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October 24, 2019

Funding Opportunity—The David S. Lee Fund for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds

2019-2020 Awards Now Open!

Size of Award: Several grants up to $1,000 each

Application Deadline: December 7th, 2019 at 5 p.m. EST.

Address Questions and Send Application to: Will Mackin, Co-Chair Seabird Working Group, BirdsCaribbean, wicbirds@yahoo.com; copy to info@birdscaribbean.org

Announcement of Awards: January 7th, 2020

Donations to the Fund: Tax-deductible (U.S.) at this link.

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Dave Lee holding a White-tailed Tropicbird in the Bahamas. (photo by Mary Kay Clark)

David S. Lee was a pioneering naturalist and conservation biologist who helped get BirdsCaribbean started nearly 30 years ago, and inspired many naturalists with his work and his writing. He was a man of many interests, and with respect to the Caribbean, published numerous papers and articles in the popular press on seabirds, Bahamian fish, turtles, snakes, bats, and orchids.

Donations from Dave’s wife, Mary Kay Clark and his mother, June Bash, allowed the establishment of the David S. Lee Fund for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds that will award money to conservation projects in his honor. The money is being held in a trust and will be used to award an annual grant for innovative projects that protect Caribbean birds and their habitats.

Goal of the Fund: The David S. Lee Fund for Conservation seeks to continue David’s passion for protecting wildlife. The fund will support direct, innovative conservation work in the Caribbean Region for birds and their habitats. The fund will be managed by BirdsCaribbean and used for annual small grants.

A striking male Magnolia Warbler perches momentarily on a branch while foraging for food during its spring migration. (photo by Gerald A. DeBoer, Shutterstock)

Eligibility: Scientists/naturalists working in the Caribbean, in conservation organizations or academic programs, may apply. Applicants should be students or early career ornithologists, conservationists, or wildlife professionals (i.e., not established faculty or senior staff of a conservation organization, less than 7 years post-graduation). A student must be enrolled in accredited Masters or PhD program in ecology, biology, conservation, or related field to be eligible. Applicants must be paid or sponsored members of BirdsCaribbean at the time of application.

Use of Funds: The funds can cover travel to field sites, living expenses in the field, or costs for equipment and supplies to conduct conservation projects. Examples of equipment and supplies include traps, cameras, automated recording units, nest boxes, etc. Ineligible costs include salary or other wages, overhead fees, etc. Projects that foster collaboration between scientists/naturalists in different island groups of the Caribbean, such as joint projects to test conservation techniques for similar species, will be favored.

Application Guidelines:

Proposals may be submitted in English, French, or Spanish. All should have an English version of the abstract
Applications should be emailed as a Microsoft Word document.
The application should include a cover page, proposal (download guidelines below), and a curriculum vitae for the applicant.
Separately, by email, three individuals who can attest to your effectiveness in previous work should submit letters of recommendation. For students, this would include your academic advisor.

Evaluation:

A committee appointed by BirdsCaribbean will review the proposals and award the grants.
The awardee will be required to submit a report one year from the day of the award explaining how the award money was spent and the results of the project to that point. The awardee is also asked to write an article for BirdsCaribbean’s blog about their work (informal article for a lay audience).
Awardees are encouraged to present the results of their work at the biennial International Meeting of BirdsCaribbean and publish in The Journal of Caribbean Ornithology.

Eligible applicants can download the application here.

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But wait! What if you are not eligible to apply for funds, you ask? You can still support this worthy cause by being a sponsor!

Reddish Egrets (dark morph). (photo by Tania Thomson, Shutterstock)

This fund will be for the conservation of any bird in the Caribbean as a reflection of Dave’s diverse interests. He was an important part of many projects, ranging from those of the Black-capped Petrel and Seabird Working Groups to the scholarly debate leading to the elevation of the Bahama Yellow-throated Warbler to a full species.

At the moment the fund contains $12,000. Our initial goal is to raise $25,000 so that we can award $1,000 every year to a worthy student or early career ornithologist, conservationist or wildlife professional. Not only will this fund encourage creative field work for projects that make a difference, but it will also help build the knowledge and skills of young conservationists that are urgently needed to make sure that the Caribbean birds and habitats that Dave treasured are still around for future generations to enjoy.

Cuban Parrot surveying his domain. (photo by Elliotte Rusty-Harold, Shutterstock)

At the 2015 BirdsCaribbean meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, a round of beers was purchased in Dave’s honor, since he always seemed to have a cooler full when people wanted one (and even when they didn’t). Think of this fund like a cooler full of refreshing beverages that Dave would have around if he were here. We owe it to Dave to stock that cooler—to vitalize naturalists and empower them in their work to help wildlife.

Please give a tax deductible donation to the David S. Lee Fund. Give generously. The more we put into the fund, the more we can give out each year. Thanks to all those that have contributed to the fund!

Click here to make an online contribution.

If you prefer to donate with a check, please make the check out to “BirdsCaribbean” and in the memo section, note that it is for the David S. Lee Fund. If you have questions or to make other arrangements for donating, please feel free to contact Jennifer Wheeler, BirdsCaribbean Financial Officer (jennifer.wheeler@birdscaribbean.org)

Checks can be mailed to: BirdsCaribbean, 841 Worcester St. #130, Natick, MA 01760-2076

Thank you for your participation and support!

October 8, 2019

Complete Checklist of the Birds of the West Indies

BirdsCaribbean is excited to announce the release of The Complete Checklist of the Birds of the West Indies! Jeff Gerbracht and Anthony Levesque, in consultation with experts across the region, have compiled important details for all of the bird species observed in the West Indies, including abundance, seasonality, breeding status, endemism and establishment.

The goal of The Checklist is to provide consistent, accurate and up-to-date information for use by researchers, conservationists and policy makers. The taxonomy of species follows the current version of the Clements Checklist of birds of the world. The most recent version of the checklist can be downloaded here and consists of two different documents:

1. The first document includes the introduction and explanatory text, definitions used and a summarized version of the species list as a pdf.
2. The second is a more detailed checklist in an excel spreadsheet. Providing the checklist as a spreadsheet enables you to easily sort and summarize the checklist by the columns you are most interested in, such as ‘Endemic Region’ or ‘Abundance’.

