Georgie Thornton (right) and Kierra Clarke (left) from WIRRED. (Photo Lisa Sorenson)
Sun, sand, sea and….birds? Yes that’s right, birds! While Barbados is celebrated for its immaculate beaches, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes, this Caribbean gem is also a haven for migratory birds and a great place for birdwatchers. From charismatic shorebirds to colorful warblers, Barbados offers a veritable treasure trove of avian wonder for those who know where to look. In October 2024, BirdsCaribbean teamed up with local NGO WIRRED to shine a spotlight on this hidden birding paradise by hosting a transformative week-long Caribbean Birding Trail Guide Training workshop. Together, we aim to change perceptions and unlock the island’s incredible birdlife for visitors and locals alike!
Although Barbados may not be known primarily as an ecotourism or bird watching hotspot, its wetlands and coastlines are critically important in supporting tens of thousands of migratory shorebirds each year—making them a goldmine for bird lovers! Barbados is also home to the Barbados Bullfinch, a unique and delightful species found nowhere else on earth. Positioned further east in the Atlantic than the rest of the Lesser Antilles, Barbados often welcomes unexpected feathered visitors, adding to its special charm! By cultivating a vibrant birding culture and tourism market, Barbados has the opportunity to raise awareness of the value wetlands and other habitats for birds, fostering sustainable livelihoods in local communities, and build momentum for long-term conservation efforts.
Participants practice identifying birds during the workshop. (Photo by WIRRED)
From October 21-25, participants dove into an immersive workshop designed to equip them with the essential skills for delivering exceptional birding experiences. The comprehensive curriculum covered bird identification, behaviour, ecology, habitat conservation, and environmental interpretation—the art of telling stories to connect visitors with the natural and cultural heritage of Barbados. Led by expert instructors from BirdsCaribbean, the training blended in-depth knowledge and hands-on field experiences, including visits to key birding sites around the island to hone bird identification and guiding techniques. Curious about the highlights? Keep reading as Georgie Thornton, Project Officer at WIRRED, and her colleagues share their insights!
The Wonderful Wetlands of Barbados
Georgie (left) takes part in a birding fieldtrip as part of the workshop. (Photo by Alex Sansom)
I have always been extremely proud of living in Barbados. We’ve got amazing people, gorgeous beaches, flamboyant gardens, and a generally positive atmosphere. But one thing that wasn’t on my ‘must see and do’ list for the island was birdwatching. After five incredible days immersed in the Caribbean Birding Trail Bird Guide Workshop, packed with thrilling tours to Barbados’s top birding spots, I’ve come to realize that no trip to Barbados is complete without exploring the island’s exceptional birdlife!
This tropical paradise serves as a vital stopover for countless migratory bird species, making it a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike. Over the last 10 years, Walkers Reserve has been creating or rehabilitating habitats that have attracted a wonderfully diverse variety of birds. Since I joined the team, I have started to recognise just how important birds are to the ecosystems throughout Barbados, and have developed a healthy respect for these feathered friends.
In 2022, we hosted BirdsCaribbean’s Wondrous Wetlands Workshop where I was able to dip my toes into the world of birding. Ever since, I have been waiting with great anticipation for the CBT Bird Guiding Workshop held this October. I was looking forward to deepening my appreciation for our resident and migratory birds and to sharing the experience with the 20 other local and regional participants!
Walkers Reserve is sanctuary for migratory birds, from colourful hummingbirds to soaring raptors. It is a birder’s paradise. (Photo by WIRRED)
Which Bird Sparked Your Passion?
Venicio ‘Beny’ Wilson broke the ice on the first day by asking everyone to name their ‘trigger bird’—the bird that first drew them into birding or made them start noticing birds. While some participants shared the same bird, everyone had their own wonderful and unique story. One participant mentioned a falcon seen at just 9 years old, shown to them by their grandparents on the south coast boardwalk. Another was completely captivated by the Osprey, which ignited their birding passion. My bird is the Bananaquit. It has always been a constant presence in my garden, gorging itself on the sugary nectar of the banana and bird of paradise flowers.
Osprey with fish. (Photo by Bernie Duhamel)
Dr. Amelia Rouse, Research Consultant at WIRRED, shared her experience of those first days of the workshop:
“I’ll be honest, before the workshop I wasn’t that interested in birds. I liked the typical Osprey and falcon—the big birds of prey with sharp claws. But the workshop helped me see differently. Suddenly all of the birds roaming around had names, features, field marks, bills, calls, and curious behaviours. Some just chill in the pond, some birds hover over the pond, and some birds even twerk by the pond. Who knew…”
Hear the Bird Call and Spread Your Wings
It was the start of a fantastic week of bonding over birds. It was awesome to see everyone spread their wings as they started to understand how to differentiate similar ‘sandpiper’ species, and to tell the call of the Lesser Yellowlegs from that of the Greater as they fly overhead. As the mini quizzes got harder, everyone stepped up to the challenge and soon, an uninitiated person dropping into the conversation wouldn’t have had a clue what we were all talking about!
Interactive classroom sessions came to life with learning activities and field trips to important birding locations on the island. These included visits to Walkers Reserve, Woodbourne Shorebird Sanctuary, Cherry Tree Hill, Harrison’s Point, and King George V Park.
Spotted — this pair of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks and their brood of chicks thrilled participants and tested their ID skills! (Photo by Venecio Wilson)
Woodbourne was particularly special for me. Greeted by a stunning rainbow which brilliantly spanned the reaches of the swamp, we were shown around by Ian Alkins, Woodbourne’s dedicated caretaker. We spotted a fascinating variety of birds, including the Wilson’s Snipe, Solitary Sandpipers, and lots of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks—and their very cute babies! We were fascinated as a kingfisher hovered 60 ft in the air before careening down to grab a fish he’d been eyeing so far above.
Give Deeper Meaning to Your Story
In addition to Bird Identification, instructor Rick Morales introduced participants to the art of Interpretation. Through this session, we learned how to tell stories that could foster meaningful and inclusive experiences for our guests, deepening their understanding, broaden their perspectives, and inspire engagement with Barbados’ natural and cultural heritage The workshop helped us to drastically improve our guiding and presentation skills, culminating in a presentation on something we were passionate about on the last day of the course.
Dr. Amelia Rouse presenting her topic of children can be inspired through cartoons to conserve nature. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Group watches as Amelia presents. (Photo by Alex Sansom)
Amelia highlights her experience below:
Georgie presents on the final day, about composing with worms. (Photo by Venicio Wilson)
“What I also found interesting about the workshop was how the different presenters engaged us with personal stories. One of the keys of the interpretation module was to add some of your own personality to your guiding and touring presentations. I kept this in mind when I prepared my final presentation at the end of the workshop and used personal stories about my childhood connection to nature and cartoons. The final message was that children can be inspired through cartoons to conserve nature. I’d like to thank the CBT, Birds Caribbean and WIRRED for organising a fun and engaging workshop.”
Other participants presented on native medicinal plants, archaeology, coral restoration, bees, tour guiding in Barbados and Antigua, worm compost, their native quail-doves, and even read moving poems they’d written about their experience throughout the week.
Now, for anyone who visits Barbados and specifically Walkers Reserve, I will always show off our splendid Bajan birds, ensuring they leave with an understanding of just how important these birds are to Barbados and a desire to experience them more. With 21 new birding champions on the island, we hope to foster the birding community here on island to ensure areas important to these birds are treasured.
Participants were thrilled with the experience!
Participants wholeheartedly described it as one of the most enriching experiences they’ve ever had. Amelia explained, “I joined the weeklong course to learn more about bird ID — but I learned so many more things! I learned about interpretive guiding, about the degradation of habitats for shorebirds, and I learned how to present better as a guide! I think it’s a really great course for anybody interested in birds and guiding.” Participant Chaka Audain agreed that the course delivered way more than he expected: “At first, when I started this course, I really thought it would just be specialized in increasing my knowledge about birds, but I realized that I was just scraping the surface of what the course offered. We dived into business strategy for tour guides, how to connect better with clients — and techniques to really relate to people! I gathered so much more than I originally thought I would in this workshop, and I’d recommend it — not just to bird enthusiasts, but anyone else in the tour guiding business, and anyone else dealing with tourists — it will help you multifold your ventures.”
BirdsCaribbean is pleased to present our Caribbean Birding Trail 2024 cohort! (Photo by WIRRED)
Next Steps—and a heartfelt Thank You to our Sponsors!
During the workshop, a “Birding in Barbados” WhatsApp group was formed where participants and more experienced birders in Barbados are sharing what birds they are seeing, finding out about the best birding spots on the island, and getting help with bird ID as needed. Some of the group have already been on birding field trips to continue practicing their bird identification skills—essential for becoming a knowledgeable guide. With all this enthusiasm and practice we have at least one participant, not previously a birder, who is already signed up to guide bird tours in Barbados!
The group out birding during the workshop (Photo by Alex Sansom)
Georgia Scarlett, Environmental Projects Manager at the Sandals Foundation, one of the main sponsors of the guide training, explained, “As a Foundation, we know that becoming stewards of your environment begins with education. With this, we continue to support capacity building sessions across the region.”
“This project not only strengthens capacity and fosters stewardship,” Scarlett continues, “but has the added benefit of livelihood development as birding is an exciting tourism opportunity. Globally, travellers are eager to participate in nature tourism activities and, with these sessions, trainees are able to provide this service.”
Georgie Thornton is a Bajan wildlife conservationist. She currently works at WIRRED as Project Officer, managing various habitat regeneration and monitoring programs.
Acknowledgements: The CBT Interpretive Guide Training was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and local partners. These include the Sandals Foundation, WIRRED, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service International Programs, USAID, and Vortex Optics.
The Barbados CBT Interpretive Guide training is the eighth training to be carried out by BirdsCaribbean. Previous trainings have been held in Grenada, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Bonaire, Cuba, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. 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.
The Lesser Yellowlegs, a medium-sized shorebird widespread in the Caribbean, has suffered a population decline of 30 to 49%. Its IUCN threat level has been raised from Least Concern to Vulnerable. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)
BirdsCaribbean is sounding the alarm over the significant declines in shorebird populations, highlighted in a recent update to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The report, released during the COP16 UN Biodiversity Conference in November, reveals that 16 shorebird species have been moved to higher threat categories, with some populations plummeting by least 30% over the past three generations.
“This is a wake-up call,” said Lisa Sorenson, Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean. “The Caribbean is a lifeline for migratory shorebirds, providing critical stopover and wintering sites along the Atlantic Flyway. When these habitats are lost or degraded, or disappear, these birds face severe challenges.”
Many of the reclassified species are familiar visitors to the Caribbean, reflecting the region’s vital role in their life cycles. Among the newly listed species are the Lesser Yellowlegs, now classified as “Vulnerable,” and the Greater Yellowlegs, listed as “Near Threatened.” Other widespread species like the Ruddy Turnstone are also in decline, facing threats such as habitat loss, disturbance, and climate change-related impacts. The Short-billed Dowitcher has also experienced worrying population declines.
The Role of Coastal Habitats
Coastal wetlands, including mangroves, swamps, ponds, beaches, sand flats, and mud flats, are essential for shorebird survival, yet they are disappearing at an alarming rate. According to the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), 12% of the world’s global mangroves are found in the Caribbean, but nearly 7,000 square kilometers were lost between 1980 and 2010. At this rate, the CBF surmises, “the Caribbean’s mangroves could disappear in the next 60 years.”
Over 20,000 shorebirds rely on the wetlands at Monte Cristi in the Dominican Republic during migration every year – making this a regionally important site and a critical lifeline for shorebirds. (Photo by GAE)
Shorebirds feeding at Cargill, which is designated as Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) site of regional importance, and holds important number of shorebird species such a Red Knot and Short-billed Dowitcher. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
Over 100 Piping Plovers, classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, along with many other wintering shorebirds, were counted on Andros and nearby cays in The Bahamas during our 15th Caribbean Waterbird Census. (Photo by Chris Allieri)
Mangroves across the region are experiencing degradation from multiple pressures, including pollution, unsustainable development, and the effects of climate change. (Photo by Maria Paulino)
A Call to Action
“The destruction and degradation of Caribbean coastal habitats from increased tourism, housing and agricultural developments, pollution, and extreme weather events has devastating consequences,” Sorenson noted. “We must act now to protect these vital ecosystems and the shorebirds that depend on them.”
A volunteer uses a Shorebird ID card at a Caribbean Waterbird Census count. (Photo by Dayamiris Candelario OPAS)
Counting waterbirds at Las Salinas, Zapata Swamp.
A flock of Willets and Short-billed Dowitchers take flight in Las Salinas mangroves, Zapata Swamp, Cuba (photo by Ernesto Reyes)
BirdsCaribbean is urging governments and citizens alike to step up:
Governments can lead the way by prioritizing wetland conservation and enforcing policies that safeguard mangroves and coastal habitats from pollution and unsustainable development practices.
Citizens can contribute by supporting habitat protection and restoration efforts, joining cleanups, participating in bird monitoring programs like the Caribbean Waterbird Census—essential for tracking bird populations and habitat use—and reducing pesticide use to protect waterways from pollution.
Together, these actions can create a lasting impact, safeguarding our birds and the vital habitats they depend on.
The first annual BirdsCaribbean Endemic and Threatened Species Working Group (ETSWG) newsletter is now available, and it’s brimming with exciting updates and achievements! From celebrating conservation leaders to spotlighting critical challenges, read about all the latest research, conservation, and education activities taking place across the region—in English, Spanish, and French!
In the newsletter we celebrate some of the Caribbean’s emerging researchers and leaders advancing the study and protection of Caribbean endemic and threatened species. We also provide a roundup of the 24th BirdsCaribbean Conference in the Dominican Republic this past July—endemic and threatened species took center stage in sessions on habitat restoration, species monitoring, and the effects of climate change. We share the latest news about thrilling taxonomic changes that have increased the number of Caribbean endemic species, the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival, and Caribbean Landbird Monitoring Programme, as well as research and conservation updates from across the islands. From celebrating conservation leaders to spotlighting critical challenges, this issue is packed with news that showcases the resilience and dedication of our community. Click here to view the newsletter in Spanish or French.
Across the Caribbean, exciting projects are underway. Conservation efforts for the critically endangered Grenada Dove include predator control and public education, while surveys for the Trinidad Piping-Guan are set to inform a new recovery plan. In Cuba, citizen science initiatives and artificial nest programs are enhancing protection for endemic species like the Cuban Parakeet.
Grenada Dove. With fewer than 190 individuals left in the wild, we must act NOW to secure its survival. (Photo by Greg Homel)
Trinidad Piping-Guan, locally known as “Pawi.” Acoustic surveys will reveal vital data about the Pawi’s abundance and habitat. (Photo by Josh Bajnath)
Cuban Parakeet. With support from a Betty Petersen Conservation Fund award, an Artificial Nest Program is being implemented. (Photo by Aslam Castellón Maure)
The Caribbean’s 2024 hurricane season was one of the most severe on record, with significant impacts on both human and avian communities. The newsletter explores the challenges posed by increasingly intense storms and highlights recovery efforts, like habitat restoration and emergency appeals.
Ashton Lagoon trail destroyed by Hurricane Beryl, the earliest hurricane to reach Category 5 intensity. (Photo by Orisha Joseph)
The Endangered Bahama Warbler is restricted to Grand Bahama and Abaco Islands, where it is resident. Hurricane Dorian decimated its population in 2019. In this issue, researchers explore the warbler’s habitat preferences. (Photo by Scott Johnson)
Recovering Caribbean Nature
This issue also rounds up recent publications on endemic and threatened Caribbean birds, and invites collaborators to join critical initiatives, including monitoring high-elevation endemic species and contributing to Birds of the World accounts. Check out opportunities to partner on projects that make a lasting impact.
Are you working on research on a high elevation species, like the La Selle Thrush, or a high elevation habitat? We’d love to partner with you! (Photo by Dax Román)
If you’re interested in getting involved with the Endemic and Threatened Species Working Group (we hope you are!) please get in touch with us by signing up to our listserv.
Finally, our newsletter highlights just some of the many amazing activities on endemics in the region—we’d love to hear from you if you’ve got news to contribute to next year’s newsletter!
– ETSWG co-chairs, Ellie and Howard
P.S. The WG is also looking for an additional co-chair so let us know if you’d be interested in joining us!
Click on the Flipbooks below to read and/or download this newsletter.
Click on the individual images below to download a PDF of the newsletter in your preferred language.
Get ready for the 16th annual Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) Region-Wide count! From January 14th to February 3rd 2025, you can make a direct impact on waterbird conservation in the Caribbean. Want to know more? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about our CWC 2025 regional count.
The data collected from the past 15 years of the CWC has been invaluable in helping us conserve waterbirds in the region! Your survey efforts can help us identify and protect important places for waterbirds in the Caribbean. For instance the Cargill Salt Ponds in Bonaire were designated a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) site of Regional Importance as a direct result of survey efforts. CWC surveys are also critical in tracking waterbird populations and threats to waterbirds and their wetland homes.
Cargill Salt Ponds, Bonaire.
The Cargill Salt Ponds site also supports other habitat types, like these mangroves. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Least Sandpiper and Western Sandpiper walking on salt crystals at Cargill Salt Ponds. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
Flamingo at the Cargill Salt Ponds, Bonaire.
Caribbean wetlands are home to over 185 species of waterbirds making them a treasure to explore and vital to protect. Our wetlands host endemic and globally threatened species, along with many migratory birds. The data you help us collect through this ongoing, standardized survey is crucial for understanding how to conserve these exceptional species and manage their habitats effectively.
Ready, set, count! Get out there and enjoy the waterbirds
Why not wade into the wonderful world of waterbirds? Everyone is welcome to join in with the CWC in 2025! You can do your waterbird counts solo, team up with friends, or even reach out to a local environmental NGO for support and guidance. It’s as easy as heading out to your nearest wetland, and recording all the birds you see.
A small flock of Little Blue Herons comes in to land. (Photo by Matthew Addicks Macaulay Library-ML189076771)
For the CWC, a wetland is any area where water is the primary factor controlling what lives there. This wide broad definition includes covers coastal wetlands like mangroves, mud flats, lagoons and beaches, as well as inland wetlands like lakes, ponds, swamps, areas around rivers and streams and even some types of agriculture (e.g. rice fields).
Of course, to participate in the Caribbean Waterbird Census, you need to be in the Caribbean when you do your counts! Check out our handy survey tips below to help you get started with your CWC surveys:
Coral Aviles listing the birds in the CWC list on eBird, Blassina Canal Puerto Rico. (Photo by Eliezer Nieves)
Want to be sure that your counts count? Then use eBird AND chose one of the CWC protocols. Data from the CWC is all stored on eBird Caribbean but to make sure your count is included in the CWC you must use one of the CWC protocols for your list.
Using one of these protocols in eBird is critical, without it we will not know that you have done a CWC count and your data will not be logged in our CWC database.
When you submit your sightings on Step 2, under “Observation Type” be sure to pick one of the CWC options. Simply making an eBird list during the regional count dates is not enough—selecting the appropriate protocol is required for it to be ‘counted’ as CWC data. If you are using the mobile eBird app to collect and submit your data, don’t forget that you need to use the eBird Caribbean portal to see the CWC protocol options (check in your settings). If you’re new to eBird, check out our helpful video here on how to use eBird and Merlin.
Finally, whilst you’ll be on the lookout for waterbirds (ducks, herons, egrets, shorebirds etc.) you should be sure to count all the birds that you see and hear during your survey visits. If you need help with eBird submissions, have questions about which CWC protocol to choose, or with setting up an eBird account, please contact Alex Sansom: waterbird.manager@birdscaribbean.org
We’re here to help!
New to the CWC survey or need a refresher? Don’t worry! We’ve put together amazing resources that will make your counts easy, enjoyable and successful. To help you get started or refresh your memory, watch our YouTube webinar that walks you through the CWC survey steps!
What’s that? You need a hand with your waterbird ID? You’ve come to the right place—brush up on your ID skills using our videos on YouTube!
Part I covers herons, egrets, ducks, marsh birds, and seabirds.
A volunteer uses a Shorebird ID card at a Caribbean Waterbird Census count. (Photo by Dayamiris Candelario OPAS)
Handy Caribbean shorebird ID card
Studying shorebird identification in the field with Lisa Sorenson. (Photo by Kristy Shortte)
If you need more help with those troublesome shorebirds you can also check out our series of short videos. Each of these deals with ID-ing some of the shorebirds that are more difficult separate, like Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs and Peeps!
Have fun out there!
We hope you have a great time exploring your country’s wetlands and counting birds during the regional CWC count. Remember every count completed helps protect waterbirds! Please stay safe and carry out your counts responsibly. This means taking care not to disturb the birds or damage their habitats. See how many of your local wetlands you can visit during this three-week period and make an even greater impact on waterbird conservation.
If you find yourself having a fab time with your CWC counts and want to spot more waterbirds, the fun doesn’t stop at the regional count! You can do a CWC survey at any time of the year—just head to a Caribbean wetland and count all the birds you see!
Counting flamingos, herons, egrets, and many other waterbirds at Las Salinas, Zapata Swamp.
Good luck! We look forward to hearing about your findings. If you need help with bird ID, or have photos and exciting observations to share, please post to our Waterbird Group Listserv (everyone is welcome to join) and/or on our BirdsCaribbean Facebook page. For sharing on social media, use hashtags: #CaribbeanWaterbirdCensus and #WaterbirdsCount AND please tag us: @BirdsCaribbean
Promotional Social Media Graphics – Please feel free to download these graphics and use these to promote your Caribbean Waterbird Census surveys (just open the graphic you want to use right click and choose ‘save image as’) .
Timed with the global migration of shorebirds from breeding to overwinter areas, World Shorebirds Day is celebrated every September 6th! This special day highlights these incredible birds and the amazing journeys they make. It also brings attention to the threats they face and actively promotes shorebird monitoring and conservation through the Global Shorebird Count (GSC). Over the week-long GSC, people all over the world come together to monitor shorebird populations and protect the vital habitats these birds depend on for shelter and food. In the Caribbean, we enthusiastically joined the count, showing our love for these remarkable birds. Here are highlights from around the islands!
Sargassum draws shorebirds in the British Virgin Islands (BVI)
Rondel Smith, a Terrestrial Warden with the National Parks Trust of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), headed out to survey shorebirds across Anegada’s wetlands. He was surprised that of all the wetland habitats he visited the beaches proved to be the hotspot for shorebirds. Perhaps because of their thick beds of sargassum? Rondel said “the beached sargassum seemed to be very popular as hundreds of sandpipers could be seen foraging through it.” You can learn more about how beneficial sargassum is to wildlife from the free e-book ‘Suddenly Sargassum’ by Les Fruits de Mer linked at the ned of this blog. Rondel also spotted Ruddy Turnstones, Sanderlings, Short-Billed Dowitchers. The highlight of the count?—A Piping Plover! This small globally near-threatened shorebird is a fairly common winter visitor in parts of The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and Cuba, but it is a much rarer sight in the BVI. This shows that once you are out monitoring waterbirds you never know what you might find! Rondel’s efforts also revealed an unexpected discovery—an active Brown Pelican nesting colony, the first ever recorded nesting on the island!
Enjoy Rondel’s beautiful photos from his shorebirds surveys:
Western Sandpiper BVI. (Photo by Rondel Smith)
Shorebirds feeding on sargassum, BVI. (Photo by Rondel Smith)
A Semipalmated Sandpiper enjoying the sargassum, BVI. (Photo by Rondel Smith)
Young Brown Pelicans, BVI. (Photo by Rondel Smith)
You can also find out more about birds and sargassum in this great book on the topic “Suddenly Sargassum”
Ailen Anido Escalona shared some amazing finds from her shorebird surveys in Cuba with us. During their week of surveys, Ailen and her team counted many wetland birds in addition to shorebirds. Their efforts led to the discovery of a previously undocumented colony of American Flamingos—an exciting find! They also managed to visit the lagoons of the Las Balsas wetland, a site monitored with BirdsCaribbean’s support. Alien reflected on the importance of their work: “It was a unique experience, as we continue to build knowledge about our birdlife.”
Ailen and the survey team.
American Flamingos (Photo by Ailen Anido Escalona)
Engaging youth in St. Eustatius
Jethro and group enjoy a walk and bird survey along Zeelandia Beach for World Shorebirds Day. (Photo by Jethro van ‘t Hul)
Small islands with small wetland areas are still important for shorebirds on the move, so we were delighted to hear about the monitoring effort of Jethro van ‘t Hul of STENAPA on St. Eustatius. As part of their celebration, Jethro hosted an afternoon walk along a local beach on September 6th, World Shorebirds Day itself! Seven participants, including curious youngsters, joined in the fun. They spotted 17 bird species, 10 of which were shorebirds, including Short-billed Dowitchers and Wilson’s Plovers. This hands-on experience inspired participants to connect with nature and appreciate the importance of shorebird conservation.
Puerto Rico celebrated World Shorebirds Day with impressive results. Biologist Nahíra Arocho-Hernández along with volunteers, Julián Rivera and José (Cheo) Vargas, surveyed the Salt Flats of the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge. Their efforts paid off in a big way! They identified an impressive 22 shorebird species of shorebirds, with a total of 2,540 birds counted! The Salt Flats were teeming with Stilt Sandpipers and Semipalmated Sandpipers. Nahíra and her team also encountered several individuals of the larger shorebird species, such as Whimbrels, Willets and striking American Oystercatchers, adding more excitement to their GSC. Their dedication highlights the incredible biodiversity of Puerto Rico’s wetlands.
