manager, Holly Robertson introduced us to the Caribbean Birding Trail Framework, and if I had any doubts about the initial stage of becoming a guide, they were beginning to fade. It was reassuring to know I was not alone, and even more so when we were given life-tested advice on how to gain credibility and market ourselves. With regards to the business realm of birding, and learning how to be an interpretive guide, trainers Beny Wilson and Rick Morales’ lessons and the expectations I had of this workshop over those few days were met — but also transformed into something personal. I expected to learn about the “ins and outs” of becoming a guide; but then it became a mini-quest of self-discovery and the ‘human connection.’
I won’t say that I delved deep into the “inner enigmatic machinations of my being.” However, I did learn about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and how it relates to the guests’ experiences, as well as the principles of interpretation*, a form of mission-based communication that helps humans understand the natural world through story telling with a message that can help them form a positive, sustainable relationship with the environment. It was one thing to hear the reasoning, but another to hear Beny’s and Rick’s stories. All the attendees were completely silent as we listened to Rick’s membraphonic jaguar-caller [an instrument that uses vibrations to mimic the vocalizations of jaguars], and the journey that led him to it. There was bewilderment, turning into “N’awws,” after hearing Beny’s Blind birder.
Facilitator Rick Morales captivated everyone with his story and demonstration of the jaguar-caller. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Facilitator Beny Wilson gives practical guiding advice on a field trip to Bird Rock Trail.
Rick shares the theory of how Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs can be applied to leading tour groups.
Beny gives the class a lesson on Maslow and scope setup in the field!
Of course, gorgeous birds were spotted through it all! Bahama Woodstar female. (Photo by Venecio Wilson)
American Flamingos. (Photo by Venecio Wilson)
Yellow-throated Warbler. (Photo by Venecio Wilson)
Overcoming nerves, finding the rhythm
After hearing their tales, it was our turn, on the final day of the workshop, to give an interpretive talk with a message using our journeys and stories. I spent the better part of the night thinking that I could write a story, but public speaking is a bit of an ordeal for me. I eventually had to jump off the four-foot ledge I was hanging from and presented an interpretive rendition of “We all have rhythm, if we listen hard enough,” to a group of ever-familiar strangers. A smidgin of presenter’s anxiety started to take its hold on me [heart racing, weak knees, palms sweaty and hoping I’ll say everything right].
Giving an interpretive talk—Dodly delivered a passionate and powerful final presentation—easily a fan favorite!
How did he do? Fantastically well! Dodly copped one of our ‘Most Outstanding Presentation’ prizes!
I know I wasn’t the only one who felt that way, and that was reassuring. But it was also both comforting and connecting. That day, we all had the same task and goal. We wanted each other to feel our message, and that we did. I don’t cry as much as a person should, and I’m sure that’s a personal problem I have to work on, but it was somewhat difficult not to be emotional on that day. Throughout that week, I don’t think we laughed and cried harder on any day than on the last.
I learnt many things about myself, guiding, and birding and made friends I would have never encountered otherwise. If I had a time machine…10 out of 10, I would do it again.
Facilitator Sorenson poses for a picture with the team from the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources. From left to right: Junel Blaise (aka Flash), Bryan Naqqi Manco and Dodly Prosper.
Dodly, who also enjoys photography, could often be spotted on field trips getting into position to set up that perfect shot!
Juvenile White-cheeked Pintail. (Photo by Dodly Prosper)
Early morning birding and Great Egrets. (Photo by Dodly Prosper)
Dodly Prosper poses for a shot with Caribbean Birding Trail facilitators (from L to R) Rick Morales, Holly Robertson, Lisa Sorenson, and Venecio Wilson, as he receives his Certificate of Completion.
The team from the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources received special tokens of appreciation for their tireless support and warm hospitality throughout our stay in TCI.
Dodly Prosper works as Environmental Officer: Terrestrial Ecologist in the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) in the Turks and Caicos Islands Government. He has worked with DECR in various contract positions since 2019, and has also served with the Ministry of Health and as a lecturer for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College. Mr Prosper has worked as an ecological consultant on numerous environmental projects. He completed his undergraduate diploma at University of York in 2018 and is looking forward to completing a Master’s diploma. Mr Prosper focuses on entomology and ornithology but is also venturing into botany and marine biology. His interests outside of work include painting in watercolors and oils, photography, and Pokémon games. He catalogs his environmental investigation on his blog, The Trying Ecologist.
Acknowledgements: The CBT Interpretive Guide Training was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and local partners. These include the Sandals Foundation, the Turks and Caicos National Trust, Darwin Plus Initiative, the Turks and Caicos Department of Environment and Coastal Resources, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Marshall Reynolds Foundation, Shika Shika, US Forest Service International Programs, and Vortex Optics.