The Caribbean is home to over 700 species of bird, including 171 species that are endemic to the region and found nowhere else in the world. You can use the checklist to explore the many birds that are endemic to the Greater Antilles (109 species), to learn about the migrants and visitors that rely on the Caribbean habitats (334 species), or to check just how rare it is to see a Common Ringed Plover (very rare).

The excel spreadsheet is an invaluable resource, allowing you to manipulate the checklist and extract important information for your research, grant proposals, or personal interest. For example, how many endangered bird species are there in the Dominican Republic? Using the sort functions in excel, we see that there are six, with five of them endemic to Hispaniola: Ridgway’s Hawk, White-fronted Quail-Dove, Bay-breasted Cuckoo, La Selle Thrush, Hispaniolan Crossbill, and Black-capped Petrel.

At the BirdsCaribbean 21^st International Conference in Guadeloupe, Jeff and Anthony facilitated a West Indies Checklist Working Group meeting. During the meeting we announced the release of the first checklist and quickly reviewed the format and types of information contained in the checklist. There was great interest in this initial release and we had several lively discussions about the future direction and expansion of the checklist. Creating country and island versions of the checklist is our next step in expanding the checklist coverage and a number of representatives agreed to begin work on country lists. Additionally, there was strong interest in expanding the checklist to cover subspecies (the current version of the checklist covers birds at the species level only). Everyone agreed that this checklist fills a much-needed void in open access to information on birds in the region and the enthusiasm around moving it forward was exciting and bodes well for the future of this working group.

When you are birding, remember to record all your observations in eBird Caribbean as those records will be used to keep this checklist up to date.

September 30, 2019

World Migratory Bird Day 2019: “Protect birds: Be the solution to plastic pollution”

World Migratory Bird Day Poster showing different groups of birds that are affected by plastic pollution. (Artwork by Arnaldo Toledo)

The month of October heralds a change in the seasons — even in the Caribbean. The days grow shorter and the fierce heat of the sun lessens. Countless birds journey to their winter homes in the Caribbean. For World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD), Caribbean people celebrate the birds that come here every year.

In the Caribbean, about a third of the 500 often seen species of birds are summer or winter visitors. More than 50 events on 18 Caribbean islands are already lined up to celebrate these amazing birds. More than 80,000 residents and visitors will join in the activities this fall, led by BirdsCaribbean and Environment for the America partners.

The 2019 theme for WMBD in the Caribbean is “Protect birds: Be the solution to plastic pollution.” Plastic pollution has become a worldwide epidemic and a great threat to birds around the world. It is estimated that since the 1950s, we have made 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic. Over 90% of plastic is not recycled and ends up in our landfills and the natural spaces.

Plastic can hurt birds in many ways. Birds can mistake floating plastics like bags, drinking straws and bottles, covered in algae, for food. Parent birds feed plastic to their chicks. Swallowing sharp plastic can kill birds by piercing organs. Birds can starve with stomaches full of plastic, and birds can die after being trapped in plastic waste or fishing line.

To celebrate, local coordinators on each island will raise awareness about simple actions that people can take to keep birds safe from plastic pollution. For example, practice the three R’s: reduce, reuse and recycle plastic and other trash. Some events will include clean-up activities and, by supporting local and global action against plastics. Festival events will include birding walks, tree plantings, church services, media interviews, street parades, fairs, information booths, games, and drama and art competitions.

World Migratory Bird Day is officially the second Saturday of October in the Caribbean and Latin America (October 12th in 2019), but you may celebrate at any time of the year that is convenient to you. Fall migration in September, October, November tends to be the best period as this is when a lot of migrants arrive to the islands or are passing through.

Visit migratorybirdday.organd birdscaribbean.org for ideas on how to celebrate and many free resources. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more information about the WMBD, to find events in your area, and see an event map on worldmigratorybirday.org and updates throughout the month.

What can we do about plastic?

BirdsCaribbean workshop participants clean up plastic trash in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)

We know that all the plastic ever manufactured since the 1950s is still with us, in some form or another. Globally, only around 9% of plastic is recycled. According to the Ocean Conservancy, which sponsors International Coastal Cleanups in the Caribbean and around the world, 8 million metric tons of plastic enter our seas annually – adding to the 150 million tons that is already floating around!

Like other parts of the world, the Caribbean has become increasingly aware of the scourge of plastic pollution. Several islands have already moved to ban various forms of plastic as well as Styrofoam, including Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and the French-speaking islands—kudos to these countries! Others have plans in place to reduce the use of single-use plastic in the next year or two. Meanwhile, private and government-led plastic recycling programmes have started up. But much more needs to be done.

Plastic pollution ruins our beautiful beaches and coastlines, and blocks drains and gullies. It impacts our own health and lifestyle and hampers economic growth, especially in the tourism sector. What is more, it is harming all kinds of marine life, including endangered Caribbean turtles.

During recent beach cleanups around the Caribbean, non-biodegradable, indigestible plastic has been by far the most common type of trash to be collected from our shorelines, rivers and gullies by local volunteers. Plastic bottles, especially for soda and water, are the most common plastics that end up in our waters and on our beaches, as well as small items such as bottle caps, single-use plastic cutlery and straws and toothbrushes. Electronics (e-waste) of various types is increasingly washing up on our shoreline. Plastic shopping bags are also a great danger to our marine life, including birds.

Killer Trash

A dead seabird tangled in a balloon string.

Have we thought about how plastic affects our birds? It is estimated that 80% of seabirds and waterbirds have ingested plastic.

“Plastic pollution is a global issue. Here in the Caribbean it is having a major impact, not only on our important tourism product, but also on our fragile environment,” explained festival coordinator Sheylda Diaz Mendez. “Our islands are home to over 170 endemic birds – found nowhere else in the world. Just like our human visitors, the birds that live year-round on our islands need to feel welcome and comfortable in a clean, healthy environment. Solid waste, mostly consisting of plastics, is upsetting the balance of our ecosystems, for birds and for ourselves.”

“The number of seabirds dying as a result of plastic may be as high as one million annually,” said BirdsCaribbean Executive Director Lisa Sorenson. “Many Caribbean birds are eating plastic daily. The pileup of plastic can also hamper nesting, breeding and feeding on land and prevents important habitats such as mangroves and wetlands from flourishing. This year, our volunteer CEBF coordinators will be organizing this spring, to raise awareness about plastics pollution, how you can reduce your use of single use plastic, doing clean-ups and other activities.”