The local organization De Pajareo Puerto Rico also joined in, sharing their shorebird adventures during the Global Shorebird Count. Follow along on their shorebird-counting adventures here:
World Shorebirds Day is more than a celebration of amazing shorebirds — it’s a tribute to the beautiful wetlands they rely on to survive and the love and dedication shown to them by all the Caribbean shorebird monitors. We thank everyone who participated in this year’s event. Together, we’re making a difference!
Mark your calendars for next year’s Global Shorebird Count and World Shorebirds Day. Bring your friends and family, and let’s make it another unforgettable celebration as well as grow the move to monitor and protect shorebirds and their habitats.
In case you missed them from earlier in the year, BirdsCaribbean made some great ID videos to help you separate the Peeps and Spotted Sandpiper from Solitary Sandpiper. You can find all our shorebird ID videos here, and all of our great shorebird ID and outreach resources can be found here.
BirdsCaribbean visiting Woodbourne in 2022 during our Wetlands Education Workshop in Barbados. L to R: Lisa Sorenson, Wayne “Doc” Burke, Alex Sansom, Ian “Bolt” Alkins. (photo by Michele Kading)
With deep sadness, we share the news of Wayne Burke’s passing on November 19th, in Barbados. Affectionately known as “Doc,” Wayne was a tireless advocate for shorebird conservation and a visionary leader in transforming Barbados into a safer haven for migratory birds.
In 2008, Wayne began his journey with BirdLife International to address the unsustainable hunting of shorebirds. Together with two former hunters, he helped secure the lease for the abandoned shooting swamp at Woodbourne. Following restoration, the Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge welcomed its first southbound migrants in 2009, becoming a vital sanctuary for a remarkable diversity of shorebirds and waterbirds year-round.
Wayne’s 2009 publication in the Journal of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society beautifully documents Woodbourne’s establishment and highlights the site’s immense ecological value. To ensure its long-term protection, he co-founded the Shorebird Conservation Trust, a registered charity in Barbados.
Wayne Burke at Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge. (photo by Yves Aubrey)
Wayne’s influence extended beyond Woodbourne. His efforts, in collaboration with the Barbados Wildfowlers Association, helped shift hunting practices in Barbados, leading to self-imposed bag limits by hunters. The Wildfowlers Association and many hunters and ex-hunters actively supported the work Wayne and the Shorebird Conservation Trust did to restore and improve the habitat for shorebirds at the Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge. There are now several swamps in Barbados, including Congo Road and Fosters—where habitat is still managed for shorebirds but no shooting takes place, provide important shorebird refuges alongside Woodbourne.
In recognition of his tireless dedication, Wayne received the Pablo Canevari Conservation Award in 2017. You can read more about this award as well as his life and contributions to shorebird conservation in this article published when he received this award, and also in this tribute from Manomet.
Wayne with Ian “Bolt” Alkins at Woodbourne in 2022. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
For many years, Wayne managed the Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge with support from USAID, ensuring it remained a haven for shorebirds, students, researchers, and bird enthusiasts.
In recent years, as Wayne has faced health issues, Ian “Bolt” Alkins has taken up this work, continuing Wayne’s legacy with equal passion and commitment.
Last month, during our 8th Caribbean Birding Trail Guide Training Workshop in Barbados, Woodbourne was a highlight for participants. Its incredible diversity of shorebirds and waterbirds made for an unforgettable experience, reinforcing the importance of Wayne’s work.
Participants at our Caribbean Birding Trail (CBT) Guide Training Workshop in Barbados last month enjoyed the huge diversity of birds at Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge (photo by WIRRED)
Our deepest condolences go out to all who knew and worked alongside Wayne. His unwavering dedication to protecting shorebirds has left an indelible mark on conservation in Barbados. We are profoundly grateful for his hard work, humor, and passion, and we are honored to continue supporting his vision for a thriving Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge.
We invite anyone with memories or stories about Wayne to share them with us and we will add them to this tribute (see below).
Find out more about the history of hunting in Barbados and the work Wayne and other did to change hunting practices and establish Woodbourne as a no-shooting refuge here.
You can read more about Wayne’s pioneering shorebird conservation efforts and Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge in this feature published in “Ins and Outs of Barbados” in 2013.
If you would like to know more about threats to shorebirds in the Caribbean and Wayne’s contribution to their conservation see this post:
From Brad Andres: “Wayne “Doc” Burke worked tirelessly for the conservation of shorebirds, and other species, on Barbados. He gave me a thorough education about the history of shorebird hunting on the island and was a constant source of information on the changing politics and attitudes towards shorebird hunting. His efforts helped form the first Shorebird Harvest Working Group that engaged hunters and practitioners across the Caribbean Basin. I appreciated Wayne’s frank perspectives on what was best for conservation of shorebirds on Barbados. He conducted work at Woodbourne and elsewhere for mediocre wages and even suffered personal injury for his conservation efforts. I hope the trade winds will carry his soul to a place of painless tranquillity.”
From David Wege:“Wayne was a unique conservationist. A surfer birder who’d settled in Barbados after surfing the Americas. Passionate about Bajan birds and their conservation, he was probably the only person able to bridge the divide between the Bajan shorebird hunters and an international conservation community that was in part anti-hunting. Wayne showed that there was a way that benefitted shorebirds by working with the hunters. A way that he was so passionate about that he was often knee deep in mud, literally “getting his hands dirty” to ensure the vision of a shorebird refuge became a reality. When not moving mud or birding at Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge, he would often be on the porch of a swamp hut sharing stories with shorebird hunters. His legacy lives on across the swamps of Barbados – long may they be filled with fall shorebirds and other wildlife.”
David also shared these photos with us:
Wayne showing a group Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge. (Photo by David Wege)
Golden Plover decoys, used by hunters, Wayne contributed to this species no longer being hunted on Barbados. (Photo by David Wege)
Wayne speaking about shooting swamps. (Photo by David Wege)
I wanted to get to know the elusive Whistling Warbler on the island of Saint Vincent — which meant that we needed to go up. Straight up some very steep slopes!
Whistling Warbler spotted on La Soufriere Windward Trail. (Photo by Jonathan Slifkin ML621602299)
The Whistling Warbler (Cathoropeza bishopi) is an endangered, endemic species of bird that lives on the Lesser Antillean island of Saint Vincent. When we say a species is endemic, it means that the species exists nowhere else on the planet other than at a discrete location. This is a common designation for many island species. When a species is endemic and endangered, that can be a ‘code red’ for conservationists — because the species has nowhere else to go to disperse from threats! In the case of the Whistling Warbler, those threats come mainly from deforestation, land use change, hurricanes (exacerbated by climate-change), and the recent explosive eruption of Saint Vincent’s La Soufrière volcano in 2021, the largest to occur in the Caribbean in the last 250 years.
Figure 1. Map of St Vincent showing locations of our PROALAS Point Counts without Whistling Warbler (WHWA) sightings, with warbler sightings, and eBird Caribbean sightings prior to the April 2021 eruption of La Soufriére Volcano.
So where is the Whistling Warbler to be found? Well, this charming bird (whose plumage delightfully brings to mind an Oreo cookie!) appears to require a specific kind of natural forest for habitat: forests growing in steep, wet, montane environments. These mostly grow on the windward (east) side of the island. However, these forests have been experiencing a great deal of “wear and tear” in recent years. Some have been cut to grow non-native tree plantations, or terraced to provide farmland, in some cases for the illegal cultivation of Cannabis. Many of the northern areas were decimated by wind and volcanic ash from the 2021 volcanic eruption. The windward forests also take the brunt of hurricanes moving west across the Atlantic, which can wreak havoc on the essential habitat of the warbler. Hurricane Beryl just recently tore through St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG); the extent of the damage to the mainland forests (and the warbler) is currently unknown, though nearby Union Island has been devastated. These growing and more frequent impacts of climate change cannot be overlooked.
And yet, the Whistling Warbler has so far been able to hold on in small numbers, in the face of these daunting challenges to its habitat. Much of its success is thanks to conservation efforts that protect and restore their habitat. Now, it is absolutely vital that the warbler population is actively monitored to ensure its survival, and to inform future conservation efforts aimed at protecting its habitat. Part of the challenge here is that there is still so little known about this bird. We don’t know much about their habitat requirements; their nest construction; and when and where they breed. It is critical to understand these aspects of the warbler’s life cycle to make effective management decisions. We can only find this information by getting people out into the forest to make these discoveries and to monitor the population.
Preparing for the trip: some homework required
I am a graduate student at Antioch University New England studying Conservation Biology. Antioch Professor Dr. Mike Akresh has been working with Caribbean birds for over a decade, and when he asked if I would like to accompany him on a two-week field study trip in March 2024 to Saint Vincent, I was initially apprehensive. Leaving my young child and a pile of school work at home for two weeks sounded daunting, but I knew there was important work to be done on Saint Vincent as there is not an overabundance of researchers working on the Whistling Warbler. I made the decision to go.
The Vulnerable St Vincent Parrot. (Photo by Mike Akresh)
A pair of Rufous-throated Solitaire in St. Vincent (Photo by Frantz Delcroix)
Lesser Antillean Tanager on St. Vincent. (Photo by Steven Hunter ML200625941)
Firstly, I went into an intense learning period focussed on the birds of Saint Vincent; it was especially important to learn their calls. With the help of eBird, the Merlin App, and a handy field guide to the “Birds of the West Indies,” I familiarized myself with most of the birds we could expect to encounter on the trip. How were we going to monitor for the Whistling Warbler? Well, we were planning to work with the PROALAS landbird monitoring protocol, which requires us to document every bird seen and heard during a specific period of time at a point or transect. Every bird has a story to tell about the environment; birds are regarded as indicator species. This means that the presence of certain species or lack thereof provides critical insights about the impacts of land use change, climate change, and volcanic activity; in other words, the obstacles and challenges that the Whistling Warbler faces.
The song of the Whistling Warbler consists of an ascending trill of loudly whistled notes.
Our enthusiastic team on Saint Vincent
Our collaborators on the island were the talented and professional members of the SVG Forestry Department. Our point of contact and monitoring collaborator was the energetic Glenroy Gaymes, who has been working closely with the Whistling Warbler conservation efforts. Glenroy is an expert birder and naturalist, whose passion for conservation on Saint Vincent is infectious. With invaluable help from Glenroy and other Forestry staff such as Felicia Baptiste, Romano Pierre, Caswin Caine, and Kishbert Richards, we reached the steep and remote areas where the warbler lives. Glenroy and the Forestry Department have also been monitoring the endemic and endangered Saint Vincent Parrot (Amazona guildingii) and many other non-bird species.
Mike Akresh, Glenroy Gaymes and Christian Carson in Kingstown, St. Vincent.
Our days on Saint Vincent were demanding, but rewarding. We did find the Whistling Warbler!
Mike hiking nearly straight uphill. Accessing the Whistling Warbler’s habitat is not easy. (Photo by Christian Carson)
Primary Forest in St. Vincent. (Photo by Christian Carson)
Every morning we would wake up before sunrise, and head up into the sawtooth-like mountains, shrouded in mist. You may have seen these impressive mountains before if you have seen the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, which were largely filmed on Saint Vincent. Fortunately, we encountered the Whistling Warbler several times at various locations. In keeping with previous observations, most or all of our encounters with the Whistling Warbler took place over 300 meters and in steep, wet forests. Did I mention that we had to go up high? The slopes of the misty mountains of Saint Vincent were steep and slippery.
Notes from the field
When studying where Whistling Warblers like to live, we found that they prefer primary forests with lots of moss. Younger and older secondary forests had fewer warblers. Interestingly, palm brakes were about the same as primary forests for warbler sightings, especially near certain trails. Detection was low in elfin woods, which seem to be unsuitable habitat for them. The drier, western side of the island has less of the wet montane forest they prefer.
We noticed that Whistling Warblers really like wetter forests, especially where there’s a lot of moss. For example, at one site – Silver Spoon, where the forest is very wet, we found lots of warblers. However, on the leeward side of the island, the forests were dry and grassy, and we didn’t find any warblers there.
We didn’t look for warblers in the northern part of the island because it’s too dry and no warblers have ever been found there. Tree plantations were the least likely place to find Whistling Warblers because these areas have trees, like Blue Mahoe and Big-leaf Mahogany, that are all the same age and don’t provide enough food or shelter for the birds. Overall, we also noticed that there were fewer other forest birds around areas affected by the volcano. Birds like Bananaquits and House Wrens were common near the volcano, but other species like Cocoa Thrush and Ruddy Quail-Doves were missing. The ash from the volcano may have made it harder for some birds to find food. However, some of these birds are starting to come back now, so we’ll keep studying and monitoring the area to learn more.
Christian and Kishbert surveying for the Whistling Warbler on La Soufrière. (Photo by Mike Akresh)
We still need more information on the mysterious Whistling Warbler!
Over the past few years and during this current trip, we have come across several nests that might possibly be those of the Whistling Warbler, but without a positive ID of a warbler using the nest, we cannot say for sure. Finding a nest is particularly important for conservation efforts because it allows us to better understand the warbler’s breeding ecology and habitat requirements. We also do not know how successful the warbler is in breeding; invasive mongoose or black rat populations may prey on eggs or fledglings. But it must be acknowledged that without more research, we cannot know for sure. There are limited resources available to protect the Whistling Warbler, so the more specifics we have about this species, the better those resources can be utilized to have the greatest conservation impact. We need to know more, so that we can do a better job at protecting this species, which is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
With the data we have been able to collect while on Saint Vincent, we aim to create a conservation action plan (CAP) specifically for the Whistling Warbler. Without the dedicated work of the Saint Vincent Forestry Department, BirdsCaribbean, and donors small and large, this work would not be possible, and the Whistling Warbler would likely be added to the alarming (and growing) number of species lost forever.
We owe it to the Whistling Warbler, up there in the remote rainforest and beautiful mountains of Saint Vincent.
Christian holding a Sphinx Moth. (Photo by Mike Akresh)
Christian Carson is a graduate student at Antioch University New England studying conservation biology. He is interested in ways people seek and find meaning in the living world, and how this meaning (or lack thereof) shapes global environmental issues. He lives with his partner and three-year-old son in Western Massachusetts. He enjoys quiet walks in the woods, flying kites, and sitting zazen. You can reach him at ccarson@antioch.edu.
Acknowledgements: BirdsCaribbean is grateful to the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund (CEPF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for funding our Conservation of the Endangered Whistling Warbler Project, launched in 2022. We are also deeply grateful to Mr. Fitzgerald Providence and his staff at the St. Vincent Forestry Department for their help and support. Special thanks Glenroy Gaymes, who has been working closely with us on the warbler project. Finally, we thank BirdsCaribbean members, partners, and donors for your support, which made this work possible.
If you like Caribbean birds, maybe you want to learn to put a ring (or band) on them!
BirdsCaribbean is excited to invite applications to participate in a 5-day training workshop focused on bird banding, an important tool for research and monitoring! Participants will learn about the basics of bird banding, from setting up a mist-net to examining molt patterns, through a blend of classroom and field based activities. We’ll also discuss and demonstrate some of the benefits of joining our new Caribbean Bird Banding Network. We’re very excited to return to the Dominican Republic to one of our favorite workshop sites, Baiguate Ecolodge in Jarabacoa. Mark your calendars — this year’s workshop will take place from 20-24 February, 2025.
Why do we need to band birds?
A Cuban Tody wearing a BirdsCaribbean band about to be released. (Photo by Daniela Ventura)
Bird surveys, like those covered in our Caribbean Landbird Monitoring Training Workshops, provide valuable information about abundance and species presence. But bird banding is a different methodology that takes a deeper dive into how bird populations are doing by assessing the condition of individual birds. By marking and assessing birds in the hand, we can collect data that can tell us about their demography and health, including:
Looking at fat scores and weights to assess the body condition of birds in different habitats and at different times of the year, which in turn sheds light on the quality of the habitats these birds are using.
Aging birds using plumage to investigate demographic patterns.
Using recapture records to learn about survivorship and longevity.
Assessing the presence or absence of breeding characteristics to better understand the timing of breeding and life history for many of our understudied Caribbean endemics.
Finding out which migratory routes our shared birds are taking and gaining a better understanding of factors influencing survival and longevity of species.
Over the long-term, bird banding data can also help us understand patterns and trends in bird populations, to aid in their management and conservation.
About the workshop
This workshop is the fourth annual Caribbean Bird Banding (CBB) Training Workshop. It will cover many of the same topics explored in our previous CBB Training workshops held in The Bahamas (March 2022) and the Dominican Republic (March 2023) and Grenada (March 2024). This bilingual (English and Spanish) workshop is designed for Caribbean wildlife professionals and volunteers who are interested in gaining more experience with bird banding. Prior banding experience is not required. However, priority will be given to applicants who are likely to continue training to gain the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to contribute to or initiate avian research and/or banding programs on their home islands.This workshop will focus on banding landbirds, with an emphasis on Passerines. We hope to provide banding training opportunities for other bird groups in the future.
Daniela Ventura del Puerto (Cuba) provides instruction on bird molt to workshop participants Giselle Raganoonan (Trinidad) and Elvin Manual Vargas Estevez (Dominican Republic).
Zoya Buckmire instructs a participant on how to correctly hold a bird to take measurement. (Photo by Maya Wilson)
The purpose of the workshop is to:
Provide participants with a basic understanding of bird banding techniques and best practices.
Discuss what it takes to set-up and run a bird banding station.
Prepare participants for additional bird banding training and potential North American Banding Council (NABC) certifications (assistant, bander, trainer) in the future.
Share information about the other training opportunities, resources, and community available through the CBB Network.
Several NABC-certified trainers will share their knowledge in the classroom, at the mist-net, and at the banding table, covering topics including:
Juan Carlos Fernández Ordóñez shows participants how to correctly set up mist nets in Grenada. (Photo by Maya Wilson)
Proper set-up and placement of a mist-net
Proper techniques for extracting birds from mist-nets
Starting a banding station
Bird first-aid and safety
Bird banding ethics and basics
Using bird banding for education and public demonstrations
Aging birds using both WRP and Howell-Pyle terminology
Molt patterns
Bird banding is a complex skill to learn. This workshop is intended to be a starting point, and participants should not expect to leave the workshop with the necessary qualifications to band birds independently. To become fully immersed and practice what was learned at the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to be considered for bird banding internships following the workshop.
In an effort to decrease the amount of time spent in the classroom, some materials will be shared virtually prior to the in-person workshop. These virtual sessions will also be made available to a wider audience. Stay tuned for more information!
Funding and Logistics
We aim to include approximately 15 participants in this workshop. BirdsCaribbean has funding for a limited number of need and merit-based scholarships to cover the costs of travel and participation. Participants who are able to contribute all or part of their costs can allow us to include additional participants. We encourage applications from all candidates who are well-suited to make use of this training, regardless of their financial ability. Participants should plan to arrive in the Dominican Republic by February 18 and depart on February 25.
Participants at our Caribbean Bird Banding Workshop held in the Dominican Republic in March 2023. (Photo by Joshua Covill)
Applications
If you are interested in participating in this workshop, please fill out this form by 8 December 2024.
Oportunidad de formación: Taller de anillamiento de aves caribeñas
Si te gustan las aves del Caribe, ¡Quizás quieras aprender a ponerles un anillo (o una anilla)! BirdsCaribbean se complace en invitarte a participar en un taller de formación de 5 días centrado en el anillamiento de aves, ¡Una importante herramienta para la investigación y el monitoreo! Los participantes aprenderán los fundamentos del anillamiento de aves, desde la instalación de una red de niebla hasta la revisión de los patrones de muda, a través de una mezcla de actividades en el aula y sobre el terreno. También discutiremos y demostraremos algunos de los beneficios de unirse a nuestra nuevaRed de Anillamiento de Aves del Caribe. Estamos muy contentos de volver a República Dominicana, a uno de nuestros lugares favoritos para los talleres: Baiguate Ecolodge, en Jarabacoa. Márcalo en tu calendario: el taller de este año tendrá lugar del 20 al 24 de febrero de 2025.
¿Por qué necesitamos anillar aves?
Los censos de aves, como los que se tratan en nuestrosTalleres de Formación para el Monitoreo de Aves Terrestres del Caribe, proporcionan información valiosa sobre la abundancia y la presencia de especies. Pero el anillamiento de aves es una metodología diferente que profundiza en la situación de las poblaciones de aves mediante la evaluación del estado de cada individuo. Marcando y estudiando a las aves en la mano, podemos recopilar datos que nos informen sobre su demografía y salud, entre otros:
Observar la acumulación de grasa y el peso para evaluar la condición corporal de las aves en diferentes hábitats y en diferentes épocas del año, lo que a su vez arroja luz sobre la calidad de los hábitats que estas aves están utilizando.
Determinación de la edad de las aves mediante el plumaje para investigar patrones demográficos.
Utilizar los registros de recapturas para conocer la supervivencia y la longevidad.
Evaluar la presencia o ausencia de características reproductivas para comprender mejor el momento de la reproducción y el ciclo biológico de muchas de nuestras poco estudiadas endémicas caribeñas.
Averiguar cuáles rutas migratorias siguen nuestras aves compartidas y comprender mejor los factores que influyen en la supervivencia y longevidad de las especies.
A largo plazo, los datos provenientes del anillamiento también pueden ayudarnos a comprender los patrones y tendencias de las poblaciones de aves, para contribuir a su gestión y conservación.
Sobre el taller
Este taller es el cuarto taller anual de formación sobre anillamiento de aves en el Caribe (CBB). Cubrirá muchos de los temas ya explorados en nuestros talleres anteriores de capacitación sobre la CBBN celebrados enBahamas (marzo de 2022), República Dominicana (marzo de 2023) y Granada (marzo de 2024). El taller bilingüe (inglés y español) está diseñado para profesionales y voluntarios que trabajan con vida silvestre en el Caribe y que estén interesados en adquirir más experiencia en el anillamiento de aves. No se requiere experiencia previa en anillamiento. Sin embargo, se dará prioridad a los solicitantes que tengan posibilidades de seguir formándose para adquirir los conocimientos, habilidades y experiencia necesarios para contribuir o iniciar programas de investigación y/o anillamiento de aves en sus islas de origen. Este taller se centrará en el anillamiento de aves terrestres, con énfasis en los paseriformes. Esperamos ofrecer oportunidades de formación en anillamiento para otros grupos de aves en el futuro.
Los objetivos del taller son:
Proporcionar a los participantes una comprensión básica de las técnicas de anillamiento de aves y las mejores prácticas.
Discutir lo que se necesita para montar y dirigir una estación de anillamiento de aves.
Preparar a los participantes para formación adicional en anillamiento de aves y posibles certificaciones del Consejo Norteamericano de Anillamiento (NABC) (asistente, anillador, entrenador) en el futuro.
Compartir información sobre otras oportunidades de formación, recursos y comunidades disponibles a través de la Red CBB.
Varios formadores certificados por el NABC compartirán sus conocimientos en el aula, en las redes de niebla y en la mesa de anillamiento, cubriendo temas como:
Montaje y colocación adecuados de una red de niebla
Técnicas adecuadas para extraer aves de las redes de niebla
Puesta en marcha de una estación de anillamiento
Primeros auxilios y seguridad
Ética y fundamentos del anillamiento de aves
Uso del anillamiento de aves para educación y demostraciones públicas
Determinación de la edad de las aves utilizando terminología WRP y Howell-Pyle
Patrones de muda
El anillamiento de aves es una habilidad compleja de aprender. Este taller pretende ser un punto de partida, y los participantes no deben esperar salir del taller con las calificaciones necesarias para anillar aves de forma independiente. Para sumergirse completamente y practicar lo aprendido en el taller, los participantes tendrán la oportunidad de ser considerados para prácticas o pasantías de anillamiento de aves tras el taller.
En un esfuerzo por reducir la cantidad de tiempo que se pasa en el aula, algunos materiales se compartirán virtualmente antes del taller presencial. Estas sesiones virtuales también se pondrán a disposición de un público más amplio. Mantente atento para más información.
Financiación y logística
Nuestro objetivo es contar con aproximadamente 15 participantes en este taller. BirdsCaribbean cuenta con financiación para un número limitado de becas basadas en la necesidad y el mérito para cubrir los costes de viaje y participación. Los participantes que puedan contribuir con la totalidad o parte de sus costes pueden permitirnos incluir participantes adicionales. Animamos a presentar solicitudes a todos los candidatos que reúnan las condiciones necesarias para aprovechar esta formación, independientemente de su capacidad financiera. Los participantes deben planificar su llegada a la República Dominicana para el 18 de febrero y su salida para el 25 de febrero.
Solicitudes
Si estás interesado en participar en este taller, llena este formulario antes del 8 de diciembre de 2024.
John Fletcher holds his gift book prepared by his birding family at his 90th birthday celebrations in April, 2019. (Photo by BirdLife Jamaica)
We are saddened to share the recent passing of John Fletcher, a true pioneer of birdwatching in Jamaica. Emma Lewis—an influential blogger, environmental advocate, and longtime BirdsCaribbean member—has written a heartfelt tribute to John, honoring his remarkable legacy of inspiring Jamaicans to appreciate and protect their island’s birds. Emma, also a valued member of our Media Working Group, originally posted this tribute on her blog, Petchary, on November 3, 2024. We extend our gratitude to her for allowing us to share it here.
The birdwatching community has become quite close-knit over the past few years. It is small, but growing. Last month was a sad one, however, as we lost a beloved member of the older generation of birders. I penned this obituary; please feel free to share. As you can tell from the tributes at the end of this piece, we all miss John very much – but we are reflecting on the many good times we shared with him.
He was a teacher. He was a mentor. He was an expert bird guide. He was a friend. And he was never happier than when he had a pair of binoculars slung round his neck.
