Global Big Day 2024 was an electrifying celebration of birding, fundraising, and phenomenal photography! We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who participated and shared their incredible photos with us. We are thrilled to announce the winners of our annual Global Big Day Photography Awards. This year’s photos beautifully capture the splendor of Caribbean birds and the unifying spirit of our community.
If you missed our Global Big Day 2024 report—click hereto catch up on the teams’ performances and find out who the new reigning champ is!
When great people, birds, and art converge, extraordinary achievements are within reach! A massive thank you to everyone, especially our exceptional team leaders and generous donors, for propelling Global Big Day 2024 to unparalleled success. With a record-breaking 29 teams participating, we soared past our $25,000 fundraising goal to support Caribbean nationals attending our 24th International Conference this July—absolutely amazing! We’re stretching our ambitions and raising our goal to $30,000 to support as many dedicated Caribbean conservationists as possible! If you’d like to contribute to these travel scholarships, please visit: https://givebutter.com/BCGBD2024
Photography Award Winners 2024
We especially congratulate this year’s First Place Best Bird Photo winner, Northern Mockingbird by Jose Alberto (Cuba).
The Second Place Best Bird Photo goes to Rufescent Tiger-Heron by Jerome Foster (Trinidad and Tobago).
The Third Place Best Bird Photo goes to White-cheeked Pintail by Rondel Smith (British Virgin Islands).
The photos we received were outstanding and we couldn’t not share more stunning photos from the competition. Along with the winning photos, the judges selected the three honorable mentions below.
Puerto Rican Tody. (Photo by Edgardo-Cruz)
Semipalmated Plover, St Lucy, Barbados. (Photo by Julian Moore)
Snowy Plover, Anegada, BVI. (Photo by Rondel Smith)
Photographers from almost every team and corner of the world are recognized for their stunning photos in the following categories.
Best Endemic Bird
There were teams named after warblers, ducks, and even cuckoos. The Trinidad and Tobago team decided to mix it up a bit by adding a guan. But not just any guan—one that is endemic to the island and quite restricted in its range, the Trinidad Piping-Guan, locally known as the “Pawi.” Josh Bajnath, a member of the reigning GBD 2024 team—the Piping Pawis—submitted this photo of the Pawi and secured another victory for his team. We imagine that the moment Josh snapped this photo and exquisitely captured the rare and elusive Pawi must have felt like magic—his stunning shot certainly looks like it!
Trinidad Piping-Guan, locally known as the “Pawi”, Bajnath’s Estate, Trinidad. (Photo by Josh Bajnath)
Best Camouflage
Rondel Smith, a member of the BVI Birders team, didn’t just come to play; he came to hide, and he did so well, ultimately helping him to capture some amazing shots of birdlife in the British Virgin Islands.
Rondel Smith decked out in camo gear for GBD 2024.
A well hidden Killdeer. (Photo by Ancilleno Davis)Red Knots resting on Playa del Chivo, Havana, Cuba. (Photo by Samuel Núñez)
When Watchers Become the Watched
Sometimes you do the bird watching, other times you’re being watched!
Click the arrows to scroll through the images.
Youngest Global Big Day-er 2024
We love to see when young people connect with the incredible bird communities in their home countries and we hope to see more young naturalists participating in next year’s GBD! Perhaps, we should add a ‘Junior Birderwatchers’ team to the competition next year?!
Marjel Morales Jr., member of Club de Observacion de Aves Holguin, in Mayabe, Cuba.
The Calming Effect
Science suggests that viewing pictures of nature and seascapes can induce relaxation. Take a look at the photos below and let us know if the science holds true.
St. James Farm. (Photo by Steve Constantelos)Freshwater Lake, Dominica. (Photo by Derzan Peltier)
Sublime Silhouettes
Silhouettes are a beautiful way to play with light and add variety and drama to your photos.
Double-crested Cormorants, Tommy Thompson Park, Canada. (Photo by Nicole Gutierrez)
Worst Camouflage
This bird needs to figure out if it wants to be seen or not!
Killdeer, The Bahamas. (Photo by Ancilleno Davis)
Spectacular Shorebirds
Spotting these great travelers might be easy, but getting great photos of shorebirds is a real challenge! However the following photographers have captured their beauty almost effortlessly!
Killdeer, Bayamón, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Edward-Hernández Lara)Least Semipalmated and White-rumped Sandpipers, Playa del Chivo, Havana, Cuba. (Photo by Samuel Núñez)
Maritime Masterpiece
While some of our teams birded by land, other birders took to the seas and left the shore behind—far behind! Backyard birds, forest birds, waterbirds, and even seabirds were all accounted for during the Global Big Day count in the Caribbean. We certainly have the most dedicated and thorough community of birders!
South Polar Skua off the coast of Guadeloupe. (Photo by Frantz Delcroix)
Photographer spotlight: Jose Alberto
Cuban photographer and our First Place Best Bird Photo winner Jose Alberto knows how to perfectly frame a moment, an especially impressive feat when dealing with erratic and challenging subjects—birds! Our judges were awed by Jose’s keen eye for “the little things”—the subtlest movements, changes in posture, and the way light gracefully illuminates the colorful feathers of the birds. Enjoy more of his photos below.
Click the arrows to scroll through the images.
Best Selfie
We couldn’t just choose one! See who you can spot.
Members of Flying Pintails birding in the Chicago suburbs. (Photo by Steve Costantelos)
Grand Bahama Island Birders team. (Photo by Charmaine Francis)
Members of Havana’s Bird Watchers Club, Cuba. (Photo by Samuel Núñez)
Members of Havana’s Bird Watchers Club at Playa del Chivo, Cuba. (Photo by Samuel Núñez)
Marjel Morales and Marjel Morales Jr.. members of Club de Observacion de Aves Holguin, in Mayabe, Cuba.
Noelia Nieves Colón and José Colón López birding in Puerto Rico.
Cuban photographer-Samuel Núñez getting a photo of a Stilt Sandpiper.
A member of Team Gundlach, in Santiago de Cuba. (Photo by Alexander Coronado Torné)
Members of Imperial Seekers in Dominica stop to take a selfie before beginning their GBD count. (Photo by Jeanelle Brisbane)
LGBT team members en route to count birds on La Désirade, Guadeloupe. (Photo by Anthony Levesque)
Members of The Palmchatters taking a break from birding in the Dominican Republic.
Members of Wadadli Warblers in Antigua got in on the early birding action for GBD 2024. Photo by Shanna Challenger
One Love Jamaica Birders team leader Justin with his team at Hope Botanical Gardens, Jamaica. (Photo by Justin Saunders)
Subgroup of the Whistling Warblers taking a break from birding at the Botanical Gardens in Kingstown St Vincent. (Photo by Glenroy Gaymes)
A young member of the Piping Pawis team birdwatching in Brasso Seco, Trinidad for Global Big Day. (Photo by Giselle Ragoonanan)
A subgroup of the Gundlach Team in Cuba ready to dominate the competition on the morning of GBD 2024.
Members of Gundlach Team in matching birding kit. (Photo by Yaro Rodriguez)
Members of The Palmchatters. (Photo by Andrea Thomen)
Our President, Adrianne Tossas, in her favorite birding spot in Puerto Rico.
Members of President’s Perch birding in Bermuda. (Photo by Andrew Dobson)
Flying Pintails leaders Mike and Lisa Sorenson birding in Boston. (Photo by Mike Sorenson)
Our eBird guru Jeff Gerbracht.
Xavier Ragbir birding in Trinidad.
ENJOY THIS GALLERY OF BIRD AND SCENERY PHOTOS TAKEN ON GLOBAL BIG DAY BY VARIOUS TEAM MEMBERS IN THE CARIBBEAN, US, AND MORE!
A rare spring visitor to Barbados- a White-rumped Sandpiper. (Photo by Julian Moore)
Grasshopper Sparrow, Bonaire. (Photo by Steve Schnoll)
Black-necked Stilt, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Noelia Nieves-Colón)
Cattle Egret, Anegada, BVI. (Photo by Rondel Smith)
Greater Roadrunner, Hagerman NWR, Texas. (Photo by John Thomlinson)
Semipalmated Plover feeding with peeps, Fosters, St. Lucy, Barbados. (Photo by Julian Moore)
Mangrove Warbler, Cuba. (Photo by Jesus Molina and Alejendro Sautié)
Horse Back Ridge, Kalinago Territory, Dominica. (Photo by Derzan Peltier)
Pinnated Bittern, Trinidad. (Photo by Jerome Foster)
White-beared Manakin, Trinidad. (Photo by Jerome Foster)
Cuban Tody, Holguín, Cuba. (Photo by Freddy Cobas Agilera)
Gray Kingbird feeding, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Edgardo Cruz)
Common Gallinule chick, Trinidad. (Photo by Jerome Foster)
Trumpeter-Swan, Tommy Thompson Park, Canada. (Photo by Nicole Gutierrez)
Eastern Meadowlark, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. (Photo by Alexander Coronado Torné)
Tundra Swan landing, Corey Marsh, Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Jamie Jacob and Dave Ewert)
Kalinago Territory, Dominica. (Photo by Derzan Peltier)
Kalinago Barana Aute, Dominica. (Photo by Derzan Peltier)
Ruddy Turnstone, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Dimaris Colón Molina)
Puerto Rican Woodpecker. (Photo by Noelia Nieves Colón)
Black-bellied Plover, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Maria Irizarry González)
Short-billed Dowitcher, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Noelia Nieves Colón)
Yellow-faced Grassquit building a nest, Holguin-Cuba. (Photo by Marjel Morales)
Black-necked Stilts, Holguín, Cuba. (Photo by Freddy Cobas Agilera)
Northern Lights, Montana. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Caribbean Martin, Layou, Dominica. (Photo by Garry Auguiste)
American Oystercatcher, Cataño, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Edward Hernández Lara)
Purple Gallinule, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Noelia Nieves Colón)
Montana, USA. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Roseate Tern, Bonaire. (Photo by Steve Schnoll)
Female Hooded Merganser with chicks, Huntley Meadows, Virginia. (Photo by Ducky Nguyen)
Caribbean Elaenia in nest, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Noelia Nieves Colón)
Scotts Head, Dominica. (Photo by Derzan Peltier)
Loubiere, Dominica. (Photo by Derzan Peltier)
Loggerhead Kingbird, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Edgardo Cruz)
Green Heron, Arecibo, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Edward Hernández Lara)
Hagerman NWR underwater, Texas. (Photo by John Thomlinson)
Long-tailed Hawk, Havana, Cuba. (Photo by Jesús Molina and Alejendro Sautié)
Tundra Swan, Corey Marsh, Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Jamie Jacob and Dave Ewert)
Adrianne’s favorite birding spot in Puerto Rico.
Burrowing Owl nest, Grand Bahama Island, The Bahamas. (Photo by Charmaine Francis)
Streak-headed Woodcreeper, Trinidad. (Photo by Jerome Foster)
Juvenile Little Blue Heron, McKinnons Pond, Antigua. (Photo by Nick Hollands)
Bahama Woodstar, male. The Bahama Woodstar can only be found on the Turks and Caicos Islands and The Bahamas! (Photo by Keith Salveson)
In 2023, Martha Cartwright of Grand Bahama Island Birding (GBIB, a local birding club) accepted the challenge of restarting Grand Bahama’s famous “Introduction to Birding” classes—the brainchild of the legendary Erika Gates. Erika’s Beginner Birding course had been a fixture of Bahamian birding for decades and had ushered many a new birder into the flock. In this blog, Martha shares just how much brain-racking work involved in planning and running a successful birding course—and gives some tips on how others can take up the mantle and grow the community through their own courses!
Birding is awesome! The vibrant colors, entertaining behaviors, and unique songs and calls of birds provide us with the incentive to get outside and reconnect with nature. However, birding isn’t always an easy hobby! It can be challenging and unpredictable. Beginners often struggle with spotting and identifying birds, especially in poor lighting or when obstructed by leaves and branches. Additionally, learning to use equipment like binoculars can be frustrating. These challenges can make the hobby seem daunting at first, but with patience and practice, the rewards are well worth the effort.
Minutes of Grand Bahama Island Birding (GBIB) Annual Meeting, 31 March 2023:
Birding classes can provide the resources and community to help new birders get started. These courses can be highly rewarding to both instructors and participants. They are also a crucial part of GBIB’s remit and it was decided at the club’s annual meeting in 2023 that they should be revived. Members shared that “They (the classes) are important for recruitment (over half of them joined as a result), as a community service, and as a legacy to Erika.”
I agree to take the lead on this with the aim of running a course in November 2023.I cracked my egg-head skull for seven months because of that one small hold-your-hand-up moment volunteering for this job. In retrospect, despite said cracks-in-head, I’m glad I did. The actual teaching part was great fun—I love teaching. But as any teacher will tell you, hours and hours of planning and preparation are needed before that “fun” begins.
I thought this would be easy. Our beloved mentor, Erika Gates who passed away in December 2021 had taught the class for years. I figured I’d find her notes and teach from them. Unfortunately, Erika’s notes were nowhere to be found. The irony was not lost on me that I was practically the only local resident who, because of teaching yoga on Saturday, had not been able to attend Erika’s classes. However, Erika had generously taught me about birds and birding at her elbow, I had old student binders to review, and I had thousands of bird and habitat photos on file. I could do this.
Erika doing some lock-down birding on Global Big Day, May 2020.
Erika birding with a young participant during the Grand Bahama West Indian Whistling Duck & Wetlands Conservation Workshop, March 2007.
Martha Cartwright, Marilyn Laing & Erika at Garden of the Groves in 2018. (Photo by Linda Huber)
Erika received a Lifetime Achievement Award from BirdsCaribbean (Lisa Sorenson presenting) for her outstanding contributions to bird conservation, BirdsCaribbean Conference in Freeport, Grand Bahama, July 2011. (Photo by Bruce Purdy)
Erika at a Tainos Trail bird sign, a birding trail she created in Grand Bahama. (Photo by Linda Huber)
My hope is that by sharing our process for creating this class, your skull will have fewer cracks when you design your own program. Out of 10 students, nine gave us a 10/10 review. One student gave us a 9/10 review with a comment, “Maybe more classes so that it is not too jam-packed.” Tough criticism, that.
Did you notice? I’ve switched from writing as an “I” to a “we.” I may have put my name on the job, and I have put my name on this blog, but this has been a group effort! Delores Kellman, GBIB President, was with me every step of the way both in preparing for the class and as co-instructor. She too is an educator, and an organized and reliable one at that. She delivered on every commitment she made. She is the best—thank you, Delores.
Martha and Delores at Owl’s Hole. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Many other GBIB members generously helped with ideas and suggestions when asked—and I asked often. Thanks to Bridget Davis and Charmain Hall for leading the group out in the field. Thanks to Deana Williamson for donating classroom materials. Thanks to GBIB members who came to audit the class and assist if needed. Special thanks to another educator, Mark Milkovich, who critiqued the syllabus time and time again, and was instrumental in getting us to clearly define our objectives and then pack them into four half-day classes—classes which included time outside birding! Jam-packed indeed.
Antillean Nighthawk, Grand Bahama. (Photo by Steven Oxley)
Cape May Warbler male in Erika Gates’ garden, Grand Bahama. (Photo by Erika Gates)
Black-necked Stilt, Grand Bahama. (Photo by Steven Oxley)
Bahama Warbler (Photo by Larry Therrien)
It takes a village to raise a child—and it takes a flock to organize a birding class. It takes good sponsors too. Ed Gates’ Grand Bahama Nature Tours made a generous donation that we used to buy Vortex binoculars from BirdsCaribbean (BC) at a discounted price. We sold those as needed and our expenses were covered. Our second sponsor was, you guessed it, the fabulously supportive and generous BirdsCaribbean. BC shared their professional PowerPoint presentations. Their awesome Bird Sleuth program,available for download in English and Spanish here, also has many great ideas that can be tailored for adults. They provided Raffaele’s “Birds of the West Indies” field guides, which we sold to cover costs. They shipped down posters and gifts of buffs, hats, and tote bags. Little gifts always make for fun classes. Lisa encouraged and reviewed and suggested and encouraged some more. Thank you, Lisa; thank you, BirdsCaribbean! Our final sponsor was Garden of the Groves who donated the beautiful venue for the classes and gave entrance to students free of charge. Thanks to Ed Gates and Marilyn Laing for their support.
For four Saturdays in November, from 8:30am -12.00pm, we charged $20.00 for the course, accepting students from a minimum age of 16 years and older. Students were required to have the Raffaele field guide and a pair of binoculars. We had both available for purchase. We also provided loaner binoculars. Membership in GBIB was encouraged but not required. We distributed homework every week and reviewed it in class, but—no grades ever!
Course participants got hands-on training in Bird ID and using binoculars. (Photo by Triston Gibson)
The survey consensus was “more time out birding.” Our outings were rained out twice, I talked too much once (what, only once?). After that first class Delores and I put time constraints for teaching each concept. To have more time for birding would mean more classes, longer classes, or teaching fewer birding skills. Well? I suppose we could leave off the eBird section of the course, but there is so much information on eBird for continued learning—bar charts, range maps, hot spots, Birds of the World—there’s a lifetime of learning! Besides, I believe strongly in citizen science. Submit an eBird checklist—what a simple way to give back to the birds for the pleasure we receive when observing their intriguing lives! No, eBird stayed in the course.
Martha speaking about the variety of birds at Reef Golf Course, Freeport, The Bahamas. ( Photo by Tristan Gibson)
Martha helps a participant use eBird during the classroom session. (Photo by Tristan Gibson)
GBIB President, Delores Kellman, was also a course facilitator. (Photo by Triston Gibson)
Martha explaining the basics of birdwatching to participants. (Photo by Tristan Gibson)
Course facilitators teaching participants how to use the field guide to ID birds. (Photo by Tristan Gibson)
Below are our “10 Objectives” and our “To-Do List” from start to finish. I hope it helps and encourages you to develop your island’s Basic Birding Class. If you want a copy of the final version of our syllabus, please send me an email at marthainfreeport@icloud.com and I’ll be happy to share with you. This has been a totally rewarding experience, and we plan to make it an annual event. As you can see from the comments below, Erika was very much a part of our class, and we know she’d be proud to see her tradition carried on.
Here are some edited notes from Tristan Gibson’s article on the class. Photographs are by him as well. Our thanks to Tristan for covering the event in the local news.
For novice birder, Gemma Hudson, this class was a way to reconnect with Erika.
“I was working for her [at Kayak Nature Tours] from 2010. Even outside of work, she made an impact on me,” she said. Gemma jokingly added, “When I trained to be a tour guide, Erika would come along. She’d often ask, ‘Okay, what [bird] is that?’ Just to keep you on your toes.”
“I remember going out to Lucayan National Park for a kayaking tour where there were many shorebirds. One time she asked me if I knew what they were. I said, ‘baby birds,’ and she was like, ‘No, Gemma. We need to get it together,” she chuckled. Despite her position, Gemma admitted that this was her first formal birding class. “It was actually fun to finally understand the theory behind birding. And I guess it’s been rubbing off of me because I now have a son, and he wants to go birding too. He gets upset when I go without him.”
Mangroves at Lucayan National Park. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
As a long-time friend to Erika, Eugena Granger was happy to see the class being offered once more. “I’ve known Erika for many, many years—probably 40 or more at this point. She was the type of person who mastered what she took on. She did her best and just wanted you to reach your best.”
She continued, “This class is a tremendous tribute to her legacy. She was not only a birder; she was an environmentalist at heart. She used to walk on the beach, pick up distressed bees she noticed near the water, and take them to a dry spot. She was always one to promote protecting the environment and witnessing all it had to offer.”
Gemma and Eugena both noted that birding has become a competitive, yet relaxing activity that bolsters a supportive community they’ve grown to love. “The excitement of getting up in the morning to see what else you’ll find, comparing what you’ve found with others, it’s exhilarating,” Eugena enthused.
Delores Kellman noted that as interest in birding grows on the island, more classes will be offered in the future. “We are very blessed here in Grand Bahama. There are many birds to discover, including five Bahamian endemics that can be found on the island. Considering the 10,000 species of birds worldwide, how can you get bored of birding!” she exclaimed. “Erika was always concerned with making yourself better, becoming more knowledgeable, especially in this field. Birding was her gift we wanted to pass on.”
Goals and Objectives
By completing the course, student should be able to:
Properly use and care for binoculars and birding scopes.
Know birding etiquette (in group & alone.)
Know how to observe and describe a bird in the field: Size & shape, Color Pattern / Topography, Behavior, and Habitat. “Notice 3 things about a bird.”
Understand the organization of a field guide and the information contained in the Guide.
Know how to find a bird in the Guide. Have highlighted in the Guide the birds likely to be seen on Grand Bahama.
Know how to find when you’ll see a bird on the island (using field guide status and eBird bar charts.)
Know basic habitat classifications on GBI. Understand the importance of habitat to the bird, and how habitat affects behavior.
Know how to submit a bird record on eBird and eBird Mobile app. Understand the importance of eBird data for scientists and for maintaining your personal birding data / journal. Know how to navigate eBird for information.
Build a list of additional resources to continue learning after the course is completed.
Identify ways you can contribute to bird conservation in your yard, locally, nationally, and globally.
A Bahama Mockingbird with nesting material, spotted on Abaco, the Bahamas, during Global Big Day 2022. (Photo by Elijah Sands)
“To do” list for our home-grown class:
Determine course objectives and goals for class. Create a four-week syllabus.
Find sponsors to assist with costs, materials, and hand-outs.
Determine course requirements, dates & time, class size, age limits, location.
Update the Grand Bahama Island bird checklist for distribution.
Organize sign-up procedures. Create an e-mail group (or chat group) for class notices and updates. Have students create an eBird account before starting the class.
Advertise to the community.
Create PowerPoint and Keynote presentations for use during class.
Prepare materials for distribution and homework assignments.
Determine locations for weekly field trips and ask GBIB members to lead the outings.
Create a survey for end of class feedback and suggestions.
Have printed Certificates of Completion for distribution to “graduates.”
Group photo of course facilitators and participants. (Photo by Tristan Gibson)
This course came full circle for me. I started off as a student of Erika’s, barely able to identify birds on my own. And now, working with a network of dedicated bird conservationists, I have helped new birders to identify birds by sight and birdsong. They understand the importance of habitat not only as a place to live, but as a place birds need to survive and raise their young. Birding is a lifelong hobby that can provide you with many benefits if properly nurtured. So, if you’ve been telling yourself that you want to start birding—don’t wait. Start now.
Considering starting a beginners birding course on your island? (We hope you are!) We have loads of FREE educational resources that can help. Explore the links below, and feel free to reach out to us at info@birdscaribbean.org.
2024 saw our most extraordinary Big Day yet! It was a phenomenal day of birding, Caribbean commitment to avian conservation, soaring competitive spirit, and boundless potential to make valuable contributions to science and conservation.
On Saturday, May 11, birders in the Caribbean and around the world woke up extra early and excitedly joined forces for Global Big Day (GBD)! Twice a year, during peak migration times (once in spring (May), and once in fall (October)), birders worldwide leap into action and attempt to spot as many different bird species as possible within 24 hours. Besides the pure, adrenaline-pumping thrill of the day, the lists of birds recorded and submitted to eBird from across the globe are immensely valuable for science and conservation!
To say that Big Day numbers were impressive would be conservative—Global Big Day 2024 was a resounding success!7,725 bird species were recorded by over 63,000 people around the world. A mind-boggling 156,000 checklists were logged by eBirders in 24 hours!
In the West Indies, we proudly broke our previous records for participation and sightings! Big Day birders saw 551 West Indian species, thanks to the amazing efforts of 710 eBird observers—a fantastic increase of 199 observers from 2023! There were more species sighted (1354 total, 208 more than last year) and a huge leap in the number of checklists submitted—2755 total, nearly 1,000 more than last year—phenomenal!!!.
Figure 1: Global Big Day 2020-2024 comparisons showing changes in total number of eBird Observers in the West Indies, total species seen, and total number of eBird checklists submitted.
Welcome to our New eBirders and GBD Teams!