Plastic breaks down into tiny fragments (microplastics), which can be ingested and lead to disease and suffering in birds – as well as in smaller members of the food chain that birds may eat. It can gradually kill a bird, filling its stomach and essentially starving it to death. Plastic bags can choke and smother birds and animals. In the Caribbean, birds often become entangled in plastic fishing nets, lines, and other equipment, causing serious injury or death.

Which birds are particularly impacted by plastic pollution? The twelve bird species selected for the beautiful WMBD poster produced by Environment for the Americas this year have each been negatively affected by plastic, even though their feeding habits and the places where they live are very different. They are the Magellanic Penguin; the Black Skimmer, which feeds by flying low over the waves; the Lesser Scaup, a diving duck; the Chilean Flamingo; the Common Tern; the Northern Fulmar; the Magnificent Frigatebird (which you may see soaring around our coastlines), the splendid Osprey, a fish hawk; the lively Belted Kingfisher; the stately Tricolored Heron; the Killdeer, a shorebird; and the lovely yellow Prothonotary Warbler.

By the way, the gorgeous artwork on this poster is by Arnaldo Toledo Sotolongo, from Santa Clara, Cuba, a BirdsCaribbean member, who works as a scientific illustrator, photographer and designer and volunteers in conservation projects in his free time.

Be the Solution

Plastic is a worldwide epidemic. We need to work together to be the solution, for the sake of our birds and ourselves!

What YOU Can Do to Beat Plastic Pollution:

Use reusable metal bottles for your drinking water.
Travel with your own metal cutlery and use glass or metal storage containers.
Take cloth shopping bags with you to the grocery store.
Try reusable bamboo or metal straws.
Refuse plastic straws or containers in restaurants and stores.
Avoid plastic packaging in food stores as much as possible, including clamshell containers.
Take your plastics to the nearest recycling centre.
Reuse plastic items as much as possible in and around the home.
Host a beach or community cleanup day. Get local companies on board as sponsors. Share your photos.
Get involved! Join a local environmental or community group. Get your neighbours involved, too!
Design art competitions highlighting the problem of plastic trash.

Contact your local environmental group to find out about events on your island, or contact WMBD Coordinator in the Caribbean, Sheylda Diaz-Mendez, to organize an event of your own.

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is a celebration of the thousands of birds that make their way to and fro across the Americas and the Caribbean each year. It was created in 1993 as International Migratory Bird Day, by visionaries at the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. In 2007, WMBD found its “forever home” at Environment for the Americas (EFTA), a non-profit organization that connects people to bird conservation through education. Each year a single conservation theme is chosen to help highlight one topic that is important to migratory bird conservation. These educational campaigns have been integrated into numerous programs and events, focusing on topics including the habitats birds need to survive, birds and the ecosystem services they provide, the impacts of climate change on birds, and the laws, acts, and conventions that protect birds, such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Convention on Biodiversity. Click here to learn more.

To raise awareness about the need for bird conservation, volunteer coordinators organize events in the Caribbean in April and May for the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) in the spring and WMBD the fall. For much more information about CEBF, WMBD and the 2019 plastics theme, visit www.BirdsCaribbean.org and www.migratorybirdday.org/

Learn more about plastics pollution and what you can do to help: https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/

Reneive Rhoden helps clean up the refuge. (Photo by Jessica Cañizares)

A dead Albatross chick at the remote Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge; it’s stomach is filled with marine debris plastic.

Plastic bottles on beach in Nigua, DR.

The March 2019 BirdsCaribbean Cuba Tour removes a fishing net from the beach in Cayo Coco. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)

Laughing Gull dead in fishing line.

Cataloging trash collection. (Photo by Jessica Cañizares)

September 27, 2019

BirdsCaribbean Awards: Giving credit where credit is due!

September 26, 2019

New Avian Field Guide for the Transboundary Grenadines Now Available

Birds of the Transboundary Grenadines is an innovative new avian field guide by co-authors Juliana Coffey and Alison (Aly) Ollivierre for the Grenadine archipelago shared between the countries of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada in the Eastern Caribbean. This is the first guide to specifically cover these transboundary islands, which are geologically, ecologically, historically, and culturally more similar to one another than to their respective mainland islands (Saint Vincent and Grenada). The book contains:

140+ pages of high-quality photographs of the birds and natural areas of the Grenadines
117 bird profiles with details on identification, diet, habitat, local knowledge, and sightings
14 detailed maps illustrating conservation areas and local toponyms on more than 50 islands and cays
Full chapter of previously undocumented local ecological knowledge, folklore, and prehistoric-to-modern-day human values of birds

To purchase via credit card (more buying options are listed below):

A page of seabird profiles in “Birds of the Transboundary Grenadines” with text detailing a description of each species, including identification, interesting facts, local knowledge, and symbols depicting habitat, diet, and migratory status

One of the 14 detailed maps, featuring Mayreau and the Tobago Cays, in “Birds of the Transboundary Grenadines”

First page of the “People and Birds” chapter of “Birds of the Transboundary Grenadines”

On one fateful rainy day in July 2011, Juliana and Aly met at the airport on Union Island where they had both just moved for work in their respective fields. Not only did they become neighbors, but they quickly became great friends. Early on in their friendship, they saw an opportunity to collaborate on their professional interests and passion for ornithology, cartography and participatory strategies for conservation and management. Both authors have a strong background in community-focused research with Juliana working in co-management and documenting local ecological knowledge amongst indigenous and fisherfolk communities in Canada, Saint Lucia and throughout the Grenadines, and Aly facilitating participatory mapping programs in the transboundary Grenadines and conducting research on participatory mapping in the Caribbean as a whole. Together their shared perspectives on the value of combining scientific with local ecological knowledge made for a perfect partnership.

Juliana and Aly have been living and working throughout the islands intermittently ever since, although not always at the same time or on the same island. Their continued commitment to completing this project allowed the book to be written and designed in all corners of the world—including at sea and remote field camps—as they regularly pursued other opportunities in their careers. They have conducted extensive literature and field research to ensure that this guide is regionally representative of the natural, cultural, and historical contexts of the islands. Local bird names, knowledge, and lore are highlighted throughout the book: compiled through consultation with over 100 stakeholders throughout the Grenadines.