John was all about business and birds
Former President of BirdLife Jamaica (BLJ) and revered “elder statesman” of the island’s birding world, John Oliver Fletcher passed away in Kingston, Jamaica on October 11, 2024 at the age of 95, after a short illness. He leaves behind his two sons, Andrew and Mark, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Lisa Sorenson, Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean, shared her condolences with Jamaican birders: “John was amazing, such a huge and positive influence on the birding community in Jamaica and a mentor and friend to so many. A life well-lived for sure and he will be missed. His spirit lives on in our memories—and in every joyful moment spent with binoculars in hand. Our condolences to all of you.”
President of BLJ Justin Saunders shared: “The significance of John to BLJ was evident from my first day as a BirdLife member over two years ago. The outpouring of love since his passing only confirms the beautiful stories I’ve heard about him since. I was not fortunate enough to have met and gone birding with John, something I expected would have been a memorable and fun experience; but I’m inspired every time I see one more picture and hear one more person speak about their favorite ‘John moment’. Even though John’s passing is a sad moment I think it’s also a beautiful reminder of the family we have here in BirdLife Jamaica.”
In a Facebook post, the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica conveyed its sincere condolences, noting that John was a dedicated member for many years.
Born in Balham, south London on April 5, 1929, John arrived in Jamaica in 1948 as a nineteen year-old, to do his second year of required National Service in Jamaica. He worked in the Army Ordnance Depot on Princess Street, downtown Kingston. He fell in love with Jamaica, met and married a Kingstonian (Kitty Paxton), and started work with the Citrus Company of Jamaica as an assistant chemist. John worked in a management position in Stann Creek, Belize (then British Honduras) for a short while; however, Belize did not suit the Fletchers, and they returned to Jamaica. They lived in Bog Walk for twelve years, where John was Managing Director of Jamaica Citrus Growers. In 1970, he formed his own company, Fletcher Bowman Ltd., in Yallahs, St. Thomas. John was elected President of the Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA) in 1980. Following an illness, he sold the company in 1984. After serving as Managing Director of Salada Foods from 1986 for nine years, he retired at 65 and decided to join his son Mark’s company, Country Traders, where he started his own roastery – Coffee Roasters of Jamaica – an enterprise he enjoyed.
Somehow, despite all his responsibilities, John balanced his business career with his love for the environment – and birds in particular.
John Fletcher walking along the beach during a visit to Yallahs Salt Ponds, a place where he was always very happy. (Photo by Emma Lewis)
While living in Yallahs in the 1970s, John had started bird watching in the fascinating wetland area of the nearby Salt Ponds in the evenings; it remained one of his most beloved birding spots. He became a member of the Gosse Bird Club (now BirdLife Jamaica) where he served as Treasurer from 2005 to 2010 and then as President, until 2014. Besides his birding activities, he was Honorary Consul for Sweden from 1983, for 17 years; and wrote a fortnightly column in the Daily News on business and environmental issues from 1978. In 1990 he was appointed to the Appeals Tribunal of the National Resources Conservation Authority and became Chairman, resigning in 1996 from this and other posts.
John threw himself into his activities as an expert bird guide for locals and overseas visitors, conducting tours all over the island from 2001 onwards. Birding with inner city children, as part of a project with Jamaica Environment Trust, and talking to groups of schoolchildren about birds were among his most rewarding experiences – besides, of course, numerous field trips with BLJ.
Indeed, John loved life, laughed readily and easily, and “connected” with people of all ages and backgrounds. He even got on well with bird hunters. It was noticeable that birdwatchers would gather round him during field trips, to gather up his wisdom.
John adjusting the scope for young birders. (Photo by Doris Gross)
John helping a new birder identify a bird by using a field guide. (Doris Gross)
John helping a group of birders identify a bird. (Doris Gross)
John lived life to the fullest, and was very much a family man. His ninetieth birthday was celebrated in style with friends, family and birders at the Pages Restaurant in Hope Gardens, where he was presented with a book created by BLJ members in celebration of his life with birds, among other gifts. It was a joyous and at times emotional occasion.
John on his 90th, after a birding session at Hope Gardens, with the BirdLife “crew.”
While staying at Silver Sands in late July this year, John “really enjoyed his early morning swims,” according to his son Andrew. He had celebrated his 95th birthday with a party at a restaurant in Golden Spring, St. Andrew.
John gave so much to Jamaica’s birding family. He was much loved and appreciated as a colleague and teacher, and he will be greatly missed.
Other BLJ members and birders shared their fond memories:
“John Fletcher will live on in the hearts of birders in Jamaica. He has taught many about the birds of Jamaica and also how to be a superb bird guide…You have taught and shared so much information about birds to so many people, including me. On behalf of the birding community in Jamaica, we would like to send condolences to your family at this time. You were such a birder and you will live on in our hearts – even in our binoculars.” ImmediatePast President/BLJ Executive and Biologist Damion Whyte
“John and I have shared many birding moments, especially at Parrottee Ponds, St. Elizabeth. I chant that JAH grants all those who are connected to him extra strength in this time of bereavement. May his soul rest in the arms of the Ancestors. John, you have stepped into the next realm and the JAH of the birds are with you all the way. Live on Birding Brother.” – Wolde Kristos, BLJ Executive and Bird Guide
“John was serious about birds. He was always ready to share his knowledge with us all. His enthusiasm was truly infectious. He was a very kind and thoughtful man. I will always remember the steaming hot coffee that he would bring on bird trips and share with us; for example, at the top of a cliff in Hector’s River, as we watched White-tailed Tropicbirds sailing by.” – Emma Lewis, BLJ Executive and blogger
“It was so easy to take beautiful photos of John Fletcher. Because he was a beautiful soul and that showed on the outside…I always told him he is our inspiration for aging gracefully. Fly high with the birds John!” – Doris Gross, BLJ member
“I was honoured to have John Fletcher as a friend for over 30 years. John was remarkable not only for his extensive knowledge of birds, but for his amazing memory of people, places and events in Jamaica over the past seven decades. John was not only a birder, but a ‘hasher’ – a member of the running club, Jamaica Hash House Harriers (‘JAH3’) – and because he was an Englishman with a lifelong interest in birds, he earned himself the cheeky Hash name of ‘Tit Pincher’. It was always a pleasure having John on a birding trip: he brought his bird expertise, his stories of bygone times in Jamaica, and his delicious coffee. Farewell, John – fly with the birds you loved so much.” – Wendy Lee, Conservationist and Bird Guide
“I met John about 2002 through the late Dr. Peter Vogel when I was first introduced to BirdLife Jamaica.
I affectionately look back at the fact that John has always been an old man, even seeing pictures of him from years before he always looked the same…sort of how no one can conjure up a picture of a young Santa Claus. He automatically and effortlessly commanded the room as he immediately got the respect and undivided attention whenever he opened his mouth. He always spoke calmly, never overly excited – but still able to convey his passion for the subject at hand…birds.
Since I was studying birds at the time, John immediately knew I needed his help without me ever asking. So he became my unofficial mentor, keeping me grounded in the local and cultural aspects of birding while I was otherwise building up my technical knowledge. He guided me in how to be a bird guide, which is much more difficult than it seems. The one takeaway I always held on to is that he told me to remain calm and not get too excited when I find the bird, thus not robbing the birders I’m guiding of that experience. In that way he taught me how to let the other birders “discover” the birds themselves, even if it meant I should pretend that I’m not sure of what I am looking at. I understood the assignment.
From there he encouraged me to help train other guides and got me into the commercial aspect of birding to the point where I formed Arrowhead Birding Tours in 2012.
In my eyes, John lived the perfect life. We all knew this day would come when we bid him farewell, but we would never be sad about it.” – Ricardo Miller, Past President of BLJ and Bird Guide.
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 expert Cuban bird guides, Ernesto Reyes Mourino and Tania Piñeiro, on the adventure of a lifetime! Choose from our January or March 2025 trips to explore Cuba’s spectacular landscapes, vibrant culture, and extraordinary birdlife. The tour is perfect for individuals, couples, and groups of friends looking for a truly unique experience!
With over 400 bird species recorded, including 29 unique endemics and 21 globally threatened species, Cuba is a birder’s paradise. Its expansive landscapes and prime Caribbean location make it a critical stopover and wintering site for over 180 Neotropical migratory species, creating rare opportunities to observe both endemic and migratory birds.
Our carefully crafted itinerary takes you to Cuba’s premier birding locations, where you’ll encounter the island’s diverse avifauna. Along the way, you’ll connect with Cuban ornithologists, guides, and community members; stay in welcoming casas particulares (Bed & Breakfast establishments); and dine in cozy paladars (private restaurants), giving you an authentic taste of Cuba’s rich culture, delicious food, and warm hospitality. Discover Cuba through its birds, landscapes, and people—join us for an unforgettable experience in 2025!
Explore, Enjoy, and Empower: Why you’ll Want to Book this Trip ASAP!
Your trip, led by outstanding and experienced certified Cuban guides Ernesto Reyes & Tania Piñeiro, and group leaders Lisa Sorenson (Executive Director, BirdsCaribbean, January trip) and Jeff Gerbracht (Checklist Working Group Co-Chair, BirdsCaribbean, March trip), combines expert guidance with local insights. Your adventure includes hassle-free Cuban visa arrangements, dedicated driver and first-class bus transportation, bilingual guides, accommodations, meals and non-alcoholic drinks (with tips at restaurants taken care of), and admission fees for all itinerary locations, ensuring a seamless experience.
Traveling with us not only lets you experience the beauty of Caribbean birds, it also directly supports their conservation. A portion of your trip proceeds goes towards our bird conservation programs and partners in Cuba and the Caribbean. Enjoy unforgettable sightings of some of the world’s most iconic birds, all while contributing to their welfare and supporting the dedicated people who study and protect them.
From Cuba’s majestic mogotes to lush tropical forests to vibrant swamps and wetlands, we explore a wide variety of spectacular habitats. For a glimpse of the incredible bird species you may encounter, take a look at our eBird trip reports:
Still not convinced? Check out the rave reviews at the bottom of this page and see what fellow birders are saying about their unforgettable experiences! See also photos from past trips in the gallery below.
Two exceptional tours to choose from in 2025: a 9-day trip in January and a 12-day trip in March
See detailed itineraries for our 2025 trips below!
Conservation is not an easy calling. Biodiversity protection is a complex undertaking that requires a myriad of interventions: sometimes education and awareness raising, sometimes capacity building, sometimes difficult and tiring fieldwork for us to learn more about how to protect species, sometimes navigating complex networks of stakeholders and laws — always, it requires a special kind of dogged persistence. Work often demands long hours, exhausting days in the field, and battling against entrenched systems and beliefs. Despite the challenging nature of this work, our community consistently goes above and beyond in service of a stronger, beautifully biodiverse Caribbean.
On the final night of every BirdsCaribbean conference, we set aside the evening to recognize and celebrate those in our community who truly embody the tenets of dedication and tireless passion in pursuit of the conservation of Caribbean birds and their habitats. The Awards Ceremony is not only a ritual, but an important moment to show support for our amazing colleagues. We are proud to honor our phenomenal community members who not only advance conservation in our region, but who inspire us to keep pushing harder every day.
On the last evening of the BirdsCaribbean 24th International Conference, we gathered for a special Closing Gala, recognizing the tremendous efforts of our hardworking community.
And the award goes to…!!!
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The BirdsCaribbean Lifetime Achievement Awards is our most prestigious award, conferred upon those remarkable individuals in our BirdsCaribbean family who have helped change the future for Caribbean birds and their habitats for the better through a lifetime of work and dedication.
We honored two individuals with the Lifetime Achievement Award for their tireless commitment to the study and protection of Caribbean birds and their habitats.
(1) Christopher Rimmer, Emeritus Executive Director of Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE), was recognized for his unwavering dedication to the Bicknell’s Thrush, a bird that “connects two worlds”, and for fostering conservation capacity throughout the Caribbean. As a co-founder of VCE, Chris has championed wildlife conservation over the past 3+ decades, blending ecological research with community engagement. Much of his career has been focused on studying the Bicknell’s Thrush across its full life cycle, from the breeding sites in New York and New England to the cloud forests of Hispaniola and Cuba. In 2007, Chris co-founded the International Bicknell’s Thrush Conservation Group (IBTCG), which completed the first-ever Bicknell’s Thrush conservation action plan, a collaborative effort of all six countries across the species’ full annual cycle. Beyond his fieldwork, Chris has also been a dedicated mentor to dozens of young biologists, many of whom have gone on to careers in ornithology and conservation — a testament to his belief that conservation is as much about people as it is ecology. Among his many contributions, we especially honor Chris for his continued support to science, local-based conservation, and capacity building, particularly in the Dominican Republic.
(2)Dr. Steven C. Latta, Director of Conservation and Field Research at the National Aviary, was celebrated for his extensive contributions to Caribbean and Latin American ornithology over the past 25 years. His research has explored the winter ecology of migratory birds, examining how species adapt to both natural and human-induced changes in their habitats. Using the Louisiana Waterthrush as a focal species, he has studied population dynamics and the effects of water quality on bird health. Steve has coordinated some of the longest bird monitoring programs in Latin America, and co-founded the Ruta Barrancolí, the first national birding trail in the region. His work is distinguished by strong local collaboration, partnering with Dominican biologists and naturalists as collaborators in field efforts, and by innovative efforts with locally-based educators to build a culture of bird conservation among children and adults across the island. He has authored multiple books on Hispaniola’s avifauna, published over 175 research articles, and continues to dedicate himself to mentoring the next generation of conservationists in field research and avian monitoring techniques.
Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Christopher Rimmer with BirdsCaribbean Executive Director Lisa Sorenson, BirdsCaribbean President Adrianne Tossas and Andrea Thomen.
Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Dr Steve Latta with BirdsCaribbean Executive Director Lisa Sorenson, BirdsCaribbean President Adrianne Tossas and Andrea Thomen.
PRESIDENT’S AWARD
President’s Awards recipients are hand selected by by our President Dr Adrianne Tossas, who takes into account multiple factors, such as their capacity to adapt in difficult circumstances and excel in their abilities, ultimately raising the level of service in conservation. This year, four organizations were honored with the President’s Award:The Peregrine Fund Dominican Republic, Grupo Jaragua, Grupo Acción Ecológica and Action pour la Sauvegarde de l’Écologie en Haïti.
(1)The Peregrine Fund Dominican Republic, led by Carlos Suarez and Marta Curti, along with former members Christine and Thomas Hayes, and many other technicians and active community members such as Juan Gavilán and many more, were celebrated for their devotion to the conservation of Ridgeway’s Hawk through effective community engagement and fostering partnerships with the private and public sector. The Peregrine Fund’s Ridgway’s Hawk conservation project, launched in 2002, and has made significant strides in protecting this critically endangered species. A key achievement is their advances in preventing botfly infestations in nestlings, a major threat that could otherwise cause over 70% mortality. The Peregrine Fund has also successes with their Assisted Dispersal Program, which releases young hawks from Los Haitises National Park to the Ojos Indígenas Reserve, establishing new breeding pairs and fledging young in the wild. Partnerships with private organizations have helped retrofit hazardous power lines, reducing the risk of electrocution for Ridgway’s Hawks and other bird species. The Peregrine Fund’s wholistic approach to conservation goes beyond wildlife protection, incorporating community development and environmental education that benefits local people through training, educational programs, and employment opportunities, all while improving the hawk’s conservation outlook.
(2) Grupo Jaragua, led by Sixto J. Inchaustegui, Yvonne Arias, and Yolanda León, along with many other staff and members, were honored for their dedication to advocacy for threatened species and ecosystems, and for their work towards ensuring the conservation of the Dominican Republic’s protected areas. Grupo Jaragua is a leading force in conserving the biodiversity and natural resources of Hispaniola, working across the Dominican Republic and Haiti through initiatives that combine scientific research, community involvement, and sustainable development. Their programs have achieved tangible conservation outcomes for endangered species such as the Ricord’s Rock Iguana, Hawksbill Turtle, and many other wildlife. Their efforts extend beyond fieldwork, playing a pivotal role in shaping environmental policy in the Dominican Republic, including advising the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic on the expansion of protected areas, the UNESCO nomination of the Jaragua–Bahoruco–Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve, and the establishment of Ramsar wetlands and specially protected areas under the Cartagena Convention. In the field, they partner with local communities, building skills and empowering residents as key contributors to conservation. Many community members have become experts in techniques such as GPS navigation and camera trapping, enhancing the impact of their work, and ensuring that conservation knowledge is deeply rooted in the region.
Members of The Peregrine Fund (Dominican Republic) with BirdsCaribbean Executive Director Lisa Sorenson, BirdsCaribbean President Adrianne Tossas and Andrea Thomen.
Members of Grupo Jaragua with BirdsCaribbean Executive Director Lisa Sorenson, BirdsCaribbean President Adrianne Tossas and Andrea Thomen.
(3) Grupo Acción Ecológica (GAE), led by Maria Paulino, along with Danilo Mejia and Luis Paulino, were recognized for their efforts to monitor and conserve wetland birds and raise awareness about their threats. GAE, a Dominican nonprofit founded in 2009, is dedicated to protecting biodiversity through field research and community education, operating under the inspiring motto, “For the birds, the environment, and you.” Partnering with the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, GAE has contributed to groundbreaking discoveries about the Louisiana Waterthrush’s annual cycle, highlighting the crucial link between water quality, biodiversity, and human health. As a leader in the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC), GAE has played a vital role in surveying key wetlands across the DR, including the Monte Cristi wetlands, now recognized as a migration hotspot for shorebirds. GAE has also been instrumental in fostering a love for birds and nature, hosting the long-running “Campamento Barrancolí” children’s camp in Duarte Province and spearheading celebrations for the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival and Migratory Bird Day at the National Zoo in Santo Domingo. These initiatives have reached thousands of children and families, making a lasting impact. More recently, GAE has become a key force behind the government’s “Rescate Rosado” initiative, focusing on the rescue, rehabilitation, and monitoring of the American Flamingo. Thanks to GAE’s efforts, hundreds of flamingo traps have been removed, and their data collection is directly influencing conservation strategies and decisions.
(4) Action pour la Sauvegarde de l’Écologie en Haïti (ACSEH), founded by conservation leader Anderson Jean was recognized for their exemplary efforts in building capacity for avian monitoring, conservation, and education in Haiti. This grassroots organization, founded in 2017, has established itself as a leading advocate for the country’s environment, and works towards “taking action to save Haitian ecology.” ACSEH works along with international partners such as Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) and the Grupo Jaragua DR Petrel Monitoring Team to advance the conservation of the Endangered Black-capped Petrel (Diablotin) in several localities in Haiti. This group has pioneered innovative education initiatives, such as the annual Diablotin Festival, celebrated amongst schoolchildren and farmers in Boukan Chat and surrounding areas. In 2019, ACSEH discovered a small population of the Critically Endangered Ridgway’s Hawk on Petite Cayemite Island and is presently working to gather key data to understand the status of this species in a new locality.
Members of Grupo Accion Ecologia with BirdsCaribbean Executive Director Lisa Sorenson, BirdsCaribbean President Adrianne Tossas and Andrea Thomen.
Anderson Jean (center) with Haitian schoolchildren planting trees for the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival. While the ACSEH team was not able to attend this year’s conference, their contributions were recognized at the ceremony, and the President’s Award collected on their behalf.
FOUNDERS’ AWARD
Established in 2011 at our conference in Freeport, Grand Bahama, the Founders’ Award is given to the student who presents the best paper in conservation research or management research at our conference. The paper must present a scientific research project, the results from which directly apply to management of bird populations, their habitats, or related critical natural resources in the Caribbean Region.
This year, we were proud to present the Founder’s Award to Andrea Thomen for her paper “Endemic Parrot Trade in Dominican Republic: Implications for Conservation and Management.” Her groundbreaking research into the domestic parrot trade revealed the extent and geographical spread of parrot ownership in the Dominican Republic through a nationwide survey.
Founder’s Award recipient Andrea Thomen with Dr Mark Hulme, BirdsCaribbean Executive Director Lisa Sorenson, BirdsCaribbean President Adrianne Tossas, and Kyle Kittelberger, Michelle Moyer, and Garry Auguiste.
Other delegates were commended for their exceptional aptitude for research and oral presentations too. Honorable mention goes to Garry Auguiste (Dominica) for his paper “Quantifying the Population Density and Distribution of Amazona Parrots of the island of Dominica, Post-Hurricane Maria”, Michelle Moyer (USA) for her paper “Investigating Male and Female Vocalizations of an Understudied Caribbean Endemic Bird”, and Kyle Kittelberger for his paper “Evaluating Extinction Risk Among Resident Bird Species on Islands.”
EDUCATOR AWARDS
With a powerful mix of passion, innovative approaches, and a flair for the creative, educators drive awareness and nurture change in their communities by introducing birders of all ages to the world of avian conservation. Our Educator Awards are given jointly with our partner, Environment for the Americas, to organizations and individuals that have truly excelled as educators in their communities. With great enthusiasm and energy, these persons have consistently organized fun and exciting community activities for both the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival and World Migratory Bird Day.
Educator Awards were given to BirdLife Jamaica, SCIENCE (St Vincent and the Grenadines), Les Fruits de Mer (St Martin), Yaritza Bobonis (Fundación Amigos de El Yunque, Puerto Rico), Giselle Ragoonanan (Trinidad and Tobago Bird Observatory and Research Centre, Trinidad and Tobago), Daniela Ventura del Puerto (University of Havana, Cuba) and Simón Guerrero (posthumous award, Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic). Congratulations to all the winners!
Educator’s Award recipients Mark Yokoyama and Jennifer Yerkes of Les Fruits de Mer with Aliya, Lisa, and Eduardo.
Justin Saunders, president of Birdlife Jamaica, expresses his gratitude before being presented with the Educator’s Award by Lisa.
Members of SCIENCE proudly display their Educator’s Award.
Miguel presenting Daniela with the Educator’s Award and binoculars from Environment For The Americas. (Photo by Martin Rodriguez)
Sixto accepting the Educator’s Award and binoculars for Simón Guerrero, from Miguel. (Photo by Susan Bonfield)
Educator’s Award recipient Yaritza Bobonis of Fundacion Amigos de El Yunque with Aliya, Lisa, and Eduardo.
Miguel presenting Giselle with the Educator’s Award and binoculars from Environment For The Americas. (Photo by Susan Bonfield)
INTERNATIONAL BLACK-CAPPED PETREL CONSERVATION GROUP AWARDS
The only confirmed breeding location of the Endangered Black-capped Petrel, or Diablotin, is the island of Hispaniola, which made it especially fitting for us to use the occasion of our conference to honor the dedicated Dominican and Haitian field teams who have been working tirelessly to advance our understanding of this elusive seabird. Black-capped Petrel nests are notoriously difficult to locate, and even when they are found, navigating the unforgiving highland terrain they nest in is challenging. Our understanding of the status of the petrel in recent years has largely been driven by these resolute field teams from the Dominican Republic and Haiti who boldly undertake this daunting work.
To recognize these exemplary teams, the audience were given insight into the logistical, physical and emotional challenges of their field work. All field team members were then awarded Certificates of Achievement and rain-jackets specially designed to make future field expeditions just a bit more comfortable. The names of all members – Haitian and Dominican – were read aloud to honor their remarkable level of stamina and determination in the face of challenging logistics, difficult terrains and adverse weather. It is with the deepest respect and admiration that we acknowledge the magnitude of these teams’ contribution to the world’s scientific understanding and conservation of the Black-capped Petrel.
We are proud to recognize the Haitian Black-capped Petrel field team: Anderson Jean, René Jeune, Samuel Nossirel, Tinio Louis, Renozier Victome, Maxon Fildor, Jephtanie François, Lionel Raymond, Brazil Jonel, Julcene Raymond, and Wilson Aubourg; and the Dominican Republic (Grupo Jaragua) Black-capped Petrel field team: Ernst Rupp, Gerson Feliz, Geny Marcelo Feliz, Juan Pérez Vidal, Juan Pablo Montero, Jairo Issa Matos, Jose Luis Castillo, and Esteban Garrido.
Geny Marcelo Feliz, Juan Pablo Montero, and Juan Pérez Vidal of the Domincan Republic Black-capped Petrel field team trying on their new rain-jackets and posing for a shot with Yvan Satgé (second from left) (Photo by Ariel Contreras)
(L to R) Anderson Jean, Wilson Aubourg, Maxon Fildor, Jonel Bazil, and Julcene Raymond of the Haitian Black-capped Petrel field team on site in Haiti.
PARTNERS IN FLIGHT AWARD
The Partners in Flight Leadership Award recognizes outstanding individuals and groups across the Americas for their exceptional contributions to the field of landbird conservation. We are delighted to share that our President,Dr Adrianne Tossas, was honored by Partners in Flight for her almost three decades of promoting conservation of bird species in Puerto Rico and throughout the Caribbean region through research, education, and advocacy. Adrianne’s journey has exemplified resilience and adaptability while building an impressive legacy of leadership in conservation. As a founding member of the Puerto Rican Ornithological Society, she initiated and coordinated the Important Bird Areas program in Puerto Rico. A published author, she wrote “Aves de Puerto Rico Para Niños,” making bird conservation accessible to younger audiences. Since becoming an active member of BirdsCaribbean in 1999, Adrianne has served as Director-at-Large, where she initiated the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival, which is now in its 22nd year. Today, she proudly leads as the President of BirdsCaribbean. Adrianne is also a Professor of Biology at the University of Puerto Rico.
Carol Beidleman presenting BirdsCaribbean President Adrianne Tossas with the Partners in Flight Leadership Award.