The TCI CBT Interpretive Guide training is the seventh training to be carried out by BirdsCaribbean. Previous trainings have been held in Grenada, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Bonaire, Cuba, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. These guide trainings are integral to advancing the vision of the CBT—connecting people to the extraordinary places, diverse cultures, and people of each island. Through the CBT, we promote natural and authentic experiences that benefit local people and encourage the protection of the Caribbean’s natural resources, including birds and their habitats.
*Interpretation is a purposeful approach to communication that facilitates meaningful, relevant, and inclusive experiences that deepen understanding, broaden perspectives, and inspire engagement with the world around us. (National Association of Interpretation).
Multifaceted TCI journalist and advocate for Mother Nature, Easher Parker. (Photo by Christel Mohammed)
The Caribbean Birding Trail (CBT) primarily targets Caribbean tour guides in its mission to reimagine the tourism model across our islands; however, we recognize that this critical work must happen in concert with changes in the entire ecosystem that surrounds tourism—greater awareness by the public of our biodiverse treasures, coupled with a better understanding of the threats they face, leads to greater advocacy by communities. We respect the fundamental role that local journalists must play in keeping our communities informed and educated about the complex issues surrounding environmental and natural resource protection. Multifaceted and passionate journalist Easher Parker joined us at our Caribbean Birding Trail Turks and Caicos Islands workshop. For her, CBT was an eye-opening experience that further fueled her mission to inspire change that honors our environment—read on for her intriguing account.
Unexpected Beginnings
My Caribbean Birding Trail Guide Training turned out quite different from what I expected. Stick with me—this story has a beautiful ending. Let’s start with how I ended up participating in the first place.
I’m a journalist who loves covering the local environment and relevant laws and policies. My early love for the outdoors sprouted in Blue Hills, a historically rich community where nature was my literal playground. Growing up, my brother, cousins, friends, and I were always outdoors—climbing trees, chasing “yellow-belly birds,” and skipping rocks, a challenge that defied the laws of physics, trying to make stones bounce across ponds or seas.
The serene Blue Hills jetty bathed in sublime golden hour light. (Photo by Christel Mohammed)
Easher Parker learns the ins and outs of adjusting spotting scopes at Blue Hills jetty. (Photo by Christel Mohammed)
The Royal Tern is a Blue Hills jetty regular! (Photo by Ray Robles)
Sometimes, I playfully tell visitors that I experienced the best of Turks and Caicos because it was an untapped paradise. Little did I know that I would one day join my community in the fight to protect it. As a journalist, my mission is to use my platform to enlighten minds and inspire change that respects and honors our environment. I aim to help as many as I can reconnect with her and experience the natural bliss I’m fortunate to still enjoy.
When the digital flier for The Caribbean Bird Trail Workshop appeared on my Facebook, I envisioned writing a report about another activity on Providenciales. Upon inquiry, I discovered it was more than just another ordinary event.
The project had been in the making for years, and this knowledge piqued my curiosity even more. In my quest for information, my friends at the Turks and Caicos National Trust suggested I sign up. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. The workshop completely changed my life.
Can you believe I never knew the common or scientific names of what I was seeing as a child up until the bird trailing workshop? The invaluable information provided clicked for me in such a way that felt like the missing piece of a puzzle. I went in oblivious to the ecology of the feathered friends from my childhood and walked away confident in the skills, knowledge, and experience I acquired.
A “yellow-belly bird”! This Prairie Warbler was spotted at Bird Rock Point Trail. (Photo by Venecio Wilson)
An Immersive Learning Journey
I spent an incredible five days with a diverse crew—naturalists, ecologists, boat captains, entrepreneurs, government folks, and avid conservationists. Our headquarters was the conference room at the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources, where we kicked off with a nail-biting evaluation. We met Adrianne G. Tossas, President of BirdsCaribbean, Avian Ecologist and professor of Biology; facilitator Lisa Sorenson, the Executive Director of Birds Caribbean; Venicio “Beny” Wilson Altamiranda, Naturalist-Tour Guide, and Certified Interpretive Trainer; Rick Morales, Owner of Jungle Treks and Certified Interpretive Trainer; Holly Robertson, the Project Manager of The Caribbean Bird Trail Project; and Christel Mohammed, the Communications Manager of Birds Caribbean.
Winema Penn, the Executive Director of TC National Trust, set the tone with a warm smile and brief opening remarks. We introduced ourselves, shared our expectations, and were gifted a carefully curated starter kit that included Vortex binoculars, a field guide, a top-tier poster featuring water birds, and more. Then we dove into the good stuff: bird identification, binocular wizardry, and guiding hacks.
Overall, our first session was a blast and fully engaging from start to finish. We capped the day at the famous Blue Hills jetty and Wheeland Pond, where Yellow-crowned Night-Herons, Black-necked Stilts, White-cheeked Pintails, Greater Yellowlegs, and Ruddy Turnstones stole the show.