The seven years the authors spent researching and writing Birds of the Transboundary Grenadines is evident in the book—the attention to detail and user-friendly design make the guide a valuable companion for any type of outing in the transboundary Grenadines! Juliana and Aly created this book with the following goals in mind:

serve as a valuable resource for local bird monitors to learn species identification and carry out surveys,
promote sustainable tourism initiatives (like the Caribbean Birding Trail),
enhance the overall conservation and management of Grenadine resources,
educate the general public, and
be useful to both locals and foreigners with an interest in the avifauna of the region.

They’ve already received great feedback from local environmentalists, casual tourists, bird biologists, government officials and most importantly—the local fisherfolk and resource users who now take pride in seeing their knowledge represented in this publication. If you’re planning a trip to the Grenadines, this book is a must-have.

Alison Ollivierre (author), Lisa Sorenson (BirdsCaribbean Executive Director), and Juliana Coffey (author) at the book launch (Photo by Justin Proctor)

BirdsCaribbean was honored to officially launch this new and exciting avian field guide in July 2019 at their 22nd International Conference in Guadeloupe. Juliana gave a presentation on the local ecological knowledge research that went into the guide which provided additional information to the one Aly had given at the BirdsCaribbean 20th International Conference in Jamaica in 2017. After waiting four years since many of the BirdsCaribbean delegates had first learned about the upcoming book, everyone was excited to share in the celebration of this launch. The guide was especially praised for its skillful combination of scientific and local knowledge as well as its final chapter which focuses on interactions between people and birds in the Grenadines spanning from first occupation by Amerindians to the modern day.

The authors would like to thank everyone who assisted them throughout the duration of this project, including the more than 100 residents and visitors to the Grenadines who took the time to provide local knowledge and lore, and to all of the people that contributed to the crowdfunding and review of the book which made the publication possible. A complete list of acknowledgments is available in the book!

Buy the Book:

Birds of the Transboundary Grenadines can be purchased from BirdsCaribbean with a credit card below, or with a US check or postal money order made payable to BirdsCaribbean and mailed to 841 Worcester Street #130, Natick, MA 01760, USA.

Birds of the Transboundary Grenadines
By Juliana Coffey and Alison Ollivierre
142 pages, section sewn softcover (7” x 5”), full color photographs and maps
ISBN 978-1-9994585-0-8
Price: US$25
US shipping – $6.95
Canada shipping – $24.95

To purchase via credit card:

Please reach out to Alison Ollivierre if you’re interested in international shipping elsewhere and we can provide a shipping quote.

Books can be purchased within Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada at local businesses, for more information visit: www.grenadinesbirds.com/avian-field-guide

Please also consider helping Juliana and Aly fulfill their goal of getting copies of the books into the hands of all of the schools and relevant community organizations in the transboundary Grenadines! So far, more than one third of the books that have left their hands have been donated. Help them keep up this momentum with any donations that you can.

Interview with the Authors:

How did you first become interested in birds and birding?

Juliana: I first became interested in wildlife in general at a very young age, and at just five years old (even though I couldn’t spell the word “biologist”) I told my family that’s what I wanted to grow up to become. This was likely due to the plethora of stray animals that my parents let me take home and care for, always stating “no more pets!”, but always having room for just one more. When I was sixteen, I officially began my career with birds during a summer internship with a world renowned ornithologist, Dr. Bill Montevecchi, at Memorial University of Newfoundland, and was exposed to both the field research aspect and community outreach.

Aly: I first got excited about birds at an Audubon Youth Camp in rural Vermont in the 1990s when I had the opportunity to mist net and band birds with an ornithologist. I saved up for months for the first edition Sibley field guide, went birding with anyone who would go with me, earned the Girl Scout birding badge, and even competed on a youth team in the World Series of Birding in 2002.

Where did you go from there, did you decide to become ornithologists?

Juliana: I was very fortunate after my internship, that Dr. Montevecchi recognized my passion for wildlife, and decided to keep me involved in his work throughout my undergraduate degree. When I was 18 years old, he sent me to Labrador, Canada, to work in the field with indigenous seabird harvesters. Although I initially expressed that I did not want to work with hunters, his statement that “sometimes hunters are the best conservationists” changed my perspective entirely. After I saw first-hand how skilled and knowledgeable these hunters were, I very quickly became an advocate for traditional ecological knowledge and resource harvesting issues in marginalized communities, and that branched my career in a completely different direction. Since that time, I have always advocated for the consultation of local communities and the documentation of such knowledge that is threatened to be lost in future generations. I focus on seabirds, and as such, I have spent a considerable amount of time at sea and in remote seabird colonies ranging from the Arctic to the Southern Ocean, and working with fisherfolk.

Aly: By the time I got to university I had a hard time choosing between my interests in the hard sciences (environmental science, biology) and social sciences (history, sociology, international studies, political science). When I took my first geography class, I knew that was the perfect field to combine all my passions (think: environmental geography, historical geography, political geography). My career specialties are in participatory mapping and cartography, and while I didn’t become the ornithologist I thought I might be as a kid, I’ve found a really great balance doing conservation work with a geospatial focus.

How did you first end up in the Grenadines?

Juliana: I had been working as a fisheries biologist for a co-management board in an Inuit territory (Nunatsiavut) in northern Labrador and elsewhere in the Arctic. Prior to that I had completed my Masters degree research in Saint Lucia. After departing my job in the north, I wanted to continue in the same field, but gain additional international experience. I applied for a placement through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and was matched with the Sustainable Grenadines, Inc. (SusGren)—a transboundary NGO—in the Grenadines, and worked on implementing multiple grants ranging from research to community outreach.

Aly: After graduating from undergrad and completing an internship at National Geographic, I received a really amazing research fellowship through the Compton Foundation which funded my facilitation of a participatory mapping project I designed to map the important historical, cultural, and ecological heritage sites throughout the transboundary Grenadines to strengthen the countries’ joint application for designation as a mixed (natural and cultural) marine transboundary UNESCO World Heritage site. Through this, I also had the opportunity to work with The Nature Conservancy and SusGren on the marine multi-use zoning plan for the Grenadines. After I finished up my fellowship year, I knew I had to find a way to come back and work in the islands again!