Posthumous AWARDs
This year, we were deeply saddened by the passing of two pillars of our community. Simón Guerrero, and Orlando Garrido continue to stand out as giants among us in their influence and impact, and the contributions that they have each made will advance Caribbean conservation for decades to come. We honored their immense legacies with with Posthumous Awards, and continue to celebrate their memory.
Simón Guerrero, a revered Dominican psychologist, naturalist, and bird behavior expert, left an indelible mark on the conservation community. Serving as a professor for over 40 years at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), he also directed the Experimental Behaviour Lab, inspiring countless students with his engaging teaching style and profound love for nature. Simón’s career extended to the National Natural History Museum in Santo Domingo and the National Zoo-Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C. As a founding member of the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds, Simón holds a treasured place in our history; he was a beloved presence at every biennial conference for 30 years, and his absence was deeply felt at this year’s gathering. Simón was a passionate advocate for environmental education, contributing over 300 press articles that promoted conservation in the Dominican Republic. His love for nature went beyond birds to include native flora, encouraging the planting of bird-friendly plants across the country. Known for his quick wit, captivating anecdotes, and heartfelt compassion for animals, he inspired many to become defenders of the natural world. His innovative contributions, such as designing artificial nests for bird species, remain a testament to his ingenuity and dedication. As we honor Simón’s memory, we are guided by the question he often posed: “Does the species know?” His legacy continues to challenge and inspire us to ensure that every conservation effort is felt by the creatures it aims to protect.
Orlando Garrido, celebrated biologist and ornithologist, is remembered as one of Cuban natural sciences most illustrious sons, and as an inspiration to generations of Caribbean naturalists. His legacy includes the discovery of four mammalian taxa and the description of 58 insects, 21 birds, and 37 reptiles. His name is immortalized in the 78 new records among birds, reptiles, and fish, and 23 taxa that have been dedicated to him, and his prolific career produced 298 scientific publications. His spirit of discovery is remembered with respect and awe, oftentimes going out into the field almost “blindly,” armed only with a backpack full of the passion, at a time when there were not yet the field guides of today. He is remembered not only for his scientific achievements but also for his generosity in sharing knowledge, his sharp insights, and his irreverent sense of humor. Orlando’s legend extends beyond science; he was also an internationally recognized tennis player, competing at Wimbledon six times and representing Cuba on the global stage. From dropping out of Biology at university, to becoming the pride of Cuban science, Orlando Garrido’s story is one of remarkable transformation. His life’s work continues to inspire, and we celebrate his memory with deep respect and admiration.
Orlando Garrido was a tireless explorer of the Cuban archipelago. Garrido has to his credit the discovery of four mammalian taxa and the description of: 58 insects, 21 birds, 37 reptiles. 78 new records among birds, reptiles, and fish, and 23 taxa have been dedicated to him, and in total he has 298 publications. (Photo by Susan Jacobson)
Simón Guerrero was a founding member of the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds. An engaging teacher and speaker with a great sense of humor, he influenced many to become fans and defenders of nature for many decades.
We’re still buzzing from our fantastic BirdsCaribbean 24th International Conference in Santo Domingo! Our week-long Dominican Republic adventure was packed full of insightful learnings, spectacular birding, and experiencing the rich culture of our gracious hosts — but there’s one feature of the conference that most stands out to us — our incredible community! The opportunity to connect with the passionate trailblazers advancing the work of bird conservation across the region was unforgettable. Thanks to our generous sponsors, we were able to offer scholarships to Caribbean conservation leaders from around the region to join us in sharing knowledge and planning interventions to tackle the Caribbean’s most pressing conservation challenges. One superstar conservationist that we were thrilled to host at the conference was Trinidad and Tobago’s Giselle Ragoonanan.
Giselle Ragoonanan, Co-founder of the Trinidad and Tobago Bird Observatory and Research Centre.
An indigenous naturalist and dedicated educator, Giselle is the co-founder of the Trinidad and Tobago Bird Observatory and Research Centre (TTBO) which works towards advancing avian research, conservation, and education through bird banding, habitat management, and community engagement spanning across both islands. As a sponsored delegate, Giselle Ragoonanan had the privilege of diving deep into workshops and discussions that nurtured her passion for preserving Caribbean birds. From hands-on training in advanced monitoring techniques to dynamic sessions led by conservation leaders, each moment was a step toward impactful change. Join Giselle as she shares insights from inspiring keynotes, innovative collaborations, and the personal connections that transformed this conference into a pivotal experience for her work at the TTBO.
Bird Nerds Unite! Workshops and Learning: Diving into Conservation
July was a whirlwind month, and the highlight was undoubtedly the BirdsCaribbean International Conference in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. This event brought together hundreds of bird enthusiasts, conservationists, and researchers from across the world, all with a shared passion for avian life. For me, it was more than just a conference—it was an unforgettable experience filled with learning, laughter, and connections that I’ll carry with me for years to come.
The pre-conference workshops were a true highlight of the event, setting the stage for the deeper discussions that would unfold during the conference itself. These sessions were intense but incredibly rewarding, covering everything from advanced bird monitoring techniques to community-based conservation strategies diving into the nitty-gritty of bird conservation across the region. Each session offered valuable insights that were immediately applicable to our work on the ground. It was a chance to deepen my knowledge, share experiences, and learn from some of the brightest minds in bird conservation.
Giselle completes an activity during the Create Your Own Coloring and Activity Book workshop hosted by Les Fruits de Mer. (Photo by Christel Mohammed)
What made these workshops particularly effective was their interactive nature. Instead of passively absorbing information, we were actively engaged in problem-solving exercises, hands-on work, and group discussions that fostered collaboration and idea-sharing. This approach deepened our understanding of the topics and equipped us with new tools and techniques that could be adapted to our unique challenges back home.
Giselle explaining the conservation challenges she faces in Trinidad and Tobago during the BirdsCaribbean’s Capacity Building Assessment session at the conference. (Photo by Christel Mohammed)
These workshops laid a solid foundation for the conference’s breakout sessions. The knowledge and skills we gained beforehand allowed us to engage more meaningfully in discussions, ask more targeted questions, and contribute to the collective learning experience. The seamless integration of these pre-conference workshops with the broader conference agenda made the entire event cohesive and impactful, ensuring that we left with actionable takeaways and a clearer sense of direction for our conservation efforts.
The Urban Birder: David Lindo’s Inspiring Keynote
One of the most anticipated sessions of the conference was the keynote address by David Lindo, famously known as “The Urban Birder.” David’s talk was nothing short of inspiring. He’s well known for his mission to connect urban populations with nature, particularly birds. He talked about his fascinating journey to to get the nation involved in changing Britain’s national bird from the robin to a species that truly represented the country. What struck me most was his genuine passion for getting people to simply look up and appreciate the birds around them, regardless of where they are. His energy was contagious, and it left everyone in the room buzzing with ideas on how to engage more people in birding, whether in bustling cities or rural landscapes.
David Lindo, The Urban Birder, inspired delegates with his keynote on connecting with nature in urban spaces. (Photo by Christel Mohammed)
Shaping the Future of TTBO: Insights and Innovations from the BirdsCaribbean Conference
The BirdsCaribbean International Conference was a turning point for the Trinidad and Tobago Bird Observatory and Research Centre (TTBO). The insights and connections we gained during the event will undoubtedly shape our organization’s future. One of the most significant takeaways was the potential to integrate cutting-edge technologies and collaborative networks into our conservation efforts with the MOTUS project. This stood out as a particularly promising initiative. I think by joining this network, TTBO can contribute to and benefit from a global effort to better understand bird migration patterns, which is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies.
The Near Threatened White-tailed Sabrewing is one of TTBO’s target species for enhanced conservation initiatives on Tobago. (Photo by Adam Bowley ML 205389221)
Additionally, the conference highlighted the importance of rigorous, standardized monitoring techniques, such as Landbird Monitoring through point counts and transect points. Applying these methods will allow us to gather consistent, high-quality data on bird populations in Trinidad and Tobago, providing a solid foundation for our research and conservation initiatives.
The connections made at the conference were just as impactful. Engaging with other conservationists who are implementing similar projects across the region offered valuable insights into best practices, potential challenges, and innovative solutions. These interactions have already begun to shape our approach to future projects, ensuring that TTBO’s efforts are aligned with global conservation standards, and are part of a broader, collaborative network.
Building Connections and Sharing Our Work
One of the most rewarding aspects of the conference was the opportunity to share the work we’ve been doing in Trinidad and Tobago with a broader audience. Presenting our initiatives and progress at the Trinidad and Tobago Bird Observatory and Research Centre sparked insightful conversations and constructive feedback from peers across the region. It was incredibly validating to hear seasoned professionals express admiration for our efforts, and even more so to engage in dialogues where we could exchange ideas and strategies.
Giselle discussing her research project with Jamaican ornithologist Dr Ann Sutton. (Photo by Christel Mohammed)
Northern Waterthrush. (Photo by Jesse Gordon)
Che Ragoonanan’s presentation on community engagement in Trinidad. (Photo by Christel Mohammed)
Children and ARC Conservation members wear their hand crafted masks.
Kelvin Kirk discussing his study on the avifauna of Tobago with Cuban ornithologist and scientific illustrator Arnaldo Toledo. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Daveka Boodram speaking about efforts to conserve the Near Threatened White-tailed Sabrewing in Tobago.
Shivam Mahadeo and Jennifer Wheeler reviewing the data obtained from his seabird research in Tobago. (Photo by Christel Mohammed)
The connections we made were not just professional; they were deeply personal. It was fascinating to see how scientists and conservationists from different corners of the Caribbean and the world, each working in distinct ecosystems, were tackling similar challenges. The sessions became a melting pot of ideas, where everyone was eager to share their successes, failures, and lessons learned. We were all trying to piece together similar puzzles in our respective environments, and this collective brainstorming inspired me.
The genuine interest people showed in our work was both humbling and motivating. There was a strong sense of camaraderie as we realized that, despite the geographical distances, we were all part of a larger, interconnected community. These interactions reinforced the idea that conservation is not a solitary pursuit but a collaborative effort that thrives on shared knowledge and mutual support. For me, the conference drove us beyond networking; it was about building lasting partnerships and fostering a regional network of allies who are all striving towards the same goal: the preservation of our unique Caribbean biodiversity.
The Grand Silent Auction: Beautiful Chaos
The Grand Silent Auction was, in true Caribbean style, anything but silent. It was a delightful, chaotic spectacle where the usual calm and composed demeanor of scientists gave way to competitive zeal. Picture this: conservationists and researchers, who are usually discussing bird migration patterns and habitat restoration, suddenly turn into stealthy bidders, eyeing each other’s movements with laser focus. The air was thick with a beautiful and disruptive chaos as everyone tried to silently undermine their competitors by upping the bid by just 50 cents (AKA ME LOL). The room was filled with furtive glances, whispered strategies, and the occasional playful smirk as someone outbid their colleague at the last second. It was one of the funniest yet most rewarding human interactions I’ve ever observed—who knew that scientists could be so cutthroat when there’s a field guide or a rare bird print on the line? The auction was a hilarious reminder that, underneath the serious commitment to conservation, we all have a playful, competitive side just waiting for the right moment to emerge. And yes, ah win the map I alone bid on! Success!
Bidders placing their last, and hopefully winning bids during the Silent Auction. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
The Infamous Field Trip: From Punta Cana to “Poola Cana”
Giselle enjoying sightseeing on her ‘Poola Cana’ trip.
Ah, the field trip—what should have been a serene journey to the stunning hotspot of Punta Cana turned into an adventure all its own. In a classic case of “missing the bus,” what actually happened was the bus was scheduled to leave at 3:30am and I snoozed my alarm. Instead of Punta Cana, we jokingly dubbed our unexpected destination “Poola Cana.” We may not have reached our intended location, but the pool, pizza, and spontaneous birding we enjoyed made it one of the trip’s highlights. Sometimes, the best memories are the ones you don’t wake up on time for!
A Journey of Inspiration and Growth
Attending the BirdsCaribbean International Conference was not just an opportunity for professional development—it was a journey of inspiration and growth. My primary purpose for attending was to deepen my understanding of regional conservation efforts, to learn from others, and to find ways to enhance the work we’re doing in Trinidad and Tobago. BirdsCaribbean delivered on all these fronts and went far beyond my expectations.
The collective energy of the conference was palpable. Even those who have been in the field for over 20 years were visibly inspired by the new ideas and fresh perspectives brought by the younger generation of conservationists. There was a sense of renewal, as seasoned professionals shared their wisdom while also eagerly embracing the innovative approaches presented by up-and-coming researchers and activists. It was a powerful reminder that conservation is a dynamic field, one that benefits immensely from intergenerational collaboration.
Members of the TTBO at the poster session.
For me, the conference reaffirmed the importance of our work and provided a renewed sense of purpose. I left Santo Domingo with a deeper commitment to the birds and ecosystems we strive to protect, fueled by the knowledge that we are part of a vibrant and supportive community. The experience was a reminder that no matter how challenging our work may be, we are not alone in this journey. We are all connected by our shared passion for the natural world and our determination to ensure that future generations can continue to marvel at the beauty of Caribbean birdlife.
The BirdsCaribbean International Conference was more than just an event; it was a transformative experience. It strengthened my resolve, expanded my horizons, and connected me with a network of incredible individuals who are all making a difference in their own unique ways. As I return to Trinidad and Tobago, I carry with me not only new knowledge and ideas, but also the inspiration and support of a community that I am proud to be a part of.
Giselle Ragoonanan is an Indigenous naturalist and wildlife conservationist with a deep passion for preserving biodiversity. A certified NABC bird bander and nature soundscape recordist, Giselle is honing expertise in avian research and conservation. As the co-founder of the Trinidad and Tobago Bird Observatory and Research Centre (TTBO), she has been working towards advancing bird conservation in the Caribbean. Giselle is also a committed educator, sharing her knowledge and fostering a deeper connection between people and the natural world. Through her work, she continues to inspire and engage communities in the protection of wildlife and their habitats.
Acknowledgements
We extend our sincerest gratitude to everyone who contributed to the overwhelming success of this conference! Travel and Attendance scholarships were made possible through the generosity of our conference sponsors, donors, and local partners. These include The Rufford Foundation, Audubon, US Forest Service, Teleuniverso, American Bird Conservancy, Banco Popular, Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, Fondo Nacional para el Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Fondo MARENA) Dominican Republic, Naturalist Journeys, Vermont Center for Ecostudies, Mass Audubon, Cúa Conservation Agency, Vortex Optics, Rare Species Conservatory Foundation, and the FUPAROCA Foundation.
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BirdsCaribbean’s general Grant Application Guidelines are available here.
Learn more about the eligibility criteria of each program by visiting their respective websites.
Seeking Donors
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Birdwatching is a fun hobby that everyone can enjoy. Being in nature with people who share your interests can be very fulfilling. However, not everyone has equal access to these experiences, especially those with disabilities or chronic illnesses. While people with disabilities may not be able to explore trails without help, we should be wary of assuming that they are not interested in experiencing the joys of nature, and that they do not care deeply about the wellbeing of the environment.
Virginia Rose, disability rights advocate and founder of the non-profit Birdability, who has been a wheelchair user for over forty years knows how challenging it can be to enjoy nature as a disabled person. But her use of a mobility aid did not diminish her curiosity about the world around her. As she inspiringly shared, “the only thing that I felt really changed was that I had to manage getting around in a wheelchair.”
Founder and President of Birdability, Virginia Rose. (Photo credit: birdability.org)
It is this desire to explore and connect with the world that has fueled her dedication to increasing access to nature for people of all abilities and helping them find community. Inspired by movements like #BlackBirdersWeek, Latino Conservation Week, and Let’s Go Birding Together, Virginia founded Birdability in 2020. Birdability’s vision is that birding is for everyone — including those with disabilities and other health concerns. We at BirdsCaribbean wholeheartedly support this vision. Over 1 million people in the Caribbean are living with some form of disability and face daily discrimination and exclusion.
But our partners in Antigua and Barbuda, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are exploring ways to make their birding events more welcoming and inclusive. For this year’s Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival, our partners at the University of Havana Bird Ecology Group (UHBEG) visited the Solidarity with Panama school for disabled children to give a talk on the endemic birds of Cuba. They were then taken to the National Botanical Garden for a short birdwatching tour and ended the day painting, building puzzles, and playing bird-themed dominoes. Alieny González Alfonso, member of UHBEG and event organizer, beautifully captured the curious spirit of the students, noting, “They participated in many activities with such enthusiasm and eagerness to learn about Cuba’s birds.”
We would love to see more of these events taking place throughout the region, whether it’s allowing visually impaired participants to “see” birds by handling carved wooden birds, as done by Sociedad Ornitólogica Puertorriqueña, or learning to ID birds using bird songs, as done bySimón Guerrero.
Simón Guerrero was a founding member of the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds. An engaging teacher and speaker with a great sense of humor, he influenced many to become fans and defenders of nature for many decades.
University of Havana Bird Ecology Group brought the wonders of birds and birdwatching to differently abled students. (Photo by University of Havana Bird Ecology Group)
A member of the Antigua and Barbuda Association of Persons with Disabilities birdwatching with staff from the Environmental Awareness Group. (Photo by Sherrel Charles)
Birdability Week (21st-27th October 2024) offers the opportunity for birding groups, non-governmental organizations, and groups of family and friends to host an accessible bird outing. With some thoughtful planning this event asserts that birding can be enjoyable for everybody.
Birdability focuses on people with mobility challenges, blindness or low vision, chronic illness, intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental illness, and those who are neurodivergent, deaf or hard of hearing, or have other health concerns. So if you are looking for Information and resources to help your organization be more mindful and inclusive of these birders please check Birdability’s their website!
Watch the Birds or Follow the Birdsong — Birding is for ALL
A Scaly-breasted Thrasher calls in Guadeloupe. (Photo by Judd Patterson)
Help Put Accessible Birding Locations in the Caribbean on the Map!
There is also a Birdability Site Map which allows you to search for potential accessible sites near you. The majority of the locations are in North America and a few have been identified in Central America and South America. If you know of accessible birding locations on your island we encourage you to complete on-site, in-person Birdability Site Reviews and add them to the Birdability Map.
Birdability Site Map showing locations of nature reserves and parks with varying degrees of accessibility. (Photo credit: birdability.org)
Attend a Virtual Event and Connect with Differently Abled Birders
Students at Sandy Bay Primary School with a St Vincent Parrot plushie during CEBF celebrations organized by the local NGO SCIENCE. (Photo by Science SVG)
BirdsCaribbean is thrilled to lead the charge for the annual Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF), collaborating with a vibrant network of environmental and community organizations throughout the region! Join us as we reflect on the fantastic celebrations of our beloved Caribbean birds, being in nature, and the joy of discovering the fascinating world of insects. Together, we’re making bird conservation an exciting and essential part of daily life in the Caribbean!
This year, the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) celebrated the theme “Protect Insects, Protect Birds.” This theme highlighted the vital connection between birds and insects, emphasizing the crucial role insects play in sustaining bird populations and ensuring the overall health of ecosystems. The festival ran from April to May, with some organizations continuing the festivities well into summer. Our partners were instrumental in uniting bird enthusiasts, nature lovers, conservation organizations, and communities across the region to raise awareness and foster a deeper appreciation for endemic birds and the environmental balance that supports them.
A hive of activity across the Caribbean
This year’s CEBF saw vibrant participation from more than 20islands. CEBF island coordinators organized engaging activities, including birdwatching tours, habitat cleanups, parades, educational talks, art exhibitions, and so much more, all focused on endemic bird species and the critical role insects play in their survival.
Insects provide a rich source of protein essential for birds’ energy needs and overall health. Unfortunately, insect populations worldwide are declining, making this festival theme a timely call to action for insect conservation. “This year’s theme serves as a friendly reminder that every bee, butterfly and bug play a vital role in keeping nature thriving,” said Eduardo Llegus, co-regional coordinator of the CEBF. “Unsung heroes, insects are key players in our ecosystems. Without them, many birds – and the very balance of nature – would face serious problems, including the forests and wetlands that are essential for their survival. Protecting insects is about ensuring that all life, including birds, in the Caribbean can flourish together.”
A Martinique Oriole searches for food. They eat both insects and fruits. (Photo by Bussier Romain-Macaulay Library-ML136544221)
Trinidad and Tobago
The Trinidad and Tobago Bird Observatory and Research Centre (TTBO) held a fun-filled event hosting more than double the previous year’s participants — from 30 in 2023 to over 70 in 2024! Activities like the “Save the Soil for Cicadas” parade and interactive displays on birdwatching and insect identification captivated participants. The day culminated with habitat model constructions of nests and hives.
Are you Team Insects or Team Birds — or both?! (Photo by TTBO)
Handmade nests with paper birds. (Photo by TTBO)
Green-backed Trogon spotted during the TTBO Bird Harvest festival. (Photo by TTBO)
Youth learning about beekeeping. (Photo by TTBO)
Proud to be on Team Insects! (Photo by TTBO)
Beekeepers demonstrating how to handle bees safely. (Photo by TTBO)
Happy to be on Team Birds! (Photo by TTBO)
Youth birdwatching during the Bird Harvest festival. (Photo by TTBO)
Youth wearing an insect face mask. (Photo by TTBO)
St Vincent and the Grenadines
The team at Science Initiative for Environmental Conservation and Education (SCIENCE SVG) brought the excitement of bird festivities to Sandy Bay Primary School. Students were thrilled to dig deep into the world of their unique endemic birds, such as the majestic St. Vincent Parrot and the charming Whistling Warbler. For many, it was their first-time observing the beautiful birds in their schoolyard through a spotting scope, sparking awe and a deeper appreciation for local wildlife.
The event was not just about birdwatching; it also featured a variety of fun activities, including face painting, coloring, and mask-making. These creative endeavors allowed students to explore self-expression while learning about birds and insects.
Student displays his colored in drawing of the Whistling Warbler. (Photo by SCIENCE SVG)
Students coloring endemic bird coloring pages and decorating their insect and bird masks at Sandy Bay Primary School. (Photo by SCIENCE SVG)
Youth wearing a bird mask that she colored. (Photo by SCIENCE SVG)
Guadeloupe
AMAZONAhosted a birdfair for the community of Petit-Bourg. The event was a delightful celebration of nature, with birdwatching taking center stage. Enthusiastic participants ventured into the lush surroundings, where they were thrilled to spot an impressive 19 species of birds, including the striking Guadeloupe Woodpecker and the adorable Plumbeous Warbler.
The Guadeloupe Woodpecker is endemic to Guadeloupe. (Photo by Frantz Delcroix)
Plumbeous Warbler. (Photo by Frantz Delcroix)
St Eustatius
The St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) hosted a booth at the monthly Taste of the Cultures event, allowing them to engage with and educate the public and visitors, especially children, on the importance of birds and insects through fun games. A major hit was the “I spy” bird game where children used binoculars to spot small bird photos that were set up around the booth. They shared with us that teenagers especially enjoyed the game, one of whom exclaimed “You should have more of these games! Seriously, I was looking for all the hidden birds around the booth with the binoculars for a while!” They also provided Endemic Birds of the West Indies coloring books, Statia bird ID guides, activity guides, stickers and other materials to fuel their interest in birds and nature.
STENAPA staff setting up their bird booth for the event. (Photo by STENAPA)
Posters about insect types and functions, created by STENAPA staff. (Photo by STENAPA)
STENAPA’s bird booth at the Taste of Cultures event with books, stickers and other materials on display. (Photo by STENAPA)
Antigua and Barbuda
barbudanGO hosted a variety of activities aimed at enhancing understanding and appreciating the Barbuda Warbler, the only endemic bird to Antigua and Barbuda, currently listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Participants engaged in artistic events that provided insights into the warbler’s habitat and conservation needs, fostering awareness and advocacy for its protection. Key highlights included the “Sip and Paint” event, which combined relaxation with artistic expression and education, and the “Puzzle Master” challenge designed for adults.
For children, they offered a “Birdhouse Construction” workshop where 11 to 16 year olds built and decorated birdhouses for a garden that was specifically planted to attract the Barbuda Warbler!
Completed birdhouses. (Photo by BarbudanGO)
Over in Antigua, the Environmental Awareness Group hosted bird fairs at two Important Bird Areas on the island: McKinnon’s Saltpond and Fitches Creek/Parham Harbour (Byams Wharf) and a habitat cleanup. Participants enjoyed seeing regional endemics like the Lesser Antillean Bullfinch, Caribbean Elaenia, and Green-throated Carib. Of course, no CEBF bird fair would be complete without games from our BirdSleuth Caribbean curriculum such as “Bird Spy Bingo” and the “Bird Survival Game.” Find out more about BirdSleuth Caribbean here.
Habitat cleanup crew consisting of members of both Environmental Awareness Group and The Rotaract Club. (Photo by EAG)
St. Martin
Les Fruits de Mer integrated birds into their larger Endemic Animal Festival, which included challenging scavenger hunts, free book giveaways, and lots of art and craft activities for over 100 attendees. Their coloring and activity books are free to download here.
A young girl decorating her pouch using bird stencils during the Endemic Animal Festival. (Photo by Mark Yokoyama)
Les Fruits de Mer founders Mark Yokoyama and Jennifer Yerkes with volunteers.
Both children and adults attended the Endemic Animal Festival. (Photo by Mark Yokoyama)
Young girls learning about the endemic animals of St. Martin. (Photo by Mark Yokoyama)
Puerto Rico
Conservation Opportunity headed to Playa Buje, Cabo Rojo for a bird census — which we were told was a hit among participants! They rounded out the day with a beach cleanup, an educational talk that emphasized the integral role insects play in bird conservation, and installed an interpretive sign at the beach reminding beach goers to keep their environment clean.