This year, many Caribbean islands saw an increase in the number of people taking part in Global Big Day. In fact, the number of eBirders in 2024 grew by more than 100% from 2023 in some countries! Special mention goes to Puerto Rico, who added 37 more eBirders in 2024, increasing participation by over 119%. What a great achievement! New recruits to the growing “army” of eBirders are always welcome, helping to boost birding records for the region.
Grenada experienced a 56% increase in the number of recorded bird species for Global Big Day, while Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic experienced increases of 28%, 27%, and 24%, respectively.
LGBT team members en route to count birds on La Désirade, Guadeloupe. (Photo by Anthony Levesque)
Subgroup of the Whistling Warblers taking a break from birding at the Botanical Gardens in Kingstown St Vincent. (Photo by Glenroy Gaymes)
This year we were also thrilled to welcome more national (island) teams to the competition! We thank the phenomenal team leaders and members of the following teams for joining us and giving the “OG teams” a run for their money (or checklists?): Bahamians, Birds and Botany, Bird Nerds Exuma, BVI Birders, USVI Flock, LGBT (La Gwada Birder Team), Saba Conservation Foundation, Statia’s Golden Warblers, Imperial Seekers, Whistling Warblers, and Econetics.
Imperial Seekers seeking out the magnificent Imperial Parrot for GBD 2024. (Photo by Garry Auguiste)
Members of Imperial Seekers in Dominica stop to take a selfie before beginning their GBD count. (Photo by Jeanelle Brisbane)
Our ultimate goal is to have a team representing each island in the Caribbean. We know we have the best birds and birders who always bring BIG energy, passion, and pride to conserving birds. If you would like to lead a team on your island for GBD 2025 please get in touch with us by emailing: lisa.sorenson@birdscaribbean.org and christel.mohammed@birdscaribbean.org. It’s not too soon to start plotting for Big Day 2025 domination!
Members of Wadadli Warblers in Antigua got in on the early birding action for GBD 2024. (Photo by Shanna Challenger)
Our Caribbean teams showed up and showed out this year! And in an incredible record-breaking year like this—there’s bound to be some surprising results! So, which longstanding Big Day champions were finally unseated? And which team scored those bragging rights? Who were our birding MVPs (MVBs?) in the Caribbean and beyond?
Members of The Palmchatters taking a break from birding in the Dominican Republic.
One Love Jamaica Birders team leader Justin with his team at Hope Botanical Gardens, Jamaica. (Photo by Justin Saunders)
Colossal country checklists and a new GBD Team champion
We know that the suspense is unbearable! Without further ado, we present the stats from this year’s team competition!
Once again, the multinational “Flying Pintails” led by Executive Director Lisa Sorenson topped the list seeing the most species—703! We might need to change their team name to the “Dominant Ducks!” With team members from a total of 12 countries, their impressive performance is perhaps not surprising. To put it in perspective, this works out to just 58 species per country which is still far less than for some of our national teams’ totals. Perhaps Lisa needs to get her team working harder next year…Or, on second thought, maybe that’s not such a good idea! Coming in second place for total species was another multi-national team, “President’s Perch” with a sizable 512 species, while the Globe-Trotting Todies trotted into third place with a respectable 418.
Figure 2: Global Big Day results for our 27 BirdsCaribbean Teams. The numbers in red show which team had the highest number for each category.
A subgroup of the Gundlach Team in Cuba ready to dominate the competition on the morning of GBD 2024.
The “Gundlach Team” from Cuba deserves a special mention for their champion work in community mobilization! Congrats to the incredible team leaders of Cuba’s national team for once again getting the most people involved, with a fabulous 86 team members entering their species lists on eBird. Yaroddys (Yaro) Rodriguez and Nils Navarro have set an exceptional example as team leaders, and have landed us once more in the happy position of having to figure out how to get around the limit of how many persons could be added to an eBird Trip Report! The “Gundlach Team” also saw an impressive 182 species. But this was a year unlike any other—and even that magnificent performance was not enough to hold on to their species count winning streak! In a shocking turn of events, for the first time in four years—and since the very inception of our GBD Teams Competition—the seemingly untouchable Cuban dream team has been dethroned as the West Indies species lead! Our 2024 West Indian Species count champions are the venerable “Piping Pawis” from Trinidad, who saw an extraordinary 214 species in the West Indies!
The large turkey-like Trinidad Piping-Guan is only found in Trinidad’s mountainous Northern Range. (Photo by Wendell SJ Reyes (ML66246621))
The victorious Piping Pawis counted birds from the mountains to the plains in Trinidad. (Photo by Mark Hulme)
A young member of the Piping Pawis team birdwatching in Brasso Seco, Trinidad for Global Big Day. (Photo by Giselle Ragoonanan)
Small teams, Big records
In the ‘species seen’ statistics, large multinational teams like “Flying Pintails” and “President’s Perch” dominated. However, when it came to species seen by each team member, our smaller teams performed exceptionally well. For instance, the two members of “Bird Nerds Exuma” each recorded an impressive average of 24 species. Similarly, the two members of “BVI Birders” and three members of “Imperial Seekers” recorded an average of 19 species each. It’s remarkable what the GBD Teams accomplished in just 24 hours of birding!
Figure 3: The average number of species seen per person for each of the 27 Global Big Day teams. Team Bird Nerds Exuma saw the most birds per team member with an average of 24 species/person.
Hot on the trail of Caribbean icons
The Global Big Day in the Caribbean offers birding teams the chance to discover and document the unique bird species found on the islands. While this can be quite challenging, Caribbean birders enjoy the opportunity to spot the feathered pride and joy of their countries.
Grenada Dove. (Photo by Greg Homel)
Puerto Rican Parrot eating fruit. (Photo by Tanya Martinez)
Barbados Bullfinch, endemic to Barbados. (Photo by Julian Moore)
The “Bajan Birders & Friends,” “Cayman Birding,” “Grenada Hook-billed Kites,” “Piping Pawis,” “Warbling Warriors,” and “LGBT (La Gwada Birder Team)” successfully found all their endemic birds on Big Day! The “Peeping Cuckoos,” “The Palmchatters,” and “Gundlach Team” all came really close, spotting about 82% of their endemics! Congratulations to all our teams for their outstanding efforts!
Figure 4: Percent of endemics seen (by proportion) on Global Big Day, 2024.
Biggest Big Day team birders
There are teams…and then there are the amazing individual birders.
This year we had some seriously monumental individual efforts. Topping the top team birders list was Marshall IIiff, who was birding in the US and recorded 166 species for the Flying Pintails. Marshall out bird-ed last year’s top birder from Panama—Beny Wilson who recorded 164 species in 2023. Beny didn’t go far in our rankings though, and is now holding on to second place for GBD 2024. Our top birders from the Caribbean and across the globe, respectively, on Big Day were:
Our top ten birders (or birding duos) with the most species in the West Indies were:
125 Jerome Foster – Piping Pawis
112 Mark Hulme and Alex Sansom – Piping Pawis
103 Xavier Ragbir – Piping Pawis
102 Ricel Polán Hernández – Gundlach Team
93 Eric Torres-Rivera – Warbling Warriors
85 Andrea Thomen – The Palmchatters
83 Noelia Nieves – Warbling Warriors
80 Nicolás Díaz Pérez – Gundlach Team
80 Josh Bajnath – Piping Pawis
Our top five birders located anywhere (not necessarily in the Caribbean) on Big Day were:
166 Marshall Iliff – Flying Pintails
144 Beny Wilson – Flying Pintails
134 Karina Anahi Esparza – Globe-Trotting Todies
132 John Garrett – Flying Pintails
125 Jerome Foster – Piping Pawis
Working hard for the endemics
Within the Caribbean, some birders went the extra mile to find the region’s endemic birds. So we want to give a special mention to the following birders who had 20 or more West Indies Endemics on their GBD checklist on May 11th:
Efrain Feliz – 27
Manuel López Salcedo – 26
Yusneyda Alarcón Jorge – 26
Ricel Polán Hernández – 25
Dayron Breto – 24
Nicolás Díaz Pérez – 22
Eric Torres-Rivera (Puerto Rico) – 22
Adriana Hernández Rodríguez – 21
Pedro Genaro Rodríguez – 21
Carlos Arévalo (Cuba) – 21
Andrea Thomen (Dominican Republic) – 21
Wilberto Rodríguez – 20
The biggest winner of all? Caribbean conservation!
In a year of incredible firsts, we are really proud of the epic increase in eBird checklists submitted this Big Day. With nearly 1000 more checklists submitted this year, we can’t help but feel deeply moved by how the dedication to science and conservation of our awesome teams! Thank you, thank you, thank you to our passionate team leaders and members. With you by our side, we will continue to make great strides in protecting birds and their homes, supporting communities, and sustaining future generations of bird advocates to come.
The Sky’s the Limit!
Our Big Day birding teams rallied together to raise funds for travel scholarships, enabling Caribbean nationals to attend our 24th International Conference in the Dominican Republic this July. With the support of 305 wonderful donors (Wow!!), we have exceeded our US$25,000 goal. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved!
Group photo of Caribbean delegates at AOS-BC Conference 2022 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
These donations, along with sponsorships and support from other generous funders, have already benefited 44 deserving scholarship recipients. However, there are still many hardworking Caribbean conservationists, especially local applicants in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, in need of support to attend the conference. They are eager to improve their conservation aptitude while expanding their professional networks. Therefore, we have raised our goal to $30,000 to ensure these dedicated individuals can join us. Your donation can make a significant difference in the lives of these conservationists. Please consider supporting us here: https://givebutter.com/BCGBD2024
Black-necked Stilts in flight. (Photo by Ray Robles)
Every single bird recorded during our Global Big Day birding fundraiser counted towards our effort and every birder taking part helped make this year an amazing success! We want to thank everyone who helped us raise funds and donated to help Caribbean nationals attend the BirdsCaribbean 24th International Conference. It’s not too late to contribute to our 2024 fundraiser! Your donation will help us enhance our local partners’ capacity to carry out impactful bird conservation work:https://givebutter.com/BCGBD2024
Please note that the data used here is based on validated eBird records as of May 16th 2024. Sightings under review may not have been included in these totals in some instances. Please see the links below to explore the most up-to-date team trip reports.
2024 BirdsCaribbean Global Big Day Teams
List of teams and links to trip reports pages on eBird:
If you’re working today, you shouldn’t be. Tomorrow is Global Big Day for crying out loud. Call in sick or just play hooky. It’s prep time!
And so… here’s your Friday Checklist:
1) Polish up your binos with one of those sweet microfiber cloths—not the old sock you’ve been using. Nobody knows what microfiber actually is; maybe spider silk, or the amazingly soft armpit hair of a baby sheep, or dandelion seed fluffs delicately sewn together. Scholars are mystified, so just be happy it works. Wipe away.
2) Cue up your eBird account, make sure it still works, and check in with your team leaders to make sure you are added to your team’s Global Big Day Trip Report. (Check your team’s trip report—links are here—and see if you are on the list of members!). Your role as a community scientist makes you awesome. And remember that LBBs (Little Brown Birds) are definitely an acceptable species entry in eBird. Sure, Jeff Gerbracht will have to go through and manually correct each one of those entries, but that’s the price he pays for pledging his allegiance to a stacked GBD team. eBird or bust.
3) It’s time to plan out the ground that you’re going to cover. Hour-by-hour planning is fun, but so is winging it. Keep some spontaneity on the docket. And remember that high vantage points are worth seeking out. The higher the better. Never been sky-diving? Now is your time. Bungee-jumping sounds cool, too, but during the recoil you might concuss yourself with your binoculars. Go high.
4) Why not set up camp tonight right where you want to start birding tomorrow?This is called tailgating, which is different from what taxi drivers do every time they get behind the wheel of their vehicles. Get a head start.
5) Refresh your knowledge of intricate molt patterns, especially with gulls. Rumor has it that some gull species have over 300 plumage variations, and that no mortal human can possibly comprehend them all. Muttering something about “3rd year nonbreeding alternate plumage” to a teammate might score you some cool points. But whatever you do, don’t forget your field guide at home. Good luck.
6) Begin carb-loading. Finding time to eat a proper meal tomorrow will be challenging, so aim for consuming somewhere around four to five thousand calories today and you should be good to go. Fried bakes, dumplings, and roti never looked so good. But avoid new and spicy foods. Diarrhea on game day will cost you time, and time=birds. Pig out.
7) Tell a family member about Global Big Day. Not your second cousins on your mother’s side, they won’t care. But maybe your sweet aunt or the brother you’ve neglected for far too long. Convince them that birding is fun and that they should join you, or better yet, donate to your team. Remember that family is obligated to love you and the things you do. And grandpa is definitely sleeping on some money. He could be contributing part of the stash under his mattress to the BC’s fundraiser. Milk that.
8) Take a nap from at least noon to 3pm today. You’ve earned it. Plus, tomorrow is going to be an early one. Sunrise waits for no one, neither does that dawn chorus. Sleep easy.
9) Play around on social media—you need to get the down-low on what other birders are up to right now. If they’re doing anything other than prepping for tomorrow, you can feel good about yourself. Also, we’re now living in an age where you can type pound signs in front of any nouns and verbs and then good things happen!? (Type #GlobalBigDayBirdsCarib and see what you find.) These are called hashtaggies. The more of these the better. In fact, if you add enough into one sentence, the entire sentence will become unintelligible, which is perfect, because confusing competing teams is part of your winning strategy. For your posts tomorrow, use #GlobalBigDayBirdsCaribPound signs#.
10) It’s gonna be a long HOT day (if you’re birding in the tropics), so be sure to hydrate like crazy. Vitamin waters are all the rage these days, and because they taste like hell by themselves you’ve got a great excuse to mix in a few cups of sugar. Or you can pack a few bottles of Vitamalt in which the few cups of sugar are already mixed in for you. Nectar for the birds, and nectar for you. Pace yourself.
11) Reflect on which sock type to wear: tube socks or low-cuts? Don’t kid yourself, you’re a birder. That choice was made long ago. Tube up!
12) Be wary of encountering other birders out there as they may be Global Big Day’ers. They may look friendly at first glance, but what they really want is information, like what cool birds you have seen and where. Act naive, maybe even slightly disappointed, and ask them if they wouldn’t mind giving you advice on how to find whatever the most common species is in your area. They’ll leave you alone after that. Fly casual.
13) With all this prep, your Global Big Day will surely be unforgettable. But your memory isn’t what it once was, so you might actually forget a lot of it. Best to document your exploits. While it’s highly likely that Uncle Sam or Big Brother is continuously taking beautiful photos of you from above, some good shots from ground-level of birds and people birdwatching will help preserve those memories as well as make you eligible for a possible photo contest prize—so be sure to pack a camera. Say cheese!
If you’re not having fun, then you’re not birding. And if you’re not birding, you’re definitely not having fun. Let’s make Global Big Day 2024 the best one yet!
p.s. It’s not too late to join one of our 27 awesome teams!!! Just click here to choose a team and/or donate!
Here’s a link to our Global Big Day blog article with more information about how this fundraiser will benefit conservation of the Caribbean’s AMAZING birds!
Any questions whatsoever about your birding mission tomorrow, don’t hesitate to email or text us! Lisa Sorenson – lisa.sorenson@birdscaribbean.org (508-333-8587); and Jeff Gerbracht – jeffgerbracht@gmail.com (607-793-6056).
Their project involved providing binoculars and training to community and group leaders so that they would engage in bird monitoring and share the data through eBird Caribbean. These teams would then grow local birding clubs and raise awareness throughout Cuba of the need to protect birds and their habitats through community education and social media. These newly fledged birders would 1) help to put pressure on the authorities to enforce laws protecting wild birds, and 2) provide valuable citizen science data to eBird Caribbean, thereby increasing our knowledge of the status and trends of Cuban birds, including further identification of hotspots for endemism and migration stopover sites.
Cuban artist, photographer, and ornithologist Nils Navarro.
Yaro and Nils hit the ground running! They mobilized communities in almost every province in Cuba, connecting with persons from diverse backgrounds and converting them into passionate bird watchers and protectors—from hunters to hotel managers, from students to government workers. In this blog, Yaro shares achievements with us from their phenomenal first year, and tells us about the exciting next steps as their project continues to grow in influence.
What an amazing year our birding project had in Cuba! We want to share some of the incredible things that the Cuban birding community accomplished together during the past year. Cuba is home to a wealth of unique and endangered bird species, many of which are endemic and cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Our conservation efforts are comprehensive—we don’t just work to preserve species, we also focus on raising awareness of the value and importance of birds through social networks, like Facebook and Whatsapp. Birds play a crucial role in pollination, seed dispersal, and insect control, and we recognize that their conservation is vital for the health of our ecosystems.
Gundlach’s Hawk perched. (Photo by Michael J. Good)
The bee hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae), endemic to Cuba, is the world’s smallest bird. Weighing less than 2g, it is not much bigger than a bee. It is classified as ‘Near Threatened’. (Photo by Ernesto Reyes)
The national bird of Cuba – the Cuban Trogon. (Photo by Rafy Rodriguez)
Cuban Oriole. (Photo by Neil Hilton)
Empowering local leaders and building birding communities
Over the past year, our team identified passionate potential birding leaders in almost every province of Cuba and worked with them to form and maintain active Facebook communities. These groups strengthen our community. They expose illegal bird hunting and trapping activities on social media by reporting them to the relevant authorities. It has been a challenge, and there is still a lot to do, but we have certainly made progress. These birds now have our voice to champion their protection and we will continue to defend them.
“The first bird of the season has fallen” – August 2021 Facebook post by a bird trapper in Cuba showing a migratory warbler, the Northern Parula.
A Facebook page with thousands of subscribers announces the sale of 39 recently caught Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. Community birding groups are vigilant and report illegal trapping activities on social media to the authorities.
Over the course of the year, we organized exciting activities to promote birding, such as the Gundlach Weekend and Garrido Birding Day, October Big Day, and Global Big Day. Through these activities, we participated in global celebrations and citizen science events and helped add data to the eBird platform.
Exchanging trapping cages for binoculars—igniting passions for conservation
We also created a WhatsApp group to guide new bird enthusiasts; through this group we have organized expeditions to previously unexplored places. We have even confronted hunters, face to face, and have encouraged them to join us in birdwatching. And boy was it worth it! We made amazing discoveries, and even turned some local hunters into passionate birders!
Mixed flock of Cattle Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and Glossy Ibisis flies over the rice fields, Chambas, Ciego de Ávila. (Photo by Eduardo Caraballo)
West Indian Whistling-Ducks having a snooze on a wetland in Cayo Coco, Cuba. (Photo by Max Schwenne)
Take for example, the story of Eduardo Caraballo: Eduardo used to be a fierce hunter but now he protects the waterbirds in the rice fields of Chambas, Ciego de Avila. He has actually become our local guide in that area! There is also Brayan Lazaro Calunga, a former Parakeet nest hunter who now protects them—he jealously guards the palms where they nest in the northern circuit of the wetlands of Bolivia, Ciego de Avila. Nicolas Peralta, a security chief at one of the hotels in Cayo Coco, has become a passionate bird watcher and destroys the bird cages he finds around the tourist facilities. Nicolas educates his workers, who are mainly gardeners, about why they should not engage in trapping. It’s amazing how we have changed lives!
Cuban Parakeet. (Photo by Jean Sébastion Guénette)
Saving the best for last—ending the year with a grand finale!
We closed the year with an incredible National Bird Identification Workshop where we connected with birders from almost every province! Under the theme, “United for Birds,” our community gathered for a week of intense work sessions, presentations, workshops, and field trips. The objectives of the National Bird Identification Workshop were to strengthen our bonds as a community; to share knowledge; and to act as eBird ambassadors by sharing everything we have learnt about using and contributing to the platform as citizen scientists. Workshop sessions included training in Bird Observation and Bird Photography for scientific documentation purposes, and learning how to use the Annotated List of The Birds of Cuba. We used this forum to not only reach the communities most vulnerable to illegal bird hunting, but also to strategize among our team about how we could encourage hunters to join us, especially as they often share our love for birds. This unique experience helped us to get to know each other better, share and learn from each other’s experiences in various areas, and continue adding more people to our community.
Attendees and facilitators of the inaugural National Bird Identification Workshop in Cuba. (Photo by Yaro Rodriguez)
At the workshop, we launched the second edition of the Great Cuban Year! Our first Great Year in 2022 was a spectacular year-long birdwatching extravaganza with birders—old, new, and in-between—competing to observe and record the highest number of species! The Great Cuban Year encourages Cubans to don their Citizen Scientist caps and explore their island, while enjoying the birds in their natural habitats rather than in cages. (Cuba’s first Great Year was a fantastic success, with eBird checklists in April 2022 growing by a phenomenal 338%! The Great Cuban Year 2024 promises to soar to even greater heights!)
A Bahama Mockingbird on Cuba. (Photo by Arturo-Kirkconnell Jr- Macaulay Lirbrary-ML93392851)
Our National Bird Identification Workshop also gave us the opportunity to engage our community in the goal of “tying up loose ends of Cuban Ornithology.” These are gaps in our knowledge or things that remain to be clarified in Cuban ornithology—like determining whether particular species are breeding in Cuba, identifying important nesting sites for various species, and documenting records of new species for Cuba. We also shared protocols to follow when planning natural history studies, so that communities are empowered to contribute detailed information on the natural history of our birds.
Members of the Bird Observers Club presented the bird conservation work they are doing across the Cuban provinces. (Photo by Yaro Rodriguez)
Attendees practicing their bird identification and photography skills in the field. (Photo by Yaro Rodriguez)
Attendees at the National Bird Identification Workshop proudly display their name tags and bird ID sheets. (Photo by Yaro Rodriguez)
Wency Rosales speaks about the club’s environmental education program in the province of Holguín. (Photo by Yaro Rodriguez)
It was all a great success! The active participation of our community, the exciting engagement in friendly competition, and the transformation of some hunters to wildlife advocates are signs of our positive impact. While we faced challenges, such as resistance from some hunters and a shortage of fuel to travel to hard-to-reach areas, we also learned a lot. Our comprehensive strategy, which includes education, knowledge sharing, and awareness raising, has been key to our progress. Adaptability and collaboration were also essential factors. While we have overcome many obstacles, we understand that there is always more to learn.
A student labels the parts of a bird with help from an Aves Silvestres de Guisa club member. (Photo by Carlos Arevalo)
Aves Silvestres de Guisa members birding with third grade students of Fabricio Ojeda School. (Photo by Carlos Arevalo)
Completed parts of a bird diagram activity. (Photo by Carlos Arevalo)
Our commitment to bird conservation with the birding community in Cuba goes beyond the simple thrill of spotting a rare species. It is a dedication to preserving our natural heritage while fostering a love for our birds, and to ensuring a harmonious coexistence between humans and birds. Together, we are not just birding; we are safeguarding the soul of our island. Thank you for being part of this amazing birding trip in Cuba! Together, we are making a difference and protecting our precious birds. Here’s to more in the coming year!
The Betty Petersen Conservation Fund seeks to advance the conservation status of birds and habitats in the Caribbean region through projects that engage and empower communities and stakeholders to protect and benefit sustainably from their birds. BirdsCaribbean encourages others to consider endowments or other large awards to ensure that our grants programs continue indefinitely. Empower Caribbean conservation by making a tax deductible gift here.
We are pleased to share with you the new edition of the Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Cuba, number 7, 2024, by Nils Navarro Pacheco.
The Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Cuba is an annual publication that constitutes the most complete and updated official list of Cuban avifauna. It is the result of a deep and thorough bibliographic review and updating from the field. It serves as a basis for generating regional and global listings and is standardized for use with eBird.
The main objective is to provide up-to-date annual listings of Cuban birds, including reference information on each new report and general statistics about Cuban birdlife, and to serve as a reference platform for ornithological studies in the country. The increasing number of bird-watching tourists on the island as well as more bird monitoring by Cuban biologists and the rapidly-growing Cuban birding community are contributing to an increase in the number of previously unrecorded species entering the list every year. Furthermore, the influence of climate change is producing altered patterns of migratory movements in many species.