What made you decide to create this field guide?

Juliana: During my career with birds, I always collected and relied on avian field identification guides, that enabled me to effectively do my work. During my bird surveys on Union Island, however, I quickly became aware that there was no field guide for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, nor Grenada, and not even a complete bird list. So, in essence, I needed a bird book for the Grenadines! Through my previous experience in collecting traditional knowledge I also noticed that there was an opportunity to document unwritten information to promote awareness and valuation of birds amongst residents of the Grenadines. I told myself it would be complete in a year. Seven years later, and through my partnership with Aly, it exceeds what I originally envisioned it could be. I could not have completed such an extensive project alone, without Aly’s complementary expertise and commitment. She has had a remarkable patience with me throughout this project since I regularly tell her, “I’m going to sea for a month with no phone or internet – I’ll work on that when I get back”. At times, I was living in a tent and using a generator to charge my computer, so I could have an update to send Aly when I returned from remote field camps.

Aly: This book was Juliana’s brainchild, but I loved the idea and went with her to that first bird meeting she organized back in 2011 when she first floated the idea of a bird book specific to just Union Island! In early 2013 Juliana was still talking about how much she wanted to write this book and I offered to come on board and partner with her to help make it a reality. Given my work with participatory mapping in the Grenadines, I had a lot of knowledge and contacts across all the islands and knew that if we combined our extensive expertise, we could only succeed in making an even better book together!

What was your favorite part about the 7 years you spent working on the book?

Local Ecological Knowledge Interview with Christopher Bartholomew and authors Juliana Coffey and Alison Ollivierre on Carriacou in 2014 (Photo by Vendol Ollivierre)

Juliana: There have been many wonderful times throughout this project. While sometimes it felt like we may never complete the book, I can say what an honest relief it was to finally send it to the printers, and to personally pick them up at a jetty in Saint Vincent. I am also so honored now to be back in the Grenadines to be able to officially donate copies to fisherfolk, local NGOs, schools and others who either helped us along the way or who have an interest in preserving the birds of the Grenadines. We met a lot of great people along the way, and despite rarely seeing each other, Aly and I have remained best friends and continue to work with each other on other projects.

Aly: My favorite part was definitely when Juliana and I were able to do our local ecological knowledge interviews in 2014. It was really important to us to ensure that we had accurately collected as much local knowledge as we could from each of the Grenadine islands and it was also just a lot of fun to travel around and talk to people about birds with my best friend and our local liaison (aka my now-husband, Vendol Ollivierre).

What work are you still involved with in the Grenadines?

Juliana: Currently I am working as a consultant for Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) on the “Conservation of Key Offshore Island Reserves” in the Grenadines. After 20 years of working with seabirds around the world, and 8 years of coming to the Grenadines, I can say that this is a dream project for me. The seabirds in the Grenadines are present in globally significant numbers, yet are located in remote and inaccessible areas and afforded little attention or protection. I work to bring awareness to the plight of seabirds in this region, train local seabird monitors, promote awareness at all levels of society and, of course, get out to see the birds!

Aly: While I am currently based in the USA and working full-time making maps for National Geographic, I am still actively involved with projects in the Grenadines. I serve on the Board of Directors for We Are Mayreau, Inc., which manages the Mayreau Community Centre; I am an Associate with Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) and assist with the Protecting Seabirds in the Transboundary Grenadines project; and I work for BirdsCaribbean as the Cartographer and the Caribbean Birding Trail (CBT) Project Coordinator. I also freelance as Tombolo Maps & Design and am currently working on a series of wall maps for the transboundary Grenadines!

September 24, 2019

BirdsCaribbean Launches Mentorship Program for Fledgling Conservationists

“There’s really no way to gauge how valuable this experience was for me…As I sat with my new mentor at lunch, the lessons that he was passing on to me had been gained over forty, maybe fifty years of a career. So now it’s my responsibility to take the baton and carry it forward.”

Bradley Watson (BNT Science Officer) and Herb Raffaele (retired Chief of USFWS International Affairs Program) get to know each other at the Mentorship Workshop in Guadeloupe, July 2019. — Bradley Watson (BNT Science Officer) and Dr. Herb Raffaele (retired Chief of USFWS International Affairs Program) get to know each other at the Mentorship Workshop in Guadeloupe, July 2019.

Bradley Watson, a new staff member at the Bahamas National Trust who is working on the Kirtland’s Warbler, was speaking enthusiastically from the recent BirdsCaribbean Conference in Guadeloupe. At the conference in July, a new Mentorship Program was launched. Bradley’s mentor is Dr. Herbert Raffaele, former chief of the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of International Conservation, and author of Birds of the West Indies, among other books.

BirdsCaribbean Directors-at-Large Dr. Adrianne Tossas and Dr. Ancilleno Davis had developed the concept of a mentorship program, which they were able to debut at a workshop in Guadeloupe. Its purpose is to further BirdsCaribbean’s goal of building competence in education, conservation, and research in the region. Mentorship is one way of deliberately engaging and supporting the career development of young conservationists and professionals who were born, live, and work in the region. The exchange of information and guidance provided by mentors also helps to spur regional leadership in conservation and avian science.

A few weeks before the conference, delegates were offered a survey to participate in the new program, with 75 responding favorably. Due to the differing backgrounds of respondents, it was challenging to organize them into mentor-mentee pairs, but four main areas were determined to be most useful, based on the responses: conservation management, research, outreach and education, and ecotourism.

Mentors and mentees chat over dinner about careers in conservation - (left to right: Jeanette Victor (St. Lucia), Adrianne Tossas (Puerto Rico), Francoise Benjamin (Haiti), Jen Valiulis (US Virgin Islands), Lisa Sorenson (USA). — Mentors and mentees chat over dinner about careers in conservation – (left to right): Jeanette Victor (St. Lucia), Adrianne Tossas (Puerto Rico), Francoise Benjamin (Haiti), Jen Valiulis (US Virgin Islands), Lisa Sorenson (USA).