Day two cranked up the excitement. We explored enhancing visitor experiences, birding ethics, and optimal positioning for inclusive tours. Simon Busittil wowed us with habitats, birding sites, and TCI’s conservation issues. I was stunned to learn that Caribbean birds have declined in population by 70% and that only eleven thousand Reddish Egrets are believed to be in existence as of this post.
Scene-stealer! White-cheeked Pintails captured the group’s attention (and hearts!) at Wheeland Pond. (Photo by Rick Evets)
Black-necked Stilts were another Wheeland Pond fan favorite!
The best of TCI—Bird Rock Point Trail offers fantastic birding and unbeatable views. (Photo by Christel Mohammed)
Reddish Egret. (Photo by Elaine R Wilson)
The star of the CBT TCI “starter kit”—a pair of Vortex Diamondback binoculars! (Photo by Christel Mohammed)
Birding and Bird Guiding at Wheeland Pond with facilitator Venecio Wilson. (Photo by Christel Mohammed)
Participants pose for a shot at Wheeland Pond. From L-R: Yves Claude Sandro Pierre, Bryan Naqqi Manco, Easher Parker, Junel Blaise (aka Flash), and Dodly Prosper.
Black-crowned Night Heron with nesting material. (Photo by Diana Robinson)
On the flipside, Bryan Naqqi Manco had us hooked with a quirky presentation on TCI’s Endemic wildlife. Meanwhile, tools like eBird Caribbean and Merlin became our new besties. Lisa threw a virtual birding quiz challenge, and Beny took us deep into waterbirds and seabirds. Holly and the entire group delved into birding sites, and we wrapped up the day in the field at Kimcha Village.
Midweek, we rose with the sun for a magical trip to Bird Rock Point. Wild sapodilla, frangipani, native orchids, and fragrant trees surrounded us. Warblers and other species forced us into stillness along the trail. Back at home base, Holly unveiled the Caribbean Birding Trail Framework, and Rick delved into the Principles of Interpretation*. We pondered tangibles and intangibles in bird guiding, discussed audience styles, and explored different learning approaches. Then came independent guiding businesses, a virtual birding quiz, and more hands-on practice during a trip to Cheshire Hall Plantation.
We were back at it with an early-morning exploration of lush habitats, identifying birds, and honing guiding techniques. Along the way, we were greeted by Prairie Warblers among a list of water-bird species. Later that day Rick continued his communication mastery, sharing examples of stellar interpretation. We dedicated the remainder of the afternoon to creating eight-minute presentations for our final session, where we put our bird-guiding finesse into action.
Once again, we had to be up early and out in the field. At this point, it’s Friday. We presented a majority of our creative ideas at Wheeland Pond and wrapped up at The DECR. While there we celebrated stand-outs in the group, took a knowledge acquisition exam, and ended with a fun bird identification competition. I was on the winning team, of course. Such an awesome week concluded with the presentation of certificates and final moments of hugs, goodbyes, and establishing lifelong connections.
Cheers to a life-changing week! Easher Parker poses for a shot with Caribbean Birding Trail facilitators (from L to R) Rick Morales, Holly Robertson, Lisa Sorenson, and Venecio Wilson, as she receives her Certificate of Completion.
The Transformative Impact and Future Endeavors
Since completing the workshop, I’ve been excited to get up every day and go birding. I’ve even taken children out to Wheeland Pond. So far, Mother Nature has placed some pretty cool species on my path—the all-white juvenile Little Blue Heron, a stunning Least Bittern, the Reddish Egret, and a very elegant Yellow-billed Cuckoo. With practice, I’ve become more advanced in identifying not only a species but also its gender, age, and phase. My new philosophy has been especially helpful and it’s this: there’s always a bird in front of you, just be patient.
Overall, the Caribbean Birding Trail Guide Training ignited a fresh perspective within me, one that I’m eager to share with a broader audience, especially on social media, where the majority currently engages with content. My plan is to present statistics and research, captivating photos, engaging videos, and other forms of digital media. I aim to shed light on critical issues, such as the alarming decline and potential extinction of more Caribbean bird species. Equipped with the skills and knowledge acquired, I aspire to influence changes in laws and policies, advocating for the protection, conservation, and preservation of Caribbean birds and their natural habitats locally and maybe even regionally.
The impact of everyone involved, including fellow participants who have become friends, has been monumental in steering my life in a positive and meaningful direction. A special acknowledgment goes to the generosity and support of our sponsors—Sandals Foundation, Darwin Plus, Turks and Caicos National Trust, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources, Marshall Reynolds Foundation, Vortex Optics, and Shika Shika. Here’s to a future where each bird tells a story, and together, we ensure those stories are heard for generations to come.