The new list has been enriched with 6 new records—3 of these were added to Cuba’s main list to bring the new Cuban total to 404 species. The other three records comprised two exotic species, and another which is currently classified as ‘dubious.’ Beyond the numbers though, splits announced in the American Ornithological Society 64th Supplement to the Checklist of North American Birds means that Cuba now boasts 3 more Cuban, rather than West Indian, endemic species! Cuba welcomes the Cuban Nightjar ( Greater Antillean Nightjar split to Cuban Nightjar and Hispaniolan Nightjar), the Cuban Palm-Crow (Palm Crow split to Cuban Palm-Crow and Hispaniolan Palm-Crow) and the Cuban Bullfinch (split from the Cuban Bullfinch into the Grand Cayman and Cuban Bullfinches, making the Cuban Bullfinch a true Cuban endemic!).
This year’s cover features a captivating photo of the beautifully plumaged Western Spindalis, Cuban subspecies (Spindalis zena pretrei), taken by Yadiel Veunes, in the Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt. The Western Spindalis belongs to the Spindalidae family which is a recognized family of songbirds endemic to the Caribbean. Spindalises were formerly classified as members of Thraupidae (or “tanagers”) but have since been reclassified as a separate family based on genetic studies. There are five subspecies of Western Spindalis one of which is the Cuban subspecies!
The 2024 checklist is now available in PDF for free download from the BirdsCaribbean website (see below). The printed version is available on Amazon at a good price. It is not intended to be a field identification guide but is a checklist, updated in accordance with the 64th supplement of AOS. Nils and the publisher, Ediciones Nuevos Mundos, hope this publication fulfills its role and is useful to all persons interested in Cuban birds and ornithology. Nils welcomes questions or suggestions about the checklist (Nils Navarro).
This checklist edition is dedicated to the memory of Jim Wiley, a great friend, extraordinary person and scientist, a guiding light of Caribbean ornithology. He crossed many troubled waters in pursuit of expanding our knowledge of Cuban birds.
If you are looking for a Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba, you can purchase it here or on Amazon.
Past checklists are all available for download, click on the images below to download a pdf of each.
Ruddy Turnstone, Port Royal, Jamaican. (Photo by Damany Calder)
Our 2024 Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) marked 15 years of data collection about birds at Caribbean Wetlands—a fantastic milestone! As always, many of our partners, friends, and colleagues took the chance to contribute to this amazing long-term dataset by heading out to their local wetlands to count waterbirds!
Read on for some 2024 CWC highlights featuring just a few of the wonderful birds seen, and exciting events held in celebration of our wetlands. Every single survey makes an important contribution—we are so grateful to everyone who took part in our 2024 CWC!
Kicking off the Count in Antigua and Barbuda
Over on Antigua and Barbuda, our wonderful partners, the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) adapted our colorful 2024 CWC graphic and took to social media to start off this year’s CWC! They encouraged birders to be citizen scientists and head out to their local wetlands—a great way to spread the word about this year’s count!
People Power in Puerto Rico
As always, we had great participation for the CWC regional count in Puerto Rico. The information that has been gathered there on shorebirds and other waterbirds as part of ongoing CWC efforts is an excellent resource!
This year, Daylene T. Quiñones Pérez, Favián D. Acevedo Caro, and Gabriela Hernández Torres teamed up to take part. They headed out on an impressive three CWC surveys looking especially for our coastal waterbirds! The group carried out two surveys to monitor the Brown Pelican population in Puerto Rico—one in Rompeola, Aguadilla, and the other at Parque Colon in Aguada. Their third count was on the cliffs of Parque Los Merenderos in Quebradillas, where they were monitoring the White-tailed Tropicbird population.
Surveying Puerto Rico’s coastline. (Photo by Daylene T. Quiñones Pérez)
A Magnificent Frigatebird. (Photo by Daylene T. Quiñones Pérez) T. Quiñones Pérez
Meanwhile, Dayamiris Candelario, of local nonprofit Organización Pro Ambiente Sustentable (OPAS), shared with us about the event that her organization coordinated. Teachers, students, and parents from Escuela Brígida Alvarez, led by staff of OPAS, completed their waterbird census in Puerto Nuevo Beach on February 2, World Wetlands Day. This beach is next to Cibuco Wetland Nature Reserve, a wetland in which the Cibuco river meets the sea.
Birding in spite of the weather, the group counts waterbirds at Puerto Nuevo Beach. (Photo by Dayamiris Candelario/OPAS)
Dayamiris says they headed out on a cloudy, damp, and slightly windy morning ready with their binoculars, bird guides, and ponchos. Undeterred by the weather, they counted 137 birds representing 14 different species! Students learned about CWC protocols, the importance of the CWC to further the conservation of wetlands, different techniques to use when carrying out surveys, and how to spot birds with binoculars. This exercise taught them first-hand about the vast biodiversity that can be found in coastal environments. These areas are highly regarded by locals and visitors to Puerto Rico for their recreational value.
Getting to grips with shorebirds. (Photo by Dayamiris Candelario OPAS)
Celebrating World Wetlands Day! (Photo by Dayamiris Candelario OPAS)
Puerto Nuevo is a public beach awarded with a Blue Flag, an international program that recognizes beaches for, among other things, their environmental management and education efforts. You can find more out more about the work of OPAS on their Instagram or on LinkedIn pages. Learn more about Blue Flag certification here.
Volunteers of Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge continued their participation in the CWC with counts at Las Salinas and Laguna Cartagena. Check out their exciting Facebook posts about these visits!
Glorious Glossy Ibis
Jackie Cestero, the founder of Nature Explorers Anguilla, visited salt ponds and beaches all across Anguilla. This small island has an amazing 16 important bird areas (IBAs), most of which are wetlands or highly coastal areas. Jackie recorded an impressive 63 different species of birds during her CWC efforts! This included a Little Blue Heron, some smart looking Lesser Scaups, and a few very cute grebe chicks!
A juvenile Little Blue Heron at East End Pond Anguilla. (Photo by Jacqueline A Cestero)
A group of Lesser Scaups at East End Pond. (Photo by Jacqueline A Cestero)
A group of Pied-billed Grebe chicks. (Photo by Jacqueline A Cestero)
Another highlight was sightings of the Glossy Ibis at two different locations! You can read more about Jackie’s CWC counts in her blog post. Enjoy her video of Glossy Ibises below!
Shorebirds in St. Eustatius
Jethro van’t Hul, from St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA), told us about his team’s ‘big census day’. The group headed out and about in St. Eustatius and covered a whopping 14 sites with their CWC efforts! Jethro says they had quite a few interesting sightings including the Belted Kingfisher, Green Heron, Juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Osprey, Great Egret, 11 Pelicans in one flock, and four different shorebirds in one group! Jethro says they actually encountered quite a few shorebirds, including some they weren’t expecting. Their shorebird sightings included Semipalmated Plovers, Ruddy Turnstones, a Spotted Sandpiper, as well as Killdeer. He also let us know that, “This was a first survey for us, and the group generally felt very positive about it.” Let’s hope that this is the first of many CWC outings for the team!
Carrying out CWC surveys on St. Eustatius. (Photo by Jethro van’t Hul)
Juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Heron. (Photo by Jethro van’t Hul)
Semipalmated Plovers and Ruddy Turnstones on the beach. (Photo by Jethro van’t Hul)
Tourism meets science in Cuba
Participants in BirdsCaribbean’s January Bird Tour to Cuba combined ecotourism with citizen science! The group conducted CWC counts in many of the wetlands and coastal areas in the western half of Cuba! Yet again, shorebirds were stars of the show! The group had their best counts at Las Salinas De Brito where shorebird counts included 800 Black-bellied Plovers, 200 Short-billed Dowitchers, 52 Willets, and 15 Red Knots!
American Flamingos at Las Salinas De Brito, Cuba (Photo Andrew Dobson)
Reddish Egret at Las Salinas De Brito, Cuba (Photo Andrew Dobson)
A rare Great ‘White’ Heron, the Great Blue Heron white morph at Las Salinas De Brito, Cuba (Photo Andrew Dobson)
Connecting with an ‘old friend’ in Jamaica
BirdLife Jamaica members visited the historic fishing village of Port Royal, where waterbirds enjoy a friendly relationship with fishermen, often begging scraps. Amongst the birds seen was a Sanderling wearing some bands! This bird, ‘X19,’ is well-known in Jamaica now—it has been spotted in 2021, 2022, and now in 2024! This Sanderling was banded in Saskatchewan, Canada, which is over 4000 km from Jamaica! When birds get their bands, researchers estimate their age based on their plumage characteristics, species, and age at first breeding. When this Sanderling got banded in 2019, it was estimated that it hatched in 2017 or earlier, so we know that X19 is at least seven years old! Here’s hoping it makes many more winter trips to Jamaica in the future.
Sanderling – X19 stopped on another winter visit to Jamaica. (Photo by Damany Calder)
At a World Wetlands Day event organized by the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation (C-CAM), local residents and students were taken on tours, by boat and on foot, of the pristine mangrove forest surrounding the Discovery Centre in Salt River. Although the wetlands were enduring a drought period, larger waterbirds, including flocks of White Ibises and Tricolored Herons, were observed. At another World Wetlands Day event at the Mason River Nature Reserve, a host of youngsters from local schools (kindergarten age upwards) learned about wetland birds and Jamaica’s endemic birds, engaged in bird bingo, and received posters.
Enjoy some photo highlights from CWC in Jamaica!
Students with posters of seabirds and endemic birds at Mason River. (Photo by NHMJ)
Brandon Hay, Science Officer at Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation, explains wetland birds to a group of students at Mason River Nature Reserve, Clarendon. (Photo by NHMJ)
Snowy Egret looks for scraps at Port Royal. (Photo by Damany Calder)
Lesser Scaup at Bushy Park (Photo by Wayne Sutherland)
Magnificent Frigatebirds at Whitehouse, Westmoreland Jamaica. (Photo by Wolde Kristos)
Blue-winged Teal and Common Gallinules spotted at Bushy Park, Jamaica. (Photo by Wayne Sutherland)
A Blue-winged Teal show us its ‘Blue-wings’, Bushy Park Jamaica. (Photo by Wayne Sutherland)
Spot the Northern Shoveler! (Photo by Wayne Sutherland)
Kids learning about wetlands and waterbirds at Mason River. (Photo by NHMJ)
Rare Sandpiper Spotted in Guadeloupe
Saving the best till last? Anthony Levesque tells us that on Saturday 3rd February, the last day of the CWC regional count, he was with a group of people at Gaschet reservoir in Guadeloupe. Here they had quite the surprise from a very unexpected visitor—a Baird’s Sandpiper!
Anthony says that the bird was “completely unexpected at this date—it is supposed to be far away in South America.” This shorebird is also very rare in the Caribbean, and Anthony notes that it was only the 2nd record of this species for Guadeloupe!
An unexpected Baird’s Sandpiper in Guadeloupe. (Photo by Anthony Levesque)
This lovely long-winged, long-distance migrant normally takes a more westerly route on its trip south for the winter. It also has one of the longest and fastest migrations of all bird species! The Baird’s Sandpiper breeds in the high-arctic and winters in South America. On their epic journeys south, they normally travel via Mexico and Central America, bypassing the Caribbean completely, making them a rare sight in our region! You can find out more about their migration in Birds of the World.
The Caribbean Waterbird Census is an ongoing, long-term survey effort that provides important data that helps us keep track of the birds using Caribbean wetlands, understand the threats they face, and raise awareness. We appreciate every single CWC count that gets done during the annual 3-week regional census in January and February. Thank you to all those who sent us highlights and all those who led or joined a CWC survey this year. If you missed this year’s regional census don’t worry—you can do a CWC count at any time of year! CWC counts at Caribbean wetlands are valuable year-round and add to our knowledge of the resident and migratory birds that use them. Just be sure to use a CWC protocol in eBird Caribbean when entering your data every time you do a count at a Caribbean wetland, and do your best to do a complete count, i.e., record all the birds you see and hear.Find out more about the CWC and how to participate here: https://www.birdscaribbean.org/our-work/caribbean-waterbird-census-program/count-waterbirds-in-the-caribbean/ and get practising for next year’s annual census!
Captain Levardo Talbot in the field, enjoying and immersed in every moment. (photo by Christel Mohammed)
At the core of its ethos, the Caribbean Birding Trail (CBT) emphatically asserts that we can unify conservation with enterprise, to shape a Caribbean where tourism is harnessed as a force for environmental preservation and sustainable development. The true champions of this work, however, are local guides who use their passion for conservation to reimagine the tourism industry—delivering thoughtful, authentic ecotourism where conservation is at the heart of the offer. The Caribbean Birding Trail supports sustainable livelihoods by training guides to enter the birding market and connect travelers with the cultural and natural resources of their islands.
In this beautifully written, richly illustrative piece, third-generation mariner, Captain Levardo Talbot, a member of our recently concluded CBT Turks and Caicos Islands Guide Training, takes us on a journey through his workshop experience. It’s a thoughtful, passionate, and enjoyable read.
In the heart of the Turks & Caicos, where the confluence of sea and sun paints a canvas of natural wonder, a profound metamorphosis transpired—a narrative that intertwined the intricate art of birding with the expertise of an established fisherman. This account chronicles my immersive training along the Caribbean Birding Trail, a journey marked by the threads of learning, discovery, and an unexpected synthesis between the avian realm and the tranquility of fishing.
The workshop wasn’t merely a training exercise; it served as an initiation into nature’s vibrant symphony, where the diverse avian species painted the skies with their vivid hues. The genesis of this transformative experience lay in the field, amongst the verdant canopy, where binoculars, spotting scopes, and the guidance of seasoned instructors converged to unveil the secrets of the avian world. These mentors acted as custodians of this rich paradise, offering insights that transcended the confines of conventional birding guides.
A Yellow-crowned Night Heron hidden in the mangroves; by looking and listening carefully, I was now tuned into and learning the secrets of the avian world. (photo by Beny Wilson)
An immersive journey of discovery
The most captivating segment of this training lay in the hands-on interaction, where theoretical knowledge metamorphosed into practical understanding. The binoculars became an extension of my vision, while the instructions from the mentors served as a compass in navigating the world of fluttering wings. Each avian call and chirp acquired a distinctiveness, a signature that bespoke a particular species. The spotting scopes, far from mere tools of assistance, provided a vantage point from which to witness the intricate ballet of the avian populace.
Levardo consults his field guide. (photo by Christel Mohammed)
We heard the distinctive whistling call of the Easter Wood-Pewee, pee-ooo-eeeeeee. (photo by Beny Wilson)
Black-bellied Plover and Ruddy Turnstones in winter plumage along our coastline. (photo by Beny Wilson)
Intently focused on the bird! (photo by Christel Mohammed)
Learning to identify shorebirds and seabirds was akin to deciphering a language that spoke of the ebb and flow of tides. My perspective of the mangrove habitat underwent a profound transformation; it ceased to be a mere collection of trees, emerging instead as a bustling nexus of interconnected life. Birds ceased to be solitary creatures and transformed into threads intricately woven into the tapestry of the ecosystem. Their profound connection to the art of fishing, previously overlooked, unfolded like a treasure trove—the symbiotic relationship between birds and the craft of angling.
Beautiful American Flamingos enjoying a rain shower on Flamingo Pond, North Caicos. (photo by Beny Wilson)
A fisherman’s perspective, transformed
This newfound insight not only allowed for a deeper appreciation of the environment but also served to enhance my business. My fly fishing guests were no longer mere visitors; they transformed into eager students, seeking a profound understanding of the ecosystem in which they found themselves immersed. The knowledge gleaned during the workshop became not merely a personal asset but a jewel in my arsenal to educate and enthrall my guests, offering them a deeper insight into the serene habitat that served as the haven for their fishing pursuits.
Levardo, Dodly, and Junel (aka Flash) flash a smile on Bird Rock Point Trail. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
The art and fun of birding. (photo by Christel Mohammed)
Birds were in abundance at Provo Golf Club (we received special permission for this visit). (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Estefania, Morgan, and crew spotting birds at—Provo Golf Club—we had special permission to visit one early morning. (photo by Christel Mohammed)
Yellow Warblers flitting in the trees and bushes were always fun to spot. (photo by Beny Wilson)
Unexpectedly, birding became an integral component of my business. The tranquil surroundings, once the exclusive stage for the art of fishing, now welcomed a new ensemble—the diverse and vibrant birdlife. The peaceful habitat ceased to serve solely as a backdrop; it assumed the role of a supporting actor, contributing to the overall experience of my esteemed guests.
With each outing, a new chapter unfolded. The pelicans diving gracefully into the waters, the gulls soaring across the cerulean sky, and the herons standing poised in patient elegance—all became integral parts of the narrative. The guests no longer arrived solely for the thrill of fishing; they sought an immersive journey where angling intertwined with the enchantment of avian life.
Laughing Gull in flight. (photo by Michael Stubblefield ML598441931)
Brown Pelican diving for a fish meal. (photo by Cin Ty Lee-ML611680163)
The regal Great Blue Heron. (photo by David Rayner)
As the sun dipped beneath the horizon, casting the sky in hues of orange and purple, my guests departed not merely with prized catches but with an experience that transcended the mere act of reeling in fish. They left as custodians of newfound wisdom, carrying not just memories of a successful fishing trip but an appreciation for the delicate balance between the feathered denizens and the serenity that enfolded the mangroves.
A natural blending of fishing and birds
The Caribbean Bird Trail Workshop was more than a training exercise; it was a threshold into a realm where the subtleties of nature became an integral facet of my daily pursuits. The art of birding transcended the pages of a guidebook, embedding itself into the fabric of my business, enriching the experiences I offer. The serene habitat, where the symphony of birds harmonized with the tranquility of fishing, evolved into my stage, and each guest, an active participant in this mesmerizing performance.
The journey had only just commenced—a voyage where the convergence of birding and fishing continues to unravel new chapters, each more captivating than the last.
In 1904, Capt. Levardo Talbot’s grandfather, Theophilus Talbot, arrived on Salt Cay. Talbot’s Adventures provides professional and memorable experiences to tourists and locals alike. Captain Levardo Talbot, hailing from a family with a strong maritime background, leads the company with a mission to promote environmental awareness, preserve historical value, ensure safe and respectful access to one of the world’s most beautiful sea parks, and contribute to the region’s sustainable growth. Levardo’s dedication to preserving the islands’ history and culture is evident through his work as a Marine Conservation Officer and his involvement in groundbreaking research that uncovered details of the Trouvadore slave ship,which may have significantly impacted the heritage of the afro-Caribbean population of Turks & Caicos and The Bahamas. Talbot’s Adventures takes pride in safeguarding and sharing with guests one of the most breathtaking marine spaces on the planet; undoubtedly a treasure to behold.
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).
Children birdwatching at Princess Park, Grand Bahama. (photo by EARTHCARE)
Every year thousands of migratory birds make epic journeys south. Many stop over in the Caribbean to rest and refuel; others arrive and spend the entire winter with us. Throughout Fall 2023 and on World Migratory Bird Day, we celebrated these beautiful visitors. We recognized and highlighted the amazing ways in which they adapt to endure such lengthy and dangerous journeys, and called attention to the importance of water to the survival of these birds. Check out the fun and creative ways in which Caribbean organizations got involved. Laura Baboolal, Caribbean Coordinator of World Migratory Bird Day for Environment for the Americas (EFTA), tells the story…
Water conservation for migratory birds and people
Every year we eagerly await the arrival of migratory birds as they flock to our shores, wetlands, forests, parks, gardens, and even backyards! This year’s theme was “Water: Sustaining Bird Life”; “Agua: vital para las aves” in Spanish;and in French, “L’eau: Source de vie pour les oiseaux.”
Birds need water as much as we do! They need to drink water to help them regulate body processes and use water to keep themselves clean and cool. And many migratory birds depend on healthy wetland habitats such as ponds, marshes, mangroves, rivers and coastal areas to safely rest during their long journeys south and to feed and replenish their energy.
The wetlands of Monte Cristi in the northern Dominican Republic are a fantastic place for waterbirds, including many migratory shorebirds. (photo by Maria Paulino)
This year’s theme highlighted the the impact of the growing water crisis on migratory birds. This theme resonated in the Caribbean, where islands have been enduring longer-lasting and more severe droughts. It is not only farmers and householders who are feeling the effects of lower than normal rainfall patterns. Birds are, too! Drought causes wetland habitats such as ponds, salinas, marshes, and rivers to shrink and dry up, thus impacting the amount of water available for birds to drink, feed and bathe, particularly those that rely on wetland habitats. Water scarcity also impacts people— we need clean water to drink, bathe, and grow our food.
The good news is that there are easy, everyday ways for us to reduce our water use and keep our natural supply of water flowing. Find out how our dedicated and passionate Caribbean educators throughout the islands used WMBD events to build and support coalitions of people to advocate for the protection of critical wetland habitats and water conservation.
Here are some highlights from this year’s WMBD events held in The Bahamas, Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St. Martin, Sint Maarten, Antigua and Barbuda, Guadeloupe and Trinidad and Tobago. Many more islands are still hosting events, activities and celebrating this special time for migratory birds!
The Bahamas
EARTHCARE, an environmental education NGO that works across the islands of The Bahamas, celebrated WMBD by hosting a birdwatching trip for children at Princess Park on Grand Bahama Island. The children were excited to see and learn about the different birds at the Park. For many it was their first time using binoculars (provided by EFTA) and they were eager to find the birds using this fundamental tool for birders. Children love using binoculars and the first time using them is always a revelation! Gail Woon and Jill Cooper (EARTHCARE representatives) also visited the Eco School at Bishop Michael Eldon School (BMES) and made a presentation on the importance of water to birds, with special emphasis on migratory birds, and people.
EARTHCARE celebrates WMBD with a birdwatching trip for children at Princess Park, Grand Bahama. (photo by EARTHCARE)
Common Gallinule at Princess Park, Grand Bahama. (photo by EARTHCARE)
Getting the hang of using binoculars to look at birds. A child adjusts her binoculars while birdwatching at Princess-Park, Grand Bahama. (photo by EARTHCARE)
Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Princess Park. (photo by EARTHCARE)
Children birdwatching during EARTHCARE’s WMBD event at Princess Park, Grand Bahama. (photo by EARTHCARE)
An immature Common Gallinule makes its way to the pond at Princess Park, Grand Bahama. (photo by EARTHCARE)
Celebrating migratory birds with the Eco School at Bishop Michael Eldon School, Grand Bahama. (photo by EARTHCARE)
Students making bird masks during WMBD activities at the Eco School at BMES. (photo by EARTHCARE)
Students enjoying art and craft activities during EARTHCARE’s WMBD event at the Eco School BMES, Grand Bahama. (photo by EARTHCARE)
Jamaica
The Natural History Museum of Jamaica moved its popular “An Afternoon with a Scientist” from online and into nature at Hope Botanical Gardens, with the esteemed speaker being Ricardo Miller. Ricardo is a longtime member of BirdsCaribbean, veteran Jamaican birder, and Environmental Coordinator at the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA). Following this talk, students of Mona Preparatory School, Rollington Town Primary School and Sts. Peter and Paul Preparatory School in Kingston were treated to a birdwatching trip across the Gardens. Out in the field the youngsters had great fun using binoculars and bird ID cards to find and identify any birds they could spot!
Ricardo Miller speaks to students about migratory birds and water conservation at Hope Gardens, Jamaica. (photo by Natural History Museum of Jamaica)
Ricardo Miller leads students and teachers on a birding trip around Hope Gardens, Jamaica. (photo by Natural History Museum of Jamaica)
Students learn to use binoculars and a spotting scope to look at birds at Hope Gardens, Jamaica.(photo by Natural History Museum of Jamaica)
The session was a collaborative effort among the Hope Botanical Gardens, NEPA and Jamaica Environment Trust to commemorate this year’s World Migratory Day under the theme “Water and its Importance for Migratory Birds”.
Cuba
In Cuba, Biblioteca Municipal de Bauta (Bauta Municipal Library) in collaboration with the Bauta Birdwatchers Club, Faculty of Geography and Bird Ecology Group (University of Havana) hosted a migratory bird watching activity with 4th and 5th grade school students. The children learned about bird identification and the importance of protecting birds in their country.