A Mentorship Workshop was held on the second day of the Conference to introduce and explain the purpose of the program. Participants spoke up about the needs of mentees in general, and considered ways in which mentoring would be most effective and beneficial. Afterwards, newly-paired mentees and mentors had dinner together. It was a lively meal where they got to know each other and shared information that was of value for both sides of the relationship. What was most exciting to watch was how so many of the pairs remained talking after dinner, late into the night, excited about their new friendships and eager to take advantage of the time they had together in person.

Josmar Marquez, a younger conservationist who works with the group AveZona in Venezuela, was paired with Simon Guerrero, a well-known professor and researcher from the Dominican Republic. “This program has been very enriching for me because it allowed me to discuss my work, specifically my research methodology, with an ornithologist with a different background than mine.” Josmar goes on to highlight how this mentorship program is fitting for a BirdsCaribbean conference; “I was given great advice not only by my mentor, but by so many other Caribbean colleagues surrounding me throughout the week we shared together. Now, together, we will be trying to implement and achieve results by the time we all see each other again at the next BirdsCaribbean conference!”

“It is really exciting that BirdsCaribbean has started a mentorship program,” exclaimed Cartographer and Caribbean Birding Trail Project Coordinator, Aly DeGraff Ollivierre. “It’s such a great way to share our collective knowledge and experiences with each other, and an excellent opportunity to form deeper relationships with our colleagues.””

Leno Davis and Adrianne Tossas get the Mentorship Workshop started at BirdsCaribbean's International Conference in Guadeloupe, 25-29 July 2019. (photo by Mark Yokoyama) — Leno Davis and Adrianne Tossas get the Mentorship Workshop started at BirdsCaribbean’s International Conference in Guadeloupe, 25-29 July 2019. (photo by Mark Yokoyama)

Jane Håkonsson, a young ornithologist from the Cayman Islands, commented: “BC’s mentorship programme has provided me with a type of personal and professional support I would have otherwise not had access to. The programme has helped me narrow my focus and identify and prioritize developmental steps.”

BirdsCaribbean is extremely grateful to the group of 41 mentors who generously came forward to serve as role models for the new, younger members—offering their time, their valuable insights, and experience. We also thank the 34 mentees that took the initiative to reach out and get involved. These individuals are eager to learn and grow in their role as the new generation of science and conservation professionals.

Bradley Watson says being a mentee has given him a sense of purpose and direction. “I feel a bit of a responsibility,” he emphasizes. “When I look at what everybody else has done [for conservation, as reported at this conference], I know what I need to do, and how important it is.”

In these new-found partnerships, mentors and mentees will be moving forward together with the important mission of Keeping Caribbean birds aloft!

To learn more about the Guadeloupe conference, click here and visit the Conference Website.

*If you would like to be a mentor or want to be connected with one, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! Email Mentorship Program leaders Adrianne Tossas (agtossas@gmail.com) and Ancilleno Davis (ancillenodavis@gmail.com).

Mentor-Mentee pairs meet up a the workshop and immediately begin talking and sharing. (photo by Mark Yokoyama) — Mentor-Mentee pairs meet up at the workshop and immediately begin talking and sharing. Pictured from left to right: Ezra Campbell (Grenada), Hana Weaver (USA), Louis Mandela Wens Skendly H. (Haiti), Jose Salguero (Puerto Rico), Adam Kent (USA, Anne Campbell (Grenada). (photo by Mark Yokoyama)

Video of Bradley Watson by Ancilleno Davis.

Special thanks for the conference are due to our major sponsor, Parc National de la Guadeloupe, as well as the Karibea Beach Hotel, Environment Canada, the U.S. Forest Service International Programs, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Para la Naturaleza, The David Webster Charitable Trust, Benjamin Olewine IV, American Bird Conservancy, Caribaea Initiative, Rare Species Conservatory Foundation, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Wildside Nature Tours, Optics for the Tropics, Inc., Holbrook Travel, Environment for the Americas, NuStar, the Bermuda Audubon Society, Vermont Center for Ecostudies, Vortex Optics, Carefree Birding, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Levesque Birding Enterprise, Amazona, The Friendship Association, Hideaways of Ti Heights, and many private donors and supporters.

September 11, 2019

Help Us Heal the Devasting Impact of Hurricane Dorian in The Bahamas

“Horrific…. Unprecedented.…Complete and utter devastation…Human, environmental and economic ruin.“ These are the words people are using to describe to me the impact of Hurricane Dorian, the Category 5 storm that pounded the northern Bahamas for 2 straight days.

Click here to make an online contribution.

McLean's Town on the eastern end of Grand Bahama Island. (photo by Meredith Kohut) — McLean’s Town on the eastern end of Grand Bahama Island. (photo by Meredith Kohut)

Last night I spoke with Erika Gates, a recent BirdsCaribbean Board member and resident and owner of eco-tourism businesses in Grand Bahama. She told me that the area around the Lucayan National Park is still in search and rescue/recovery mode. Rescue teams have not even reached the farthest east community of McClean’s Town yet!

In the community of High Rock, only 12 out of about 100 homes are still standing. One resident (and member of our Birdscaribbean community) is cooking for 100 people a day when supplies are brought in! The non-profit World Central Kitchen (Chef José Andrés) is cooking 6,000 meals a day on location to feed those that have lost everything.

We have also received reports that Dorian left the oil facility in High Rock in shambles. Sam Teacher, founder of the Freeport-based non-governmental organization Coral Vita, saw the damage firsthand. He said that the tanks’ white domes and sides were stained black and six of the domes that top the tanks were gone. Oil was soaking into the soil, lying across the highway, and covering a now-flightless bird.

The Need for Clean, Fresh Water

The oil tanks at the Equinor South Riding Point oil facility in High Rock, Grand Bahama, were severely damaged, causing a large spill. (photo by Sam Teacher) — The oil tanks at the Equinor South Riding Point oil facility in High Rock, Grand Bahama, were severely damaged, causing a large spill. Eric Carey, Executive Director of the Bahamas National Trust, commented: “This can be a serious environmental disaster that we need to get on top off because this could be catastrophic.” (photo by Sam Teacher)

Petroleum is toxic and fresh water is limited on Grand Bahama. The population is almost entirely dependent on its aquifers for drinking water, and the water table on these islands is usually near the land surface. The spill could have an equally horrendous effect on marine life—which people depend on for both food and their economy. Sam worries the oil could further erode the coral and mangrove, already damaged by the hurricane, and destroy the natural sea wall that is supposed to protect the island from storms.