Participants of the morning bird census led by Carla Montalvo of Roots and Shoots Puerto Rico.
Bird ID cards used by participants of the morning bird census. (Photo by Conservation Opportunity)
Fabiola Torres, Conservation Opportunity Founder, giving a presentation on endemic birds and insects. (Photo by Conservation Opportunity)
And at El Yunque National Forest, over 1,000 enthusiastic participants came together for what could be the biggest CEBF one-day event of the year! The Fundación Amigos de El Yunque joined forces with Para La Naturaleza, Fundación Alma de Bahía, Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña (SOPI), Hacienda El Portal, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to create a spectacular celebration of birds and bugs! From bird tours to inspiring presentations and nature-based activities, this event was a whirlwind of energy, creativity, and a shared commitment to protecting our birds!
Opening remarks from Yaritza Bobonis. (Photo by Amigos de El Yunque)
Iguaco (Puerto Rican Parrot mascot) from USFWS with Amigos de El Yunque. (Photo by Amigos de El Yunque)
Families having fun at the festival. (Photo by Amigos de El Yunque)
Youth learning how birds eat and build their nests through sensory play. (Photo by Amigos de El Yunque)
Presentation by Jessica Ilse from Forest Service. (Photo by Amigos de El Yunque)
USFWS exhibit at the festival. (Photo by Amigos de El Yunque)
Coriecis, Inc. invited adults and children to learn about the endemic birds of Puerto Rico through a webinar, after which they took the learning into nature at the Piñones State Forest — where they documented 34 species! Check out their eBird checklist here.Surfrider Foundation Puerto Rico and Pajareo Virtual superbly integrated their CEBF celebrations into Global Big Day bird counts. They formed a small but determined team to spread the message that insects are important to birds and people and conducted a bird count at Playa Table Rock. Here is their checklist from Global Big Day. Along their route they spotted some insect munching birds like the Gray Kingbird and Puerto Rican Flycatcher. This activity was repeated at Caño Madre Vieja Reserve where 33 species were recorded.
Coriecis’ virtual presentation on the endemic birds of Puerto Rico. (Photo by Coriecis)
Birding group at Bosque Estatal de Pinones. (Photo by Coriecis)
Surfrider Foundation Puerto Rico’s small but dedicated birding group at Playa Table Rock. (Photo by Surfrider Foundation Puerto Rico)
Gray Kingbird feeding, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Edgardo Cruz)
At the University High School, Miguel Sabatier (OREC) gave a riveting presentation highlighting the importance of insects for both endemic and migratory birds. Miguel shared with us that “the students, teachers, and graduate students’ faces lit up when they heard the bird calls and recognized some they were familiar with.”
Birding is truly for every body and we are proud to share that the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources’ CEBF activities involved leading an interpretive tour through La Plata Reservoir Natural Reserve for a group of blind birders.
The staff of the US Fish and Wildlife Service led a massive 580 participants on exhilarating birdwatching tours through Laguna Cartagena and Cabo Rojo NWR. They also organized an epic movie night under the stars that brought people together in celebration of birds and community.
Movie night at Cabo Rojo. (Photo by USFWS)
The staff at the Estuario de la Bahía de San Juan concentrated on recruiting more citizen scientists from nearby communities for their bird monitoring initiatives. To engage various community groups, they offered informative webinars and exciting birdwatching trips to local natural reserves.
Eliezer Nieves giving a presentation on the birds of Estuario de la Bahia de San Juan.
Despite the rainy weather which impacted attendance, Para La Naturaleza made a meaningful impact by introducing a dedicated participant to the fascinating world of birds. Together, they identified 15 species, including six that are endemic to Puerto Rico.
Eduardo Llegus, CEBF Coordinator based in Puerto Rico, along with his students got their hands dirty for the birdies and completed an early morning habitat cleanup at Punta Cucharas Nature Reserve in Ponce.
Eduardo with is students at Punta Cucharas.
Dominican Republic
Grupo Jaragua created an exciting roster of events for Dominicans to discover and celebrate their iconic birds. Throughout May, they hosted a variety of engaging activities, including an interpretative walk and bird count celebration for Global Big Day on May 11. They also held a recycling workshop and a short talk on the connections between pollution, insects, and birds on May 25. Their vibrant social media campaign featured nine informative posts, while a live webinar on May 16 brought in a wider audience. Additionally, influencer, nature advocate, and entomologist Yohan Nunez (@YohanNature) produced a captivating reel, and bird conservation outreach took place in the preschool program Natura Avventura throughout the month.
The CEBF celebrations in Cuba were a huge success. We owe a huge thank you to our amazing partners at Club de observadores de aves Granma, Club de Observadores de Aves de Guisa, Club de Observadores de Aves en Libertad (Holguín), Grupo Ecologia de Aves (University of Havana) and Jardín Botánico Nacional Cuba, Empresa Flora y Fauna, Museo de Historia Natural Joaquín Fernández de la Vara, Museo Nacional de Historia Natural de Cuba, and independent coordinator Yorniel Martínez Cruz! Their enthusiasm and expertise were truly invaluable in making the events both memorable and impactful for Cuban bird conservation.
People of all ages and abilities enjoyed bird-themed puzzles, cartoons, and games, while also taking part in habitat clean-ups and tree planting. They were especially excited to see the birds in their neighborhoods, school yards, and nature reserves. Local media, and a podcast for kids by kids, Amiguitos de Las Aves, helped spread the word about the important relationship between birds and insects.
Youth enjoying bird games offered by the University of Havana Bird Ecology Group. (Photo by University of Havana Bird Ecology Group)
A young Cuban birder’s one-stop bird station set up by Club de Observadores de Aves de Guisa.
How long is your wingspan? A young girl measures her arm length against a banner with various bird wing lengths printed on it. (Photo by University of Havana Bird Ecology Group)
University of Havana Bird Ecology Group brought the wonders of birds and birdwatching to differently abled students. (Photo by University of Havana Bird Ecology Group)
University of Havana Bird Ecology Group member shows a younger birder where to locate the bird. (Photo by University of Havana Bird Ecology Group)
Protect Cuban birds posters designed by Yorniel for the Proyecto Amiguitos de la Naturaleza.
Youth birdwatching in Laguna de Maya Wildlife Refuge in Matanzas, Cuba.
Youth with their bird masks and participation certificates. (Photo by University of Havana Bird Ecology Group)
Jamaica
BirdLife Jamaica joined forces with Hope Gardens once again to host not just one, but two captivating bird walks at the beautiful Hope Botanical Gardens. This engaging event allowed participants to spot some of Jamaica’s unique endemic birds right in the heart of the city of Kingston! To cap off the experience, attendees also had the chance to plant bird-friendly trees, contributing to the preservation of these remarkable species. It was a wonderful blend of education, appreciation, and action for our feathered friends!
Group birdwatching at Hope Botanical Gardens. (Photo by BirdLife Jamaica)
Common Gallinule at Hope Botanical Gardens. (Photo by BirdLife Jamaica)
Insect mounts on display at Hope Botanical Gardens. (Photo by BirdLife Jamaica)
The Yellow-billed Parrot is one of two endemic parrots on Jamaica. (Photo by BirdLife Jamaica)
Two young birders using our Landbirds of the Caribbean bird ID card while birdwatching. (Photo by BirdLife Jamaica)
You’re never too young to start birdwatching! (Photo by BirdLife Jamaica)
Over in Clarendon, our partner Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation hosted a poster competition for primary and secondary schools. They also provided delightful activities at the Portland Bight Discovery Centre such as Pin the Beak on the Bird, a Scavenger Hunt, and a Guess That Bird Sound activity for staff, students, and teachers. After an engaging presentation by guest speaker Michelle Roberts (BirdLife Jamaica) on Caribbean birds, participants were led on a birdwatching trip around the Centre.
Michelle Roberts speaks to attentive students during CCAM’s CEBF event at the Portland Bight Discovery Centre
CCAM staff member and Michelle Roberts teaching students how to use binoculars. (Photo by CCAM)
Students in CCAM’s bird hide using binoculars to watch birds. (Photo by CCAM)
Poster from the Pin the Beak on The Bird game. (Photo by CCAM)
The Bahamas
On Grand Bahama Island, EARTHCARE Bahamas was kept busy with tree planting (over 1500 mangrove seedlings!) and habitat clean-up at Water Cay; a magnificent birdfair and thrilling bird count at Rand Nature Centre; and a presentation at Bishop Michael Eldon School introducing students to the wonderful world of birds.
Gail Woon of EARTHCARE Bahamas explaining how to complete the scavenger hunt. (Photo by EARTHCARE Bahamas)
Gail and Dr Ancilleno Davis speaking to attendees about Bahamian birds. (Photo by EARTHCARE Bahamas)
A Legacy of Advocacy for Urban Wildlife and Inclusivity in Conservation
We remember an extraordinary environmental educator, Simón Guerrero, who passed away earlier this year. His research on urban ecology focused on making cities more habitable for wildlife, including birds. Simón had a remarkable ability to bring the wonder of birds into classrooms, captivating both students and teachers. A passionate advocate for inclusivity, he founded a birding group for blind Dominicans and emphasized the importance of ensuring that birds “know” our actions are in their favor.
His bird festivals always included the planting of native trees around schools and the university he worked at. Through the CEBF Small Grants and with the support of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, he was able to install nests for Hispaniolan Woodpeckers and Hispaniolan Parakeets. The Hispaniolan Parakeet is one of two endemic but threatened parrot species on the island. While there is a breeding population on the university campus, there are not enough nest cavities. During World Migratory Bird Day celebrations last year, Simón shared, “I always plant some trees to be sure birds will know we are doing something real for them, not just talking.”
Simón Guerrero was a founding member of the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds. An engaging teacher and speaker with a great sense of humor, he influenced many to become fans and defenders of nature for many decades.
Students plant the firebush plant in their school’s garden. (Photo by Simón Guerrero)
Artificial nest boxes built by Simón and his team. (Photo by Simón Guerrero)
Simon leading a birdtour in the DR. (Photo by Grupo Jaragua)
We believe that his vision for greener urban spaces will continue to inspire future generations of conservationists.
Conservation champions honored at #BCDR24
In July, we were grateful for the opportunity to connect with our amazing community of Caribbean conservationists at the BirdsCaribbean 24th International Conference in the Dominican Republic. We took the opportunity to honor organizations and educators too. They were awarded for their exceptional efforts in celebrating the CEBF over the past two years in consistently organizing creative and enjoyable activities for youth and local communities, and submitting their event reports and photos. Recipients of the 2024 Educator Awards will be shared in an upcoming blog highlighting all of BirdsCaribbean’s 2024 awardees.
We also distributed CEBF materials, featuring the artwork of Arnaldo Toledo, to participating organizations for their bird conservation outreach activities.
Feathery facts and free resources for classrooms and homes
Each day, we featured a new Endemic Bird of the Day on our website and across BirdsCaribbean’s socials, sharing 27 new species in 2024. The species were carefully selected to include truly unique birds, like the Vitelline Warbler; species which keep birders’ ID skills in check, like the Antillean Palm Swift; and endemic crooners, like the Greater Antillean Elaenia. You can find the complete library of 131 endemic birds covered thus far here.
Each endemic bird profile was accompanied by a beautifully drawn image by award-winning Cuban artist Arnaldo Toledo, 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. If you’re looking for more insect activities to do with children, inside and outdoors, to have fun together and be creative, download our ‘Incredible Insects’ activity booklet today.
This year’s CEBF is over — but don’t worry, we still have plenty of bird content for you to enjoy! Make sure you are following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn; and have joined the BirdsCaribbean mailing list to keep up to date with our latest news via our monthly newsletter.
The Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival will return next April 2025 — but we need your support to help ensure that bird education remains accessible to all in the Caribbean.
Your donation is an invaluable investment in the future of Caribbean bird conservation and will help us provide materials and access to capacity-building programs to early-career Caribbean conservationists. These passionate individuals are committed to advancing bird conservation on their islands through engaging outreach events, like those listed above, that inspire communities to embrace bird-friendly practices. Your support will help amplify their efforts, fostering a deeper connection between people and the incredible wildlife that surrounds them.
Acknowledgements: A massive THANK YOU to the island coordinators for your enthusiasm and dedication to making this another memorable CEBF! Each year we see a growing number of participants committed to increasing their knowledge of Caribbean birds and actively working to protect their habitats. We also extend our gratitude to our donors and members who help us provide the coordinators with the support and resources they need to educate and inspire future generations of bird and nature loving communities. Special thanks to the US Forest Service, International Programs and the United Nations Development Program Ridge to Reef and IWEco Project for funding for our education and conservation programs.
The Dominican Republic, renowned for its pristine beaches and tropical charm, also boasts 33 endemic bird species and a wide range of habitats — from coastal mangroves to misty cloud forests. At our 24th International Conference, attendees had the opportunity to experience this natural diversity firsthand. The submissions we received for our photo contest beautifully captured the essence of the unique birds and landscapes of this Caribbean gem. We’re excited to showcase the winning shots that highlight the avian diversity of the Dominican Republic.
The judges were impressed by the stunning composition, technical skill, humor, and rich emotion reflected in the submissions. Photos were taken between 15th and 25th July, 2024 and uploaded to Flickr (photo sharing site). Click here to view all the photos submitted in the contest (labeled with tag: BCPhotoContest2024). The Grand Prize for the contest was generously donated by Vortex Optics.
Photographers had the opportunity to submit up to six photographs in each of three categories:
Endemics – including endemic birds of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti) and regional endemics;
Fun With Birds and People – showing humans, birds and nature interacting (including conference activities); and
Birds and Nature – featuring Hispaniola’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
Hispaniolan Parakeets by Rondel Smith. The judges were unanimously captivated by this vibrant and energetic photo. Their comments highlight its engaging qualities: “A brilliant shot, full of life and movement. The composition is perfect, drawing the eye to each bird in turn—it feels as if even the birds are having fun!” Another judge noted, “Excellent composition and framing. It’s dynamic—you can almost hear the noise and sense the social interaction. The colors are striking, and the image sparks conversation.”
Hispaniolan Parakeets are known for their noisy, social behavior, often seen in large, chattering groups, just like in this photo. They’re a common sight on the rooftops of Santo Domingo, where their lively interactions are hard to miss!
Hispaniolan Parakeets by Rondel Smith.
Endemics
1st Prize: Broad-billed Tody by Juan Oteyza. “Great capture of this gorgeous bird emerging from its nest hole.” “Eye level with subject, intimate, shows behavior, teaches about the natural history of Broad-billed Tody.”
Broad-billed Toady by Juan Oteyza.
2nd Prize: Palmchat by Rondel Smith. “This photo really works with such an interesting green pattern formed by the palm fronds.” “Picture is in focus, there is a nice angle of the bird on the palm frond, it’s well lit, and there is a nice eyeshine.”
Palmchat by Rondel Smith.
3rd Prize: Hispaniolan Mango by Noelia Nieves. “I love the way this composition between bird and plant is color coordinated! The head is in such sharp focus.”
1st Prize: For the Love of Birds by Giselle Deane. “This picture for me sums up the wonder and delight of birdwatching.” “Shows the joy of birding while bringing people together.”
For the Love of Birds by Giselle Deane.
2nd Prize: Kayakers by Martin Rodriguez. “Great composition of three very happy people!” “Good in-focus shot complemented by a nice blurred background.”
Kayakers by Martin Rodriguez.
3rd Prize: Silent Auction by Daniela Ventura. “No doubt about what is going on here. Captures the energy of the atmosphere very well.” “Nice picture, good subject.”
1st Prize: Cucu (Burrowing Owl) by Martin Rodriguez. “Eye to eye with subject, good depth of field, great definition, habitat, moment of surprise.”
Cucu (Burrowing Owl) by Martin Rodriguez.
2nd Prize: Village Weaver by Rondel Smith. “Very eye-catching, good composition, definition, it’s dramatic.”
Village Weaver by Rondel Smith.
3rd Prize: Village Weaver by Tommie Catanach. “An extraordinary pose has made this a really interesting photo.” “Photo shows movement and bird behavior, has good light and subject balance.”
A heartfelt thank you to our three outstanding judges — Andrew Dobson, Ivan Mota, and Nick Hollands — for their time and careful evaluation of each submission. We are also incredibly grateful to Vortex Optics for generously donating the Grand Prize. We deeply appreciate the artistry and dedication everyone brought to capturing the diverse wildlife and conference events with such respect. Thank you to all participants in the contest!
Enjoy this photo gallery of all the Honorable Mentions!
Broad-billed Tody by Michael Ocasio. Honorable Mention in the Endemics category.
Hispaniolan Spindalis by Tommie Catanach. Honorable Mention in the Endemics Category.
En busca de aves en la belleza de las dunas by Isamar Flores. Honorable Mention in the Fun with Birds and People category.
The White-breasted Thrasher has been split into two species! (Photo by Hank Tseng and Adams Toussaint)
Exciting news is in from the American Ornithological Society (AOS) — the Caribbean can now boast six newly recognized endemic bird species! The 65th Supplement to the AOS Checklist of North American Birds has recently been released, bringing the total number of Caribbean endemics to an impressive 185 species.
Rather than discovering completely unknown birds, these new species typically emerge from deeper research into the unique geographical and biological features of the Caribbean. Islands are hotspots for endemism because isolated bird populations tend to evolve into distinct forms over time. As these differences accumulate, some populations eventually diverge enough to be classified as separate species!
These taxonomic updates often come in the form of “splits,” where what was once considered a single species is divided into multiple species due to significant differences in traits such as appearance, genetics, or behavior. In contrast, “lumps” occur when distinct populations are found to be similar enough to merge into a single species. Ornithologists use a combination of genetic analysis, morphology (shape and size), plumage, and vocalizations to determine whether a bird population deserves species status.
This year, we’re thrilled to introduce six newly recognized bird species in the Caribbean, thanks to two exciting splits!
Presenting the Caribbean’s Newest Endemic Birds:
The Wrenaissance is Here!
The bird formerly known as the House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) has undergone a major revision and is now split into seven different species — four of which are newly recognized as Caribbean endemics! Say hello to the Grenada Wren(Troglodytes grenadensis), St. Lucia Wren (Troglodytes mesoleucus), St. Vincent Wren (Troglodytes musicus), and Kalinago Wren (Troglodytes martinicensis), which is native to Dominica. The Kalinago Wren, named in honor of the island’s Indigenous Kalinago people, was also historically found on Guadeloupe and Martinique, though it has since disappeared from those islands.
Additionally, the Cozumel Wren (Troglodytes beani) has been recognized as a distinct species for Cozumel, Mexico; and Trinidad and Tobago now has the Southern House Wren (Troglodytes musculus), whose range extends into Central and South America. Further research may even reveal that Trinidad and Tobago harbors its own distinct wren species, so stay tuned!
So, what makes these wrens distinct enough to be classified as separate species? One of the biggest factors is habitat. As the name House Wren implies, these birds are typically found around houses and neighborhoods, and often thrive around human settlement. However, this is not the case for Caribbean House Wrens — these birds much prefer forested and more natural habitats. While continental House Wrens have continued to thrive with expanding urbanization, many island populations have been declining, possibly due to loss of habitat.
This taxonomic split also highlights the need for more targeted conservation efforts, which can now be advanced as these birds have been given species-level recognition. Initially, the American Ornithological Society (AOS) proposed grouping all Caribbean House Wrens under a single species called the Antillean Wren. However, further genetic studies revealed that the wrens from the Lesser Antilles were more genetically distinct than previously thought, leading to the decision to split them into multiple species.
Meet the Caribbean’s New Wrens
Here’s a quick overview of our newly recognized Caribbean wrens, compared to the continental House Wren found in North America, which is small, brownish-gray, with a slightly curved bill, barred wings, and a barred, rusty-colored tail.
Grenada Wren: This species is larger and shorter-tailed with dark, richly colored plumage, and a whitish throat. It has one of the longest bills among House Wrens, giving it a distinctive, almost hammer-headed appearance. Interestingly, it behaves more similarly to the mainland House Wrens than the other Caribbean wrens, even adapting its song to urban environments.
The Grenada House Wren has dark, richly colored plumage, and a whitish throat. It also had one of the longest bills of the House Wrens. (Photo by David Hollie ML602671511)
St. Lucia Wren. The St. Lucia Wren is relatively rare and restricted to drier forest habitats in the southwestern and far northern parts of the island. Its plumage is overall paler than the Grenada Wren’s, and its song is quite different from that of its mainland relatives.
The St Lucia Wren’s plumage is paler than the Grenada Wren overall. (Photo by Charlie Bostwick ML 549893181)
St. Vincent Wren: This wren sports a lot of white and buff in its plumage, and it has a notably long wing chord, which suggests a larger overall size. Its song, too, is quite different from that of other House Wrens, making it one of the most distinctive of the new species.
The St Vincent Wren has more white and buff in its plumage. (Photo by David Hollie ML598496181)
The St Vincent Wren has a notably long wing chord. (Photo by David Hollie ML600921241)
Kalinago Wren: Unfortunately, this species has disappeared from Martinique and Guadeloupe. The remaining population on Dominica stands out with its rich rufous coloration and a long, mostly yellow bill. Its song has been described as loud and ebullient, distinctly different from that of mainland House Wrens, adding to its unique charm.
The Kalinago Wren has a distinct rufous coloration and a mostly yellow bill. (Photo by Holger Teichmann ML616854679)
Thrash Talk: The White-breasted Thrasher Split!
In more exciting news from the Lesser Antilles, we now have two new thrasher species! Say hello to the Martinique Thrasher (Ramphocinclus brachyurus) and St. Lucia Thrasher (Ramphocinclus sanctaeluciae), previously classified together as the White-breasted Thrasher (Ramphocinclus brachyurus). Genetic studies have shown that these two populations have been evolving separately for quite some time, with no evidence of gene flow or interbreeding between them. Additionally, there has been no observed movement of thrashers between Martinique and St. Lucia, further confirming that these birds are isolated and distinct species.
The Martinique Thrasher is considered Critically Endangered, while the St. Lucia Thrasher is listed as Endangered. With their elevation to official species status, there is hope this recognition will help drive more conservation efforts to protect these unique birds, such as this study of the St Lucia Thrasher.
Let’s take a closer look at these birds:
The St. Lucia Thrasher is the larger of the two. It has darker brown overall plumage, darker black lores and ear coverts, and brighter white underparts. The markings on its flanks are more neatly organized, and it lacks the scalloping on the wing coverts seen in its Martinique counterpart. Interestingly, the St. Lucia Thrasher also tends to build its nests much lower in the vegetation.
The St Lucia Thrasher has dark brown plumage overall and white underparts. (Photo by Blake Matheson ML214222511)
The Martinique Thrasher, by contrast, is smaller, with grayer plumage and muddier white underparts. Its flank markings are more irregular, and it has scalloping on the wing coverts. Both species also have distinct calls, which further supports their classification as separate species.
The Martinique Thrasher has gray brown plumage overall and muddy white underparts. (Photo by Pam Rasmussen ML 619242216)
Listen to the differences between the calls of the Martinique Thrasher and St. Lucia Thrasher.
Shearing of a Shearwater
And finally, seabird aficionados rejoice — Cory’s Shearwater has been split! This wide-ranging seabird is now recognized as two distinct species: one breeding in the Mediterranean, and the other on islands in the East Atlantic. For those worried about having even more bird names to remember, rest assured — the species observed in the Caribbean will still be known as Cory’s Shearwater (Calonectris borealis), while the Mediterranean breeders have been reclassified as Scopoli’s Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea). Both species have been recorded in the West Indies, so keep an eye out and try to photograph any Cory’s-type shearwaters you see (especially the underwing — Cory’s has less white in the underwing)!
Cory’s Shearwater feeding on fish in open water off the coast of Bermuda. (Photo by Richard Brewer ML620511968)
Scopoli’s Shearwater soaring at sea. (Photo by Brian Sullivan ML104100491)
Note that while this reclassification is exciting for our region, the shearwater’s range is not limited to the West Indies — so this does not add to our endemic checklist.
New Species Highlight the Need for More Research and Conservation
We’re thrilled to welcome these new endemics to the Caribbean! These new species underscore the ongoing potential for further bird research in the region. With new species being identified every year, it’s clear there is still much to learn about the incredible birdlife right here in our backyards, parks, forests, wetlands, and coastal habitats. It’s also imperative that we take care of these unique birds by reducing the threats they face. It’s up to all of us to protect their habitats to ensure they thrive long into the future, for the benefit and enjoyment of all.
So — did these recent splits add any new species to your life list? Or have they just given you six more reasons to start planning your next Caribbean birding adventure?
Ready, set—BIRD! It’s time to flock together for the season’s biggest day of birding!
A male Magnolia Warbler in breeding plumage, with his bright yellow underparts and heavy black streaking, forming a necklace band on its upper breast.
Get ready for a spectacular October Big Day! This annual event, falling on Saturday, October 12, 2024, coincides with World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) and is a thrilling celebration of our feathered friends and the vibrant birding community.
At BirdsCaribbean, we eagerly anticipate October Big Day. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to unite with fellow bird lovers to share in the joy of birdwatching and the beauty of Caribbean wetlands, forests, botanical gardens, and neighborhoods. This is our chance to celebrate our passion for birds, support science, and strengthen our conservation efforts. Whether you’re enjoying a quiet morning from your balcony or heading to a prime birding hotspot with your birding crew, October 12 is your moment to puff out your chest and rack up those eBird checklists!