Bird ID cards in hand and they are excited to go birdwatching. (photo by Bauta Municipal Library)
Students of 4th and 5th grades head outside to watch birds. (photo by Bauta Municipal Library)
Group photo with library staff and students at the library. (photo by Bauta Municipal Library)
Dominican Republic
During the month of October, Grupo Acción Ecológica (GAE) (Ecological Action Group) carried out several activities to celebrate migratory birds. The group ventured to different birding spots in the Dominican Republic to carry out bird counts, and uploaded their birding checklists to the eBird Caribbean online database.
GAE also partnered with the Department of Education to assist students with planting trees at the National Botanical Garden, thus increasing the number of endemic plants at the Garden. These plants will no doubt provide shelter and food for birds, and other wildlife for many years to come! The man-made lagoons at the Garden were the perfect setting for a live demonstration of the importance of water to birds.
A young girl models her bird mask. (photo by GAE)
Group of students birdwatching at one of the man-made lagoons in the National Botanical Gardens. (photo by GAE)
‘What’s that bird?’ Two girls use a field guide to Identify birds at the National Botanical Gardens. (photo by GAE)
In Jarabacoa the hands-on approach to learning, birding, and conservation continued. Students of the Doulos School went on bird walks and learned about different methods to survey bird abundance and species diversity. They also drew and painted the birds they saw and submitted their artwork to a WMBD contest organized by GAE. The festivities ended in the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo with a talk, tree planting activity, and birdwatching, where they had the opportunity to see more migratory birds!
Lecturer at Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (Autonomous University of Santo Domingo), and long-time member of BirdsCaribbean,Simón Guerrero, introduced primary school students to migratory birds through a riveting presentation on common migrants. They learned about ‘Moonbird,’ a male Red Knot celebrated for its epic 10,000 mile annual migrations and for being the oldest known member of its species! Simón told us, “I always plant some trees to be sure birds will know we are doing something real for them, not just talking.” After the presentation and WMBD activities, firebush or hummingbird bush (Hamelia patens), a plant whose flowers and fruits are very attractive to native, endemic, and some migratory birds, was planted on the school’s compound.
Students captivated by the birds and art on the WMBD 2023 brochure. (photo by Simón Guerrero)
The students were especially excited to learn about the Red Knot called ‘Moonbird.’ (photo by Simón Guerrero)
Students plant the firebush plant in their school’s garden. (photo by Simón Guerrero)
Puerto Rico
Conservation Opportunity got their hands dirty to help migratory birds! The NGO celebrated World Migratory Bird Day by cleaning the waterways in Charco Dos Bocas, Ciales, Puerto Rico. Approximately 150 pounds of trash were collected in one day. Over 50 people showed up to lend a hand and learn about birds. They also installed a new sign, reminding their fellow Puerto Ricans and visitors to the river to keep the environment clean.
River in Charco Dos Bocas Ciales after spectacular cleanup effort by volunteers. (photo by Conservation Opportunity)
Approximately 150 pounds of trash were collected. (photo by Conservation Opportunity)
A community representative speaks about actions taken by residents of Toro Negro to preserve the area.(photo by Conservation Opportunity)
A volunteer ensures no trash is left behind. (photo by Conservation Opportunity)
‘Job well done!’ Conservation Opportunity members and volunteers after the amazing cleanup effort.(photo by Conservation Opportunity)
Members of Conservation Opportunity take a photo by their newly installed sign. (photo by Conservation Opportunity)
Volunteers receive instructions before the start of the clean-up. (photo by Conservation Opportunity)
River cleanups provide a-safe spot for migratory birds and help intercept garbage before it reaches our oceans. (photo by Conservation Opportunity)
WMBD pins, stickers, bracelets, and more were distributed at Conservation Opportunity’s event. (photo by Conservation Opportunity)
Meanwhile, Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña Inc. (SOPI) headed to EcoExploratorio (Science Museum of Puerto Rico) to talk about water conservation for birds and how to identify some of the more common winter migrants on the island.
‘Let’s talk Birds!’ Visitors to the museum learns about Puerto Rico’s feathered migrants. (photo by SOPI)
SOPI’s booth at EcoExploratorio.
St. Martin / Sint Maarten
This year Laura was able to visit St. Martin to attend a WMBD event hosted by Les Fruits de Mer and to share educational materials with both Les Fruits de Mer and Nature Foundation Sint Maarten.
WMBD Caribbean Coordinator, Laura-Baboolal with Mark Yokoyama and Jennifer Yerkes of Les Fruits de Mer.
Educational books on the wildlife of St Martin written by Jenn and Mark, were given to children during the event. (photo by Laura Baboolal)
‘Hi Mark!’ Mark eagerly awaits the arrival of participants. (photo by Laura Baboolal)
This Migratory Bird Festival included art activities for children, educational activity books developed by the organization, and nature walks.
Guadeloupe
Our partner, outstanding guide, and skilled biologist Anthony Levesque gave a talk on the on the birds of La Désirade. It is one of the islands of Guadeloupe and is better known for its white sand beaches and coral reef. It is also a sanctuary for birds looking to rest and refuel during migration. The following day Anthony led a birdwatching tour with 20 participants, who recorded some notable species such as the Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Bobolink.
Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs (Photo by Anthony VanSchoor)
Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Photo by Jesse Gordon)
Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Photo by Linda Petersen)
Male Bobolink in breeding plumage. (Photo by Ryan Sanderson- Macaulay Library-ML342377131)
Bobolink females. Male and female Bobolinks have similar plumage in the non-breeding season. Look out for flocks of these sparrow-like birds during migration. (Photo by Karalyn Lamb-Macaulay-ML4702854910)
Trinidad and Tobago
WMBD was celebrated in May on the same day as Global Big Day and the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF), at the ARC Conservation Field Station in Brasso Seco in Trinidad. You can read about the “Protect the Rivers, Save the Birds” event in our CEBF wrap-up blog.
In October, local school teacher Sabira Ali, who hosts private birding activities for children, celebrated WMBD with her students. The activity included a presentation on migratory birds—by the students themselves! Students were asked to select a migratory bird and give a short presentation on the bird to their classmates. This was followed by decorating bird masks and a fun quiz to recap all the feathery facts learned.
One of Sabira’s-students puts her personal touches on her bird mask. (photo by Sabira Ali)
‘It’s time for a WMBD quiz!’ Sabira tests the participants knowledge of migratory birds in a fun and short quiz.
Sabira’s students stops to take a photo with the colorful WMBD 2023 brochures. (photo by Sabira Ali)
We applaud the tremendous efforts of our educators who plan and execute educational and fun activities to ensure an unforgettable WMBD and inspire a love for birds and birdwatching. We extend a massive thank you to our ambassadors, who selflessly deliver educational materials to Caribbean islands. Environment for the Americas and BirdsCaribbean extend our greatest thanks to all of you and we look forward to seeing what you have planned for WMBD 2024!
Birds Connect our World—Fifteen new species shared on BirdsCaribbean’s website
BirdsCaribbean recognized WMBD by featuring new migratory birds in our virtual campaign– Birds Connect Our World. Each migratory bird profile was accompanied by a beautifully drawn coloring page by Christine Elder, stunning high quality photos and videos, online puzzles tailored for different levels (between six and 1,024 pieces), and bird calls. Fun, free and engaging activities were also provided for both kids and adults, including downloadable coloring pages, experiments, up-cycle crafts, and more. We also created short videos to help birders identify shorebirds that show up every fall in the Caribbean—for example, the Least Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Short-billed Dowitcher and Stilt Sandpiper,Black-bellied and American Golden Plovers and the small and adorable, but confusing, plovers too!
Flying, hopping, wiggling, and crawling towards WMBD 2024
The WMBD theme for 2024 is Insects! While some people may shriek at the sight of these tiny creatures (and rightfully so because our brains confuse fear with disgust, and some insects are actually harmful to us) they are an important delicacy for birds. In fact, insects are so important to birds that migratory birds will literally fly halfway around the globe just to have an ample supply of insects to eat! Insects and bugs are a high protein food. Protein is essential to birds for keeping up energy and body mass and for growing baby birds.
A study published in the Journal of Biological Conservation reported that 40% of all insect species are declining globally. Loss of natural areas like forests and grasslands that have been converted or degraded by intensive agriculture and urban development, and climate change, have all contributed to this downward population trend. A scarcity of this protein-rich food source can hinder bird migration and breeding, leading to weakened immune systems, reduced reproductive success, and increased mortality rates for both adult birds and their offspring.
The WMBD campaign in 2024 will thus stress the need for proactive conservation measures like reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers, switching to organic farming, and maintaining and connecting areas of natural vegetation in agricultural landscapes.
If you are interested in celebrating WMBD in your country, or if you can deliver materials to a Caribbean country, we encourage you to visit the WMBD website for more information; or contact the Caribbean Regional Coordinator, Laura Baboolal, at lbaboolal@environmentamericas.org. If you have an event planned, you can register it and put the Caribbean on the global events map.
One of the issues that the birding community has been working on for the last several years is how we can be more welcoming and inclusive of all birders—beginner birders and future potential birders—to join us and share the joy of birding. It’s an issue to which passionate birders, Hannah Buschert, and her husband Erik, have given a great deal of thought, and which led to the creation of Women Birders (Happy Hour) podcast.
Their ‘happy hour’ podcast is dedicated to broadcasting the lived experiences of women, from diverse backgrounds, who love birds. And of course, it’s not happy hour without cocktails! For each episode, Hannah delights us with a unique, bird-inspired alcoholic concoction based on a species mentioned in the interview!
Last month’s guest was our very own BirdsCaribbean President—Dr Adrianne Tossas! Adrianne has a Ph.D. degree in ecology from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras. She currently teaches biology at the university level, leading undergraduate students in avian ecology research and conservation work. Along with her students, she monitors landbird and waterbird populations in northwestern Puerto Rico. In addition to her role as President of BirdsCaribbean, she serves as the Co-Chair of the organization’s Mentorship Program and Chair of the Grant Awards Committee. She is the author of the book Birds of Puerto Rico for Children, and regularly gives talks and contributes newspaper articles about conservation for the general public.
Dr Tossas with her students in field.
Dr Tossas leads a birding tour for girls during the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival.
Adjusting a spotting scope for participants during a Bird Guide Training workshop in Turks and Caicos. (Photo by Christel Mohammed)
Grab yourself a drink (might we suggest Hannah’s Puerto Rican Vireo cocktail below?), kick back, and settle into happy hour with Hannah and Adrianne! It’s an inspiring podchat about how Adrianne started birding, her experience being a woman in a male-dominated field, her research, the mentors that helped to guide and shape her into the conservationist that she is today, and her efforts to transform the local birding community in Puerto Rico to include more women and young birders.
Enjoy!
Listen
Choose your preferred podcast platform to listen to Adrianne’s interview by clicking this Buzzsprout link.
We are delighted to inform you that we have partnered with The Cornell Lab of Ornithology to provide free access to Birds of the World to anyone within the Caribbean islands!* Just login to your existing eBird/Cornell account, or create a new eBird/Cornell accountto access Birds of the World for free!
BirdsCaribbean members outside the Caribbean can receive a 25% discount on a personal subscription plan, using the coupon code BC25 (current paid-up BC members have free access through the end of 2023). The Cornell Lab of Ornithology also provides complimentary access to certain user groups under their Birds of the World Digital Access Scholarship. If you fit into any of the categories, be sure to reach out to them.
Every Bird has a Story
Birds of the World (BOW) is the largest online ornithology resource with comprehensive life history information on 10,906 species and 249 families of the world’s birds. BOW brings together scholarly content from four celebrated works of ornithology, including Birds of North America, Neotropical Birds,The Handbook of Birds of the World, Neotropical Birds, and the Internet Bird Collection (IBC), among others, to provide an in-depth scholarly account for every species. With the integration of millions of bird observations from eBird and stunning images from the Macaulay Library, BOW is the most powerful ornithological resource ever created. It’s a single platform where biologists, birders, and anyone with an interest in birds can explore comprehensive life history information on birds.
Content includes topics such as identification, plumages and molt, taxonomy, distribution, habitat, diet, behavior, breeding, movement, conservation and management, and more. All species accounts have range maps and a growing number have “intelligent maps”—science-based abundance maps and animated migration maps (created from eBird data). Magnificent colour plates from many of the world’s top illustrators are backed up by the massive Macaulay Library resource – a media asset of photographs, video and audio recording. Every species displays its IUCN conservation status and additional ornithological notes as appropriate. The common species names are even available in more than 50 languages!
And here’s a neat feature – because it is linked to eBird, when you are logged into Birds of the World each species account shows a blue badge indicating whether or not you’ve seen, photographed, or taken audio recordings of the bird. If you’re not yet an eBird user, now is a perfect time to sign up and start using this wonderful app to find birds, keep track of the birds, and contribute to science! And if you’re in the Caribbean be sure to use our special eBird Caribbean portal.
Since all of the information has been vetted and can be accessed from a single platform, you will save time spent on endlessly searching and comparing facts across different websites and other sources, reduce costs associated with research (citations are listed and linked to publications where available!), correctly identify birds and improve your birding skills, master bird taxonomy, or keep up with the latest bird news, webinars and research through the exciting science news blog.
One overriding feature of the resource is that it will be constantly revised by ornithologists to include the latest taxonomic revisions and latest information about each species.
Access in the Caribbean is enabled by the efforts of a large number of expert birdwatchers and ornithologists across the region who work with BirdsCaribbean to write, update, and curate Caribbean species accounts. The list of active accounts will continue to be updated as more articles are written, so make sure to check this space regularly for our Caribbean Birds!
In exchange for free access to all Caribbean birders, we have agreed to adopt and update a set of the Caribbean species each year. So would you like to contribute to Birds of the World? BOW is keen to use species experts to help author the species accounts. If you are interested in helping or would like to learn more, contact: Caroline Pott, BirdsCaribbean’s Birds of the World Coordinator, and Stefan Gleissberg, Managing Editor of the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology. Thanks to all for your contributions!
*Included locations are: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Caribbean Netherlands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin (French part), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Maarten, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, British Virgin Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Anyone in this area currently subscribed to Birds of the World, who now wants free access, should actively cancel their subscription in order to avoid future charges. Go here to do this.
Join or renew your membership with BirdsCaribbean!
If you’re not a current member, we encourage you to join BirdsCaribbean or renew your membership today! Membership benefits include discounts on our meetings, programs, and materials; the opportunity to meet and network with scientists, birders, educators, and conservationists across the region; and the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping in our urgent fight to save habitats from destruction and birds from extinction. Your membership also supports the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology, an open access, peer-reviewed journal covering all aspects of ornithology within the Caribbean region. Any questions about your membership, contact Delores Kellman, Administrative Assistant, BirdsCaribbean.
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Colorful and friendly, the Cuban Tody is one of Cuba’s most beloved endemic birds. (photo by Aslam Ibrahim)
Join BirdsCaribbean, the Caribbean Birding Trail and talented Cuban bird guide, Tania Piñeiro, on the adventure of a lifetime in January or March of 2024!
Cuba is well-known for its amazing landscapes, vibrant culture and unique biodiversity. According to the new Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Cuba: 2023 Edition (and recent research), 404 birds have been recorded in Cuba, including 28 which are endemic to the island, 20 that are endemic to the West Indies, and 21 which are considered globally threatened. Due to its large land area and geographical position within the Caribbean, Cuba is also extraordinarily important for Neotropical migratory birds—more than 180 species pass through during migration or spend the winter on the island.
Our itinerary takes you to several of the best and most beautiful birding locations in Cuba, providing opportunities to see many of Cuba’s endemic species and subspecies as well as many West Indian endemics and migrants. Along the way, we will meet people in local communities, stay in Bed & Breakfast establishments (casas particulares) and eat in private restaurants (paladars), allowing you to experience Cuba’s rich culture, delicious food, friendly people, and generous hospitality. We will also have the opportunity to meet and have discussions with local ornithologists and conservationists that have been working with BirdsCaribbean for many years.
https://youtu.be/3p7DZmHxuKA?si=FsV3XNco_vWQ-kwv
BirdsCaribbean is offering two tours in 2024: a 9-day trip in January and a 12-day trip in March.
Find detailed itineraries for our 2024 trips below!Traveling with us helps Caribbean birds as a portion of the proceeds from the trip supports our bird conservation programs and partners in Cuba and the Caribbean. See some of the world’s most beautiful and memorable birds, knowing that you are helping ensure their welfare by supporting the people who study and protect them.
Read testimonials and see photos from past trips in the gallery below. Purchase the Endemic Birds of Cuba Field Guide here. See our eBird trip report from our March 2023 trip here. Check out the report and photos from our January 2016 trip here and from our July 2017 trip to Havana and Zapata Swamp here. Read more
Front and back covers of Birds of the National Botanic Garden of Cuba. The Cuban Green Woodpecker, on the front cover, is the only representative of the Cuban endemic genera living in the garden.
At almost 500 hectares, the National Botanical Garden of Cuba offers a green oasis to birds, other wildlife, and people, in the capital city of Havana. It is well known for its extensive collection of palm trees, ethno-botanical displays, greenhouses, and serene Japanese Garden. From November to February it is an ideal place to see migratory birds, while some of Cuba’s iconic endemic and native birds can be seen year-round.
The new field guide “Birds of the National Botanical Garden of Cuba” (Aves del Jardín Botánico Nacional de Cuba) is the most comprehensive, authoritative, and up-to-date work of its kind. We speak with the dedicated authors Dr. Martin Acosta, Dr. Lourdes Mugica, and MSc. Karen Aguilar, about the field guide. They share the extensive research that went into its creation, how the team persevered through numerous setbacks, their surprising finds and fond memories at the garden, and advice for aspiring field guide authors.
What inspired you to create a field guide to Birds of the National Botanical Garden of Cuba?
It is a long love story between our group and the birds of the National Botanical Garden. In 1982, Dr. Martin Acosta began tutoring an undergraduate’s thesis on the garden’s birds. Since then, he realized that, with its almost 500 hectares and varied vegetation, it was a privileged place, despite the fact that at that time less than 40 species were detected. From there we carried out and published several studies on the ecology of the species that inhabited the different areas that make up the garden.
Cover of the first field guide to the Birds of the National Botanical Garden of Cuba, published in 1990.
Later, in 1990, we published a short rustic guide to identify the 41 birds we had recorded at the garden. As we had no camera or way to obtain the illustrations, Dr. Vicente Berovides, Professor at the University of Havana, drew each of the birds by hand with pencil. Incredibly, his drawings were good enough to identify the birds! That simple guide sold out quickly, so very early we could appreciate that the public was eager to get this kind of information.
From the year 1990, the well-known Special Period arrived in Cuba, with a deep economic crisis that did not allow us to travel to the field and investigate the waterfowl of the rice fields and natural wetlands that were the main focus of our research in that period. That fact resulted in all our energy and time being focused on the birds of the garden, where we traveled by bicycle from before dawn to monitor their bird populations and assemblages, to do several ecological studies, and to assist our students in their undergraduate theses.
Over time our knowledge of the place and commitment to sharing our results were increasing. Both Martin and Lourdes thought that we were going to retire without fulfilling the dream of having a book for the general public. At the time we did not have any funds to guarantee writing, editing, design, and printing. Even without the funds, but with all the accumulated knowledge of more than 30 years, in 2019 we got the final push when Dr. Banessa Falcón, Director of Teaching and Research of the National Botanical Garden, insisted on the importance of achieving this book. Karen joined the authors to contribute voluntarily with the design, photography, and anything else that was needed.
Similarly, Neyda Izquierdo, winner of the National Publishing Award in Cuba, edited the book free of charge. Additionally, Dr. Banessa Falcón, supported us in working on the book from its inception and was our scientific editor for the botanical topics.
Karen and Lourdes traveled by bike to the garden almost every day until the book was completed.
In this way, we managed to assemble a fantastic team, with whom the work became a constant exchange of ideas between wonderful people, who dedicated many hours to ensure the quality of the text in the pandemic times. In the end, it was a collective work, full of love, commitment, science, and fun!
Today, within 55 years, the garden has an assemblage of birds that has tripled in diversity in response to the vegetation development. So far 128 species, (three of them after publishing the book) have been registered, so this group of vertebrates is among its greatest attractions.
Undoubtedly, this was the great moment to bring to light the work that seemed to be just a dream for so long. Our research shows the importance that a well-managed anthropogenic (man-made) site can have for the conservation of birds. In addition, we hope that this field guide may be a useful model to other botanical gardens in Cuba and the world.
How is this field guide different from other Cuban bird guides?
It differs in several aspects:
It is the first Cuban bird guide made entirely with photographs of birds; the guides that currently exist in Cuba are based on illustrations.
The biggest difference is that it includes closeup images of the heads of most bird species (85%), which allow you to appreciate important details that are not visible in general photos or drawings.
In Chapter Four of the field guide, each family has a general picture with the main characteristics of the family and then, all the species within the family are presented. Each species has between two to six pictures; icons and text complete the descriptions.
It is the first guide that dedicates a chapter to the interdependence between the development of plant communities and the assemblages of birds that use them, in addition to revealing different aspects of the ecology of some notable populations. The guide also includes a chapter that encourages bird watching in Cuban society and offers strategies for its development.
In Chapter Three, the authors promote birdwatching and give advice on how to attract birds to your garden. In this page several vegetation structures are highlighted because of the impact they may have on birds and the resources they can offer.
It is a field guide based on the original scientific results obtained by the authors from more than 30 years of research, not on a bibliographic compilation, and it includes a chapter where many of these results are shared.
In Chapter Two, the published ecological results collected by the authors for over 30 years at the garden are presented.
The incorporation of informational boxes within the text of the general chapters is also new in Cuban bird guides. They offer a deeper understanding of the scientific elements, and were obtained by the authors in this botanical garden.
The book focuses on an ex situ conservation institution, dedicated primarily to the conservation of plants, which now joins a small group of botanical gardens around the world that have their own bird guide.
In the Field Guide chapter, 125 species are presented with 473 photos. Although the authors provided 70% of the pictures, the rest are from the selfless collaboration of 52 Cuban and foreign photographers, so this guide is a result of solidarity for the good of conservation.
Soon after the guide was published, we received a national award from the Cuban Book Institute (First Prize for Technical Scientific Criticism 2022) and the Prize for Best Scientific Book of Natural Sciences from the University of Havana. It is the first Cuban bird guide to achieve these recognitions within the country.
Tell us about your team of authors—how did each contribute?
Taking photos of moving subjects is not easy but Karen persevered.
Martin and Lourdes had the general idea of writing a bird guide since 1990, when we first published a much simpler version. Both of us contributed with our long experience, field data, and results from published studies. We wrote most of the text, and did the exhaustive revision of each version. Martin also contributed numerous photographs that are used in the field guide.
But it was Karen who designed the book and supplied most of the photos. She spent many hours doing fieldwork during the book’s development, and processed the images for the guide. She also wrote some informational boxes.
The three authors worked closely and intensively during the two and a half years it took to complete the book. We also actively participated in the final revision of the text, together with the general and scientific editors.
How much research did you need to do for this field guide?
That’s a good question, because we never worked to make a field guide, we worked to contribute to the knowledge of the natural history of the birds that live in the garden, and the more we learned, the more questions arose. So we carried out research on reproduction, territoriality, feeding, seed dispersal, and composition and structure of the assembly of birds associated with some types of vegetation. The findings have all been very useful in writing the book.
The birds used the water from the garden to maintain their feathers and meet daily demands, as well as the annual molting behavior in different bird species.
After extensive research, the authors found that the garden can meet the birds’ diverse needs: food, shelter and security.
What we can say is that it is not enough to know the list of birds that have been recorded in a site. It takes years of observations, and countless hours of fieldwork, to study essential aspects of the ecology of the species of birds that live there to contribute to their knowledge more effectively.
Martin closing a mist net at the garden. Mist netting is an essential tool for species inventory, provides useful indices of relative abundance, and can be used to track temporal trends in abundance.
