Timed with the global migration of shorebirds from breeding to overwinter areas, World Shorebirds Day is celebrated every September 6th! This special day highlights these incredible birds and the amazing journeys they make. It also brings attention to the threats they face and actively promotes shorebird monitoring and conservation through the Global Shorebird Count (GSC). Over the week-long GSC, people all over the world come together to monitor shorebird populations and protect the vital habitats these birds depend on for shelter and food. In the Caribbean, we enthusiastically joined the count, showing our love for these remarkable birds. Here are highlights from around the islands!
Sargassum draws shorebirds in the British Virgin Islands (BVI)
Rondel Smith, a Terrestrial Warden with the National Parks Trust of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), headed out to survey shorebirds across Anegada’s wetlands. He was surprised that of all the wetland habitats he visited the beaches proved to be the hotspot for shorebirds. Perhaps because of their thick beds of sargassum? Rondel said “the beached sargassum seemed to be very popular as hundreds of sandpipers could be seen foraging through it.” You can learn more about how beneficial sargassum is to wildlife from the free e-book ‘Suddenly Sargassum’ by Les Fruits de Mer linked at the ned of this blog. Rondel also spotted Ruddy Turnstones, Sanderlings, Short-Billed Dowitchers. The highlight of the count?—A Piping Plover! This small globally near-threatened shorebird is a fairly common winter visitor in parts of The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and Cuba, but it is a much rarer sight in the BVI. This shows that once you are out monitoring waterbirds you never know what you might find! Rondel’s efforts also revealed an unexpected discovery—an active Brown Pelican nesting colony, the first ever recorded nesting on the island!
Enjoy Rondel’s beautiful photos from his shorebirds surveys:
You can also find out more about birds and sargassum in this great book on the topic “Suddenly Sargassum”
Another exciting discovery in Cuba
Ailen Anido Escalona shared some amazing finds from her shorebird surveys in Cuba with us. During their week of surveys, Ailen and her team counted many wetland birds in addition to shorebirds. Their efforts led to the discovery of a previously undocumented colony of American Flamingos—an exciting find! They also managed to visit the lagoons of the Las Balsas wetland, a site monitored with BirdsCaribbean’s support. Alien reflected on the importance of their work: “It was a unique experience, as we continue to build knowledge about our birdlife.”
Engaging youth in St. Eustatius
Small islands with small wetland areas are still important for shorebirds on the move, so we were delighted to hear about the monitoring effort of Jethro van ‘t Hul of STENAPA on St. Eustatius. As part of their celebration, Jethro hosted an afternoon walk along a local beach on September 6th, World Shorebirds Day itself! Seven participants, including curious youngsters, joined in the fun. They spotted 17 bird species, 10 of which were shorebirds, including Short-billed Dowitchers and Wilson’s Plovers. This hands-on experience inspired participants to connect with nature and appreciate the importance of shorebird conservation.
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An abundance of birds in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico celebrated World Shorebirds Day with impressive results. Biologist Nahíra Arocho-Hernández along with volunteers, Julián Rivera and José (Cheo) Vargas, surveyed the Salt Flats of the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge. Their efforts paid off in a big way! They identified an impressive 22 shorebird species of shorebirds, with a total of 2,540 birds counted! The Salt Flats were teeming with Stilt Sandpipers and Semipalmated Sandpipers. Nahíra and her team also encountered several individuals of the larger shorebird species, such as Whimbrels, Willets and striking American Oystercatchers, adding more excitement to their GSC. Their dedication highlights the incredible biodiversity of Puerto Rico’s wetlands.
The local organization De Pajareo Puerto Rico also joined in, sharing their shorebird adventures during the Global Shorebird Count. Follow along on their shorebird-counting adventures here:
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They also posts some great ID tips for waterbirds and shorebirds in Puerto Rico!
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Join us next year!
World Shorebirds Day is more than a celebration of amazing shorebirds — it’s a tribute to the beautiful wetlands they rely on to survive and the love and dedication shown to them by all the Caribbean shorebird monitors. We thank everyone who participated in this year’s event. Together, we’re making a difference!
Mark your calendars for next year’s Global Shorebird Count and World Shorebirds Day. Bring your friends and family, and let’s make it another unforgettable celebration as well as grow the move to monitor and protect shorebirds and their habitats.
In case you missed them from earlier in the year, BirdsCaribbean made some great ID videos to help you separate the Peeps and Spotted Sandpiper from Solitary Sandpiper. You can find all our shorebird ID videos here, and all of our great shorebird ID and outreach resources can be found here.