Easher Parker is a multifaceted advocate for Mother Nature whose passion for the outdoors transcends personal fulfillment. She seamlessly wears the hats of a naturalist, spiritualist, and journalist. With creativity as her compass and a digital creator’s platform as her megaphone, she’s on a mission to make the world fall head over heels for the wonders of the wild. Connect with her at www.easherparker.com.
Acknowledgements: The CBT Interpretive Guide Training was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and local partners. These include the Sandals Foundation, the Turks and Caicos National Trust, Darwin Plus Initiative, the Turks and Caicos Department of Environment and Coastal Resources, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Marshall Reynolds Foundation, Shika Shika, US Forest Service International Programs, and Vortex Optics.
The TCI CBT Interpretive Guide training is the seventh training to be carried out by BirdsCaribbean. Previous trainings have been held in Grenada, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Bonaire, Cuba, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. These guide trainings are integral to advancing the vision of the CBT—connecting people to the extraordinary places, diverse cultures, and people of each island. Through the CBT, we promote natural and authentic experiences that benefit local people and encourage the protection of the Caribbean’s natural resources, including birds and their habitats.
*Interpretation is a purposeful approach to communication that facilitates meaningful, relevant, and inclusive experiences that deepen understanding, broaden perspectives, and inspire engagement with the world around us. (National Association of Interpretation).
“A veritable mecca for waterbirds and shorebirds.” “One of the most important areas for wintering Piping Plovers in the entire Caribbean.” Those are not exactly the mental images that come to mind when one thinks about tourism in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI)—you would be forgiven for instead immediately conjuring visions of sun, sea, and brilliant white sand—but indeed, this incredible Caribbean biodiversity hotspot offers so much more! Thanks to the Caribbean Birding Trail, and 24 passionate, newly certified bird guides trained to bring the hidden side of TCI to the ever-expanding birding tourism market, this image is about to change. It’s time to meet the Turks and Caicos that only insiders know—and the guides who will make booking a birding tour a quintessential part of the TCI experience.
Sun, sea, sand, and …sublime salt ponds?
The natural beauty of the Turks and Caicos Islands is reflected in the nation’s tourism motto “Beautiful by Nature,” and indeed, no superlative feels adequate to effectively capture its wondrous magic. TCI’s coastlines immediately standout as being the textbook definition of idyllic. The powdery white sand is flecked with coral pinks, whilst the water offers mesmerizing combinations of electric blue and turquoise. Look further and feast your eyes on the islands’ other defining features—a range of fantastic wetlands including picturesque salinas and salt ponds, submerged mangroves, miles and miles of tidal flats and sand banks; intriguing limestone caves; and verdantly green dry tropical forests.
Located on Middle Caicos, Indian Cave is a large and beautiful single gallery cave with many openings and skylights.
Tangles of red mangrove prop roots at Wheeland Pond. This extensive wetland is a haven for birdlife and a true shorebirder’s delight!
Like something out of a dream! The view at the end of Bird Rock Point Trail is incomparable.
Whitby Salina on North Caicos. When you think of salt ponds, you might immediately associate them with waterbirds, but the surrounding scrub and woodland in these areas provide essential habitats for a myriad of other types of birds! We spotted 10 migratory Blackpoll Warblers using the area to rest and refuel before continuing on their epic journeys south.
Bird Rock Point Trail is especially exciting for the range of habitats one traverses along the path. Terrain here is mixed between low limestone bluffs, mangrove waterways, and tidal marine marshes.
Spend some time contemplating this rich tapestry of blues and greens, and in many-splendored flashes of stunning purples, deep reds, sunny yellows, and intensely-pigmented pinks, the real secret of these environments will be revealed—their biodiversity! Glittering hummingbirds, flamboyant flamingos and darting yellow warblers—TCI’s various ecosystems provide critical habitats for a grand diversity of birds. Resident herons, egrets, shorebirds, ducks, seabirds, and landbirds are common sights at TCI’s wetlands. In addition to the islands’ surface area being made up of over 50% wetlands, the country can boast of being home to the largest island in the West Indies undisturbed by humans. TCI’s ecosystems are also a crucial lifeline for winter migrants who can often be easily observed busily attending to the vital business of eating, eating, eating, (and resting!) to refuel their bodies to carry on in their southward migration.
TCI’s extensive wetlands provide essential refuge for Near Threatened Piping Plovers during migration – this flock was spotted feeding on South Caicos. (Photo by Craig Watson)
Reddish Egret, dark morph. (Photo by Elaine R Wilson)
Blackpoll Warbler, female. These warblers were everywhere, migrating and stopping over in TCI in October and early November to rest and feed. (Photo by Hemant Keshan)
Bahama Woodstar, male. The Bahama Woodstar can only be found on the Turks and Caicos Islands and The Bahamas! This near-endemic can be easily spotted in a range of habitats around TCI. (Photo by Keith Salveson)
Flamingo Pond is a must-visit spot for American Flamingo lovers! Depending on the time of the year, flocks at this wetland on North Caicos can number in the thousands!