What part of creating this field guide—writing, photographing, designing and editing—did you have the hardest time with or find most challenging?
Photography and design were the biggest challenges of this book. Photography, because we set out to create a guide based entirely on photos, and getting good-quality photos of 125 species, many of which are rare or difficult to photograph because of their behavior, such as aerial insectivores, was really a major challenge. At the end all species have photos and each species identification page has between 2 to 6 photos.
Martin and Karen taking photos in the garden.
Martin and Karen talk about camera models and techniques to get the best photos.
The design was challenging because it was Karen’s first design job, so taking on that task involved long hours of intense work. Both challenges were successfully overcome.
In general, it was challenging to achieve our goal that both the writing and the design were attractive to a very wide audience, including children, young people, adults, birdwatchers, and specialists in the subject.
What helped you to stay focused on such a large project?
First of all, the love of birds. Knowing that a book like this can have a great impact on Cubans and contribute to bird conservation also motivated us. Little by little, we realized that the garden can contribute a lot to local knowledge and the appreciation of birds, helping people to value not only their beauty, but also all the ecological services they provide.
Secondly, it is not easy to visit our protected areas because they are located in isolated areas that are difficult to access and transportation is scarce. However, the National Botanical Garden is situated close to Havana (only about 30 km or 18 miles) and can be easily visited by the population of the city.
Finally the teamwork, which was fabulous and exhilarating. It kept us together and working hard from start to finish. Every photo achieved, every chapter completed, every species completed, was an achievement we thoroughly enjoyed and it kept us excited to reach the next goal.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating this field guide?
We learned important things related both to the birds, as well as to perseverance and the strength we have to achieve our goals.
As for the birds, we were impressed by the beauty and complexity of the birds’ heads—the close-up photos highlighted details that are not captured with binoculars or full-body photography.
Another thing that surprised us was the important role played by the Red Silk Cotton Tree (Bombax ceiba) in the early months of the year, when very few plants bloom in the garden. In January and February, this tree is covered with beautiful red flowers and numerous birds are attracted to them, but not only in search of insects, nectar and pollen. The most surprising thing is that the flowers accumulate a lot of water, and the birds use them as natural sources, to quench their thirst, in these months of intense dryness.
At the top of the left-hand page you can see a Yellow-faced Grassquit looking for water in a Red Silk Cotton tree flower; at the bottom, in the same tree, a Cuban Blackbird looks for water or insects in the flowers.
For Martin and Lourdes, it was not difficult to write the text, they knew the site and the birds well and already had the experience of working on other books. But for Karen the challenge was immense, she did not know about design, nor photography, nor was she able to recognize the bird species. All this knowledge was necessary to complete the book.
That involved numerous hours of self-study to learn how to work CorelDraw, Photoshop, and InDesign programs. So Karen took photography courses, studied the content of the main bird guides that have been published in America, and learned the particular style of providing the information in the field guides. At the same time, she made frequent visits to the field to take photographs, and learn to recognize the birds, and she kept working on the book every single day during those years.
Any fun stories to share during the process of writing, photographing, design, and editing?
There were many stories. At first Karen said she wanted the guide to be with photos, so that it would bring something different from other Cuban guides. When she tried to take her first photos, a mockingbird and a sparrow, after much effort, she did not achieve anything with her lens—at that moment she realized that the road was going to be long, difficult, and that she had a lot to learn.
I remember when we went to the zoo to take close-up pictures of the herons. They were asleep with their heads lowered and eyes closed. Yelling at them was the only way to wake them up. We shouted wildly and the moment they woke up Karen took the photo very fast. People passing by looked at us as we were screaming at the herons and by the looks on their faces, they thought we were crazy. We really laughed a lot.
Another day, Karen went alone on a motorcycle to the garden to take photos. When entering the garden, she saw a group of puppies crossing the fence and stopped the motorcycle to play with them. But the puppies ran after her which gave her a good scare. She had to run so they wouldn’t bite her.
How long did it take to complete the field guide?
We started in June 2019, the book was ready to print in January 2022. During Covid we had an interruption of about six months in which we were totally isolated without communication, (not all in the team had a good cellular phone to use the internet), and without the possibility to visit each other as we were not able to meet. So we would say that it took approximately two intense years to complete the book.
When the lockdown restrictions were lifted, we established a method of working that allowed us to advance relatively quickly, because at the same time that we were advancing in the text, we worked on the design. We made constant visits to the garden, looking for photographs that helped us explain the text, and with those visits we were constantly updating the information.
In fact, up to 2019, when we started working, 105 species had been registered; in 2022 that number had already risen to 125.
How did you celebrate when the field guide was completed?
The five of us, three authors and two editors, were so happy, we could not believe that we had finished the book. When we saw the first print proof the emotion was immense! We celebrated it by spending time together and sharing each of our experiences.
How many endemic birds live in the garden?
Of the 27 living endemic species in Cuba, 10 are found in the garden; and also 12 of the 20 species reported as endemic for the West Indies—making a total of 22 species in this category.
In the book we report on nine Cuban endemics, but recently the Cuban Trogon was recorded for the first time at the garden!
What is one of your fondest memories of birding in the Botanical Garden?
Every time we visit the garden we enjoy it so much and we learn something new about the behavior of the birds so it is difficult to say. For example, seeing the sunrise and the awakening of the birds, seeing for the first time the Cuban Tody, a typical bird of our well-preserved forests, seemed incredible to us, and recently, we just observed the Cuban Trogon for the first time!
The national bird of Cuba- the Cuban Trogon. (Photo by Rafy Rodriguez)
I remember one time when it started to rain, and we had to place the camera under the umbrella to take the photos. That day we registered two new species and got several quality photos for the book, it was unforgettable!
Recording a new species and getting a quality photo that we needed, of a bird doing an activity that we mentioned in the text, was always exciting to us. I can say that the three of us thoroughly enjoyed each visit, which in those last two years amounted to more than 60.
Where in Cuba can someone purchase this field guide?
Right now it is not for sale. We have a small first batch of just 300 printed books and very high demand. The first copies have been used to promote the book and they have been given as a prizes in competitions and festivals, as well as gifted to outstanding nature photographers, decision-makers, and some libraries.
The second printing will be made this year, thanks to a grant from the Betty Peterson Conservation Fund from BirdsCaribbean. We are thinking of selling copies from this second batch at the National Botanical Garden or in the Library of the University of Havana, Alma Mater, in the City of Havana.
How can someone outside of Cuba get their own copy?
We hope to eventually sell the book through BirdsCaribbean’s website.
Do you plan on providing an English translated version of this field guide?
We would love to have an English version and the idea is to seek funding in the future for translation, design, and proofreading.
What would you say to a birder who is thinking of publishing his own field guide?
Keep going, never stop, work hard, visit the site as many times as you can, and record species, behaviors, dates and places. When you gather enough information, find a good team and work together. A good field guide is a collective work, which can help birds and people.
We have always lived in a poor country under a strong blockade, with few resources, little transportation, lots of communication problems, and high migration of young personnel. If we could succeed, then anyone who proposes a project like this and puts in the effort, perseverance, and love will succeed too.
Our small Caribbean countries need to know their natural heritage, and be aware first of what we have, so that later they become aware of the responsibility of each one in taking care of it. We all can contribute in some way to conservation. Books like this are the first step to take—knowledge brings appreciation, appreciation is an important step for conservation.
You can, you should.
The three authors of the book, from left to right, Karen Aguilar Mugica, MSc in Geography, Martin Acosta Cruz PhD. and Lourdes Mugica Valdés PhD, both ornithologists from the Bird Ecology Group of the University of Havana. Karen has been a volunteer with the group for several years.
Drs. Lourdes Mugica Valdés and Martin Acosta Cruz are Professors at the University of Havana’s Faculty of Biology in Cuba. They teach both formal ecology courses and in the faculty’s research and environmental education programs. They, along with Karen Aguilar Mugica, are members of the University of Havana’s award-winning Bird Ecology Group (BEG). The BEG is widely recognised for its contribution to our knowledge of Cuban waterbird ecology. They are, moreover, long-standing members and friends of BirdsCaribbean.
Children are natural explorers – some of whom are curious about birds. And why wouldn’t they be? Birds come in all colors, shapes and sizes. They sing sweet melodies, give funny chirps and whistles, and even make eerie sounds. But perhaps best of all, like superheroes and fairies, they can fly!
Birdwatching is a great way to nurture children’s innate scientific interests through the study of nature. This is what BirdLife Jamaica set out to achieve with their “Bring A Child Birding” event in May, which coincided with Jamaica’s observation of Child Month and the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival. Emma Lewis, our Media Working Group Chair and member of BirdLife Jamaica, shared this lively retelling of the young birders’ first experience birdwatching at Hope Gardens, Jamaica.
One small girl found the binoculars weighed her down too much, so her father took them over.
Talking birds: Justin Saunders lends a listening ear to a young birder. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Another girl (pre-teen age) was convinced that there were woodpeckers in the clump of bamboo; in fact, bamboo often makes all kinds of knocking and rattling noises when the wind blows. But we did see a real endemic Jamaican Woodpecker, with his blazing red head, a little later.
Male Jamaican Woodpecker. (Photo by Tim Avery- Macaulay Library- ML87028941)
Several Common Moorhens tripped as fast as they could along the pond side to avoid the children’s cries–but were duly admired, anyway.
Hey! Are you taking a photo of us? Adults and children birdwatch by the pond. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Two boys, guided by their father (a brilliant bird photographer), were busy counting Greater Antillean Grackles, who were making their usual “cling cling clii-ing” racket in a bush.
Greater Antillean Grackle. (Photo by Rafy Rodriguez)
BirdLife Jamaica’s concept of staging a children’s birding session in Kingston’s beloved Hope Gardens was an absolute winner, straight out of the starting block. Since it was the first attempt, perhaps we could call it a “pilot project.”
The gardens themselves were remarkably busy, with what seemed to be a major picnic going on. Literally hundreds of children were spread across the grass, with the occasional lady and gentleman dressed up in wedding attire, for photo-ops. The noise level was terrific. I was disturbed to see how many cars were allowed in the gardens, however. There is quite a large parking lot. It should be a place to walk (or run).
We gathered in the shadiest spot we could find in the Chinese Garden, which was a little more sedate. We handed out binoculars and signed adults and children up. I think we had a total count of around fifty. The parents were protective, supportive and seemed to enjoy themselves. The children were kept so busy that only one or two had “meltdowns” towards the end of two hours or so of hard birding–quite understandable!
Binoculars are a birder’s best tool! (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Splitting up into groups, each with an adult leader, we walked off in different directions, with our necks adjusted at different angles, to find birds. The children’s necks needed adjusting, too; it is not just about spotting a bird, but also training one’s binoculars in the right direction–the right tree, the right branch–to see it in spectacular detail. Also, one usually needs to fiddle with the binoculars so that it’s not all a blur, but actually matches your eyesight and fits your eyes comfortably.
Justin Saunders and Damany Calder help a participant identify a bird at Hope Gardens. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
The children soon became adept at spotting the birds when they weren’t too busy interacting with each other in various ways. Spotting them wasn’t a problem. Several children shouted, pointed, and jumped up and down each time they saw a bird! The objects of their interest were not very impressed with this behavior, often flying away from the shouting, gesticulating young humans. We had to explain to them that when birding you have to speak quietly, step lightly, and refrain from sudden movements. This is something, of course, that children are not naturally prone to do. We had to remind them to use their binoculars, too. This brings the whole birding experience to life.
Frequently heard comments were:
“I see it!”
“Where?”
“Oh, it’s gone!”
“Give me your binoculars!”
“I don’t see it.”
“Look, look, look!” (crescendo)
“My binoculars aren’t working!”
And more.
Below are some more photos, courtesy of Stuart Reeves, Kahlil Francis, and myself. We did not photograph the birds this time since we were focused on the kids watching the birds! However, apart from the more common residents such as Greater Antillean Grackle, White-winged Dove, Smooth-billed Anis and Zenaida Dove (plus a whole host of Cattle Egrets, pecking away at some freshly watered grass), we did spot some endemic species that live nowhere else in the world but Jamaica–the children found this fact surprising. There was the aforementioned Jamaican Woodpecker, Jamaican Parakeet, Yellow-billed Parrots, Jamaican Oriole (endemic sub-species), and the Red-billed Streamertail. A pair of much less common Black-billed Parrots (conservation status: Vulnerable) posed for a while on a bare branch.
Birdwatching in the Chinese Garden at Hope Gardens. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Practicing the birding on one knee technique. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Some participants could not contain their excitement. (Photo by Keisha-Miller)
Pop quiz time with Keisha Miller. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Winding down in the warm late afternoon sun, we handed out posters of Jamaican endemic birds to each young participant. Copies of my personal little “Bible,” A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Jamaica, by Ann Haynes-Sutton, Audrey Downer, and Robert Downer, were on sale. All went home quite satisfied as there was just no time to be bored. I think we have “converted” a few children to birding (and perhaps one or two adults, too). Moreover, I believe that the children enjoyed themselves, being away from their tablets, iPads and phones and appreciating nature.
The poster entitled “The Endemic Birds of Jamaica – 31 More Reasons to be Proud of Jamaica.”
I think it’s safe to say that BirdLife Jamaica pulled off a coup (the non-violent kind, of course). Many congratulations to Justin, Michelle, Keisha, Damany, Treya, Kahlil, Stuart and all the others that got involved to make it a roaring success! With special, special thanks to Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) and the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation (C-CAM) for their support.
Happy adults and children after a lovely evening spent watching birds. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
BirdsCaribbean is proud to work alongside BirdLife Jamaica and we salute their efforts to protect the birds of Jamaica and their habitats. We were thrilled to learn of the positive experiences and hope that other NGOs in the region will also be inspired to make bird watching more accessible and enjoyable to the youth.
Hope Gardens, formally known as the Royal Botanical Gardens, comprises 200 acres of endemic and exotic botanical collections located in Kingston. It is the largest public green space in the capital and is often used for picnics, weddings, band concerts, poetry readings and birdwatching! The Gardens offer a variety of habitats for birds and other wildlife. Among the habitats are the Cassia Cassia siamea grove by the main entrance; a Palm Avenue, where sago palms are among the oldest living trees in the garden; a cacti garden with rare varieties; the annual gardens with numerous species of exotic flowers; a bougainvillea walk; an orchid house; a maze; a forest; the sunken gardens; and the lily pond.
The new collection of clothing and accessories from Bird Collective celebrates the work of BirdsCaribbean, our fabulous birds, beautiful habitats, and unique cultures. Buying from this collection means not only do you get wonderful Caribbean-inspired items, you also help to support BirdsCarbbean’s mission of conserving the region’s birds!
The new collection from Bird Collective draws inspiration from the Caribbean’s spectacular birds and challenges the stereotype that eco-friendly fashion lacks color, beauty, detailing, and desirability. Both the simplest and more complicated features have colored the designers’ canvas, from tropical mangroves to the delicate bejeweled plumes of endemic hummingbirds. The results are great pieces that exude the essence of Caribbean nature and culture, and stand to become a favorite among birdwatchers, nature lovers, and anyone who wants to look good while being socially and environmentally responsible.
The ‘Hummingbirds of the Caribbean’ t-shirt features some of the region’s most iconic species.
This beautiful hummingbird print was designed by Jeffrey Burke.
The hummingbird t-shirt is available in the color solar- citrus and sizes small to 4XL.
Each batch of tie dye is done by hand, producing a range of variations, which makes each T-shirt a one of a kind piece!
The ‘Mangrove’ T- shirt was designed by Trinidadian artist Sayada Ramdial, who managed to capture the flamboyant flair of the abundant bird life in our wetlands. The t-shirts are 100% cotton and printed using PVC-free inks.
The abundant bird life of our wetlands comes alive on this beautiful print, designed by Trinidadian artist Sayada Ramdial.
The ‘Mangrove’ T-shirt is stylish and sustainable- made from 100% cotton and printed using PVC-free ink. The colorful binocular strap and hat (below) will complete your look!
The collection also offers a Hummingbirds of the Caribbean water bottle to keep you hydrated while on your birding adventures or running everyday errands. A fabulous and funky all-over print Mangrove Bucket Hat invites you to join this growing fashion trend while protecting your face from harmful UV rays. Also available: a durable and lightweight binocular strap to give your best birding tool some Caribbean flair, and a lovely flamingo patch.
The funky and trendy ‘Mangrove’ bucket hat will keep the sun rays out of your eye while birdwatching or running errands.
BirdsCaribbean Executive Director, Dr. Lisa Sorenson, expressed gratitude and excitement to create a collection with Bird Collective. “We are so delighted to be invited by Bird Collective to offer this high-quality, unique, and fun birding merchandise in support of our mission. The artwork is truly beautiful. I hope to see many people wearing or using these items in the coming year. Thanks in advance for purchasing one or more items, for yourself and/or as gifts for your birding friends!”
Keep hydrated with this cool Hummingbirds of the Caribbean water bottle that are BPA/BPS and phthalate-free.
Bird Collective is a for profit business that regularly supports nonprofit organizations and charitable causes as part of its mission. They are deeply passionate about birds and committed to preserving their populations for future generations. Their one stop bird shop offers stylish and sustainable apparel and accessories designed for appreciates the beauty and understands the importance of birds and the natural world.
They work closely with conservation nonprofits to create collections that raise awareness and celebrate birds, their habitats, and the people who work tirelessly to protect them. Since being established in 2019, they have donated over $98,000 US to leading bird advocacy groups such as the American Bird Conservancy, HawkWatch International, the Grassland Bird Trust, the Yurok Tribe, Alabama Audubon, Delta Wind Birds, and the Center for Biological Diversity. You can learn more about their contributions here.
This lovely flamingo patch is also part of the collection.
For a region that boasts picturesque beaches, lush rainforests, and wondrous wetlands, it is unfortunate that so many of these invaluable habitats and their bird life are facing persistent threats. BirdsCaribbean and our network of partners throughout the region are committed to raising awareness and doing all we can to fight the destruction and degradation of irreplaceable natural areas from ill-advised developments, climate change, deforestation, pollution, and invasive species. We are hopeful that this collection will help spread the word about the urgent need to protect our rich bird diversity. Over 560 bird species—including 176 that are found nowhere else in the world, call the Caribbean home. It is also where over 150 migratory bird species seek refuge from the bitterly cold winter months.
Global Big Day 2023 was another whirlwind of birding, fundraising and fantastic photography! Thank you to all those who took part and for the amazing photos you sent us. We are absolutely delighted to announce all the ‘winners’ of our photography awards. Many of this year’s photos showcase the beauty of Caribbean birds and the ability of our community to build connections across the globe!
If you missed our Global Big Day 2023 report on teams and individual stats –click here
When great people, birds and art combine incredible things can be accomplished. A huge Thank You to everyone, especially our team leaders and generous donors for making Global Big Day 2023 a success. With a record number of teams- 17 – participating, we were able to raise close to $20,000 for our Caribbean Bird Banding Network – amazing!
Photography Award Winners 2023
Best Bird Photo! We especially congratulate this year’s first place winner- Aruba Burrowing Owl by Michiel Oversteegen.
The Second Place Best Bird Photo goes to Cuban Emerald by Roberto Jovel.
The Third Place Best Bird Photo goes to Julian Moore and his image of the Caribbean Elaenia.
An additional 13 categories were awarded to photographers from almost every team and corner of the world.
Most Beautiful Landscape: A wetland in Puerto Rico by Eric Torres Rivera
Urban Birds: White-cheeked Pintail ducklings huddled under a bridge by Michiel Oversteegen
Life in the Wild: Susan Davis on Bonaire captured this exciting confrontation between Brown Pelicans and a pair of Black-necked Stilts, who were determined to defend their nesting territory!
Best GBD Celebratory Drink: Mark Hulme celebrates a great day of birding, being in nature and seeing 106 bird species for the Piping Pawis on Big Day in Trinidad by Alex Sansom.
Best Shorebird: Sanderling, on Aruba by Michiel Oversteegen
Because one shorebird is never enough: Spotted Sandpiper looking determined to get somewhere, perhaps it realizes that it should be migrating north by now! By Susan Davis
Youngest GBD-er: Maison Gaymes, a young Big Day birder in St. Vincent and the Grenadines!
Sweetest Fluffiest Bird: Killdeer chick spotted on Aruba by Michiel Overstegeen
Best Selfie: We couldn’t just choose one! See who you can spot.
Three women Birders in Cuba
Adrianne Toassas birding for the Warbling Warriors in Puerto Rico
Beny Wilson and friends in Panama
Ciego Birding Cuba – Yaro Rodriguez and friends
Couple birding in Cuba
Couple birding in Cuba
Couple birding in Cuba
Group birding for the Bee Hummers Dream Team in Cuba
A young Cuban birder
Birding by Bike in Cuba
Josh Covill and Holly Garrod of the Globe Trotting Todies
Lisa and Mike Sorenson
Past BC president Andrew Dobson birding with members of the Presidents Perch
Nils and Diego Navarro birding in Cuba
Presidents Perch member Anna Dobson
Rafy and a friend birding in Puerto Rico for the Flying Pintails
Best Night Birding Photo: Bare-shanked Screech-Owl in Panama by Venicio (Beny) Wilson
Best Camouflage: Northern Potoo on Jamaica by Ann Sutton.
Best Bird Impersonation: The team from ARC conservation take the crown for their fun bird impersonations!
Best GBD Non-human Birders: Best birding companion by Lisa Sorenson.
Best Caribbean Endemic: A St Lucia Warbler stops foraging to investigate the photographer by Jerome Foster
Congratulations to everyone! And thank you for reminding us that nature is all around us and full of wonder.
ENJOY THIS GALLERY OF BIRD, PEOPLE AND SCENERY PHOTOS TAKEN ON GLOBAL BIG DAY BY VARIOUS TEAM MEMBERS IN THE CARIBBEAN, US, UK, PANAMA, AND MORE!
Mr Mallard relaxing at Auburn Cemetary birding hotspot. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
A group of birders during Big Day in Cuba.
Fun at the ARC Conservation Global Big Day event, Trinidad. (Photo by ARC Conservation)
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Caño Majagual, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Alice V Falto)
Diego Navarro birding in Cuba. (Photo by Nils Navarro)
Collared Plover, an uncommon bird on Barbados. (Photo by Julian Moore).
Barn Owls in Bonaire. (Photo by Susan Davis)
Learning about conservation in Trinidad. (Photo by ARC Conservation)
House Finch. (Photo by Trevor Williams)
On the road for GBD, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Eric Torres Rivera)
Tricolored Heron searches for food, Kaminda Lac wetlands Bonaire. (Photo by Susan Davis)
Northern Flicker. (Trevor Williams)
Mark Oberle birding at Port Orchard, Washington State.
A Scaly Breasted-Thrasher seen in St. Lucia calls to another individual hidden in surrounding vegetation. (Photo by Jerome Foster)
Birding at Hellshire Wetlands, Jamaica. (Photo by Damion Whyte)
White-necked Jacobin, Brasso Seco, Trinidad. (Photo by ARC Conservation)
A Zenaida Dove looks for food along a path, St. Lucia. (Photo by Jerome Foster)
Green Ibis, Panama. (Photo by Beny Wilson)
Semipalmated Plover in Bonaire. (By Susan Davis)
Alex Sansom looks for waterbirds at Temple by the Sea, Trinidad. (Photo by Mark Hulme)
Yellow Oriole bathing in wet leaves, Aruba. (Photo by Michiel Oversteegn)
American Kestrel seen in Jamaica. (Photo by Simon C Shields)
Striped Cuckoo, Panama. (Photo by Beny Wilson)
Alex Sansom looking for birds at Caroni Ric Fields, Trinidad. (Photo by Mark Hulme)
Jamaican man looking for birds on GBD. (Photo by Simon C Shields)
Blue-tailed Emerald males in a territorial fight in Aruba. (Photo by Michiel Oversteegan)
King Philips Overlook, Rocky Narrows Reservation. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Black Swift seen in Barbados. (Photo by Julian Moore)
Eastern Bluebird, near Chicago. (Photo by Stave Constantelos)
Crimson-collared Tanager in Panama. (Photo by Beny Wilson)
Sooty Tern, Aruba. (Photo by Michiel Oversteegen)
Channel-billed Toucan Tortuga Short Cut, Trinidad. (Photo by Mark Hulme)
Chestnut-sided Warbler. (Photo by Trevor Williams)
An Antillean Crested Hummingbird spotted in St. Lucia. (Photo by Jerome Foster)
Charles River Rocky Narrows Reservation. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Great Egret, Caño Majagual, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Alice V Falto)
Learning about conservation in Trinidad. (Photo by ARC Conservation)
Carbon-neutral birding- A Cuban birder selfie with their bike.