And there’s more! Global Bird Weekend runs from October 11 to 13, offering even more opportunities to engage and possibly set new world records. Last year, we saw record-breaking participation during Global Bird Weekend—36,332 people from 191 countries submitted 83,735 checklists with eBird, and we’re aiming to surpass that achievement this year. Let’s make birdwatching history together!
Where are the birds, and what are they doing?
Dive into the excitement—track the birds, observe their behaviors, and discover their favorite spots. Early mornings are perfect for spotting warblers, while raptors soar as the day heats up. Seagulls and shorebirds are ever-present, and you might catch tanagers and bullfinches at their most active.
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 14th October via the eBird website or mobile app. If you’re in the Caribbean, be sure to 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—here’s a quick guide on how to use eBird.
Birders should aim to spot as many birds as they can from midnight to midnight in their local time zone on October 12; or bird anytime during the weekend of October 11-13 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 15, 2024 to be included in the initial results announcement!
Make connections: Birdwatching can be a peaceful solo activity, like a serene stroll through the forest punctuated by bird sightings. But it’s also a fantastic social experience, and there’s so much to learn from fellow birders. They can help with spotting and identifying birds. Connect with your local environmental or birding club—there’s a good chance someone is organizing a birding event for October Big Day on your island, and they’d be thrilled to have you join in!
Don’t wing it: Make a to-pack list and use a backpack. Remember to pack your field guide, stylish and functional BC buff, medicine, water, and food too! If you’re birding in an unfamiliar place, make a trip plan. Be sure to consider where you might park your car, the amount of time you plan to spend birdwatching, how far you want to walk, and tell your friends and family about your plans and where you will be.
Embrace being a beginner birder: If you’re a newbie don’t let anxiety keep you from discovering the wonderful world of birds. Birding groups love it when new members join their flock; they will share their scopes and field guides and work with you to identify the birds you see. They’ll even help you navigate the eBird app and submit your very first eBird checklist!
Find your flock! Birding in a group can be rewarding and fun. (Photo by Edward Hernandez Lara)
Show off your bird sightings and let us in on the birding blast!
Don’t forget to share your birding stories and photos with us on social media. Follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram @birdscaribbean and tag us in your posts. If social media isn’t your thing, join our discussion group with over 950 members to share your October Big Day experiences.
May we remind you that BirdsCaribbean membership has so many benefits; you will 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 to help protect Caribbean birds and their habitats!
Let’s make October Big Day 2024 unforgettable. Have a blast, remember to stay hydrated, and tag @BirdsCaribbean in all your birding adventures. We can’t wait to see the incredible migratory birds that have arrived in the Caribbean!
Jennifer Wheeler weaves through the buzzing crowd at theDominican Fiesta Hotel’s Convention Centre, raises the BC conch shell to her lips, and blows with all her might. The booming sound of the conch fills the air, instantly silencing conversations and commanding everyone’s attention. This spirited signal marks the official start of the BirdsCaribbean 24th International Conference—five exhilarating days of non-stop science, birding, and forging lasting conservation connections! Here we dive into the standout moments that made the conference truly unforgettable.
The BirdsCaribbean conch shell. (Photo by Martin Rodriguez)
Conservation thrives on the strength of community. This belief in the power of community is why every two years, BirdsCaribbean joins forces with our partners to host our International Conference—a transformative event where collaboration and learning drive real, impactful change. Conservationists from all walks of life come together on a beautiful Caribbean island, united by a shared passion: protecting the incredible birds that define our region.
This year’s conference, held at the Dominican Fiesta Hotel in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in partnership with local NGO Grupo Jaragua, invigorated this mission. Centered on the theme “From Mangroves to Mountains: Safeguarding Our Avian Treasures,” the conference brought together a diverse group of conservationists—including representatives from international and regional higher education institutions, research centers, government agencies, NGOs, the ecotourism industry, and the media. The event provided the platform for delegates to share their knowledge, ideas, science, and resources—strengthening the conservation community and re-energizing the fight to save our precious Caribbean birds.
Spanning five exciting days, the conference featured expert-led presentations, roundtable discussions, training sessions, networking opportunities, fundraising initiatives, and birding trips to observe Hispaniola’s diverse bird species, including its unique endemics.
United for Birds: A Community-Driven Mission
The conference began on July 18th with opening remarks by Sixto J. Incháustegui, President of Grupo Jaragua, who emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to protect nature and wildlife. “Participation must come from all sectors of society to conserve biodiversity,” he stated.Frederico Franco, Vice Minister of Protected Areas at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, echoed this sentiment, stressing the need to work together to ensure a sustainable environment for our birds. He highlighted the significance of conferences like the BirdsCaribbean, noting that “they play a crucial role in sharing scientific knowledge and promoting sustainability as a national culture.”
Sixto J. Incháustegui, President of Grupo Jaragua. (Photo by Martin Rodriguez)
Frederico Franco, Vice Minister of Protected Areas at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources
BirdsCaribbean President Adrianne Tossas and Executive Director Lisa Sorenson warmly welcomed the record-breaking 338 delegates from 32 countries and islands. “I am elated to see so many young people here,” Sorenson remarked, “Your interest in birds and environmental stewardship bodes well for the long-term conservation of our biodiversity, which is vital to our health and well-being.”
Keynotes that Ignite: Wisdom, Vision, and Passion for Birds
Each morning, delegates gathered to hear phenomenal keynote speakersshowcase the diversity of thought, culture, knowledge, and work within our community. On the first day, Dr. Yolanda León, a Dominican biologist and immediate past president of Grupo Jaragua, emphasized the importance of effective conservation action for birds and habitats. She honored Simón Guerrero, a beloved member of BirdsCaribbean and Dominican conservation stalwart who passed away earlier this year, by posing the question he always asked: “Does the species know?” She underscored the significance of ensuring species know we are working to protect them and their habitats, as reflected in populations thriving in healthy ecosystems.
Dr. Yolanda León, a Dominican biologist and immediate past president of Grupo Jaragua, addresses the delegates during the opening ceremony.
Yolanda answers the question “Does the species know?” during her talk.
David Lindo, also known as The Urban Birder, captivated the audience with his keynote address “Conservation at Your Doorstep.” He inspired delegates with his passion for learning about birds in urban spaces and his dedication to encouraging city dwellers to connect with their environment. His speech was a captivating blend of humor, insight, and inspiration, leaving a lasting impression on all attendees.
David Lindo, also known as The Urban Birder.
Delegates listening to David’s inspirational talk.
Chris Rimmer shared insights from 30 years of research in his talk “Bicknell’s Thrush: Conserving a Vulnerable Songbird in the Caribbean and Across the Hemisphere”. He outlined the necessary conservation actions to safeguard this migratory songbird in the Dominican Republic and Greater Antilles. Dr Steve Latta, in his talk “The Synergies of Advancing Conservation: Using Field Research and Avian Monitoring to Build Capacity and Conservation Awareness” emphasized that conservation research should also facilitate field training and capacity building, raise awareness, and demonstrate the interdependence of healthy communities and healthy ecosystems.
Chris Rimmer, Emeritus Executive Director of Vermont Center for Ecostudies, speaks to delegates about conservation priorities for the Bicknell’s Thrush.
Dr Steve Latta speaks to the crowd of delegates about creating nurturing relationships, and advancing conservation through training opportunities and awareness raising campaigns.
Other keynote presentations reinforced delegates’ belief in their ability to achieve their own bird conservation goals and become successful conservation leaders. Award-winning Antiguan conservationist Shanna Challenger delivered an inspiring, instructive talk “From Passion to Purpose: The Journey of a Caribbean Wildlife Conservationist.” She shared how the knowledge and skills acquired from various projects, trainings, partnerships, and mentorships transformed her approach to conservation and helped her to achieve remarkable successes, including the restoration of Redonda through the Rewilding Redonda project.
Shanna Challenger retelling the hard work it took for her team to restore Redonda Island.
Eric Carey reflected on his 20-year tenure as Executive Director of the Bahamas National Trust, during which he significantly expanded the organization from a 10-person staff to 90, and developed a 32-park system covering 2.2 million acres, a substantial increase from the initial handful of national parks. In his presentation, “20 Years Protecting Habitat and Species through the Stewardship of Conservation Opportunities in The Bahamas—Success Stories and Lessons Learned,” Carey highlighted the challenges and triumphs of conservation in The Bahamas, and how he and his team overcame obstacles to protect habitats and wildlife while gaining the support of local Bahamians.
Keynote speaker Eric Carey. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Finally, Dr. Terry Root addressed the pressing issue of climate change in her presentation, “Climate Change Impacts in the Caribbean.”Shedetailed the sobering realities of the ecological consequences for birds and emphasized the role of science in developing effective mitigation policies. Dr. Root concluded with a hopeful message, urging attendees to come together, take action, and pressure governments to shift the societal approach to combating climate change, much like the successful campaigns to reduce smoking.
Dr Terry Root addresses climate change and discusses the social marketing approach needed to combat it.
A good conference day starts with birdwatching
Each day of the conference, many of our delegates were up before dawn, eager to connect with nature and discover the incredible birdlife at the Jardín Botánico Nacional (Dr. Rafael María Moscoso Botanic Garden). Guided walks through the 400-acre nature preserve were led by members of Grupo Jaragua and Grupo Acción Ecológica. The Garden, known for its extensive variety of native trees, palm species, over 300 types of orchids, and diverse bird species, provided an ideal setting for these early morning explorations.
Group of early morning birding delegates at the National Botanical Garden in Santo Domingo. (Photo by Stefan Gleissberg)
Birders in action! (Photo by Bryan Naqqi Manco)
During the 2-3 hour walks, delegates explored wooded areas, stream-side habitats, and open palm savannas, offering excellent birdwatching opportunities, including the chance to spot endemic species. Participants were thrilled to observe endemic “lifers” like the Vervain Hummingbird, Broad-billed Tody, Hispaniolan Woodpecker, Black-crowned Palm-Tanager, and Yellow-faced Grassquit, all commonly found in the garden. Some were also fortunate enough to spot elusive species like the Limpkin, as well as threatened birds such as the West Indian Whistling-Duck and Hispaniolan Parakeet. Observing these birds in the tranquil garden setting was a refreshing way to start the day before diving into the conference’s stimulating presentations and discussions!
Water lilies at the garden. (Photo by Aaliyah Cunningham)
West Indian Whistling-Duck. (Photo by Rondell Smith)
The national bird of the Dominican Republic, the Palmchat. (Photo by Rondel Smith).
Collaborative Learning and Dialogue for Conservation Success
338 delegates from 31 countries gathered for workshops, presentations, discussions and to connect with fellow Caribbean conservationists.
Workshops
This year’s conference featured a wide range of workshops tailored to the diverse bird conservation and research needs of our delegates. In the “Adaptive Project Management using Conservation Standards” workshop, participants enhanced their project management and implementation skills. The “Introduction to Data Analysis using R” workshop provided essential training on cleaning and analyzing data effectively for publications and reports. “Motus in the Caribbean” focused on the regional use of the Motus wildlife tracking system, offering critical guidance on designing, installing, and maintaining functional and robust Motus receiver stations, as well as planning collaborative projects. Additionally, “Navigating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Ornithology” addressed the cultural differences across Caribbean islands and emphasized the importance of ensuring that all stakeholders feel respected, accepted, and recognized for their contributions to bird conservation.
Jody Daniel (Gaea Conservation Network) explains to participants how to code and analyse their data using R.
Participants discuss threats and solutions among themselves during the Adaptive Management breakout sessions.
Todd Alleger speaks about the utility of Motus tracking stations in the Caribbean.
Participants engaged in interactive learning activities led by Marta Curti and Gabriela Diaz, utilizing “Environmental Education Guide: Raptors of the Caribbean” from The Peregrine Fund. These activities aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of the vital role of raptors in their ecosystems while enhancing their ability to educate others about birds of prey using the guide’s materials and strategies. Mark Yokoyama and Jennifer Yerkes of Les Fruits de Mer led a creative workshop titled “Make Your Own Coloring Activity Book,” which received high praise from participants for its innovative approach to teaching children about the natural world.
Dominican delegates with their raptor made with recyclable materials.
Jennifer Yerkes (Les Fruits de Mer) shares how the workbook ‘Booktastic’ will be used as an ideation and planning tool during the workshop.
Damany Calder reads the guidelines given in the ‘Booktastic’ workbook.
Mark Yokoyama (Les Fruits de Mer) shares insightful tips for creating engaging educational materials.
The “Connecting Birds and People: Environmental Interpretation as a Key Tool in Bird Conservation and Appreciation,” workshop highlighted the importance of interpretation in fostering bird conservation awareness among the general public. In “How to Publish Your Research and Conservation Reports with the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology,” participants received valuable insights into effective publication practices.
The workshop “Protect Insects, Protect Birds: Educational Tools to Celebrate WMBD,” presented by Environment for the Americas, addressed the current threats facing migratory birds and insects and the actions needed to slow their decline. Participants also learned how to organize and execute a successful bird festival. Finally, “Conservation Photography for Biologists, Artists, and Stakeholders” presented by Jerry Bauer, USFS International Programs, equipped attendees with skills to enhance their visual communication and inspire conservation action.
During the conference, we took the opportunity to assess BirdsCaribbean’s capacity-building initiatives and identify future priorities. Participants were asked to provide feedback via an online survey on how resources, training, equipment, and grants from BirdsCaribbean have helped them achieve their conservation goals. The conference also featured a collaborative session where participants worked together to create a comprehensive theory of change, or results tree. This involved identifying necessary intermediate results, specific actions, and SMART indicators to measure the impact of those actions. The group then reviewed and validated the problem tree and engaged in a hands-on activity to further develop the results tree by identifying specific actions, indicators, and implementers.
Christel Mohammed, BirdsCaribbean Communications Manager, and workshop facilitator, Jim Goetz.
Participants break into groups for the problem identification exercise.
Jethro van’t Hul shares the problems he faces as a conservationist working in the Caribbean.
Shanna Challenger adds a problem to her group’s results tree.
Problem tree being analysed and turned into a results tree by participants.
Group of participants discussing capacity building opportunities in the Caribbean.
Symposia
As is customary at each BirdsCaribbean conference, local ornithological work was highlighted during the first symposium, ‘Hispaniola Day.’ Rosanna Guzmán-Pérez from the Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales shared findings from her study on plant-frugivore mutualism in the Casabito cloud forest at the Ebano Verde Scientific Reserve, identifying the Hispaniolan Spindalis as one of the main seed dispersers in the forest. Pedro Genero Rodríguez from the Asociación Dominicana Fotógrafos de la Naturaleza discussed the critical role of Reserva Privada el Zorzal as a refuge for both rare migratory birds with specific habitat requirements and common bird species.
Pedro Genero Rodriguez, Dominican photographer, speaks to delegates about the use of wildlife photography in conservation.
Male Hispaniolan Spindalis feeding on berries. (Photo by Jose Miguel Pantaleon)
Andrea Thomen answers a question from a delegate on the domestic parrot trade in the Dominican Republic, during the Hispaniola Day symposium.
Hispaniolan Parrot eating. (Photo by Dax Roman)
Anne-Isabelle Bonifassi, Executive Director of Haiti National Trust, speaks about ecosystem restoration in Haiti, during the Hispaniola Day symposium.
Jennifer Wheeler presented “Mountain Top Strongholds: The Story of Haiti’s Black-capped Petrel” on behalf of Haitian researchers who could not attend. Delegates were deeply moved by a short film, The Diablotin Festival, which tells the heartwarming story of how the community of Boukan Chat, alongside a team of conservationists, humanitarians, and storytellers, has united to protect the endangered Black-capped Petrel.
Other pivotal symposia addressed key issues in Caribbean bird conservation. “Conserving Caribbean Threatened and Endemic Birds” focused on the impacts of natural threats like hurricanes and the illegal bird trade on island endemics and discussed strategies for protecting the region’s unique avifauna. “Ecology of Migrants and Importance of Stopover Sites in the Caribbean” highlighted crucial research on migratory patterns of Near Threatened species like the Kirtland’s Warbler, and the role of stopover habitats which are often targeted for development on islands.
The “Waterbirds, Wetlands, and CWC” symposium examined the interconnections between waterbirds and wetland ecosystems, the severe threats they face, and the outreach, advocacy, and actions needed to protect these critical habitats. “On the Ground Bird and Habitat Conservation: New Approaches, Success Stories and Lessons Learned” shared practical conservation methods and outcomes aimed at strengthening the management of green spaces including protected areas and urban parks like botanical gardens in the Caribbean for birds and other wildlife.
Simon Busutill shares the triumphs and challenges of protecting a nature reserve in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Grenada Dove. With fewer than 190 individuals left in the wild, we must act NOW to secure its survival. (Photo by Greg Homel)
Lourdes Mugica, co-author of the field guide “Birds of the National Botanical Garden of Cuba.”
Caribbean conservationists are also leading social transformation through art, social media, and environmental education to gain support for protecting our feathered friends. In the symposium “Outreach and Education: Raising Awareness and Engaging Diverse Audiences,” they shared what strategies have been successful (and what hasn’t) in involving local communities and stakeholders in bird conservation efforts.
Discussions on “Habitat Restoration and Best Management Practices” provided insights into effective restoration techniques, while talks from “Landbird and Endemic Monitoring– Challenges, Solutions, Needs, and Results” addressed various monitoring methods, results from current projects, and the emerging issues and challenges encountered at different stages of a monitoring project.
Miguel Landestoy shares the findings from his study on the distribution of the Bay-breasted Cuckoo in the Dominican Republic.
Bay-breasted Cuckoo. (Photo by Carlos Pedro, Macaulay Library- ML393609811)
Dr Mark Hulme, reports on the behaviour of the range restricted Trinidad Piping-Guan and pressures affecting the population.
The large turkey-like Trinidad Piping-Guan is only found in Trinidad’s mountainous Northern Range. (Photo by Wendell SJ Reyes (ML66246621))
Demonica Brown, of The Bahamas National Trust, explains how bird monitoring is carried out at the Lucayan National Park.
Mangroves at Lucayan National Park. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Claudia Mantilla shares the findings from her Oriente Warbler research in Cuba.
Oriente Warbler. (Photo by Ian Burgess, Macaulay Library- ML558957951)
Finally, the symposia “From Mountains to Mangroves…and the Sea: Challenges and Opportunities for Caribbean Seabird Conservation, Research, and Monitoring” and “Invasive Alien Species From Mangroves to Mountains” tackled the multifaceted challenges of seabird conservation across the region, especially those faced by researchers and citizen scientists during the 2023-24 Caribbean Seabird Census, and the impact of invasive species on Caribbean bird populations and ecosystems.
The abstracts for the BirdsCaribbean 24th International Conference can be viewed by session here.
Roundtables
The Caribbean Motus Collaboration’s “Let’s Talk Motus!” roundtable brought together Motus leaders from across the Caribbean and beyond to discuss their experiences using and managing Motus as a whole, from building and maintaining receiver stations, to deploying transmitter tags on birds, all with the goal of advancing partners’ Motus efforts and facilitating potential collaborations.
Maya Wilson, BC’s Landbird Monitoring Program Manager, provides an update on new Motus stations in the Caribbean.
Motus audience listens attentiviely.
“Advancing Bird Conservation and the 30×30 Initiative through new Caribbean subnational Protected Areas” introduced the Conserva Aves initiative to the Caribbean bird conservation and ornithological communities. Delegates discussed the potential, opportunities, challenges, and geographic priorities for the implementation of a Caribbean-wide initiative that would preserve essential habitat for birds and biodiversity over the next 5-6 years by catalyzing local leadership in the creation and sustainable management of new local protected areas. Teams worked together to develop recommendations for the expansion of the Conserva Aves initiative to the unique context of the Caribbean.
Sebastion Herzog leads a discussion on advancing bird conservation and the 30×30 initiative through new subnational protected areas in the Caribbean.
The Caribbean Bird Banding Program’s roundtable discussion explored “Landbird Monitoring in the Caribbean”. Participants discussed ideas to continue developing the Caribbean Bird Banding Network by investigating the needs of bird banders in the Caribbean.
Working Group Meetings
Caribbean Parrots
The BirdsCaribbean Parrots Working Group meeting was attended by 10 members from the Dominican Republic, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad and Tobago. Andrea Thomen chaired the meeting. Members reached a consensus that more effort should be directed towards fostering collaboration and sharing information among parrot biologists in the region. Additionally, members requested the creation of an online library for parrot research papers, technical reports, articles, and books.
Bird Educators Working Group
Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival Coordinators Aliya Hosein and Eduardo Llegus, along with World Migratory Bird Coordinators Laura Baboolal and Miguel Matta, presented our bird educators with a fantastic set of CEBF and WMBD branded materials for their bird conservation outreach activities. The materials included t-shirts, bookmarks, buttons, bird masks, bird bands, and stickers. The stickers feature the artwork of Arnaldo Toledo and Anna Rose, showcasing a variety of Caribbean birds, including endemics, residents, waterbirds, shorebirds, migrants, and the seven selected migratory species for WMBD 2024.
Miguel, Aliya, Laura, and Eduardo with CEBF and WMBD materials for Caribbean coordinators and educators.
Organizations and educators were honored for their exceptional efforts in celebrating CEBF and WMBD over the past two years, consistently organizing creative and enjoyable activities for youth and local communities, and submitting their reports and photos.
We asked our delegates to Sing Like A Bird!
Our delegates have dedicated countless hours to studying our beloved Caribbean birds. They’ve uncovered critical nesting and feeding sites, as well as behaviors that enable these incredible birds to survive and thrive in the wild. But wait, can they sing like a bird? Hit play on the videos below to find out! It’s going to be amazing!
Exquisite artwork, rare first-edition books signed by the authors, heirloom-quality jewelry, premium Caribbean chocolates and rum, apparel that allows you to wear your love for nature and birds, and so much more, the Silent Auction always draws in a lively crowd at our conferences. Mix these irresistible auction items with highly competitive personalities and you’ve got a recipe for fundraising success!
Ancilleno explaining the rules of the auction.
A delegate places her bid during the coffee break.
Auctioneers Ancilleno and Andrew stirred the crowd into a bidding frenzy!
Caribbean ornithological books for auction.
A massive thank you to our generous delegates who donated handmade auction items from their home countries, and to our enthusiastic bidders who helped us raise US$4,700 for Caribbean bird conservation.
“It’s about this big.” Delegates browse the selection of items for auction.
“Hmm, how do I out-bid my competition?”
Stunning bird inspired jewelry were hotly contested at the aution!
Delegates try to decide which items they should place bids for.
A huge round of applause goes to Jennifer Wheeler, Linda Fuller and Natasha Atkins, for organizing the auction and all the volunteers who worked tirelessly to collect, categorize, and display the items, as well as our auctioneers Andrew Dobson and Dr Ancilleno Davis for keeping up the excitement and energy. Their hard work made this event a huge success, and we couldn’t be more grateful!
In search of Hispaniola’s beautiful birds
From mangroves to mountains, birding adventures were not in short supply in the Dominican Republic. Delegates explored vast mountain landscapes, enchanted forests, calm rivers, lagoons, and even rolling sand dunes, all in search of the country’s phenomenal endemic birds. Conference field trips to Sierra de Bahoruco, Reserva Privada Zorzal, Los Haitises and Cotubanamá, Ebano Verde Scientific Reserve, Cayo Arena, Punta Cana and Cordillera Central were led by local tour companies: Explora Ecotours, La Cua Birding Tours, Ova Trails, and independent guide Holly Garrod.
Ebano Verde Scientific Reserve.
Delegates birding at Ebano Verde.
A Hispaniolan Trogon perched quietly at Ebano Verde.
Andrew Dobson takes a photo of the Hispaniolan Trogon.
Some of our delegates are eagerly working on blogs about their incredible conference field trips. Stay tuned for their firsthand experiences!
Acknowledgements
We extend our sincerest gratitude to everyone who contributed to the overwhelming success of this conference! Working alongside our co-host and local partner, Grupo Jaragua, was a true pleasure. We must express our deepest appreciation to all the conference sponsors and donors, including The Rufford Foundation, Audubon, US Forest Service, Teleuniverso, American Bird Conservancy, Banco Popular, Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, Fondo Nacional para el Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Fondo MARENA) Dominican Republic, Naturalist Journeys, Vermont Center for Ecostudies, Mass Audubon, Cúa Conservation Agency, Vortex Optics, Rare Species Conservatory Foundation, and the FUPAROCA Foundation. Your generous support was instrumental in making this conference a resounding success!
We are truly thankful to everyone who provided funding and donated to help us provide travel scholarships to 93 Caribbean wildlife professionals and students, including those who participated in and donated to our 2024 Global Big Day fundraising event in May.
The conference provided an invaluable platform for Caribbean conservationists to connect with and learn from a diverse array of international and regional professionals, thereby enhancing their professional visibility and honing their skills. The exchange of ideas and perspectives has equipped them with fresh insights and innovative strategies to drive bird conservation efforts in the Caribbean.
We also thank American naturalist and painter Alex Warnick for making her stunning artwork available for us to use for the conference. Her gorgeous work adorned our conference t-shirt and buff, and was used across our merch and promotional material.
Special shoutout to our delegates who volunteered with conference related activities like taking photos, assisting with sales at the merch table, and being rapporteurs. A special thank you goes to Egido Sanz, Juan Carlos (JC) Hernández Ordoñez and Mario Merrero. We appreciate your willingness to give your time and talents!
Mario takes a break from conference tasks to have his photo taken in front of the wingspan banner.
JC helps a delegate from St Vincent and the Grenadines with registration at the conference.
Egido helped with many conference tasks, and here she is helping delegates register for the conference.
We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved in collaboration with our sponsors, donors, and delegates and eagerly anticipate the next conference!