A match made in Heaven—Sustainable Economic Development meets Biodiversity Protection—in thoughtful, authentic ecotourism where conservation is at heart of the offer
While the TCI Government has designated significant areas for conservation, the full potential of these areas for ecotourism has yet to be tapped. The TCI tourism community has not fully recognized the benefits that nature conservation can bring. The industry is currently focused on high-end/luxury travelers on the main inhabited island of Providenciales; the other inhabited islands of North and Middle Caicos, Grand Turk, South Caicos, and Salt Cay have not benefited from the massive and continued growth of tourism. Away from Providenciales, there are currently limited employment and business opportunities, unless these take the form of large-scale developments with their attendant negative impacts on the natural environment and cultural heritage. New employment opportunities, compatible with natural resource conservation, are urgently needed.
It was against this backdrop of this untapped opportunity for development, the drive to protect TCI’s tremendous biodiversity—and the potential to marry these seemingly competing areas in a way that empowered the TCI community by supporting truly sustainable livelihoods, that the Caribbean Birding Trail (CBT), set its focus on the Turks and Caicos Islands in late 2023. The CBT is a flagship program of BirdsCaribbean that emphatically recognizes that we can unify conservation with business to shape a Caribbean where tourism is harnessed as a force for environmental preservation and sustainable development, rather than the exploitation and degradation of habitats.
BirdsCaribbean Executive Director, Dr. Lisa Sorenson explains, “Globally, the tourism market for wildlife watching and wildlife photography is growing, and bird tourism is a significant part of this market. In the US, the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation lists the national bird watching audience at a whopping 96.3 million citizens—a segment that has grown dramatically in the last few years and continues on an upward trend; while in the UK, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) claims that around 6 million United Kingdom residents are regularly engaged in birdwatching. The Caribbean Birding Trail seeks to attract these markets to the Turks and Caicos Islands and the wider Caribbean. Integral to this is having well-trained guides who can help connect ecotourism travelers with the cultural and natural resources of the islands, creating meaningful and authentic experiences.”
A dynamic team of trainers, bearing birding gifts!
Boat Captains, Ecotour Guides, Educators, Journalists, Media Professionals, Government Officers, Policy Makers and more! Our Caribbean Birding Trail, Turks and Caicos Isands cohort featured a diverse group, all connected by their passion for meaningful, sustainable tourism and nature conservation in TCI. Participants and Facilitators pose for a shot at Wheeland Pond. Twenty people were from TCI, three from The Bahamas, and one from Puerto Rico. (photo by Christel Mohammed)
The intensive five-day workshop was led by Dr Lisa Sorenson, certified interpretive trainers from the National Association of Interpretation (NAI), Venicio (Beny) Wilson and Rick Morales, and CBT Project Leader, Holly Robertson. Participants explored the importance of preserving the Turks and Caicos Islands’ birds and nature while strengthening the islands’ local ecotourism sector. Modules included the Basics of Bird ID Techniques, which examined size and shape, field marks, behavior, habitat, and birdsongs; How to Use Binoculars and Spotting Scopes; Avian Ecology; and Guiding and Interpretation Techniques.
Of course, you can’t go birding without your gear—and on day one of the course, Executive Director Lisa Sorenson closed her introductory Birding 101 session with the most wonderful surprise! All participants received a comprehensive and thoughtfully curated package which included Vortex binoculars, a Birds of the West Indies field guide, bird ID cards, a CBT hat, an endemic birds of the Caribbean bag, and many other resources. BirdsCaribbean ensured that new guides had all the tools they needed to support them on their burgeoning birding guide journeys. One participant exclaimed, “It’s like Christmas!! This is amazing!”
Class is in session! BirdsCaribbean Executive Director, Dr Lisa Sorenson, takes participants through the basics of bird ID techniques.
New gear! Ecotour Guide Geneile Robinson flashes a smile with an array of items from her CBT gift package.
Naturalist and Journalist Easher Parker spotted in the field with our handy BirdsCaribbean Wetland and Seabirds field ID cards.
Thanks to our partnership with Vortex Optics and the generous sponsorship of Sandals Foundation, all participants received a brand-new pair of binoculars! The best part? These specs come with an awesome lifetime-warranty, so our cohort will be birding with them for a long time!
All hands on deck! BirdsCaribbean’s Executive Director, Dr Lisa Sorenson, and President, Dr Adrianna Tossas, help assemble gift packages for the CBT TCI participants.