Our hearts go out to the people of these islands, many of whom are BirdsCaribbean members and friends. We are thankful that, as far we know, our friends and colleagues are safe and accounted for. We stand with our 30-year partner, the Bahamas National Trust (BNT), and pledge to do our best to help them with recovery of their birds, wildlife and national parks. To do this I need your help right now!

Our Experience With Major Hurricanes

Two years ago, we saw similar devastation when Hurricanes Irma and Maria cut a swathe of destruction across 18 different islands and leveled them. We know from experience that there are three tiers of action required to alleviate the situation:

Massive trees were felled and most were stripped of leaves and fruit, leaving little food for birds. (photo by Erika Gates)

Crisis management – simply addressing the most immediate needs of all survivors, both human and wildlife, to receive food and shelter;
Rapid assessment of restoration needs. For BirdsCaribbean that means assembling teams that can survey and evaluate the situation of species at risk and the habitat restoration needed to ensure their survival.
Formulating long-term policy changes that will make the communities and island’s habitats more resilient and better protected from the next terrible storm. That storm will inevitably appear on the horizon, now that climate change has made extreme hurricanes an annual event.

We know that the most immediate need will be supplemental food for starving birds. Most trees have been stripped of flowers, leaves, fruit and seeds. As we did for Hurricanes Irma and Maria, we are organizing delivery of nectar feeders and seed so that hungry birds will have help getting through a period of serious food shortage.

Delivering Hope

Students from Bagatelle Primary School, Dominica, with bird feeders and nectar after Hurricane Maria devastated this country and others in 2017.

Feeding the birds is beneficial not only to the birds, but also indirectly to people. Hundreds of people on multiple islands, who received supplies for the birds in 2017, told us they were happy to help the birds, even though they themselves were struggling to survive. The simple act of helping another living creature was truly uplifting in a situation where people felt helpless. As birds began to recover, people felt this was a tiny but important first step towards normal life. The birds lifted their spirits, reminding them that nature – and their own lives – can be rejuvenated and renewed.

Right now, there is a huge need to help with the ongoing humanitarian crisis. We are gratified to see the outpouring of assistance with food, water and shelter, as well as rescue and evacuation to other islands and the U.S. for the tens of thousands that lost their homes. BirdsCaribbean’s role is to focus on the birds and ecosystems we all depend upon.

Mobilizing for the Restoration

As soon as conditions on the islands are stabilized, we are ready to help with the surveys, restoration and recovery actions: clean-ups, planting trees, and repairing and replacing damaged equipment and infrastructure in national parks and birding hotspots. It is a massive amount of work and we need your help to make it happen.

Four threatened endemic species on Grand Bahama and Abaco (clockwise from upper left): Bahama Parrot, Bahama Swallow, Bahama Warbler, Bahama Nuthatch. (photos by Lynn Gape, Melanie Rose Wells, Erika Gates and Bruce Hallett)

With huge parts of both islands flooded and hammered by strong winds for two days, we are seriously concerned about how four threatened and endemic birds that live on these islands are doing after the hurricanes. These species will be the focus of the first surveys. They include the Bahama Parrot (ground nesting population in Abaco, also occurs in Inagua in the southern Bahamas), the Bahama Nuthatch (only occurs on Grand Bahama, Critically Endangered), Bahama Warbler (only occurs on these 2 islands) and the Bahama Swallow (GB and Abaco comprise 2 of its 3-island range). Intensive surveys of the Bahama Nuthatch in 2018 found just 5 birds; this species has declined by more than 95% since the 1960s and 70s.

Other country and island endemics like the Olive-capped Warbler, Bahama Woodstar, Cuban Emerald, Red-legged Thrush, and many migratory warblers (like Kirkland’s Warbler, Painted Bunting), waterbirds and shorebirds (Piping Plover, Reddish Egret), and others also call the diverse habitats on these islands home.

We know from experience that birds are resilient; many are able to survive severe storms and hurricanes by hunkering down on the ground or sheltering in low vegetation. The fact that Hurricane Dorian raged for 48 hours without a break is almost without precedent. We are fearful about how many birds were able to survive this onslaught. Undoubtedly, many were lost during the storm.

By restoring the incredibly diverse ecosystems of the Grand Bahama and Abaco Islands, we will greatly increase our birds’ chances of survival. In addition, the sooner the islands and parks recover, the sooner we can restore residents’ livelihoods that are dependent on these ecosystems.

The gorgeous Bahama Woodstar, endemic to the Bahamas, is one of the many species impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Dorian. (photo by Keith Salveson)

Although they will never be quite the same, we are optimistic and determined that these islands can be restored to their former glory once again, teeming with tropical vegetation and beautiful wildlife across the landscape. I need your help to make this happen, please give generously.

Thank you to all of you that have expressed concern and have already donated, and to those that are donating now!

Lisa Sorenson, Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean (Lisa.Sorenson@BirdsCaribbean.org)

Click here to make an online contribution.

If you prefer to donate with a check, please make the check out to “BirdsCaribbean” and in the memo section, note that it is for Hurricane Dorian Relief. If you have questions or wish to make other arrangements for donating, please feel free to contact Jennifer Wheeler, BirdsCaribbean Financial Officer (jennifer.wheeler@birdscaribbean.org) or Lisa Sorenson (Lisa.Sorenson@BirdsCaribbean.org).

Checks can be mailed to: BirdsCaribbean, 841 Worcester St. #130, Natick, MA 01760-2076

August 28, 2019

Win One of these Amazing Prizes in BirdsCaribbean’s 2019 Raffle!

Enter the Raffle and Support Conservation of Caribbean Birds!

The Grand Prize is “Mango Delight”

“Mango Delight” by Daniel Gabriel Angelo Jean-Baptiste.

Silk painting artist Daniel Gabriel Angelo Jean-Baptiste of Saint Lucia uses tropical nature as his inspiration and silk as his canvas. His creations reflect on a life of growing up in the beautiful tropical paradise of the Caribbean.