Mark Hulme birding along Tortuga Shortcut Road, Trinidad. (Photo by Alex Sansom)
Beny Wilson and friends in Panama
Young birders joined in on Big Day in Cuba!
White-cheeked Pintail, Aruba. (Photo by Michiel Oversteegen)
Birder getting the perfect shot in the Blue Mountains, Jamaica. (Photo by Birdlife Jamaica)
Canyon Wrens in the Lake Georgetown dam area Texas. (Photo by Brynne Bryan)
Lincoln’s Sparrow, Chicago. (Photo by Steve Constantelos)
A young birder takes notes in Cuba.
Green Heron, Aruba. (Photo by Michiel Oversteegan)
View from the top of a hill whilst birding, Puerto-Rico. (Photo by Eric Torres Rivera)
Snowy Egret on the mud flats at Orange Valley, Trinidad. (Photo by Mark Hulme)
Eurasian Collared Dove, Temple by the Sea, Trinidad. (Photo by Mar Hulme)
Eastern Towhee. (Photo by Trevor Williams)
Jamaican Woodpeck takes flight. (Photo by Simon C Shields)
BirdsCaribbean’s local partner Birding the Islands offers solo travelers, couples, families, or small groups the opportunity to travel and bird the islands of the Caribbean on a range of private and fully-customizable multi-island birding tours. You can now book their Build Your Own (aka BYO) tours directly through BirdsCaribbean! Check out the ‘Build your Own’ options here and then fill out the Birding the Islands BYO enquiry form.
Alex Chenery, Birding the Islands’ Tours Manager, explains: “Build Your Own tours provide our clients with a way to visit multiple islands and target the birds they want to see at their own pace and do so in the company of family and friends. These fully-customizable birding tours are a perfect alternative to fixed-date group travel and are particularly appealing to those who would rather travel independently, but without the burden of planning a tour themselves. We make sure our clients are connected with reliable and knowledgeable guides, and have safe, clean and comfortable accommodations to return to after a day spent birding in the field. An added bonus—our tours support locally-owned businesses and the crucial conservation efforts of our partner BirdsCaribbean along the way.”
Forest Thrush (photo by Faraaz Abdool)
Purple-throated Carib (photo by Faraaz Abdool)
Two Red-necked Parrots in flight in Dominica. (photo by Faraaz-Abdool)
A client enjoying the quiet of the rain-forest in St Lucia. (phot by Faraaz Abdool)
Ryan Chenery, co-owner and lead tour guide of Birding the Islands.
Owned and operated by Caribbean nationals Ryan Chenery (Birding the Islands’ Lead Bird Guide and author of the Birds of the Lesser Antilles HELM Field Guide) and his wife Alex (Birding the Islands’ Tours Manager), Birding the Islands specializes in designing and leading multi-island trips throughout the Caribbean.
Owing to their experience and knowledge of the region and its birds; their determination to create a trusted network of locally-owned accommodation providers, restaurateurs, activity providers, transport operators, and bird guides; and their dedication to creating unforgettable bespoke experiences for their clients, their Build Your Own tours are delivering unparalleled opportunities for encounters with the unique avifauna of the Caribbean.
If you want to visit this spectacular region to see its stunning birdlife while helping to develop ethical, sustainable and responsible tourism practices, a BYO tour ticks all the boxes and more! But don’t just take our word for it…
“Birding the Islands organized a magical experience for our family of four to some of the most amazing destinations the Caribbean has to offer. With such diverse interests, it is a tall task to build an itinerary that meets the expectations of experienced birders looking to clean up the island endemics and two kiddos with endless energy and curiosity. Somehow Alex and her team managed to build the ultimate Caribbean adventure, including the logistics of 5 different islands, plenty of beaches, rum, and luxurious accommodations. The guides we met forever changed the lives of our children and made a huge impression on their love of nature, learning, and culture. From catamaran rides to canyoning to mud baths, Birding the Islands ensured we made the best use of our time to make core memories as a family.” Mallory Shackelford & family, Texas, USA, Build Your Own tour to St Lucia, St Vincent, Dominica, Martinique & Guadeloupe, November 2022
The Shackelford family enjoying St. Lucia
Group of friends on a 12-island BYO trip enjoying Caroni Swamp, Trinidad.
Alex Chenery looking at a Plain Antvireo in the Main Ridge Forest Reserve on Tobago. (photo by Ryan-Chenery)
A solo traveler visiting islands in the Caribbean and Central America to discover their birds and learn about how land use has shaped the natural environment and economy of the regions;
A couple making their way through 10 Lesser Antillean islands to see all the endemics and experience the diversity of cultures;
A family of adventurous endemics-chasers looking to combine serious birding with family fun while traveling through five Caribbean islands;
An ambitious and logistically-challenging project involving a two-month long primary research expedition, followed by two 4-month long university research expeditions to 15 islands in the Lesser Antillean chain; and
A couple of experienced birders taking their first Build Your Own tour in search of all the endemics of the Greater Antillean islands of Jamaica, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic
It has been a very exciting year-and-a-half for Birding the Islands!
“Mary and I wanted to go on a private birding trip where we could visit a great corner of the world, I could see birds, and she could relax while I was birding. Your BYO tour to see all the endemic birds of the Lesser Antilles was the perfect tour for a birder and a non-birding spouse. The guides you provided were what I would call the cream of the crop; they all knew where to see the birds, and were experienced in pointing them out to birders. They were also excellent ambassadors for their islands, and very helpful in every way. I would recommend this tour for anyone who wants to see the Lesser Antilles, and its birds.” Bill & Mary Grossi, USA, Build Your Own tour to Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Montserrat, St Lucia & St Vincent, March 2023
St. Lucia Parrots (Photo by Horst Vogel)
Beautiful Dominica
Breath-taking views on Antigua and Barbuda
Guadeloupe Woodpecker. (Photo by Frantz Delcroix)
Birding the Islands’ BYO tours offer you the flexibility to create a trip that not only suits your budget, but also caters to your specific birding and holidaying wants. Our experienced team plans and arranges everything for you, so that all you need to do is to sit back, relax, and count the days until you’re enjoying your dream Caribbean birding holiday!
“We cater to any and everyone, and make it our mission to create a tour that’s right for you. We are delighted that the hard work we have put into developing our BYO tours has given our clients the freedom to enjoy birding the islands in their own way. We love being able to share the unique birdlife and culture of the islands with our clients in such a personal and memorable manner.” Ryan & Alex Chenery, the dynamic husband-and-wife team behind Birding the Islands
If you’re keen to learn more about how Birding the Islands can make your Caribbean birding tour dreams a reality, you can visit their website here, or contact Alex here she is looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Migrating Humpback Whales in Dominica. (Ryan Chenery)
Rufous-throated Solitaire (Myadestes genibarbis) (Photo by Birding the Islands client Keith Clarkson)
Birding the Islands clients at the lookout situated at Moule a Chique, Saint Lucia. (Photo by Ryan Chenery)
Birding the Islands clients stop to take a closer look and some photographs while on a tour. (Ryan Chenery)
The dazzling Ruby Topaz (Chrysolampis mosquitus) (Photo by Birding the Islands client Beatrice Henricot)
Birding the Islands clients in the rainforest, Saint Lucia. (Photo by Ryan Chenery)
Sunrise at the secret spot, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (Photo by Matt Brooks)
Red-billed Tropicbird. (Photo by Birding the Islands client, Keith Clarkson)
Are you looking for a tropical escape to one of the world’s ‘birdiest’ countries? Would you like to travel with a top-tier guide and support Caribbean bird conservation at the same time? If so, you’re in luck because this fall, you can join Cuban bird guide and longstanding member and supporter of BirdsCaribbean, Ernesto Reyes, on his 2023 trip to Colombia! Dates are 19 September to 1 October.
What can you expect on this South American birding adventure?
Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan. (Photo by Carlos Roberto Chavarria)
Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world and the country with the biggest species list – a whopping 1,966 species, including 79 endemics and 135 near endemics!
Explore some of Colombia’s picturesque habitats including high elevation paramo, foothill cloud forests, low elevation dry forest, and habitats along the Pacific coast. Visit feeders and see some of South America’s renowned jewels from a diverse array of glittering hummingbirds to a spectacle of tropical tanagers. Not to mention, this trip includes opportunities to see both charismatic and secretive species like toucans, parrots, tinamous, antpittas, and finishing off with a diverse array of wetland birds.
You’ll also learn about local conservation projects and meet members of the local communities facilitating these efforts. And, as those of you know from our Cuba tours, traveling with Ernesto is sheer joy – you will definitely enjoy your time birding with him at some of the most exciting birding hotspots in Colombia.
Travel with Ernesto and support Caribbean bird conservation
Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. (Photo by Carlos Roberto Chavarria)
Ernesto has been a long-time friend and supporter of BirdsCaribbean. He has guided our Cuba birding tours for many years and receives rave reviews for his excellent knowledge of birds, history, and culture, and for his kindness and good humor.
For every BirdsCaribbean person that signs up for this trip, Ernesto will make a $100 donation to BirdsCaribbean. Thank you, Ernesto for helping us to achieve our Caribbean bird conservation goals! Be sure to add a note when you register that you’re signing up as a BirdsCaribbean referral.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to increase your life list and see birds you’ve seen on National Geographic specials and dreamed of seeing yourself. Sign up today and don’t forget to mention that you’re signing up “in favor of BirdsCaribbean” on your registration form!
If you’re interested in learning more, peruse the detailed itinerary here and contact Ernesto and Costa Rica Rainforest Experience at the email addresses below.
On Saturday, May 13, birders in the Caribbean and around the world got up (early) and out in force for Global Big Day! Twice a year, during peak migration times (once in spring and once in fall) birders around the world spring into action and try to spot as many different bird species as they can in 24 hours. Besides the sheer enjoyment of the day, the list of birds collected and submitted to eBird from across the globe are hugely valuable for science and conservation!
The Big Day numbers were, as usual, quite impressive. Global Big Day in 2023 was a huge success, with 7,636 bird species recorded by over 58,000 people around the world! An amazing 3.2 million bird sightings were logged by eBirders in 24 hours!
In the West Indies, Big Day birders once again increased in numbers and saw 515 species in total, thanks to the amazing efforts of 511 eBird observers! There were more birds, and more humans watching them, in 2023 compared to the previous years (see the stats on the graph in Figure 1).
Figure 1: Global Big Day 2020-2023 comparisons showing changes in total number of eBird Observers in the West Indies, total species seen, and total number of eBird checklists submitted.Figure 2. The number of ‘new’ people taking part in Global Big Day in 2023 (compared to 2022) in the West Indies, including all those who took part in the region.
This year, many Caribbean islands saw an increase in the number of people taking part in Global Big Day. In fact, the number of eBirders in 2023 grew by more than 100% from 2022 in some countries. Special mention goes to the Dominican Republic, who added 40 more eBirders in 2023, increasing participation by over 170%. What a great achievement! New recruits to the growing “army” of eBirders are always welcome, helping to boost birding records for the region.
What about the number of species seen? Looking at the eBird data from all those who took part in the West Indies (not just our BirdsCaribbean teams – see below for team stats!) – Cuba once again edged out the others for the most species seen – 172! Trinidad and Tobago were hot on their heels this year with a total of 170, with Puerto Rico in third place with an amazing count of 132 species!
Banding Together for Caribbean Birds—Fundraising Success!
Our Big Day birding teams stepped up again in 2023 to help raise funds for bird conservation in the Caribbean. This year, those funds are going towards our Caribbean Bird Banding program. Our Global Big Day fundraiser was another stunning success! Together, our 17 participating teams from across the Caribbean and beyond have raised over $19,300 USD so far. We are over 90% of our goal of $20,000. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who took part or supported us so far!
Funds raised will support more bird banding training workshops, like this one held in The Bahamas in 2022, to build conservation capacity in the Caribbean.
These donations will continue to provide bands and other resources to Caribbean banders. They will also help us host and support more international training workshops, internships and additional training sessions. You can STILL donate to help us reach our goal (we are SO close). https://givebutter.com/BCGBD2023
How did our BirdsCaribbean Teams do in 2023?
Well… (drum roll)…
This is what we all want to know: what are the stats from this year’s team competition? Once again the multinational “Flying Pintails” led by Executive Director Lisa Sorenson topped the list! Not only did they see the most species – 702 – they topped all the other categories too! Including most West Indies Endemics – 52. We might need to change their team name to the “Dominant Ducks!”
With team members from a total of 14 countries, their impressive performance is perhaps not surprising. To put it in perspective, it works out to just 50 species per country, far less than for some ‘national teams’ totals! Perhaps Lisa needs to get her team working harder next year. . . Or, on second thought, maybe that’s not such a good idea!
Coming in second place on total species was another multi-national team, “President’s Perch” with 457, and the Globe-Trotting Todies trotted into third place in the total species seen with 271. (You can see a full round up in Figure 3 below.)
Figure 3. Global Big Day results for our 17 BirdsCaribbean Teams. The numbers in red show which team had the highest number for each category.
The “Bee Hummers Dream Team” from Cuba deserves a special mention for getting the most people involved, with a fabulous 63 team members entering their species lists on eBird. They also saw an impressive 170 species within the West Indies (just beating the “Piping Pawis” from Trinidad, who saw 169). Some of these races were tight!
Ciego Birding Club. Yaro Rodriguez friends Big Day birding in Cuba.
“Small is beautiful” for some teams!
Whilst the large multinational teams might have dominated in the ‘species seen’ stats (we’re looking at you “Flying Pintails”) when it came to species seen by each team member the smaller teams really shone. The nine team members in the “Far Flung Flock of Friends” totaled an impressive 25 species each (on average). Within the “national” teams, the “TCI Royal Terns” stood out with their three team members recording 20 species for each on average. That’s pretty intense! (you can see all the stats in Figure 4).
Figure 4. The average number of species seen per person for each of the 17 Global Big Day teams. Far Flung Flock of Friends saw the most birds per team member with an average of 25 species/person.
Biggest Big Day team birders
Of course, we shouldn’t forget the outstanding contributions of individual team members! This year we had some seriously impressive individual efforts. Topping the top team birders list was Beny Wilson, who was birding in Panama and recorded 164 species for the Flying Pintails !! For this fabulous feat, Beny wins some awesome BC swag!
Our top five birders (or birding duos) located anywhere (not necessarily in the Caribbean) on Big Day were:
164 Beny Wilson – Flying Pintails 161 Paul Rodewald – Flying Pintails 160 John Garrett- Flying Pintails 148 Holly Garrod & Joshua Covill – Globe Trotting Todies 118 Jeff Gerbracht – Flying Pintails
Our top five birders (or birding duos) with the most species in the West Indies were:
106 Alex Sansom and Mark Hulme – Trinidad and Tobago (Piping Pawis) 94 Eric Torres-Rivera – Puerto Rico (Warbling Warriors) 94 Ricel Polán Hernández – Cuba (Bee Hummers Dream Team) 85 Julio Salgado – Puerto Rico (Warbling Warriors) 80 Xavier Ragbir – Trinidad and Tobago (Piping Pawis) 78 Susan Davis – Bonaire (Flying Pintails)
Beny Wilson and friends birding in Panama for the Flying Pintails
Broad-billed Motmot one of 164 species seen by Beny!
Crimson-collared Tanager anther bird spotted by Beny!
Josh Covill and Holly Garrod birding for the Globe Trotting Todies
Jeff Gerbracht on Big Day birding for the Flying Pintails
On the trail of the island endemics
Of course, in the Caribbean, it isn’t all about how many species are seen. Global Big Day is also a chance for teams to find and record their endemic birds. On some islands, tracking down all the island endemics can be more of a challenge than others! But we should note that “Bajan Birders & Friends” and “Cayman Birding” both found ‘their’ endemic bird on Big Day.
Figure 5. Number and percent of endemics seen (by proportion) on Global Big Day, 2023.
The Warbling Warriors in Puerto Rico really stepped up to that challenge, finding all 16 endemics. The “Bee Hummers Dream Team” in Cuba, and the “Palmchatters” on Hispaniola also came pretty close to 100% of endemics seen. Well done to all!
Looking for Endemics a Puerto Rican Woodpecker. (Photo by Alice Falto)
Another endemic woodpecker! A West Indian Woodpecker spotted in Cuba. (Photo by Roberto Jovel)
Working hard for the endemics
Within the Caribbean some birders went that extra mile to find the region’s endemic birds. So we want to give a special mention to the following birders who had 20 or more West Indies Endemics on their GBD checklist on May 13th:
Adrian Corbas (Cuba) – 32
Ricel Polan Hernandez (Cuba) – 26
Wisdenilde Navarro (Cuba) – 21
Franklin Zakhur Howley-Dumit Serulle (Dominican Republic) – 20
Idania Garcia Castillo (Cuba) – 20
Eric Torres-Rivera (Puerto Rico) – 20
Every single bird recorded during our Global Big Day birding fundraiser counted towards our effort and every birder taking part helped make this year an amazing success! We also want to thank everyone who helped us raise funds and donated to help support bird banding in the Caribbean. It’s not too late to contribute to our 2023 fundraiser – we are so close to our $20,000 goal! Your donation will help us empower our local partners to learn more about Caribbean birds through bird band, building the region’s capacity for bird conservation through our Caribbean Bird Banding Network.https://givebutter.com/BCGBD2023
2023 BirdsCaribbean Global Big Day Teams
You can visit each birding team’s page profile on eBird to see maps of the team’s countries/ islands where birds were sighted and their checklists. You can also visit each team’s GiveButter page and donate to specific teams to help them reach their fundraising goal, or donate to the general campaign.
Common Gallinule seen by Julian Moore on Barbados during Big Day
Enjoy some more photos captured by members of BirdsCaribbean’s various Global Big Day teams on 13th May, 2023. (keep an eye out from more Big Day photos in our “Big Day Photo Contest” results).
If you’re working today, you shouldn’t be. Tomorrow is Global Big Day for crying out loud. Cash in a sick day or just play hooky. It’s prep time!
And so… here’s your Friday Checklist:
1) Polish up your binos with one of those sweet microfiber cloths. Nobody knows what microfiber actually is; maybe spider silk, or the amazingly soft armpit hair of a baby sheep, or dandelion seed fluffs delicately sewn together. Scholars are mystified, so just be happy it works. Wipe away.
2) Begin carb-loading. Finding time to eat a proper meal tomorrow will be challenging, so aim for consuming somewhere around four to five thousand calories today and you should be good to go. But avoid new and spicy foods. Diarrhea on game day will cost you time, and time=birds. Pig out.
3) Play around on social media—you need to get the down-low on what other birders are up to right now. If they’re doing anything other than prepping for tomorrow, you can feel good about yourself. Also, we’re now living in an age where you can type pound signs in front of any nouns and verbs and then good things happen!? (Type #BandingTogetherForCaribbeanBirds and see what you find.) These are called hashtaggies. The more of these the better. In fact, if you add enough into one sentence, the entire sentence will become unintelligible, which is perfect, because confusing competing teams is part of your winning strategy. For your posts tomorrow, use #GlobalBigDayBirdsCaribPound signs#.
4) Why not set up camp tonight right where you want to start birding tomorrow? This is called tailgating, which is different from what New Jersey drivers do every time they get behind the wheel of their vehicles. Get a head start.
5) Take a nap from at least noon to 3pm today. You’ve earned it. Plus, tomorrow is going to be an early one. Sunrise waits for no one, neither does that dawn chorus. Sleep easy.
6) Be wary of encountering other birders out there as they may be Global Big Day’ers. They may look friendly at first glance, but what they really want is information, like what cool birds you have seen and where. Act naive, maybe even slightly disappointed, and ask them if they wouldn’t mind giving you advice on how to find whatever the most common species is in your area. They’ll leave you alone after that. Fly casual.
7) Refresh your knowledge of intricate molt patterns, especially with gulls. Rumor has it that some gull species have over 300 plumage variations, and that no mortal human can possibly comprehend them all. Muttering something about “3rd year nonbreeding alternate plumage” to a teammate might score you some cool points. Good luck.
8) It’s time to plan out the ground that you’re going to cover. Hour-by-hour planning is fun, but so is winging it. Keep some spontaneity on the docket. And remember that high vantage points are worth seeking out. The higher the better. Never been sky-diving? Now is your time. Bungee-jumping sounds cool, too, but during the recoil you might concuss yourself with your binoculars. Go high.
9) It’s gonna be a long day, so be sure to hydrate like crazy. Electrolytes are all the rage these days, and because they taste like hell by themselves you’ve got a great excuse to mix in a few cups of sugar. Nectar for the birds, and nectar for you. Pace yourself.
10) Reflect on which sock type to wear: tube socks or low-cuts? Don’t kid yourself, you’re a birder. That choice was made long ago. Tube up!
11) Tell a family member about Global Big Day. Not your second cousins on your mother’s side, they won’t care. But maybe your sweet aunt or the brother you’ve neglected for far too long. Convince them that birding is fun and that they should join you, or better yet, donate to your team. Remember that family is obligated to love you and the things you do. And grandpa is definitely sitting on some money that he should be contributing to BC’s fundraiser. Milk that.
12) Cue up your eBird account, make sure it still works, and check in with your team leaders to make sure you are added to your team’s Global Big Day Trip Report. (Check your team’s trip report – links are here – and see if you are on the list of members!). Your role as a community scientist makes you awesome. And remember that LBBs (Little Brown Birds) are definitely an acceptable species entry in eBird. Sure, Jeff Gerbracht will have to go through and manually correct each one of those entries, but that’s the price he pays for pledging his allegiance to a stacked GBD team. EBird or bust.
13) With all this prep, your Global Big Day will surely be unforgettable. But your memory isn’t what it once was, so you might actually forget a lot of it. Best to document your exploits. While it’s highly likely that Uncle Sam or Big Brother is continuously taking beautiful photos of you from above, some good shots from ground-level of birds and people birdwatching will make you eligible for more prize giveaways—so be sure to pack a camera. Say cheese!
If you’re not having fun, then you’re not birding. And if you’re not birding, you’re definitely not having fun. Let’s make Global Big Day 2023 the best one yet!
Here’s a link to our Global Big Day blog article with more information about how this fundraiser will benefit conservation of the Caribbean’s AMAZING birds!
Any questions whatsoever about your birding mission tomorrow, don’t hesitate to email or text us! Lisa Sorenson – lisa.sorenson@birdscaribbean.org (508-333-8587);and Jeff Gerbracht – jeffgerbracht@gmail.com (607-793-6056).
Big Year Cuba 2022 was a year-long birdwatching extravaganza, with birders—old, new, and in-between—across the largest island in the Caribbean competing to observe and record the highest number of species. Our Executive Director, Dr Lisa Sorenson, attended the Awards Ceremony in January. Here we share the amazing results of the competition and its likely impact upon the Cuban population and bird conservation.
The Big Year Cuba 2022 poster featured the charismatic and endemic Cuban Tody.
Together, Cuba’s pandemic crisis and the rise in the access to and use of social media, escalated the local tradition of keeping wild migratory and endemic birds in cages into a likely harmful and unsustainable illegal bird trade. Songbird capture and sales increased dramatically in Cuba over the period 2020-2022 and traffickers smuggling birds from Cuba have been seized at airports in Miami. Both Cuban and international conservation NGOs were alarmed by this dramatic increase. In response, they organized a ‘Big Year Cuba’ in 2022.