Out of the classroom and into the field!
Armed with a host of new bird ID skills, new binoculars and an enviable collection of field ID cards and guides—there was only one place left to go for our excited cohort—absolutely everywhere! Each day of training featured field trips to the best and most accessible birding sites on Providenciales, giving participants ample opportunity to learn and practice bird ID, benefit from practical in-the-field training from Beny and Rick on guiding techniques, and to familiarize themselves with the Turks and Caicos Islands’ top birding spots.
Our first spot, Wheeland Pond, easily became a crowd favorite thanks to a flock of resident Black-necked Stilts who greeted us with elegant poses on each of our visits there. Wheeland Pond is a wetland which provides excellent habitat for both breeding and migratory shorebirds, with resident and migratory North American songbirds using the surrounding scrub and woodland. Its complex system of natural saline ponds and manmade water-filled pits, a haven for birdlife, provided participants with great opportunities to practice distinguishing between tricky shorebirds (and mastering some easier ones thanks to enthusiastic Ruddy Turnstones and Killdeer) and even trickier fall-plumaged warblers (we spotted 8 different species!). Wheeland also provided one of the week’s most exciting birding moments for participants—a rare sighting of the elusive and shy Sora! Everyone was lining up at the scopes to get a look at this bird and its striking yellow bill!
Into the wild! The group heads along the Wheeland Pond trail on our very first CBT TCI field trip! (This was one of many field trips over the week – allowing for hand-on on practice with the theory discussed in the classroom.)
Was that a Stilt Sandpiper? Lisa sets up a spotting scope so that we could all further investigate and learn more about field marks for this tricky group on birds. (Also, yes it was!)
Wheeland Pond’s resident Black-necked Stilts! With their striking black and white plumage, and bright bubblegum-pink legs, these stilts were our unofficial Wheeland Pond welcoming party! (Photo by Venecio Wilson)
Cape May Warbler – adult female or immature male. We saw a great variety of warblers on our field trips – they are especially challenging this time of year since males are in their nonbreeding /fall plumage. This lovely bird was photographed by our facilitator, Beny Wilson.!
A sight for Sora eyes! Getting a clear view of a bird with a reputation for being heard far more often that it is seen caused an understandable stir among participants and trainers alike! (Photo by Shell Game)
With its two distinctive black chest bands, the Killdeer was one of the first shorebirds that the group learned to easily ID. (Photo by Lorie Shell)
Always consult your field guide! Sure, the Killdeer might be easy to ID, but what do you do when faced with a group of Stilt Sandpipers and Short-billed Dowitchers? Head to your new copy of Birds of the West Indies of course!
Just a little to the left! All eyes are locked on the Sora!
Seabirds and scopes! In a beautiful setting…
Spotting scopes are a vital ticket to getting the front row seat to the most intimate views of bird behavior—and they’re a great tool for guides wanting to give their guests an incredible birding tour. Participants learned the essential tricks of scope setup and how to manage scope usage within a tour group from the seasoned guides. Pro-tip: Set the height of the scope to accommodate the shortest person in the group! Getting the opportunity to practice these skills by locating seabirds (Royal Terns abounded!) amidst the sublime backdrop of Blue Hills Jetty at sunset was the ultimate plus.
Scope setup practice at Blue Hills Jetty.
Participant and guide/boat captain in training, Steffino Lightbourne, adjusts the scope to get a closer look at a Royal Tern perched at the end of the jetty.
Royal Tern, an easy tern to ID, thanks to its large size and bright carrot-orange big beak!
Sunset at Blue Hills Jetty was a sublime interplay of blues and golds!
Participant and Biology teacher Amanda Brittain consults her Seabirds of the Caribbean card for gull ID support.
Painting a picture: A lesson in interpretive guiding
Back in the classroom, interpretive trainers Beny and Rick, who work as guides in Panama, wowed the participants with in-depth sessions on the birding market, communication skills, and the principles of environmental interpretation*. Participants experienced theory put into practice with a birding field trip to Bird Rock Point Trail. Along this picturesque walk, which winds through a variety of terrestrial and wetland habitats, trainers led smaller groups through the nuances of how to manage a tour. Questions addressed included how to keep the group together; balancing the needs of photographers in the group with those more focused on birdwatching; and how to cater to different skill levels. These were interrupted by the ever-exciting, “Did you see that?!” Trainers and participants alike were thrilled to confirm a sighting of a Rose-breasted Grosbeak—a rare spotting for TCI!
National Association of Interpretation, Certified Interpretive Trainer, Rick Morales, introduces the class to Tilden’s Six Principles of Interpretation – and the quality that underpins them all!
Beny’s heard something! As he demonstrates effective birding guide leadership, Beny pauses the group along the Bird Rock Point Trail to investigate a curious sound!