Relive the fun moments through the #BirdsCaribDR24 Photo Gallery
This year, we went paperless for the conference program and used the Whova app!
Alieny and Matthew at the cocktail reception.
Howard gave us his best smile, while Ellie an Stefan continue chatting.
Alondra next to her poster on the use of social media to raise bird conservation awareness.
Dominican dancers in traditional dress at the opening reception.
Arnaldo and Lillian at the BC Merch table.
Audience at the Caribbean Birding Trail symposium
The Diablotín Team. (Photo by Yolanda Leon)
Caribbean Birding Trail symposium speakers: Dave, Holly, David, Ivan, and Manny, with Lisa.
Chocolate and honey for sale at the conference.
JC at the BC Merch table.
Laughs over cocktails at the opening reception.
Chit chat during the coffee break.
Damany and Jeanelle with their Spirit Mountain coffee.
Daniela, Maya, Todd, and Saul at the poster session.
Daveka and Giselle selling t-shirts at the BC Merch table.
Ellie and Sue at the opening reception.
Traditional Dominican dancers at the opening reception.
Geronimo and Elvin at the poster session.
Hand-knitted Black-capped Petrel chick by Jennifer Wheeler.
Hispaniolan birds in a row.
More honey for sale at the conference.
Birdlife Jamaica representatives having fun with our selfie board and Hispaniolan Parrot prop.
Laura and Todd enjoying the local Dominican music at the opening reception.
Joshua and Steve at the opening reception.
Kah Kow chocolates on display at the conference.
Lisa Sorenson with some of our Caribbean delegates.
Mark wins the bid! (Photo by Daniela Ventura)
Matthew at the poster session.
Puerto Rico en la casa! (Photo by Christina Rodriguez)
PROALAS Girls at the closing gala. (Photo by Gail Woon)
Shanna and Devon catching up during the coffee break.
First time BC Conference attendee Soraya proudly stands next to her poster.
A coffee lover’s dream come true!
St Martin and Anguilla delegates at the opening reception.
Representatives of the Trinidad and Tobago Bird Observatory at the poster session.
For more memorable moments captured at the conference, by our delegates, check out our photo album on Google Photos!
Every two years, BirdsCaribbean (BC) holds an election for its Board of Directors.
This year—2024—is an election year, and we need the active participation of our community members!
Serving on the BirdsCaribbean Board of Directors is a fantastic opportunity to help shape the future of an organization dedicated to conserving the region’s incredible birds and nature. We are a vibrant network and work with many partners throughout the region, including governments, NGOs, educators, tourism interests, communities, students, and more. Our Board is a welcoming, inclusive, and enthusiastic group, eager to bring fresh ideas and diverse perspectives into our leadership. Serving on the Board is a a truly enriching and rewarding experience, and we encourage all interested individuals to consider pursuing a position.
THE CALL FOR NOMINATIONS IS NOW OPEN!
The BirdsCaribbean Nominations Committee is ready to receive nominations. Carefully review the information below before making your nomination.
The nomination period will remain open from now until midnight 30 September. During this time, our community’s goal is to develop the best possible slate of nominees to lead and and grow BirdsCaribbean.
POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR NOMINATION
BirdsCaribbean board members and staff at our recent 24th International Conference in Santo Domingo, July 2024 (L to R: Laura Collado (conference coordinator), Andrea Thomen (Vice President), Andrea Tossas (President), Alexia Morales (Operations Manager), Lisa Sorenson (Executive Director)
The BirdsCaribbean Board of Directors includes Elected Officers (Executive Officers) and Directors-at-Large.
Executive Officer positions with operational duties include: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Directors-at-Large include one Elected Director and additional Directors appointed directly by the Board (Appointed Directors).
All of the above positions are open for nominations, however, our current slate of Officers are willing and eligible to serve another term. Therefore, we are particularly seeking individuals to join the board in the Elected Director Position and as Appointed Directors.
Additionally, we offer “Assistant to” positions on the Board, including Assistant to the Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. These roles were created by the board to mentor potential future Officers. They provide a valuable opportunity for younger members to learn about the organization, develop leadership skills, and gain experience under the guidance of current officers. Please note that these Assistant positions are not automatically succession roles; individuals must stand for election if they wish to become an Officer. Assistants will primarily be selected from the At-Large Directors.
If successful in becoming a Director-at-Large, the Board may invite one or more of these Directors to serve in an “Assistant to” position. Note that any persons that wish to serve as an Officer can also be nominated.
IMPORTANT LINGO
Nominees: Individuals who have been nominated to stand for election
Nominator: The person submitting the nomination
Seconder: An additional person supporting the nominator’s choice
WHO CAN NOMINATE AND BE NOMINATED:
Any individual, sponsored, honorary, or life member in good standing* may be nominated and may also nominate or act as a “seconder” (i.e., provide a second endorsement) for a nominee. Nominators must ensure that their nominee is willing to stand for election, and all nominations require a seconder.
Note — If you are unsure of your membership status, please contact BirdsCaribbean’s Administrative Assistant, Delores Kellman (Delores Kellman@BirdsCaribbean.org). You can easily renew your membership or join BirdsCaribbean. Contact us if you would like to apply for a sponsored membership.
*The Nominations Committee will thoroughly vet each nominee to ensure they are suitable for candidacy.
DESIRED TRAITS FOR NOMINEES:
BirdsCaribbean Board Retreat, Dominican Republic 2023, Group Photo at Reserve Zorzal
A genuine commitment and enthusiasm to BirdsCaribbean’s mission
Strong leadership abilities and the capacity to work effectively within a team
Active membership status (if you haven’t paid your dues for 2024, now is a good time!)
Willingness to commit to a two-year term from January 2025 to December 2026, with the possibility of renewal
Officers may need to dedicate approximately 8 to 12 hours per month to Board-related work, while Directors should expect to commit an average of 4 to 8 hours per month. The time commitment varies throughout the year.
Prior experience on a Board of Directors is a plus.
We are especially looking for persons with expertise in development and fundraising, environmental law, and finance and accounting
Any BirdsCaribbean member in good standing can nominate any other member in good standing. All members are encouraged to actively seek out potential nominees for elected or appointed positions. We encourage you to open up dialogue with individuals you believe would be valuable additions to the BirdsCaribbean Board, encouraging them to consider running for election.
Note: The Nominations Committee will be considering the Board’s need for diversity and representation when developing the list of candidates for election.
Nominee’s name, address, country (ies) of citizenship and residence
Position the nominee is standing for (open positions include President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Directors-at-Large)
Evidence of the nominee’s willingness to stand for election. This should be a brief statement (about 100-200 words) from the nominee about their qualifications for the position and how they plan to contribute if elected.
Name and contact information of a “seconder” (i.e., another person that agrees with this nomination), who must also be a member in good standing.
The Nominations Committee will review all submissions to ensure eligibility and completeness of the nomination forms.
You may nominate more than one individual. Please complete a separate nomination form for each individual and each position they are being nominated for.
Deadline: Nominations must be submitted by 11:59 PM, 30 September 2024.
ELECTIONS TIMELINE
1 Sept – 30 September: Nominations can be submitted to the Nominations Committee.
1 October: Nominations close. The Nominations Committee reviews all submissions and finalizes a slate of candidates to present to the Board for approval.
1 November: The President announces the slate of candidates and provides the link to electronic ballots for BirdsCaribbean members.
1 November – 15 December: All BirdsCaribbean members should vote during this time.
20 December: The President will announce the election results.
31 December: Terms of Office for outgoing Board members conclude.
1 January 2025: Terms of Office for new and returning Board members begin.
With Migratory Shorebirds already arriving in the Caribbean we are getting ready to celebrate World Shorebirds Day on September 6! This year we’re asking you to show some love to our shorebirds and join the Global Shorebird Count, which runs from September 2 to 8. BirdsCaribbean has everything you need to help you take part. Read on to find out how to take part, and why you (and your friends!) should join the count this year!
World Shorebirds Day is held every year on September 6. This day celebrates shorebirds, their amazing migration journeys, and most importantly, raises awareness of the threats they face and actively promotes their monitoring and conservation. The key event associated with this day is the Global Shorebird Count (GSC), which this year runs from September 2-8.
Whether you’ve never taken part in the GSC before, or you are a seasoned shorebird counter—make sure that this fall migration you Show Some Love to Shorebirds in the Caribbean!
How do you join in?
First, and most importantly—get out to your local wetland sites and get counting! Remember to record all the species you see and/or hear (including other non-shorebird species), and to note how many individuals of each species you spot. Take your time and scan the habitats carefully for birds, but be extra careful to stand and walk only in places where you won’t disturb the birds you are trying to count!
Counting shorebirds on the Turks and Caicos Islands. (Photo by Simon Busuttil)
Make sure to record what you are seeing, and to start a new bird list for each location. The best way to do this is using the eBird app on your phone. If you’re in the Caribbean, use the eBird Caribbean Portal. To check or change the portal you are using, go into your settings on the app and look for “Portal” then select “eBird Caribbean.” If you are recording your birds in a notebook be sure to note the start and finish time of your count and add your list to the eBird website once you are home.
Any counts you do at Caribbean wetlands, mangroves, mud flats, coastal areas or beaches at any time of year can be Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) counts. If you are in the Caribbean, please choose one of the CWC protocols when you add your counts in eBird.
Finally, to contribute to the Global Shorebird Count, share each list on eBird with the eBird user ‘worldshorebirdsday’. This will ensure that your checklists are included in data analyses for the Global Shorebird Count. If you are new to checklist sharing, check out this quick tutorial on how to do it.
The answer is that our migratory shorebirds are more vulnerable than ever—they are threatened by human activities such as destruction of their habitats, pollution, disturbance, and climate change. Recent analyses show that shorebirds in North America are declining more than any other group of birds; in fact, more than half of 28 species studied were estimated to have lost more than 50% of their abundance in the last 30 years.
The Caribbean is an important region for migratory shorebirds. They rely on our mangroves, salt ponds, beaches, sand flats, and mud flats to rest and refuel as they continue on their long migrations. Some shorebirds may even spend the entire winter with us!
Semipalmated Plover (Photo by Gary McHale)
Black-bellied Plover (Photo by Ray Robles)
Greater Yellowlegs (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
The striking Black-necked Stilt has long legs for wading into deep water to find food. (Photo by Dan Pancamo)
The Global Shorebird Count helps to both map the distribution of shorebirds during migration, and to record their numbers. Data from citizen science initiatives like this and our Caribbean Water Bird Census are essential to help us identify and protect the key stopover and/or wintering habitats that shorebirds use. Protecting these habitats benefits people too because healthy coastal areas provide vital ecosystem services such as clean water, food, sustainable livelihoods, protection from storm surge, and much more.
Show double (or triple) the love!
The more information we have about shorebirds using Caribbean wetlands the more we can learn about their populations and which places are most important for them. So, if you want to show some extra love to the shorebirds, and increase our ability to conserve Caribbean shorebirds consider carrying out several counts at the same wetland(s) during migration season (August-October).
TCI’s extensive wetlands provide essential refuge for Near Threatened Piping Plovers during migration – this flock was spotted feeding at South Caicos. (Photo by Craig Watson)
If possible you can try to do 2 or 3 counts at your local shorebird hotspots per month during fall migration(August-October). More frequent counts can help us better understand important aspects of shorebird migration in our region—like how many individuals use Caribbean wetlands, the timing of migration, and how long they stopover at different sites.
Need some help with shorebird ID?
We know that Shorebirds can be tricky to identify, with some being especially difficult to tell apart. BirdsCaribbean is here to help with some useful tools! We have a Shorebird Poster and “Quick ID Guide” to get you started as well as handy Shorebird ID cards that you can download and print featuring common shorebirds of the Caribbean. Go to our shorebird resources page to find everything you need. Of course, don’t forget to take your favorite bird ID guide with you when you do your shorebird counts!
You can brush up on your CWC survey skills, waterbird ID, and shorebird ID before you go out on your surveys by watching our fantastic CWC and Shorebird ID webinars on YouTube. We also have series of shorebird ID shorts pointing out key features to help you distinguish between those tough-to-tell-apart species. Check our latest video all about peeps below, and see them all on our social media accounts or our YouTube Shorebirds Short Videos Playlist.
If you can get photos or even sound recording of the birds you see, these can be looked at/ listened to later. If you encountered any birds that were difficult for you to identify in the field, visual (or sound) evidence can be shared with birding colleagues and experts for ID support!
Where to find shorebirds?
The simple answer is: anywhere there is water. This means that, as their name suggests, you can find them at the beach and on other types of shorelines. However, some shorebirds will be further inland, including in salt ponds and salinas, freshwater pools, agricultural fields, and at brackish marshes and ponds. Shorebirds will also gather on mud flats, in mangrove areas, and on tidal flats.
Martha Cartwright and Cesar Montero searching for Wilson’s Plovers at Barbery Beach, Grand Bahama. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Shorebirds on a dike at Cargill Salt Ponds.
Flamingos and shorebirds share the mud and water at Monte Cristi in the northern Dominican Republic. (Photo by GAE)
You may not be quite sure of the best places to look in your area. If so, why not take a look for ‘hotspots’ at your local wetlands on eBird. Just take a look at the eBird hotspots map. Zoom in on your local area and then click on a hotspot to see what types of birds have been seen there recently.
What should you do if you spot a banded bird?
While counting shorebirds you may see birds with colourful bands on their legs. 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—if you get a photo you will be able to send it along with your sighting. You can report your sightings and send any photos you have to BandedBirds.org and the USGS Bird Banding Lab, which oversee all banding in the United States.
Spotted a banded Piping Plover?
There are several projects that have banded Piping Plovers. The Caribbean is one of the wintering areas for these cute plovers (they are mainly found in The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Cuba, but are also recorded on other islands), so it’s always possible you might spot one! This 1-page guide which details what to do when you see a banded Piping Plover is available to download as a pdf here. We also have 2-page version with more information for you to use and share here. You can find out more about reporting banded Piping Plovers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at this link.
Be social with your shorebird counts
Survey team in Cuba searching for Piping Plovers during CWC2023. (Photo by Daniela Ventura)
We love looking at photos of shorebirds, your local wetlands, and your smiling faces; so please share the highlights of your shorebird counts with us! Use a phone or any other camera that is available, but remember to tag @birdscaribbean and use the hashtags #WorldShorebirdsDay #GlobalShorebirdCount #ShowSomeLoveForShorebirds when sharing on social media. We look forward to seeing and sharing your amazing photos and reading your stories!
Caribbean birders, it’s time to get “buggy” with it for World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 2024!
Celebrated this fall on October 12th (or anytime during the ongoing fall migration from August through October) WMBD is a special time of year when birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts across the Caribbean eagerly welcome migratory birds to their winter retreats. Our gardens, forests, wetlands, and coastlines serve as vital “all-inclusive” havens, providing essential food and shelter for these incredible travelers.
Similarly, our neighbors in Central and South America join in the celebration as they too welcome back plump warblers, wading shorebirds, agile raptors, and other migrants. WMBD unites people across the Americas in a shared commitment to securing a bright and sustainable future for these marvelous migrants.
The WMBD 2024 theme “Protect Insects Protect Birds” is particularly timely as insects are declining worldwide due to pesticides, habitat loss, and other threats. Insects are crucial food sources for many migratory birds, providing the energy they need for their long journeys. This theme is especially relevant to the Caribbean, where our warm tropical climate supports thriving insect populations—a hearty buffet for which migratory birds make epic journeys covering thousands of miles, every year! This October, we’re urging Caribbean islanders to trade in pesticides for binoculars and join the global initiative to raise awareness about the threats to both birds and insects. By taking simple actions, like those suggested below, we can help protect these vital species.
For the Americas, the WMBD 2024 theme is presented in English, Spanish and French:
Bugs for Birds… and People
Insects are essential sources of energy for many migratory bird species during their long journeys. The success of these migrations often depends on the timing, as birds rely on peak insect abundance at stopover locations to replenish their energy reserves before continuing their travels.
Worm-eating Warbler with a caterpillar in its beak. (Photo by Bryan Calk ML54410741)
A Common Nighthawk chases its insect prey in flight! (Photo by Brad Imhoff ML367282621)
Insects are an important protein source for growing birds too. A female Common Yellowthroat feeds its offspring. (Photo by Dawn Gunderson ML621947269)
Insects play a crucial role in ecosystems that directly benefit people. They pollinate crops, helping to produce a significant portion of the world’s food supply. Insects also contribute to natural pest control by preying on harmful species, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. Additionally, they help decompose organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the soil, which supports healthy plant growth. Without insects, our agriculture, food security, and overall ecosystem health would be severely impacted.
However, insects face significant threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, and light pollution, among others. The decline in insect populations not only impacts ecosystems but also leads to a scarcity of this vital energy-rich food source for migratory birds, resulting in weakened immune systems, reduced reproductive success, and increased mortality rates for both adult birds and their offspring.
Your backyard is a lifeline for insects
Protect insects and help birds by taking these actions:
Plant native flowers, trees, and shrubs in your gardens
Support organic farming or start your own pesticide-free kitchen garden
Preserve natural habitats
Leave leaf litter! It provides a crucial ecosystem for insects
Educate your friends and family about the importance of insects
You are cordially invited to celebrate birds, explore nature, and reverse insect decline
Our amazing community of Caribbean educators and WMBD coordinators are busy preparing exciting events, including birdwatching trips, habitat clean-ups, all-day festivals, art competitions, presentations in schools, webinars, and so much more, all aimed at raising awareness of the importance of insects to birds and people. Get in touch with your local environmental groups to find out where and when the festivities will be held, and make plans to attend with friends and family.
WMBD pins, stickers, bracelets, and more were distributed at Conservation Opportunity’s event. (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 Alexia Morales))
We invite all who are interested to join our educator flock! As you join the WMBD campaign, you may request WMBD educational materials by contacting Laura Baboolal, the WMBD Caribbean coordinator at lbaboolal@environmentamericas.org.
If you are planning a WMBD event or two (and we hope you are!), you will find free digital resources in English, Spanish, and French on the World Migratory Bird Day Trello board.
BirdsCaribbean will also be featuring WMBD bird species that occur in the Caribbean on our Migratory Bird of the Day webpages (Birds Connect Our World). Our drawings this fall are featuring the art of Arnaldo Toledo—Cuban ornithologist, photographer, and scientific illustrator extraordinaire!
As in past years, we will provide free downloadable resources, including coloring pages, natural history information, puzzles, photos, videos and activity sheets—we invite you to check it out!
We also encourage you to add your events to the interactive map, so we can see where WMBD activities are taking place throughout the Caribbean: https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/events-map
Add your event to the WMBD Events Map and let the world know how you will be celebrating in the Caribbean!
Meet Your 2024 Migratory Bird and Insect Ambassadors!
Every year, EFTA selects species as WMBD ambassadors. The seven focal species this year highlight the diversity of migratory birds and their dependence on healthy insect populations and thriving habitats:
Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrronota*
Cliff Swallows eat insect all year round, foraging during the day in pairs or flocks of up to 1000 birds. (Photo by Brad Imhoff ML338869051)
Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus*
Male Bobolink in breeding plumage. (Photo by Ryan Sanderson, Macaulay Library-ML342377131)
Nacunda Nighthawk Chordeiles nacunda
Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla*
Semipalmated Sandpiper in Jamaica. (Photo by Ann Haynes Sutton)
Broad-tailed Hummingbird Selasphorus platycercus
American Kestrel Falco sparverius*
The American Kestrel is a more frequently seen migrant to the region. (Photo by Imran Ashraf)
Wood Duck Aix sponsa*
The male Wood Duck is one of the most colorful waterfowls in North America. (Photo by Brad Imhoff)
At least five of these species, marked with an asterisk, occur in the Caribbean, though they are not all common. The region is critical for these traveling birds as they move to, from, across, and through our islands.
This year, insects are also in the spotlight as focal species:
Vivid Dancer Argia vivida
A male Vivid Dancer (blue morph) on a pitcher plant. (Photo by Judy Gallagher)
Willow Sawfly Nematus corylus
Giant Cicada Quesada gigas
Giant Cicada. (Photo by Juan Cruzado)
Buzzer Midge Chironomus plumosus
Mayfly Cinygmula ramaleyi
Red-legged Grasshopper Melanoplus femurrubrum
Giant Water Scavenger Beetle Hydrophilus triangularis
Giant Black Scavenger Beetle. (Photo by Robert Webster)
First WMBD Photo Contest!
Join us for the first-ever World Migratory Bird Day Photography Contest, presented by Environment for the Americas. This year’s theme, “Protect Insects, Protect Birds,” highlights the important relationship between birds and insects. Our competition focuses on the role insects play in order to sustain migratory birds on their journeys. Win cash prizes and Vortex binoculars! Deadline is September 30th 2024.
Anna Rose, a talented artist from Columbus, Ohio, is the Featured Artist for World Migratory Bird Day 2024! With a deep connection to wildlife, Anna has received the Susan K. Black Foundation Scholarship three times, was named ‘Student Artist of the Year’ by the American Birding Association, and won first place in the Junior Duck Stamp Contest hosted by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. She pursued graduate studies at Ohio State University, focusing on the nesting ecology of warblers and thrushes, blending her enthusiasm for art and science. Anna’s artwork will be used throughout the Caribbean in this year’s WMBD events.
Birders, brace yourselves for some exciting news! Jennifer Valiulis, Executive Director of the St. Croix Environmental Association (SEA), made an incredible discovery at St. Croix’s Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge in St Croix, US Virgin Islands. She spotted a White Tern—only the second recorded sighting of this species in the West Indies!
A Serendipitous Discovery
On Sunday August 11th, Jennifer set out for a routine sea turtle track patrol along the southwest shore of St. Croix. She had just wrapped up a morning bird survey when something unusual caught her attention. Hovering above her dog, a completely white bird floated gracefully, following them along the beach. The bird’s shape suggested that it could be a tern, but this behavior was unlike anything Jennifer had seen before, especially compared to the Least Terns commonly found in the area—which typically fly with quick wingbeats and dive aggressively to defend their nests and chicks.
White Tern spotted by Jen Valiulis at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge (photo by Jennifer Valiulis)
The White Tern following Jennifer along the southwest shore of St Croix at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge (photo by Jennifer Valiulis)
Note the completely white body and head and black bill (photo by Jennifer Valiulis)
“I first assumed it was a Least Tern,” Jennifer recalls. “But as I looked closer, I realized the markings weren’t right.” The Least Tern is small, with a grayish back, yellow bill, white forehead, and black cap. This bird however was larger, entirely white, and had large striking black eyes. Jen’s keen observation skills and a bit of luck led her to take several photos with her phone, capturing this unique moment before she continued her turtle patrol.
White Tern in Hawaii. It’s a medium-sized tern with entirely white plumage, a slightly forked tail, and glittering inky pools for eyes. The bill is black with a blue base. (photo by Cameron Rutt ML2863700)1
The White Tern is graceful and buoyant in flight. It sometimes flies very high in pairs or trios. (photo of White Tern in Wake Island in the Pacific Ocean, by Eric VanderWerf ML42169701).
Piecing Together the Mystery
Once home, Jennifer struggled to match her photos with any local bird species. Eventually, she shared her images in a U.S. Virgin Islands birding group chat, where her fellow birders, including BirdsCaribbean’s Executive Director and ornithologist, Lisa Sorenson, began to weigh in. After some research, Lisa suspected it was a White Tern, a bird typically found in the Pacific Ocean, especially around Hawaii and around several islands in the south Atlantic.
A White Tern chick on Midway Island. White Terns have been recorded breeding in trees and both natural and artificial ledges on coral islands. (photo by Caroline Pott)
Caroline Pott, a former St. Croix resident now working as a Wildlife Biologist on Midway Island in the Pacific, confirmed the identification. “I live with White Terns—they’re everywhere here—on my windowsill, in the trees like Christmas decorations, on my shed roof,” Caroline said. “That is most definitely what it is. They love to follow, floating as you describe, like the birds in Cinderella.”
A Rare Visitor in a Safe Haven
This sighting marks only the second time a White Tern has been recorded in the West Indies, with the first being in San Salvador, The Bahamas, in June 2010. Jennifer’s discovery is a testament to the importance of wildlife refuges like Sandy Point, which provide a sanctuary for lost and exhausted birds that have strayed far from their normal habitats.
Jennifer reflected on the significance of refuges like Sandy Point, noting, “It’s a safe place for them to rest and refuel so they can hopefully find their way back to where they would normally be found. Although we have not seen anything quite so unusual at Sandy Point before, it is not uncommon to see tired, hungry birds that have strayed from their migratory routes.”
How did the White Tern end up in St Croix?
The White Tern (Gygis alba) is typically found in tropical and subtropical regions, with its normal range spanning the Pacific and Indian Oceans, including Hawaii, where it is commonly known as the “Fairy Tern,” and a handful of islands in the South Atlantic. The sighting in the US Virgin Islands is extraordinary because the species rarely strays to the North Atlantic.
eBird range map for the White Tern clearly depicting its abundance in the Pacific Ocean.
Seabird expert Rhiannon Austin, who studies seabirds in the Turks and Caicos Islands, commented, “This individual bird could have been blown off course during a storm or strong winds, a phenomenon known as “vagrancy,” where birds end up far outside their usual range.” She also explained that changes in weather patterns, possibly linked to climate change, can disrupt traditional migratory routes, movements, and food availability. These shifts can force birds to stray from their typical habitats as they search for suitable conditions. This makes the sighting both exciting and a poignant reminder of the broader environmental changes impacting wildlife globally.