The year-long competition encouraged Cubans to don their Citizen Scientist caps and explore their island, while enjoying the birds in their natural habitats rather than in cages. Cuban birder and conservationist, Yaro Rodriguez, came up with the idea for Big Year Cuba. It was his hope that this competition would increase the number of birdwatchers in Cuba and birding hotspots on the island. Most importantly, however, Yaro’s goal was to strengthen and unify the position of the Cuban community of birdwatchers in their role as conservationists.
A small organizing committee was formed in Fall 2021 to plan the rules and guidelines for the competition. This included Yaro, Nils Navarro (Cuban artist, ornithologist and bird guide), Vladimir Mirabel (editor, The Cuban Birder magazine), Jeff Gerbracht (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) and Lisa Sorenson (BirdsCaribbean). Generous sponsors (BirdsCaribbean, Optics for the Tropics, Environment for the Americas, and Caribbean Conservation Trust) kindly stepped up to offer cash and other prizes for the winners as well additional prizes for all who competed.
The contest was shared widely via social media on active and growing Cuban Birding Facebook pages and through The Cuban Birder magazine. Competing birdwatchers were required to submit their observations, via checklists, to eBird.
It was an intense year of fraternal competition among the Cuban birdwatchers to register the highest number of species, and the results were amazing. A total of 79 birders from 13 provinces (out of 15) were registered for the competition; 13 were women. Five birdwatchers recorded more than 200 species during the year and more than half of the competitors reported 100 species or more. Today almost the entire island is covered by active observers, contributing to eBird checklists daily.!
Awards Ceremony of the Big Year Cuba 2022
The Awards Ceremony was held at the ranch of the Monte Barreto Ecological Park on January 28, 2023, and attended by Cuban birdwatchers, ornithologists, and conservationists, along with colleagues from Optics for the Tropics, Environment for the Americas, and the Caribbean Conservation Trust. BirdsCaribbean’s Executive Director, Dr Lisa Sorenson, was also present at the ceremony to celebrate this historic achievement and help with awarding of prizes.
BirdsCaribbean Executive Director Dr. Lisa Sorenson congratulating the Organizing Committee and all birdwatchers for making it a highly successful event.
Renowned Cuban artist and ornithologist Nils Navarro opened the ceremony, sharing some of the challenges and rewards of organizing a competition of this magnitude. He highlighted the importance of joining other conservation projects in Cuba to make it a success. He also expressed his pleasure in seeing the genuine enthusiasm among Cuban birdwatchers. As a result of this initiative, areas that no one had observed before can now be explored, as in the case of Media Luna, in the south of Granma. Nils said that his colleague Ricel Polán was able to document, for the first time in the history of Cuban ornithology, the presence of the Caribbean Swallow (Progne dominicensis) nesting in that area!
Members of the organizing committee with winners of the Big Year Cuba competition.
Following this introduction, the highly anticipated winners of the Big Year Cuba 2022 were announced. Alejandro Llanes Sosa won 1st Place with a record of 261 species observed, Carlos Hernández Peraza came in 2nd Place with 242 species, and Sergio Luis del Castillo took home 3rd Place with 223 species. Their full testimonies can be found in the February 2023 issue of The Cuban Birder. Special Mentions were given to other birders who observed and recorded over 100 species. Lastly, Muhammed Halim Machado was recognized for having registered the 400th species in Cuban avifauna: the Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus).
First Place winner Alejandro Sosa.
Second Place winner Carlos Peraza.
Third Place winner Sergio del Castillo.
The ceremony ended with old and new friends mingling over delicious Cuban food and drink, including mojitos.
Invited guests mingle over mojitos at the Awards Ceremony.
The truth is in the eBird data
First place winner Alejandro Llanes in the field making sure he does not miss a bird.
According to eBird statistics, during 2022 Cuba showed a sustained growth in the number of uploaded checklists – placing it, for several months, among the most dynamic countries in the world. For example, in November 2022 the number of checklists grew by 145% compared to November of the previous year; in August, by 126%; in April, by 338% and in March, by 185%.
Between 2015 and 2018, only 30 Cubans signed up for eBird. This number rose to 161 between 2019 and 2022. There has been a significant increase in the number of active Cubans on the platform in the last 4 years!
With respect to participation in Global Big Day, from 2018 to 2020 only 43 observers participated. However, between 2021 and 2022 the participation was significantly higher with a total of 193 birdwatchers.
The number of birding hot spots also increased in Cuba from 237 in June 2021 to 361 at the end of December 2022. The number of reported species also grew in the same period from 361 to 375.
The future of birdwatching and conservation in Cuba
Big Year Cuba 2022 was met with great enthusiasm and commitment by Cubans to expand their knowledge of the incredible bird diversity on the island. The Organizing Committee is already thinking about the next Big Year Cuba competition in 2024, but until then they will continue to foster respect for wild birds and their habitats, across the island.
As a result of Big Year Cuba, many new birding clubs have launched in a number of individual provinces, encouraging more Cubans to enjoy watching and studying wild birds rather than trapping and keeping them in cages. Cuban Birding Facebook pages, including Club de Observadores de Aves Cuba and Aves de Cuba and others, have also seen a dramatic increase in their membership during the last 3 years, with many people sharing their sightings and actively following the pages. BirdsCaribbean and our partners will continue to support these efforts, such as recent grants to our Cuban colleagues through our ongoing grant programs.
Ultimately this effort has helped spark a passion for birding and bird conservation and is helping to raise awareness of threats birds face and the irreversible damage the illegal bird trade can have on wild populations. The Committee is hopeful that, through these initiatives, Cuban society will become well informed to make pro-bird conservation choices, including reporting of illegal wild bird sales and refusing to buy wild birds. We shall keep you updated on our collective efforts!
Big Year Cuba winners, after receiving their awards, took photos with their fellow birders. From left to right: Alejandro Llanes Sosa, Carlos Peraz, Vladimir Mirabel and Sergio del Castillo.
Thank you to the Organizing Committee for your hard work on this initiative and congrats on the overwhelming success of your first Big Year Cuba! Many thanks to our partners who sponsored cash and other prizes and donations of educational materials to Cuban birders. And huge thanks to our members and donors, whose generous support helped to make the Cuba Big Year and our other programs to support Cuban bird research and conservation, possible.
We are pleased to share with you the new edition of the Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Cuba, number 6, 2023, by Nils Navarro Pacheco.
The Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Cuba is an annual publication that constitutes the most complete and updated official list of Cuban avifauna. It is the result of a deep and thorough bibliographic review and updating from the field. It serves as a basis for generating regional and global listings and is standardized for use with eBird.
The main objective is to provide up-to-date annual listings of Cuban birds, including reference information on each new report and general statistics about Cuban birdlife, and to serve as a reference platform for ornithological studies in the country. The new list has been enriched with 8 new records for Cuba for a total of 402 species.
This year’s cover highlights the Cuban Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus fringilloides), which could be separated at a specific level very soon. The photo of this beautiful bird was taken by Nils; it is the second most endangered raptor in Cuba.
The 2023 checklist is now available in PDF for free download from the BirdsCaribbean website (see below). The printed version is available on Amazon at a good price. It is not intended to be a field identification guide but is a checklist, updated in accordance with the 63rd supplement of AOS. Nils and the publisher, Ediciones Nuevos Mundos, hope this publication fulfills its role and is useful to all persons interested in Cuban birds and ornithology. Nils welcomes questions or suggestions about the checklist (Nils Navarro).
This checklist edition is dedicated to the memory of Jim Wiley, a great friend, extraordinary person and scientist, a guiding light of Caribbean ornithology. He crossed many troubled waters in pursuit of expanding our knowledge of Cuban birds.
If you are looking for a Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba, you can purchase it here or on Amazon.
Past checklists are all available for download, click on the images below to download a pdf of each.
Following the publication of BirdsCaribbean’s new graphic novel, “Sami the Snowy Plover: Stories of Survival,” its author and illustrator Josmar Esteban Márquez learned how Sami’s story has inspired one Puerto Rican boy! Keep reading to find out more.
The creative arts reach people in different ways, lighting a spark among adults and children of all ages. They can also take children on a voyage of discovery – including birds. Recently, Josmar Márquez received this delightful message from Antoni Arce Quiñones in Puerto Rico:
“Hi Josmar! My child was inspired by Sami’s story. He made a plover for his school presentation and named it Sami. Thanks for your drawings.”
Supported and published by BirdsCaribbean, Marquez’ graphic novel “Sami the Snowy Plover,” (available in English and Spanish), had inspired Quiñones’ young son, Alonso. So much so that he, with help from his Dad, had created a beautiful sculpture of another member of the plover family, the Wilson’s Plover! This shorebird is more common than the Snowy Plover in Puerto Rico where Alonso lives, but faces many of the same conservation challenges as ‘Sami’. He presented this beautiful and detailed model to his classmates at the Montessori School EENUAM (Ecological School for Children Uniting the World), sharing the message of plovers as an example of shorebird migration.
A Snowy Plover. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)
A close up of Alonso’s beautiful model of a Wilson’s Plover at a nest. The detail is amazing and so life-like!
A real Wilson’s Plover. (Photo by Hemant Keshan)
Sharing a love for shorebirds
Quiñones recounted that his son has always been an animal lover, but his particular love for birds grew from around the age of six. More recently, he has become fascinated by plovers and other shorebirds. His father has encouraged his interest, buying books for him and taking him on regular birdwatching and shorebird counting trips. Alonso printed out and read Sami’s story, and decided to name his Wilson’s Plover creation after him.
Alonso looking at birds with others in the group, including shorebird expert Jose Colon. Yes, learning can be fun!
Alonso’s interest in animals and birds was fostered at his school, in his fauna and flora class. José Salguero-Faría, a biologist and ornithologist at the University of Puerto Rico and and member of the local birdwatching organization SOPI (Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña), encouraged Alonso and his classmates’ interest in birds in general during a shore-birding field trip.
Further fun, facts, and activities to be had
According to his Papa, Alonso has been enjoying the drawing tutorials video series, also from Josmar Esteban Márquez , on the BirdsCaribbean YouTube channel and the coloring books and other online activities. from BirdsCaribbean. This includes our Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival’s “From the Nest” series, which features fun facts about our endemic birds, as well as coloring pages, puzzles, and activities for kids! These products are all available free of cost; we encourage our members and followers to share them with younger family members and the young at heart!
Recently, plovers have become Alonso’s passion. We hope that the love of a child will help raise awareness and bring hope for Sami and other endangered shorebirds!
Simón Guerrero plays bird calls for participants of a birding event for blind and visually impaired people.
Simón Guerrero, is a lecturer at Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (Autonomous University of Santo Domingo) and long-standing member of BirdsCaribbean. Below he shares his remarkable experiences birding with the National Board of the Blind in Santiago and how they celebrated the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival this past June.
The idea of introducing blind people to birds through song occurred to me in the early nineties when I attended a bird monitoring course sponsored by the US Forest Service in La Amistad International Park, a cross-border park created by the governments of Costa Rica and Panama. Among the attendees of the workshop were prominent American ornithologists such as C. J. Ralph and Greg Butcher. One of the course instructors was incredibly good at identifying birds by song. His ability to recognize a bird just by listening to a couple of notes was impressive.
Upon witnessing such skill, I commented to him, with some irony, “But the work you do could be done by a blind person!”
“It could be,” was his short reply.
From that moment, I began to consider the possibility of organizing a bird workshop for the blind using bird song as a basis for identification. As soon as I returned to Santo Domingo, I met with the National Board for the Blind to make arrangements to give a talk on several Dominican birds that live in urban areas, since these species were most accessible to our intended participants.
Putting ideas into action
I have been teaching since I was 18 years old and thought I had already experienced the vast range of rewarding experiences offered by this profession. But I never would have imagined anything like this. I had never seen the level of enthusiasm or interest in learning as that shown by the blind children. What impressed me most was that every time they heard the song of the bird whose song they were familiar with they would exclaim, “Oh, the Mockingbird!” as though they were experienced ornithologists and those birds were part of their daily routine.
As a child I learned to produce a cooing sound by cupping my hands together, and blowing through this hollow space, allowing me to imitate with relative fidelity the songs of the three most common doves in the city of Santo Domingo: Common Ground Dove, Mourning Dove, and White-winged Dove. When the blind children learned how I was able to reproduce these calls they were dazzled. They asked me to teach them to use their hands to imitate bird calls too. I was a little unprepared, because it was my first time teaching blind students and the truth is that I was not trained in their learning techniques. They forgave my clumsiness and tried to help me. They lined up and took turns touching my hands while I imitated the song of the doves. It was an indescribable experience! It certainly made me feel needed and useful as a teacher.
A blind woman learns how to use her hands to mimic bird calls with Simón Guerrero.
A Mourning Dove, one of the birds Simón taught children to imitate. (Photo by Carlos Gomez)
Celebrating Caribbean endemic birds and their songs
For this year’s Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival, my team and I scheduled several activities with the goal of highlighting the fascinating lives of birds, including those that can only be found in the Dominican Republic. We created several small wildlife refuges where birds and other wildlife could find food and shelter in the city. We also installed artificial nests specifically for endemic species, like the Hispaniolan Parakeet, that nest in cavities. But the most rewarding activity was with participants from the National Board of the Blind.
Artificial nest boxes built by Simón and his team. (Photo by Simón Guerrero)
Hispaniolan Parakeet pair at a nest cavity, UASD. (Photo by Carlos Gomez)
During the first event, when we met with the Board of Trustees, we played audio recordings of the songs of several of our native and endemic birds so that those taking part could identify the birds by their calls. It was unclear who was more impressed, the participants or me. The possibility of identifying birds by song and learning about their behavior was more exciting than they expected. In addition to their enthusiasm and interest in the subject, I was surprised by how much they knew about wildlife and a wide variety of ecological and conservation issues. One of the participants shared with me that she was a fan of nature documentaries and that she listened to them frequently. Vianny, one of the most enthusiastic participants, suggested creating a WhatsApp group named “Cuidemos las Aves” (Let’s take care of birds) and asked my permission to record the meeting to share on her YouTube channel.
Mingling bird songs with music
People enjoying one of the birding events for blind people held during the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival.
For the second event, we went to the University Campus to bird by ear. We used the audio recordings again to encourage the natural song of the wild birds that live in the city and attract those that may be too shy to come into the open. We were also treated to a violin concert performed by Luis Alfredo Morales, one of the members of the Board of Trustees. Luis spent a year studying music at the University of Missouri in America. It was a fantastic event for both students and teachers. Following this, we planted a native bush (Hamelia patens) in the university garden. This plant attracts hummingbirds and many other birds. Gabino Ortiz, one of the participants, asked me for a bush so that he, too, could attract birds to his home garden.
The third and last activity- another bird by ear, was held at the Botanical Garden of Santiago in collaboration with the Board of Trustees for Santiago (the second largest city in the Dominican Republic) and members of the Education Department of the Botanical Garden. We worked with about twenty participants in a much more favorable habitat with a great variety of birds. Members of the Education Department played an active role from conception to execution. They took the opportunity to explain to the participants the objectives of the institution and the services it provides to the community.
I am excited to share that another event, which will take place in Bonao, has already been planned. Also, the Board of Trustees has let us know that they will repeat this birding activity at its headquarters across the country!
Loving birds is human nature
A Hispaniolan Woodpecker, a noisy endemic that everyone can enjoy! (Photo by Carlos Gomez)
The reaction of the participants made me realize, in retrospect, that the theme of this year’s Festival, “Loving Birds is Human Nature,” is not simply a beautiful phrase.
It asserts the notion that human beings certainly have the innate ability to cherish and respect these fascinating creatures!
Bird activities are an inexpensive and enriching pastime that can be done at any age and help to increase the self-esteem of those who practice it. It is a fun way to learn and make friends while contributing to conserving valuable species that only exist on our island. It is encouraging to know that the National Board for The Blind plans to include this activity with the birds in its regular program of activities. The conservation of endemic birds is a citizen’s duty, but it is, at the same time, a right that assists all people, with no one excluded. Initiating the blind into birdwatching and conservation activities is a meaningful and relevant inclusion.
It is the first time that blind people have participated in this Festival in the DR, and I hope it will not be the last. I hope that this initiative will be adopted by the 20+ countries in which the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival is celebrated every year.
Learning bird songs and calls can be fun and rewarding as well as helping with your bird identification. Here are the calls of some of the birds participants in Simón’s events might have heard for you to enjoy!
Hispaniolan Parakeet:
Northern Mockingbird:
Mourning Dove:
White-winged Dove:
You can find out more about BirdsCaribbean’s Endemic Bird Festival here:
And find out more about Caribbean Endemic Birds in our From the Nest series of blog posts, celebrating our Endemic Birds with fascinating facts, puzzles and fun activities.
It’s here at last! We are thrilled to announce the recent publication of the highly anticipated, one-of-a-kind Birds of the Lesser Antilles field guide.
The author, Ryan Chenery, is the Barbados-born director of Birding the Islands – a locally owned and operated birding tour company specializing in organizing and delivering both single and multi-island bird tours throughout the Lesser Antilles.
Popular holiday destinations such as St. Lucia, Dominica, Barbados, Guadeloupe, and the other islands dotted along this south-easterly region of the Caribbean now have a comprehensive bird field guide dedicated exclusively to them. Previously these islands have tended to be incorporated into all encompassing Birds of the West Indies field guides. Drawing on over twenty years of experience, the author focuses solely on species that can be seen in the Lesser Antilles. By excluding species unique to other islands in the wider Caribbean region – this field guide allows readers to easily identify all the birds they could possibly find, from Anguilla in the north of the chain to Grenada in the south.
Some important features of this exciting new book are:
The full list of islands covered is as follows: Anguilla; Saint Martin; Sint Maarten; Antigua and Barbuda; St. Kitts and Nevis; Montserrat; Guadeloupe; Dominica; Martinique; St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and Grenada.
Each of the field guide’s more than 400 stunning photos has been carefully selected to highlight the key identifying features of each species. Photos include perched birds and those in flight, and importantly also depict notable differences in gender, age and breeding status.
Special attention has been paid to endemics, near-endemics, and the host of regional specialties unique to the islands of the Lesser Antilles – with notable attention even being paid to detailing differences between subspecies on various islands.
With the region such a rich area for migratory birds, the publication includes every migrant species likely to be seen, along with the most commonly recorded vagrants and introduced species.
In clear and helpful language, the key physical characteristics of each species are described to assist with accurate identification. Vocalizations are also included in each species account, along with the island where the bird can be seen.
The best birding locations, key habitats to focus on and the likely species to be encountered in each location are also detailed. From marine and coastal habitats to wetlands and montane forest – this book covers them all.
click each image to enlarge
A sneak preview of the guide showing two endemic parrots from the region.
The book contains maps, a guide to types of habitats for birds and much more!
The guide includes multiple photos of the same species to best show their ID traits.
The islands of the Lesser Antilles are rapidly becoming more popular in the birding community, as well as with holiday visitors. If you are planning a trip to any of these remarkable small islands, whether for a holiday or any other reason, you just have to pack this highly portable guide in your bag!
If you find yourself on an island in the Lesser Antilles, staring at a bird….odds are you’ll find it in the pages of this book!
About the author: Born in Barbados, Ryan (aka the Bajan Birder) has been leading birding tours in the Caribbean for nearly two decades and is Birding the Islands’ head birding guide. Before starting the company in 2017, Ryan combined leading his birding excursions with a full-time career in conservation. During this time, he was employed as Chief Naturalist and Eco-guide Manager at Graeme Hall Nature Reserve in Barbados; Environmental Consultant for PAA Management Ltd, Barbados; Field Researcher with Global Vision International in the Ecuadorian Amazon; Development Officer with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) at one of its flagship reserves in the UK; and finally Parks Officer with North York Moors National Park in North Yorkshire, UK. Ryan leads Birding the Islands’ Every Endemic trips through the Lesser Antilles and Trinidad, as well as Endemics of the Solomon Islands tours, but still enjoys branching off to do other projects – including authoring this guide book, and writing episode scripts for a US Fish and Wildlife Service and Canadian Wildlife Service Nature Documentary on shorebird migration through the Lesser Antilles.
We encourage you to visit Birding the Islands website and consider signing up for one of their amazing tours (or build your own tour). Ryan and Birding the Islands are an official partner of our Caribbean Birding Trail program and he donates a portion of the proceeds to BirdsCaribbean from every tour to help conserve Caribbean birds and habitats.
How to get your copy of Birds of the Lesser Antilles:
Susan, a certified bird guide from Bonaire, was out birding when she spotted a newly arrived Osprey perched on a post. Only when she looked back at her photos did she spot something different about this bird. Read on to find out more about this bird and its amazing migration from Susan.
Fall migration is an exciting time of year in the Caribbean! This is when those of us birding on Bonaire begin to see the arrival of many migratory species, and one of those is the majestic Osprey. Although we do observe Ospreys year-round, the population greatly increases during fall migration and over the winter months.
Many of the Ospreys that spend winter on Bonaire have a highly refined site fidelity. They actually return to the same tree limb, or other favorite perch, each and every winter. For other arriving Ospreys, Bonaire is quite likely to be the first land they encounter on their southern journey. They will rest and recover from a long flight across the Caribbean Sea, before continuing southward to overwintering grounds in South America.
Two bands are better than one…
The ‘mystery’ banded Osprey photographed on Bonaire. (Photo by Bonaire Bird Tours)
On September 12, 2022, I was birding down in the southern salt flats of Bonaire. Along the way to the southern point, I noticed that one Osprey had just arrived and was perched on its favorite hunting tree. As I continued birding, I spotted a second Osprey perched on a post. Here was a great photo opportunity, I thought, as I snapped off several images. However, it wasn’t until I looked at the images the following day, that I noticed this Osprey wore two bands.
One was a color band and was mostly readable. The number 54 was clearly discernible, but a toe partially obscured the initial letter on the band; it appeared to be an F. Unfortunately, the second band was not readable in my images. Finding a banded bird makes it an individual – it is no longer an anonymous bird among many other anonymous birds. I was curious about this special bird, and so I began my Internet search for registries of banded Osprey to try to find out more, with what little information I had.
But my efforts fell flat- I came away empty handed!
The BirdsCaribbean network: a fountain of knowledge
Every birder needs to be part of a bird network. Since there is just so much to learn about our feathered friends, it’s impossible to know everything. A birder needs a support network–somewhere he or she may go with questions, and, for me, there is no better bird network than BirdsCaribbean. It’s an incredible resource that delivers again and again!
When my initial Internet searches didn’t help, I turned instead to my trusty bird network. And, hey presto! Within just two hours, I learned that Dr. Scott Rush, Associate Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management, Mississippi State University, was mentoring a Ph.D. research assistant, Natasha Murphy, who was banding Ospreys as part of her doctorate program. Now in touch with the person in the know, I learned the backstory of Osprey F54.
Osprey F54: a long-distance traveler who makes it look easy
F54 gets his band as a chick. (Photo by the Rush Lab)
Natasha was able to provide me with the who-what-where-when details I sought! Natasha and her technician, Sage Dale, with help from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and USDA personnel, banded Osprey F54 and his sister, F55, on June 20, 2022. Their nest was at Guntersville Lake (lat/long: 34.659337, – 85.944116) in Alabama, on a structure that acts as a navigational marker in Jones Bar, on Guntersville Reservoir. When banding took place blood was also drawn for research purposes, which also provided DNA-sexing: Osprey F54 was a male. On that same day, Natasha and Sage banded 30 Osprey chicks in the area!
Based upon measurements taken when banded, it was estimated that Osprey F54 was 36 days old at that time. Along with his color band, he was also outfitted with a U.S.G.S. band with the number 1218-10018.
Less than three months later, this Osprey was sighted here on Bonaire. This means that F54 had covered a distance of over 3,000 kilometers, or about 1,900 miles! It would take nearly seven hours in a plane to make that trip. We humans might consider it a long flight, yet this young Osprey made an equivalent trip and arrived in Bonaire looking healthy and fit after his long flight. Zero jet lag!