Beny’s animated lessons kept our cohort in rapt attention.
Lisa talks species ID techniques with third-generation mariner, Captain Levardo Talbot and Kaja Ewa, guide and owner of Jedi Kiteboarding.
Rick’s demonstration of an interpretive talk where he played the role of a hammock salesman was so transportive that the class was convinced that he really was trying to hawk them hammocks for a while!
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, female – we spotted this rare migrant during the week and some of us had good looks at it! (Photo by Anthony Louviere)
Birds and beyond…
The training also featured guest lectures from Bryan Naqqi Manco, Assistant Director of Research & Development, DECR, and all-around skilled naturalist/ botanist, who had everyone leaning in with a fascinating presentation on TCI’s endemic flora and fauna, and Simon Busuttil, RSPB Turks and Caicos Operations Manager, who shared information about TCI’s birding sites and conservation issues and the ongoing East Caicos Wilderness Project. The goal of this Darwin Plus funded initiative is the preservation of the natural and cultural heritage of this spectacular wilderness area, the last large-scale wilderness area in the British West Indies, for future generations to enjoy. Training local guides to interpret this area for visitors and locals alike is one of the goals of the CBT Guide Training Workshop. Participants were in awe when, on our field trip just following Bryan’s talk, we were treated to unexpected sightings of two endemics! As if to let us know that they wouldn’t be upstaged by all the birds—the Caicos Pygmy Boa, a TCI endemic, and the Tall Encyclia Orchid, a regional endemic, greeted us to gasps of surprise and appreciation along the Bird Rock Point Trail.
Naqqi’s presentation, “Nowhere Else,” was hailed as one of the week’s most revelatory talks – participants were amazed at how much they didn’t know about the familiar flora and fauna around them – and about how many incredible endemic species TCI boasts!
Can you see it? The Caicos Pygmy Boa can fit in the palm of your hand. The lucky spotting of this tiny TCI endemic caused a big stir among the team!
Simon’s presentation left everyone in awe of the wild beauty of East Caicos.
The Tall Encyclia Orchid is beautiful! But lean in closer and you’ll discover that its sweet scent is even more delightful. Participants reported notes of chocolate and vanilla.
Facilitator Sorenson poses for a picture with the team from the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources. From left to right: Junel Blaise (aka Flash), Bryan Naqqi Manco and Dodly Prosper.
What they learned—five intense days and a multitude of birds later!
After four utterly packed days of learning from the trainers, it was time for the trainees to take the stage! To demonstrate all they had learned that week, the class was tasked with delivering their very own interpretive talk, flavored by their unique perspectives and life experiences. It was deeply rewarding to listen as participants took us on thoughtfully-constructed journeys of discovery. Talks tackled everything from the proper technique to ‘heron-walk’ through mangroves so that you don’t alert fish, a secret handed down through generations of expert bone fishers; to convincing everyone in the group that kitesurfing could easily become their next big adventure, no matter how intimidating it looks; to an inspiring talk about the value of mangroves with the memorable message, “Mangroves don’t need us, we need them.” After an emotionally-charged day of humorous, revealing, and deeply authentic presentations with strong messages, we were happy to congratulate all participants on achieving their Certificates of Completion with flying colors!
BirdsCaribbean is pleased to present our Caribbean Birding Trail 2023 cohort!
Rave reviews from the participants!
Participants emphatically agreed that the curtain had just fallen on one of the most enriching weeks of their lives. When asked what they most appreciated, enjoyed, or thought was best about the course, one participant commented, “The mix of different people and to be inspired by the facilitators to seek a profitable but sustainable way forward and also a healthy way forward for the spirit. The materials given were awesome! And more than I was expecting.”
“The content of the workshop was outstanding, presented at the right pace and by the best instructors,” said another participant.
One participant who had a lot of experience birding, but not extensive guiding experience explained, “This week was helpful to learn how to participate as a leader for touring, not just for birding, but tours in general.”
Another participant shared, “I think the most interesting thing I learned this week was that there is an entire philosophy behind interpretation—I was not aware of that—and that has really helped me to review what I do in my own tours and to mold them more expertly in the future. This training was really valuable to me—I’ve been guiding for 23 years and I’m really happy to not only learn more about it, but also what I can change to make my programs better! We have a huge opportunity for birding tourism in the Turks and Caicos Islands, we have two endemic subspecies which can be seen nowhere else on earth and we have a couple of other near-endemics which are really easy to see here… Our missing cornerstone for the industry is trained guides—we hadn’t got any, and now we do!”
Keeping in touch—and thank you to our sponsors!