The White Tern nests on islands throughout tropical and subtropical oceans of the world. In the Hawaiian Archipelago, it is a common breeder in northwestern refuge islands, with a small population also on O’ahu Island. (photo by Tony Palliser ML63353901)
A Message to Fellow Birders
Jennifer’s experience serves as a reminder to all birders: trust your instincts and always document unusual sightings. “Even if it isn’t something very rare, the observation is still valuable,” she advises. She also emphasizes the importance of slowing down and taking in the natural world, rather than just focusing on data collection. “Once in a while, those cool anomalies turn out to be something really unusual and exciting—like a White Tern on St. Croix!”
This incredible sighting has not only thrilled the birding community but also highlights the critical role of conservation areas in protecting wildlife, even those far from home. Keep your eyes peeled—you never know when you might spot something truly extraordinary!
Jen Valiusus doing a waterbird count in St Croix. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Editor’s Note: Jennifer returned to Sandy Point to try and spot the White Tern again, but with no luck. With Tropical Storm Ernesto bearing down on the US Virgin Islands, she had to shift her focus to hurricane preparedness. She and her fellow birding enthusiasts will continue to search for the White Tern, an exciting opportunity to add an extremely rare bird to their life lists. However, the recent storm may have carried the bird off to another island. West Indies birders: keep your eyes peeled for an all-white tern with a pointed black beak!
We’re excited to announce our 2024 Raffle, where you can win fantastic prizes while supporting crucial bird conservation efforts in the Caribbean! Thanks to our incredible partners, this year’s raffle is bigger and better, with proceeds directly funding scientific research and empowering Caribbean wildlife professionals. Together, we can make a lasting impact on both the birds and the communities that share their habitats.
Click on the flyer to purchase your tickets now!
But wait, we haven’t even mentioned the amazing prizes you could win! Are you ready to find out if you could be our next lucky winner? This is your chance to make a difference and score some incredible rewards – it’s a win-win!
Grand Prize: Vortex Razor HD 8X42 Binoculars
That’s right—we have TWO grand prizes! Birdwatchers will love the Vortex Razor HD 8×42 Binoculars, a premium-quality, award-winning binocular packed with everything you need for field observation. It is rugged, waterproof, compact, and its HD optical system “delivers the sharpest images possible.” With so many amazing features you may think this binocular is hefty. It is not. It is actually one of the lightest full-size binoculars on the market! In addition, the binocular comes with Vortex’s incredible unlimited, unconditional, life-time VIP Warranty!
Vortex Razor HD 8X42 Binocular side view.
Vortex Razor HD 8X42 Binocular front view.
Second Grand Prize: “Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo”Painting
“Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo” painting by acclaimed Cuban Artist Arnaldo Toledo.
Our Grand Prize is an exquisite original painting titled “Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo” by award-winning Cuban scientific illustrator Arnaldo Toledo. One of Puerto Rico’s beloved endemics, this lanky, lizard-munching cuckoo is known for its distinctive “ka-ka-ka-ka” call, which has earned it the local name Pájaro Bobo Mayor (“big ape bird”). Another local name is Pájaro de Lluvia or Pájaro de Agua (“rain bird”), because its call is believed to forecast the rain! This stunning 38.5 x 28 cm watercolor painting on Stonehenge Aqua paper was part of a special collection commissioned for the 2022 American Ornithological Society and BirdsCaribbean joint conference, featuring all 17 Puerto Rican endemic birds.
In an interview, Arnaldo shared his process for creating this collection with us. “I carefully researched each species and made an extensive study of reference material. This was essential for rendering each individual in a way that shows the beauty and life of the bird, as well as precisely draw and paint its field marks and diagnostic details. The pose and attitude of each bird is drawn to set the flow and balance of the composition, while at the same time showing all the splendor of these Puerto Rico endemics.”
The Raffle drawing will take place on Sunday, September 8th, 2024 at 10 PM EDT.
Tickets are $5 each, or you can get five for $20. The more tickets you buy, the better your chances of winning!
Click here to purchase tickets online, or send a check made out to “BirdsCaribbean,” put “Raffle” in memo, and mail to:
BirdsCaribbean,
841 Worcester St. #130
Natick, MA 01760
For questions, contact Lisa Sorenson at Lisa.Sorenson@BirdsCaribbean.org. Remember to get your tickets by Sunday, Sept 8th at 10pm LATEST.
It only takes one to win, but you can’t win without one! Good luck!
Proceeds from the raffle support our conservation, research, and education programs, as well as scholarships for Caribbean conservationists to attend our workshops and conferences.
A huge thank you to our generous donors for providing awesome prizes for the Raffle: Arnaldo Toledo, Vortex Optics, and Nils Navarro, and thank you to all those supporting our 2024 Raffle!
Whether you’re passionate about landscapes, birds, or wildlife in general—our photo contest is your chance to gain recognition and inspire others to protect Caribbean biodiversity. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to win incredible prizes. See below for more details.
BirdsCaribbean is excited to announce our 5th Digital Photography Contest at the BC Conference in the Dominican Republic—we invite you to participate!
BirdsCaribbean se complace en anunciar que celebraremos nuestro 5º Concurso Anual de Fotografía Digital en la Conferencia de República Dominicana – ¡Te invitamos a participar!
BirdsCaribbean est heureux d’annoncer son cinquième Concours Annuel de Photographie Numérique à la conférence BC en République dominicaine et vous invite à y participer !
The Vortex Viper HD spotting scope is a high-end scope with incredible optical performance bringing even the finest distant details in for a closer look. It is built to withstand rugged terrain and harsh weather.
Adjusting a spotting scope for participants during a Bird Guide Training workshop in Turks and Caicos. (Photo by Christel Mohammed)
Students learn to use binoculars and a spotting scope to look at birds at Hope Gardens, Jamaica.(photo by Natural History Museum of Jamaica)
Participants learned about spotting scope set up and management – especially when dealing with the needs of a large group!
In addition to the Grand Prize, the following prizes will be awarded in each category:
First Place: $100 Amazon Gift card
Second Place: $50 Amazon Gift card
Third Place: $25 Amazon Gift card
Photos must be taken during the time of the conference, including the pre- and post-conference field trips and workshops, in the Dominican Republic between the 15th and 25th of July 2024. Photos can be submitted online starting July 16. (See the full contest rules and submission details below)
The deadline for submitting entries is 11:59 pm EDT on Sunday, August 25th, 2024.
Winners will be announced by Thursday September 12th, 2024.
The BirdsCaribbean 2024 Photography Contest is open to ALLphotographers (aged 18 and over), except board members of BirdsCaribbean and the judges of this contest and their immediate families. The contest is open to all participants of the conference regardless of residence or citizenship, so long as the laws of their jurisdiction allow participation. Review the rules for entering below.
Contest Categories
Our Conference Photography Competition is all about showcasing the beauty of Caribbean birds, ecosystems, and people. That’s why we have included a variety of submission categories that provide a wide range of opportunities to capture rare endemic species and vibrant habitats. We are also excited to see passionate individuals dedicated to preserving our unique biodiversity. Our ultimate goal is to find compelling digital photos that embody our 2024 theme, From Mountains to Mangroves: Safeguarding Our Avian Treasures.
Here are the photo contest categories that you can enter:
“THE ENDEMICS”: Hispaniolan and regional (West Indies) endemic birds found in the Dominican Republic
“FUN WITH BIRDS AND PEOPLE”: Fun with birds, nature, and human interaction* (including photographs of people during conference activities, people experiencing and enjoying nature)
“BIRDS AND NATURE”: Natural habitats and landscapes in the Dominican Republic, including close-up photography, and birds that are not endemic to Hispaniola
Please do not include photographs of pets or domestic animals, nor images of captive animals.
*If you choose to include people in your submission, you are responsible for obtaining the necessary (verbal) releases from the individuals depicted. Entrants must not submit images that involve human nudity, or the willful harassment of wildlife.
All photos must be submitted via the photo-sharing site Flickr. Here’s how:
Log on: To submit your photos via Flickr, use your Yahoo! ID, Google, or Facebook account to login to http://www.flickr.com. If you do not have an account, you can sign-up for FREE.
Join the BirdsCaribbean Flickr group: go to the home page for the group and click the button that says “+ Join Group”
Upload your images: Click “Upload” in the top near the search bar and upload your entries.
VERY IMPORTANT – Tag your photos: Browse to the image you wish to submit for the contest and add tags (there is a tags section below the image in the right column). Please add the following tags: BCPhotoContest2024, and the category you are entering (Endemics, FunwithBirdsandPeople OR BirdsandNature), so each photo should have two tags total. Type the tags exactly as you see them here (or copy and paste). Please include your name, the location where the photo was taken, and the subject or title of the photo. Adding a descriptive caption in the title or comments about your photo is also helpful also!
Submit the image: Use the “Send to Group” function above the image to add your photograph to the BirdsCaribbean group.
The deadline for submitting entries is 11:59 pm EDT on Sunday August 25th, 2024.
You can check to see that your photos are uploaded and properly tagged by making sure they are there when you type in the overall contest tag BCPhotoContest2024 in the search bar at the upper right. Check that they are in the proper category by typing in two tags for each category, for example:
BCPhotoContest2024 Endemics
BCPhotoContest2024 FunwithBirdsandPeople
BCPhotoContest2024 BirdsandNature
Rules, Eligibility, and Judging:
This competition is open to all registered participants (full time and part time) of the conference.
All submissions must have been taken during the time of the conference, including the pre- and post-conference field trips and travel between 15th and 25th July, 2024 inclusive.
To ensure eligibility for the contest all entries must have a resolution of 2MB or greater.
Color, black & white, and edited formats are accepted.
SIX entries are allowed per participant for EACH CATEGORY, thus you can submit as many as 18 photos total.
The welfare of the bird always takes priority. Please keep your distance and do not disturb birds!
No audio playback.
No flash or other artificial lights may be used.
Any still photography method is acceptable, including digiscoping, SLR, point-and-shoot, mobile phone, etc.
BirdsCaribbean reserves the right to adjust any deadline(s) as the result of causes beyond its immediate control.
Winning Photos and Prizes
First, second, and third prize winners will be selected in each category and there will be one grand prize winner. Photos will be judged on originality, technical excellence, composition, overall impact, and artistic merit. All decisions made by the judges are final.
The judges are a selected panel of birders, photographers and scientists. Winning photos will be featured online on the BirdsCaribbean website, social media and Flickr site.
Read the Fine Print—Rules, Terms, and Legal Conditions
By entering, participants agree to indemnify BIRDSCARIBBEAN and its representatives, from any and all third party liability for any injuries, loss, claim, action, demand or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with the competition .
Each entrant in the Contest is responsible for ensuring that he or she has the right to submit the photos that he or she submits to the Contest per these rules.
BIRDSCARIBBEAN is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information.
BIRDSCARIBBEAN assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, of entries.
If, for any reason, the photo competition is not capable of completion as planned, BIRDSCARIBBEAN reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the photo competition.
By entering, participants agree for BIRDSCARIBBEAN to use all submitted images for their purpose online and in printed matter. The participants do retain the ownership of the photos submitted, and when used, all photographs will be credited to the photographer.
Questions and inquiries about contest rules or issues with submitting your photos can be emailed to Lisa Sorenson: Lisa.Sorenson@BirdsCaribbean.org. You must read the following rules, terms, and legal conditions before submitting any photos!
Your photographs help BirdsCaribbean raise awareness of how important it is to protect the Caribbean’s amazing diversity of wildlife, plants and habitats. Thank you for helping to further our mission through your photography.
We wish you the best of luck and look forward to seeing the best of Caribbean nature photography!
A look back at past winners
2022 Grand Prize Winner – Red-legged Thrush by Edward Hernández-Lara
Back in May 2019, BirdsCaribbean joined other guests to celebrate the opening of the lovely office of Sustainable Grenadines (SusGren), perched on the edge of Ashton Lagoon on Union Island in the Grenadines. It was a joyful occasion—the result of 13 years of planning and sheer hard work which transformed an old, abandoned, and failed marina development into a beautiful place for local residents to enjoy—as well as the birds and other wildlife nestling in its restored mangroves and lagoon waters. Read more here. On July 1, 2024, this brilliantly successful project was dealt a catastrophic blow by the major Hurricane Beryl, sweeping away the SusGren office building and most of Ashton Lagoon’s infrastructure, and causing widespread devastation.
Here SusGren’s Executive Director Orisha Joseph talks about her devotion to the project and her determination to “build back stronger.”
Sustainable Grenadines office was completely destroyed when Hurricane Beryl passed through Union Island on July 1, 2024. (Photo by Orisha Joseph)
If you would like to assist, please donate at the link below, and help Ashton Lagoon, Union Island and its residents—both human and animal—get back on their feet! Your generosity will be greatly appreciated.
I first visited Union Island as a young reporter in 2009, on a trip to the world famous Tobago Cays Marine Park. Instantly, I fell in love with this small beautiful island. Soon after, I was introduced to the non-governmental organization Sustainable Grenadines Inc (SusGren).
Who knew that this introduction would lead me to migrate from Grenada to Union Island in 2012, where I began work as Administrative Officer with this amazing organization!
At SusGren, I used my communications skills to further reach audiences across the Transboundary Grenadines, in the region and further afield, sharing the impactful work we do in conservation, sustainable livelihoods, youth engagement and policy development.
Orisha Joseph speaking at the opening ceremony for the successfully restored Ashton Lagoon.
Fast forward to 2024. As Executive Director of SusGren, looking back at our journey, I wouldn’t change a thing—no regrets, at all!
However, on July 1st, 2024, Hurricane Beryl “changed everything.”
In 2019 we completed restoration work in the largest mangrove ecosystem on Union Island: the “Ashton Lagoon Restoration Project”. It was one of our flagship projects, to rehabilitate a failed marina area, which had caused significant ecological and socio-economic impacts with both long-term and short-term consequences for Union Island.
Twin suspension bridges over breached gaps in failed marina causeway in the Ashton Lagoon. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc.)
Birdwatching tower in Ashton Lagoon. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc.)
Ashton Lagoon trail. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc.)
Our achievements after restoration saw the construction of a two-storey office space and welcome centre, twin bridges at Ashton Lagoon to provide access—which became the main attraction on Union Island—restoration of red mangroves, construction of wildlife viewing towers, trails and interpretive signage, and a swale system for water exchange in the mangrove forest.
Sadly, since Hurricane Beryl visited us on that fateful day, we have lost everything.
Ashton Lagoon trail destroyed by Hurricane Beryl, the earliest hurricane to reach Category 5 intensity. (Photo by Orisha Joseph)
I was with one of my team members, her partner, my landlord, and 10-year-old grandson. As Hurricane Beryl displayed her strength, hurled broken glass at us, and lifted our roof, we held a mattress in front of us for protection. As the roof began to cave in, we realized we were not safe and needed to get to another house on the property.
Once I thought it was “safe,” I ran across the yard to the next house, then called for the others to do the same. We made it! We were alive! We are all together!
We stayed there until Hurricane Beryl decided she had done enough, and it was calm enough to go outside. I looked around in total shock, I could not believe this was the second time I am experiencing a devastating hurricane—my first being Hurricane Ivan, which destroyed Grenada in 2004. I cried….
Hurricane Beryl damaged or destroyed more than 90% of homes on Union Island. (Photo by Orisha Joseph)
My mind went to my two other team members. Were they OK? Were their families OK? Was the office OK? Was the bridge OK? What about other infrastructure? My heart sank as I started to walk through the island, witnessing the utter devastation, people with bewildered looks on their faces, homes destroyed.
SusGren employee Kisha McFarlen and other residents of Union Island survey the damage around them. (Photo by Orisha Joseph)
Then it all sank in, as I got to the office. It was completely gone, except for the stairs and two walls on the first floor. The mangrove was littered with chairs, desks, filing cabinets, papers. Birds were just hanging around and fiddler crabs were trying to find shelter.
The charming SusGren office before it was destroyed by Hurricane Beryl. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc.)
Sustainable Grenadines office was completely destroyed when Hurricane Beryl passed through Union Island on July 1, 2024. (Photo by Orisha Joseph)
Ashton Lagoon mangrove littered with littered with chairs, desks, filing cabinets, papers. (Photo by Orisha Joseph)
Despite the devastation, there was an overwhelming sense of relief. We had survived. Hurricane Beryl tested our resilience and reminded us of the power of Mother Nature.
But more importantly, Hurricane Beryl showed us the strength of our community and the unyielding spirit of Union Island. In the face of such adversity, we discovered that together, we could weather any storm.
As we pick up the pieces from here, to build back better and stronger, we welcome your support! If you are able to help, please go to our fundraising page here. Any gift, no matter how small, will be gratefully received!
Exciting news! Our online Conference Merch Store for the upcoming BirdsCaribbean 24th International Conference is now OPEN! Order all your #BirdsCarib24DR merchandise online for pick-up in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from 18 to 22 July 2024!
We’ve got a wonderful variety of items on sale to delight any bird or nature lover, including conference t-shirts, hats, buffs, and stickers. Our conference merch features stunning illustrations of Hispaniolan endemic birds by American naturalist and painter Alex Warnick. These aren’t just great souvenirs—they’re keepsakes that will remind you of your amazing time in the Dominican Republic for years to come. Plus, we have Birds of the Dominican Republic and Haiti field guides on sale—and two of the authors will be on-site to sign your copies!
New buff on the block! This must-have gear ensures UPF50 sun protection and features gorgeous illustrations of Hispaniola’s finest birds.
We’ve got the perfect hat for all your outdoor adventures! Beautifully illustrated with Hispaniola’s stunning endemic birds!
The new edition of the Field Guide to the Birds of the Dominican Republic and Haiti is the perfect companion to all your DR birding adventures—grab a copy in our e-shop.
Waterproof stickers showcasing 15 of Hispaniola’s endemic birds. Ideal for sprucing up laptops, water bottles, luggage, and so much more.
Our Caribbean birds ID cards are waterproof and UV coated making colors and shapes more rich and in-depth. These are perfect for field conditions and for educational events.
These items and more will make unique gifts for your family and friends. And the best part? Your order will directly support our work to help Caribbean birds and people thrive. Check out all the offerings at our e-shop: bit.ly/BCDR24-Merch
Important: All merchandise items purchased on this site must be collected during the conference at the Dominican Fiesta Hotel. We cannot ship items to anyone.
If you can’t attend the conference, you can arrange with a friend or colleague attending the conference to pick up your items for you.
The excitement doesn’t end online! Attendees can also stop by our merch table at the Dominican Fiesta Hotel for a retail therapy break in between sessions to purchase something beautiful and fun that will help them remember the conference. But hurry, quantities are limited, so be sure to shop early to get your desired styles, sizes, and amounts.
The BC conference will take place in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic from 18 to 22 July 2024. The theme is “From Mangroves to Mountains–Safeguarding Our Avian Treasures” Find out more about our exciting workshops, round-table discussions, field trips, and networking opportunities on the website and register at this link: bit.ly/BC24DR
The Ridgway’s Hawk is one of the most critically endangered raptors in the world and is endemic to Hispaniola. (Photo by Dax Román)
An estimated 90% of the Bicknell’s Thrush population overwinters in Hispaniola’s dense, humid broadleaf forests. (Photo by BirdsCaribbean)
A Pearly-eyed Thrasher in the Dominican Republic. (Photo by Tony Pe)
Hispaniolan Mango (female) feeding on hibiscus in the Dominican Republic. (Photo by Neil Hilton)
The Hispaniolan Trogon (called Papagayo in the Dominican Republic and Caleçon Rouge in Haiti), is one of only two trogon species found within the Caribbean (the other being the sister species, the Cuban Trogon). (Photo by Dax Roman)
Baiguate River, Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic.
Our conservation impact is stronger when we work together. We can’t wait to see you in Santo Domingo!
Acknowledgments: A huge thank you to Alex Warnick for making this amazing artwork available for us to use for the conference! Get ready for an incredible experience!
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!
Puerto Rican Woodpecker. (Photo by Noelia Nieves Colón)
Long-tailed Hawk, Havana, Cuba. (Photo by Jesús Molina and Alejendro Sautié)
Purple Gallinule, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Noelia Nieves Colón)
Female Hooded Merganser with chicks, Huntley Meadows, Virginia. (Photo by Ducky Nguyen)
Roseate Tern, Bonaire. (Photo by Steve Schnoll)
Mangrove Warbler, Cuba. (Photo by Jesus Molina and Alejendro Sautié)
White-beared Manakin, Trinidad. (Photo by Jerome Foster)
Loubiere, Dominica. (Photo by Derzan Peltier)
Adrianne’s favorite birding spot in Puerto Rico.
Grasshopper Sparrow, Bonaire. (Photo by Steve Schnoll)
Eastern Meadowlark, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. (Photo by Alexander Coronado Torné)
Northern Lights, Montana. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Tundra Swan landing, Corey Marsh, Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Jamie Jacob and Dave Ewert)
Loggerhead Kingbird, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Edgardo Cruz)
Gray Kingbird feeding, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Edgardo Cruz)
Caribbean Martin, Layou, Dominica. (Photo by Garry Auguiste)
Burrowing Owl nest, Grand Bahama Island, The Bahamas. (Photo by Charmaine Francis)
Black-bellied Plover, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Maria Irizarry González)
Common Gallinule chick, Trinidad. (Photo by Jerome Foster)
Caribbean Elaenia in nest, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Noelia Nieves Colón)
Montana, USA. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Kalinago Territory, Dominica. (Photo by Derzan Peltier)
Horse Back Ridge, Kalinago Territory, Dominica. (Photo by Derzan Peltier)
Black-necked Stilt, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Noelia Nieves-Colón)
Short-billed Dowitcher, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Noelia Nieves Colón)
Cattle Egret, Anegada, BVI. (Photo by Rondel Smith)
Ruddy Turnstone, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Dimaris Colón Molina)
Hagerman NWR underwater, Texas. (Photo by John Thomlinson)
Semipalmated Plover feeding with peeps, Fosters, St. Lucy, Barbados. (Photo by Julian Moore)
Pinnated Bittern, Trinidad. (Photo by Jerome Foster)
Cuban Tody, Holguín, Cuba. (Photo by Freddy Cobas Agilera)
Green Heron, Arecibo, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Edward Hernández Lara)
Black-necked Stilts, Holguín, Cuba. (Photo by Freddy Cobas Agilera)
Tundra Swan, Corey Marsh, Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Jamie Jacob and Dave Ewert)
Kalinago Barana Aute, Dominica. (Photo by Derzan Peltier)
A rare spring visitor to Barbados- a White-rumped Sandpiper. (Photo by Julian Moore)
American Oystercatcher, Cataño, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Edward Hernández Lara)
Juvenile Little Blue Heron, McKinnons Pond, Antigua. (Photo by Nick Hollands)
Trumpeter-Swan, Tommy Thompson Park, Canada. (Photo by Nicole Gutierrez)
Yellow-faced Grassquit building a nest, Holguin-Cuba. (Photo by Marjel Morales)
Streak-headed Woodcreeper, Trinidad. (Photo by Jerome Foster)
Greater Roadrunner, Hagerman NWR, Texas. (Photo by John Thomlinson)
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.
The annual BirdsCaribbean Seabird Working Group (SWG) newsletter is now available! Catch up on the latest research, conservation, restoration, and education projects happening across the Caribbean—in English, Spanish, and French!
In this issue of the SWG newsletter learn about the spread of herpes virus in Magnificent Frigatebird populations; recent and ongoing regional projects and publications, including habitat modeling of seabird breeding sites in Cuba; census results of an extensive survey of breeding seabirds in the Virgin Islands; a conservation action plan for Red-billed Tropicbirds in the Dutch Caribbean; and more.
We suggest also getting your popcorn ready because seabird conservationists in the Turks and Caicos Islands have produced two fantastic short documentaries about seabird monitoring and research efforts in the archipelago. Links are provided in the newsletter. Admission is FREE.
Field crew off the coast of Guana Island, USVI. (Photo by Paige Byerly)
Red-billed Tropicbird. (Photo by Birding the Islands client, Keith Clarkson)
Researcher Daniel Nellis swimming gear out to Congo Island, USVI. (Photo by Paige Byerly)
The newsletter also provides updates from the International Black-capped Petrel Conservation Group and shares future conservation plans that entail continuing the searching for the petrel’s nesting areas, techniques to attract breeders to suitable nesting sites, and intensified predator surveillance and control among others.
Black-capped Petrel in flight, spotted in May, at sea in North Carolina. (Photo by Kate Sutherland Macaulay Library-ML343236161)
The Caribbean Seabird Census (ongoing) added a cruise ship to its list of enumerators! While Viking Octantis sailed from the Panama Canal to Ft. Lauderdale, onboard Ornithology Specialist, Dr. Jeff Skevington, conducted seabird surveys. You can learn more about this data collection method and the seabirds recorded with the link to the Viking Octantis’ eBird trip report in the newsletter.
While Viking Octantis sailed from the Panama Canal to Ft. Lauderdale, onboard Ornithology Specialist, Dr. Jeff Skevington, conducted seabird surveys for the Caribbean Seabird Census (CSC).
If you would like to contribute to the Caribbean Seabird Census (and we hope you do!), SWG members have created a suite of resources (webinars, bird ID cards, and books) to ensure you are well equipped for your seabird census. Visit the Seabird Working Group webpages and our Seabirds Resources page to access these resources.
Interested in connecting with the SWG and its members? Please take advantage of the many avenues for communication described in the newsletter, including their Facebook group, and if you have seabird news to share, let us know! We would love to feature your work in the next issue!
Enjoy!
-Yvan, Rhiannon and Ann
P.S. If you’ll be attending the BirdsCaribbean 24th International Conferencein the Dominican Republic, do plan to attend our Seabird symposium where we will be discussing Caribbean seabird conservation, research, and monitoring in a changing world. We would love to connect with you in person!
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