Only time will tell if Osprey F54 will join the ranks of the many human “snowbirds” who fly to Bonaire to spend the winter (I am talking about the tourists escaping the chilly weather up north, of course). Or, will Osprey F54 be a short-stay “stopover visitor” as tourism officials say, who visits for a week or two for some rest and relaxation, before moving onward? It’s his first migration, and perhaps he will decide he likes Bonaire. Like many other overwintering Ospreys, we are likely to see him back year after year. And he will find his favorite branch or perch, too.
Now all F54 needs is a name!
Bird banding tells a story
The group observes a bird banding demonstration at a BirdsCaribbean workshop.
With the information I received from Dr. Rush and Natasha Murphy, I was able to report banded Osprey F54 to the Bird Banding Laboratory at the U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center. Each reported sighting adds a data point to this individual’s history and will provide further insight as to his movements and migrations.
The world’s birds need us now more than ever. Recent studies have shown that an alarming number of birds have declining populations. Research projects, such as Natasha Murphy’s, provide insight and knowledge, allowing for better-managed conservation and preservation efforts.
Making the most of banded birds
How can we maximize the value of banded birds, and learn more from them?
A BirdsCaribbean group enjoying birds and photography in Viñales Valley, Cuba (photo by Lora Leschner).
Get photos if you possibly can. It really doesn’t matter if you are using a point-and-shoot camera, as I do, or if you have the fanciest camera that today’s technology can provide. The point is to document your observations with images. Sometimes we only get a brief glimpse of a bird, and we don’t have time to take in all the details, such as bands. Even if we identify the bands, we might not have the luxury of time with the bird to be able to read them. By taking images, you have a record and can review them for additional details you might not have discerned in the field.
I would also suggest that you become part of a birding network! Knowledge and information can only add to the enjoyment of your birding experiences. In the case of Osprey F54, I would never have been able to find out the bird’s history without my birding network. It added so much to the pleasure of seeing this splendid bird; it is now a unique individual to me. If you can find birders in your area with similar interests, you can discuss your observations. Learning from each other is so rewarding!
Susan has lived on Bonaire for 30 years, she is a graduate of the Caribbean Birding Trail Interpretive Guide Course run by BirdsCaribbean. Susan is a bird guide and a wildlife photographer. You can read more of her Bird Blog posts on her webpages here and get some useful photography tips here.
If you spot a banded bird, do your best to record the band colors and any numbers or letters, paying special attention to the location of the band or bands on the bird’s legs. Binoculars or zoom photography may allow you to clearly see the band colors and the numbers engraved onto the band. Scientists use this information to track bird populations and migrations. Report your sightings of to the USGS Bird Banding Labwhich oversee all banding in the United States, and you can report sightings of color banded shorebirds to BandedBirds.org.
You can find out more about Ospreys as a migratory bird in the Caribbean on our ‘Migratory Bird of the Day’ page all about Osprey! This contains interesting facts, puzzles, videos and photos and more!
Disclaimer: The content of this article is provided for general information only. Please, always obtain professional or specialist advice when seeking to address your personal mental health issues and concerns.
“The bird will see you now…”
World Mental Health Day, recognized by the World Health Organization since 1992, takes place on October 10 every year. On this day, social media posts, events, and activism on and offline help raise awareness of mental health problems and solutions. This year’s World Mental Health Day theme is
‘Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority’
So, how do birds help to improve our wellbeing? Well, birds can be our very best therapists, if we give them the chance. They can help us through the tough times.
The BirdsCaribbean community knows this! Watching, photographing (Birdlife Jamaica member Stuart Reeves shares his photography experience, and tips, during the COVID-19 lockdown) and attracting birds to one’s yard are truly enjoyable experiences that support a healthy and happy lifestyle. Walking through nature – your backyard, neighborhood park, a national park or botanical garden – in search of your favorite bird offers many benefits. We have listed five below.
1. Community and Togetherness
Birdwatching does not have to be a lonely pursuit. It can be a way to bond with family and friends. You might even meet new people along the way! Being a member of the birding community satisfies our very human need to belong. Members of a birding group share knowledge and experiences with each other. In some cases, birdwatching with others helps us to define our sense of self and social identity, and to achieve goals that might be harder to reach if we worked alone. A bird that a companion points out to you might be one that you would never have seen otherwise – even a “lifer,” perhaps!
Find your flock! Birding in a group can be rewarding and fun. (Photo by Edward Hernandez Lara)
Regardless of gender, age, socioeconomic status, ability and experience, birding can be enjoyed by all. It’s an inclusive experience, when you have company. You can discuss the birds that you have seen, the places you have visited, and especially those birds you so badly want to see in the wild. If you’re planning a solo birdwatching trip soon, remember: you don’t have to do it alone. You can contact your local birding group or ask a relative or neighbor to see if they would like to join you. Birding can help strengthen relationships!
2. Time away from screens
We are bombarded with media on all sides; isn’t that true? It’s not always very good for our mental health and can actually increase our anxiety.
On the other hand, birdwatching can be a very reflective activity, almost like meditation. It is an opportunity to spend time in a quiet place, removed from distractions like social media and movie streaming service providers (you know exactly what we’re talking about! We all experience it these days). The different colors, scents, and sounds found in nature can occupy the mind and push out, if just temporarily, worrying and stressful thoughts. Find out how people found comfort in birds during the pandemic in our recently published booklet Loving Birds is Human Nature: An anthology of short stories and poems in English and Spanish. Immersing oneself in nature for a few hours can also help us “reconnect.” Hearing a familiar birdsong or spotting a particular plant, for example, can help people recall fond memories from their youth. We sometimes tend to forget how much our natural environment was, and remains, part of our human experience. It’s always good to remember.
A Common Gallinule reflected in the water. (Photo by Dorian Rose)
3. See new places
It is so easy to fall into a comfortable daily routine. Get up, go to work, return home, and repeat. Seeking out birds in their natural habitats is a great way to snap us out of the monotony of our normal routines. Birdwatching can also be enjoyed from inside the house, it is true; but getting out and about is a better choice. A short trip to a nearby park will provide a change of scenery, and it is even better if you can visit a nature reserve. Make a point of exploring new places, where new and different bird species may be waiting for you!
Belair lookout point Carriacou, Grenada
Watching the sunrise over a mountain, going out into the forests or swamps to look for potoos, even going to a reservoir to see a rare waterbird—all of these are bound to take us on a welcome detour from our everyday experiences. Once they have become familiar with the birds in their immediate area, for many birders there is an insatiable curiosity about species elsewhere in the world. Birding can be the motivation to move out of your comfort zone and be rewarded with new travel experiences.
4. Exercise for the brain and body
The brain is like a muscle. It needs exercise!
Keeping our minds active and alert is important for our overall well being. If you are new to birdwatching, identifying the birds you see can be a challenging mental puzzle. Take shorebirds, for example, which are notoriously hard to identify! Give your brain a good challenge. Experienced birders can still learn new things every day about bird behavior. There is no end to the bird knowledge we can acquire. Researchers have reported that new neural paths are formed from these kinds of brain activities and can help fight back against diseases like Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, as well as Parkinson’s.
An Antillean Nighthawk on it’s nest in the Bahamas. These birds are well camouflaged and can be tricky to spot! (Photo by Scott Hecker)
Some birds are harder to find than others. Without even realizing it, you can walk for several miles while actively looking and listening, before you find the bird you’re looking for. Some species remain higher up in hills and mountains, forcing birders to really do some uphill work for the prize! You can go at your own speed, though. Birders always pace themselves. There is always enough time to catch your breath and notice the beautiful biodiversity that surrounds you: butterflies, fungi, lizards, ferns and wildflowers. This can improve your cardiovascular health. You will be soaking up the sun’s vitamin D, which helps the body absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus. Just remember to stay hydrated!
Keep your eyes open and who knows what you might spot! A Green Iguana amongst the leaves. (Photo by Karla Kelly)
5. The amazing variety of birds
As we mentioned already, life can get dull. Sometimes it’s good to add some variety. Monotony encourages boredom and fatigue, which have a negative impact on our mood and our mental health. Birds offer a ridiculous amount of variety, don’t they? An array of colors, shapes, sizes, calls and behaviors awaits you on the birding trail. You can research and make a list before heading out to a birding spot – but always be prepared for some totally unexpected birds to pop up. Birds literally keep you on your toes, open to new possibilities. Birds’ remarkable variety – no two birding trips are ever the same, even if you visit the same birding site – can encourage a more energized and positive mindset.
The Cuban Parrot. (Photo by Gerlinde Taurer)
A Northern Potoo in Jamaica. (Photo by John Webster)
Antillean Crested Hummingbird. (Photo by Xianoni Xu)
Male Indigo Bunting. (Photo by Stephen Buckingham)
So give yourself a mental “booster” this month
Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it was estimated that one person in eight was living with a mental disorder. The pandemic worsened the global crisis for mental health, fueling short- and long-term stress and anxiety. Growing social and economic inequalities, conflicts, violence and public health emergencies decreased skills and funding available for mental health, especially in low and middle income countries. However, we are hopeful that the ability to reconnect in-person this year will provide everyone the opportunity to revitalize their efforts to protect and improve their mental health.
Everyone can join in, birding in a group can help you learn new things. (Photo by John Webster)
And now, as we emerge from the COVID-19 period, it’s definitely time to give yourself a healthy dose of birding. It’s October, which means migratory birds are making their way to the Caribbean. We encourage you to reach out to a trusted friend, relative, or local birding group and plan a birdwatching trip. A walk along the seashore will reveal that many migratory shorebirds are already enjoying the warm weather and pottering along at the water’s edge in search of food. Check out our shorebird resources for help with identifying these marvelous migratory shorebirds birds. If you’re hoping to spot some warblers, here is a blog to help with warbler identification. But if you’re completely new to birding and don’t know where to begin, we’ve got 10 tips to get you started and a Birding 101 webinar.
So, relax and enjoy some good bird therapy!
American Flamingo and Scarlet Ibis in Caroni Swamp. (Photo by Richard Lakhan)
A Baltimore Oriole, a migrant to the Caribbean, is featured on our October Big Day 2022 promo graphic.
Get ready, get set, let’s go birding! The biggest day of birding in the fall season, October Big Day, is right around the corner! On Saturday October 8th, October Big day and World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) are celebrated in the Caribbean and around the world. This 24-hour birding opportunity lands right during some of the peak activity for bird migration. It’s also a great day to participate in educational activities about migratory birds for WMBD – the theme is Dim the Lights for Birds at Night! Check with your local organizations to see if any events are planned.
The goal for October Big Day is to get outside to watch, celebrate, and record your resident and migratory birds! You can bird in your backyard, neighborhood park, seashore or woodland. Watch birds for as little as 10 minutes in your local birding patch or plan out a route to find as many bird species as possible in 24 hours. No matter what, we hope you will get outside and go birding!
Like Global Big Day celebrated in May, it is hoped that this concerted effort will bring in a record number of bird sightings from citizen scientists around the world, contributing to our bird knowledge and a deeper understanding of conservation.
Where are the birds, and what are they doing?
The data collected will be used by birders and scientists to better understand and protect birds. This is also an opportunity for the individual birdwatcher to contemplate birds, their behavior, and the places where they may be found. For example, are there birds you are only likely to see in the late morning or early afternoon? And if so, are they at specific locations? Tanagers and bullfinches are often very active during the morning hours. As the day heats up, you may see raptors soaring above. Seagulls and shorebirds can be observed at almost any time of day. Migratory warblers generally show up in early morning or evening hours, feeding and bathing in suburban gardens and parks.
Make your birding count—submit & share your data!
Participating is easy with the essential tool, eBird, where you should record all the birds you see (and even hear) on Saturday 8th October via the eBird website or mobile app. If you’re in the Caribbean, be sure to use eBird Caribbean (and choose the eBird Caribbean portal in your eBird app settings on mobile). If you do not already have one, it’s easy to sign up for a free eBird account and here’s a quick guide on how to use eBird. Eager birders should spot as many birds as they can from midnight to midnight in their local time zone on October 8th. Or bird anytime during the weekend of Oct. 7-9 for the Global Bird Weekend. The handy mobile app allows you to keep and submit lists while you’re still out birding, perhaps exploring nearby Hotspots. It will even track how far you have walked while watching birds. Remember to submit eBird checklists before October 12, 2022 to be included in the initial results announcement!
Share your sightings with us, and join BirdsCaribbean!
We look forward to seeing your stories and photos on social media. You can find us on Facebook and on Twitter and Instagram @birdscaribbean. Be sure to tag us! If you’re not on social media, consider joining our discussion group where you’ll be able to share your October Big Day experience with over 850 members.
May we remind you that BirdsCaribbean membership has so many benefits; for a reasonable membership fee you are entitled to a FREE subscription to Birds of the World ($49 value) – the most comprehensive online resource on birds. Additionally, you may receive discounts on our products, workshops and conferences; meet and network with fellow birders, scientists, educators and conservationists across the region; and keep in touch with birding trends and news through our monthly newsletters (free sign-up here). Join us today and help us save our Caribbean birds and their important habitats!
See you on October Big Day 2022 – and let’s see some birds!
Most importantly, have fun and don’t forget to tag BirdsCaribbean (@BirdsCaribbean) in your birding adventures! We can’t wait to see which of our migratory friends have arrived to the Caribbean!
BirdLife Jamaica’s Wolde Kristos has a bird in his sights at Parrottee Pond. (Photo by Nickeisha Robinson)
Birders showed up for the Global Shorebird Count – and so did the shorebirds!
Our Caribbean partners were thrilled to see some exciting and unusual birds (including a “first” for Bonaire!) during one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the birding calendar. The Global Shorebird Count took place from September 1 – 7, 2022, around World Shorebirds Day (September 6). These annual counts, carried out by thousands of volunteers and professionals worldwide, contribute valuable information on the populations, distribution, and migration of these fascinating and varied species. Across the Caribbean islands, it is an opportunity for birding groups, individuals and non-governmental organizations to focus on many of our most vulnerable migratory species. For many of our partners, it also helps birders to “reconnect” with our beautiful yet fragile coastlines that serve as resting and feeding stopovers for shorebirds.
“Lifer” shorebirds spotted in Cuba
The Bird Ecology Group of the University of Havana, Cuba, represented by Daniela Ventura, went out, with “two passionate photographers” in tow, to count shorebirds on Playa del Chivo, a small coastal habitat outside the Bay of Havana. The area is well known as an important stopover for many shorebirds. It was a late afternoon trip, and while many Short-billed Dowitchers, Western and Least Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, Killdeers, Semipalmated Plovers, Sanderlings, and more were observed, it was also an enjoyable and relaxing experience. “We enjoyed the sunset and the spectacle of the birds gathering to spend the night,” reports Daniela. (click on the photos below to view larger)
Sunset shorebirds in Cuba. (Photo by Daniela Ventura)
Photographing birds during the Global Shorebird Count. (Photo by Daniela Ventura)
The Whimbrels showed up just as the sun was setting for our Cuban birders. (Photo by Jean Carlos Vega)
The Cubans spotted two lifers: Piping Plover and Whimbrel. “The latter is an uncommon transient and winter resident in Cuba, so a real treat!” noted Daniela. As so often happens, the Whimbrel was spotted just as the group was about to leave, and the last rays of the sun were barely sufficient for taking a photograph.
An unexpected flying visit in Guadeloupe
The Association Ornithologique de la Guadeloupe (AMAZONA) also had a truly exciting experience, according to Anthony Levesque. During a count at Pointe des Châteaux on September 3, the group spotted a flock of no less than eighteen Hudsonian Godwits. “They land only for a few seconds before leaving to continue South, en route to South America!” Anthony reported. It was a memorable moment in time.
An unexpected flock of Hudsonian Godwits on Guadeloupe. (Photo by Frantz Delcroix)
Jamaican birders brave the mud
The BirdLife Jamaica family visited two locations on the island’s south coast on September 4. In the wetlands of Portland Cottage, the team recorded 26 species of birds, braving the twin challenges of incredibly sticky mud and the possible appearance of crocodiles. Another challenge was counting the Least Sandpipers! They spotted a bird that was a “lifer” for most of the group: the Gull-billed Tern.
One of the Black-necked Stilts seen in Jamaica. (Photo by Ian Gage)
Birders take to the mud to spot shorebirds!
A Lesser Yellowlegs seen during shorebird counts in Jamaica. (Photo by Wayne Sutherland)
In the beautiful Crane Road and Parrotee wetlands of St. Elizabeth, a small team led by tour guide and BirdLife Jamaica Vice President Wolde Kristos spotted the Black-bellied Plover and Spotted Sandpiper, among a number of species. In terms of numbers, Sanderlings, Snowy Egrets, and Laughing Gulls topped their list.
A first for Bonaire!
Susan Davis of Bonaire Bird Tours reported some early birds (literally!) “I was surprised to see a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper enjoying a cooling bath in a small rain puddle. These migrating shorebirds generally arrive on Bonaire in October and November, so being able to see one in early September was definitely a treat!” She had previously given a group of ten birders instructions on how to use eBird Caribbean, where species are recorded. Susan was also thrilled to see that one migrating Hudsonian Godwit, first observed in August with another, was still present to be counted during the Global Shorebird Count!
The lone Hudsonian Godwit spotted on Bonaire. (Photo by Susan Davis)
The stunning White-tailed Kite, a first for Bonaire! (Photo by Susan Davis)
Buff-breasted Sandpiper- an early arrival for Bonaire. (Photo by Susan Davis)
During the Global Shorebird Count, nearby non-shorebird species are also recorded on eBird. It was a particular thrill for Susan when she spotted a mysterious, small raptor in her rear-view mirror, while driving home along the shore. She stopped, and identified this elegant bird as a White-tailed Kite – a new bird for Bonaire!
It was a trip to the wetlands of Trinidad on September 4 for Alex Sansom, Mark Hulme, and Laura Baboolal. Again, this was a beautiful evening sunset trip, to Orange Valley and Temple by the Sea on the island’s west coast. Hundreds of Semipalmated and Western Sandpipers were seen, joined by Lesser Yellowlegs. All were hungrily feasting on microorganisms (biofilm). Willets, Whimbrels, and Black-bellied Plovers were also seen.
A mixture of different shorebirds feeding in the Caroni rice fields, Trinidad. (Photo by Mark Hulme)
Wrapping up a shorebird count at sunset on Trinidad’s west coast. (Photo by Mark Hulme)
Lesser Yellowlegs at Caroni Rice fields. (Photo by Mark Hulme)
On World Shorebirds Day itself, the same group visited Trinidad’s Caroni Rice Fields. Despite the extreme heat, the shorebirds showed up. It was a good test of shorebird ID skills for the birders as a variety of shorebirds were spotted: Short-billed Dowitchers, several species of Sandpipers, besides American Golden Plovers and Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs.
As always, the Global Shorebird Count brought pleasant surprises – and a deeper appreciation of the region’s charming shorebirds. Participants came away all the more determined to help protect these vulnerable beauties and the habitats that are so important to them.
A huge thank to you all who participated in the 2022 Global Shorebird Count! If you have not yet submitted your checklist(s) to eBird Caribbean, it is not too late. Be sure to choose the CWC Point Count or CWC Traveling Count as your protocol and share your checklists with username “WorldShorebirdsDay” to ensure that your counts are included in any analyses of shorebirds from this community science effort. For additional information on the CWC (Caribbean Waterbird Census) and for free downloadable shorebird ID resources, click here and here. If you have any questions, please contact our Waterbird Program Manager, Alex Sansom.
The 2022 joint AOS-BC Conference in Puerto Rico was the setting for BirdsCaribbean’s fourth biennial photography competition. Over 800 wildlife professionals from 34 countries attended the conference with many of them using their cameras while they explored Puerto Rico’s rich biodiversity. With over 280+ gorgeous photographs submitted for review, the five judges certainly had their work cut out for them!
The judges found beautiful composition, impressive technique, and humor while reviewing the collection. Photos were taken between June 23 and July 5, 2022 and uploaded to Flickr (photo sharing site). Click here to see all the photos submitted in the contest (labeled with tag: BCPhotoContest2022). The Grand Prize was donated by Vortex Optics.
Photographers had the opportunity to submit up to six photographs in each of three categories:
Endemics – including endemic birds of Puerto Rico and regional endemics;
Fun With Birds and People – showing humans, birds and nature interacting (including conference activities); and
Birds and Nature – featuring Puerto Rico’s non-endemic birds, close-up shots of other wildlife, natural habitats, and landscapes.
BELOW ARE THE WINNERS, WITH SOME COMMENTS FROM THE JUDGES:
Grand Prize Winner
Red-legged Thrush by Edward Hernández-Lara. “Beautiful, expressive shot with great background and context.” The judges noted that the “colours are terrific,” and the photographer created a “fabulous bokeh effect with the thrush in sharp focus off-centre.” The Red-legged Thrush is a regional endemic found in the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico.
Red-legged Thrush by Edward Hernández-Lara.
ENDEMICS
FIRST PRIZE: Puerto Rican Owl by Ricardo Sanchez. “A wonderful shot that captures a brief moment between the subject and the photographer.” “Beautifully captured through the foliage.”
Puerto Rican Owl by Ricardo Sanchez.
SECOND PRIZE:Pearly-eyed Thrasher by Jadyn Scott. “The texture of the leaves is astounding, a flawless composition.” “This photo is so visually interesting but keeps the thrasher as the center of focus.”
Pearly-eyed Thrasher by Jadyn Scott.
THIRD PRIZE: Scaly-naped Pigeon by Jen O. “Great composition of an unusual pose.”
Scaly-naped Pigeon by Jen O.
Honorable Mentions in Endemics:King of the Jungle by Russell Campbell and Puerto Rican Tody by August Davidson-Onsgard. See photos in gallery below.
FUN WITH BIRDS AND PEOPLE
FIRST PRIZE: Local Feeding Pigeons in Old San Juan by Christina Kolbmann. “A well-lit, great shot that really sums up people’s engagement with the bird world.”
Local Feeding Pigeons in Old San Juan by Christina Kolbmann.
SECOND PRIZE: PROALAS Practice by Holly Garrod. “The framing and light capture a beautiful morning birdwatching.”
Practice Point Count in the BirdsCaribbean one-day post-conference Workshop on use of the PROALAS monitoring methods, Cambache Forest. Photo by Holly Garrod.
THIRD PRIZE:Chicken Crossing by Stella Uiterwaal. “Chickens take centre stage with soft focus of unaware people behind.”
FIRST PRIZE: Bananaquit Call by David Lariviere. “A lovely composition.” “You can almost hear the Coereva singing when you see this image.”
Bananaquit Call by David Lariviere.
SECOND PRIZE:Green Heron by A. Dorian Rose. “The lighting is fantastic with the shadowy breast and sun on the face and back.” “A well-lit, atmospheric shot.”
Green Heron by A. Dorian Rose.
THIRD PRIZE:Bridled Tern by Ricardo Sanchez. “A crisp image of a stunning bird; the cool palette reminds me of birdwatching on windy cliffs.”
Many thanks to our five fabulous judges: Andrew Dobson, Stephen Cutting, Daniel Serva, Ernesto Reyes, and Jessica Cañizares for their time and thoughtful consideration of each entry. Huge thanks also to Vortex Optics for donating the Grand Prize. We also really appreciate the effort everyone took to respectfully capture Puerto Rico’s wildlife and conference events. A big thank you to all those who entered the contest with your captivating and beautiful photos!
PLEASE ENJOY THIS PHOTO GALLERY OF ALL THE HONORABLE MENTIONS!
Puerto Rican Tody by August Davidson-Onsgard. Honorable mention in the Endemics category.
King of the Jungle, Puerto Rican Lizard Cuckoo by Russell Campbell. Honorable mention in the Endemics category.
Roseate Tern by Bruce Lyon. Honorable mention in the Birds and Nature category.
Ubiquitous but beautiful Bananaquit by Amber Roth. Honorable mention in the Birds and Nature category.
Northern Red Bishop by Jessica Guenther. Honorable mention in the Birds and Nature category.
Eggs for breakfast? Greater Antillean Grackles by Maggie MacPherson. Honorable mention in the Fun with Birds and People category.
Scanning for White-tailed Tropicbirds at Quebradillas by David LaPuma. Honorable mention in the Fun with Birds and People category.