Since the workshop, a “Birdwatchers TCI” WhatsApp group has been formed with participants sharing every day what birds they are seeing, and getting help with bird ID as needed. The group has also planned field trips to continue practicing their bird identification skills—essential for becoming a knowledgeable guide. The group will use eBird Caribbean to document their birding, as well as participate in counts such as the Caribbean Waterbird Census, which will help us to learn more about the bird diversity and important sites for birds on TCI.
Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation (one of the main sponsors of the guide training) said that the Sandals Foundation was, “proud to support this program, which taught participants how to inspire people and engage audiences through storytelling aimed at preserving TCI’s incredible birds and nature.”
“Collectively,” Clarke continued, “We can build a stronger eco-tourism market in TCI that provides sustainable livelihoods and supports environmental conservation. Helping trainees learn about the bird tourism market and how they can tap into this rapidly growing and lucrative ecotourism sector will be beneficial for years to come.”
Lisa gets some help demonstrating field marks from Mary Fulford, Owner and Founder of Island Mystique Tours.
Participants were thrilled to receive copies of Birds of the West Indies.
Binocular setup. Trainers took participants through the steps of adjusting their new binoculars for their eyesight.
Bibo Jayne and Morgan Luker taking their new specs for a test drive!
A handsome Ovenbird spotted on the trail. (Photo by Venecio Wilson)
Levardo, Estefania, and Junel discuss the finer points of binocular adjustment.
The cohort listens in rapt attention as Lisa describes the work of BirdsCaribbean. (Photo by Venecio Wilson)
Jedi Kiteboarding owner Kaja Ewa looks at Brown Pelicans at Blue Hills Jetty.
Yellow Warbler at Bird Rock Trail. (Photo by Venecio Wilson)
CBT Project Leader Holly Robertson flashes a smile!
Lisa and Levardo talk scope setup!
Spotted! Geneile Robinson (guide at Big Blue Collective) sports our Caribbean Endemics Love tote while sharing a light moment with Dr Dellareese Higgs (Turks and Caicos National Trust).
Beny teaches the class shorebird ID, while Dodley focus on getting the perfect shot!
A gorgeous Yellow-throated Warbler, North Caicos. (Photo by Venecio Wilson)
Estefania Arrocet, Partner at Caicos Media, enjoys the waterbirds on a class field trip.
Lisa gives the class one of the toughest pop quizzes of all! How many different species of shorebirds are in the picture?
Fan favorites! Black-necked Stilts at Wheeland Pond.
180 unique species found nowhere else in the world! Our Caribbean Endemics Love tote encourages us all to know, love and protect our region’s incredible biodiversity.
Cape May Warbler, North Caicos. (Photo by Venecio Wilson)
Shake on it! After receiving their certifications, it was time for some friendly sportsmanship – a spirited game of lightning speed “Name that Bird!” team competition. Lillan Russell and Dodley Prosper square off!
With her encyclopedic knowledge of Caribbean birds, BirdsCaribbean President Adrianne Tossas was a formidable competitor, paired here with budding birder, Estefania.
Competitors must name the bird before their opponent – but only if they grab the orange first! The game of speedy reflexes and quick wits had the class in an uproar! Ernacio Forbes and Morgan compete!
Our “Most Enthusiastic” participants show off their prizes! (Levardo and Kaja)
Acknowledgements: The CBT Interpretive Guide Training was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and local partners. These include the Sandals Foundation, the Turks and Caicos National Trust, Darwin Plus Initiative, the Turks and Caicos Department of Environment and Coastal Resources, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Marshall Reynolds Foundation, Shika Shika, US Forest Service International Programs, and Vortex Optics.
The TCI CBT Interpretive Guide training is the seventh training to be carried out by BirdsCaribbean. Previous trainings have been held in Grenada, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Bonaire, Cuba, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. These guide trainings are integral to advancing the vision of the CBT—connecting people to the extraordinary places, diverse cultures, and people of each island. Through the CBT, we promote natural and authentic experiences that benefit local people and encourage the protection of the Caribbean’s natural resources, including birds and their habitats.
*Interpretation is a purposeful approach to communication that facilitates meaningful, relevant, and inclusive experiences that deepen understanding, broaden perspectives, and inspire engagement with the world around us. (National Association of Interpretation).
Mary Fulford brings dynamism and innovation to the sustainable tourism space! Through Island Mystique, she offers exciting, culturally immersive adventures. From delightful foodie deep dives featuring the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) must-try dishes, to handcrafting with local artisans, to listening as historians weave folklore tales by the crackle of a fire pit—Mary promises to take visitors off the beaten path by sharing the TCI that exists beyond the ‘sun, sea and sand’. Passionate about connecting guests to the wondrous diversity of her islands, Mary seized the opportunity to join the Caribbean Birding Trail (CBT) Bird Guide Training Workshop and explore TCI’s incredible avifauna! Read on for Mary’s account of her CBT experience, and learn how she is already incorporating birding into her thrilling offerings.