“Mango Delight” is a commissioned one-of-a-kind. It is hand painted using Sumi sheep hair brushes to apply a water-based liquid pigment silk paint onto 10mm, 100% Habotai silk. This magnificent image measures 40″high x 30″wide. The piece is unframed and is shipped as a rolled textile. The painting is valued at $6,000.

Daniel’s works are in the private art collections of golf champion Arnold Palmer, heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman, singer/songwriter Paul Simon, U.S. President Bill Clinton, U.S. President George W. Bush, South African President Nelson Mandela, and CEO of Sandals Resorts Gordon “Butch” Stewart.

Daniel states, “My life is one which is so close to nature that I feel a part of all her splendor and mystery. When I paint, I become my subject, from the tree frog in the mist of Fond St. Jacques rainforest to the sea turtle gliding in the deep blue waters of Anse Chastanet Bay… I do not just want to paint, but I want you to create so that you too can feel the intense joy that I experience in being here.”

Other Amazing Prizes

Vortex VIPER HD 8X42 ROOF PRISM BINOCULAR. This premium-quality, award winning binocular is packed with everything you need and nothing you don’t. It is rugged, waterproof, compact and lightweight (one of the lightest full-size binoculars on the market)! In addition, the binoculars come with Vortex’s incredible unlimited, unconditional life-time VIP Warranty!

GICLEE PRINTS BY ACCLAIMED CUBAN WILDLIFE ARTIST NILS NAVARRO. Celebrate the endemic birds of Cuba with prints of the gorgeous original artwork: the Bee Hummingbird (the world’s smallest bird) and the Cuban Trogon (national bird of Cuba). The giclee prints are signed and numbered, measuring ~8.5″ by 11″.

The drawing for the Raffle is on Saturday, October 5th, 2019. Now is the time to purchase tickets! Proceeds from the raffle support our conservation programs and provide travel support for BirdsCaribbean delegates to attend our workshops and conferences.

Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. You can purchase tickets online, or send a check made out to “BirdsCaribbean” and mail to: BirdsCaribbean, 841 Worcester St. #130, Natick, MA 01760. Any questions, contact Lisa Sorenson. Remember to get your tickets before October 5th, and good luck!

It only takes one to win, but you can’t win without one!

Sincere thanks to our generous donors for providing awesome prizes for the Raffle: Daniel Gabriel Angelo Jean-Baptiste, Vortex Optics, and Nils Navarro.

August 27, 2019

Celebrate World Shorebirds Day and Join the Global Shorebird Count! September 3 – 9, 2019

Global Shorebird count 2019

September has come around again, and that means it’s time to head for your favorite birding spot (or spots) to count Caribbean shorebirds. World Shorebirds Day 2019 is Friday, September 6th.

This year’s Global Shorebird Count will take place from September 3 to 9, 2019. All across the Caribbean, birders will be compiling checklists from island to island and recording them on eBird Caribbean. BirdsCaribbean urges you to participate! Our migratory shorebirds are more vulnerable than ever, threatened by human activities that have changed their habitat. Most species of shorebirds are in decline around the world.

Where are these fascinating birds to be found? While you will find them on shores and beaches, some shorebirds use habitats further inland, including freshwater and brackish marshes and ponds. Shorebirds are also fond of salt ponds, mud flats, mangrove areas, and tidal flats. Last year, the Whimbrel, a regular migrant through the region, was selected as “Shorebird of the Year.”

eBird Caribbean is a critical tool for tracking and understanding bird migration and population changes – never more so than for our shorebirds. If you do not have an account, it is easy to register – here’s a quick start guide. A useful free mobile app is also available for recording your data in the field.

Note that shorebirds are a type of waterbird and any counts you do at wetlands, mangroves, mud flats, coastal areas or beaches count as Caribbean Waterbird Census counts. To increase the value of your count to science, be sure to count ALL birds at your site, including seabirds, herons and egrets, land birds, etc.

Make Your Shorebirds Count—Submit Your Data!

Whimbrel in flight. (photo by Michel Oversteegan)

To make your submitted data visible to World Shorebirds Day, please be sure to share your checklist with worldshorebirdsday eBird username of World Shorebirds Day, or add shorebirdsday@gmail.com email address, to your contact list, and share all your related checklists with us. Only checklists made during the World Shorebirds Day count period between 3–9 September 2019 (inclusive) are eligible. Guidelines for sharing checklists are here.

We hope you will visit as many sites as possible during the 6 days of the count! For more tips on how to do the Global Shorebird Count, go to the World Shorebirds Day website.

For helpful resources on Shorebird ID, including our Shorebird poster, visit this page and this page.

Which species will be Shorebird of the Year 2019? Whichever one is selected – all our shorebirds are precious. The Global Shorebird Count is an important way to help us to learn more about them.

Participate in the International Shorebird Survey (ISS)!

Some of our birds are already on the move. BirdsCaribbean invites all shorebird lovers to schedule some extra counts during the migration season (August to October and March to May) by volunteering for the International Shorebird Survey, a year-round initiative organized by Manomet since 1974. On eBird Caribbean simply do a Caribbean Waterbird Census entry, choosing one of the CWC Count Protocols (Point Count, Traveling Count or Area Search) on Step 2 of “Submit observations” in eBird Caribbean. Fill out a Site Form if you are new to ISS.

Depending on the timing of migration, you may see a lot of birds or just a few at your site(s). Don’t be disappointed if you only see just one. Remember that very effort counts and adds to our knowledge of shorebirds and waterbirds and their habitat needs in the Caribbean!

Good luck and we look forward to hearing about your findings and seeing your photos! Please share on our BirdsCaribbean Facebook page.

Banded Birds

Be sure to be on the lookout for banded birds! Especially Piping Plovers, Red Knots, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, and Sanderlings. You may report your sightings to BandedBirds.org and the USGS Bird Banding Lab which oversee all banding in the United States.

Handout from the US Fish and Wildlife Service that provides information about Piping Plover banding locations and how to read and record the flags for reporting.

August 26, 2019

Making the French Connection at the 22nd International Conference in Guadeloupe

August 23, 2019

BirdsCaribbean Launches New Caribbean Birding Trail Website

Hispaniolan Trogon — Visit the newly-redesigned website for information on the best sites, guides and tours in the region!

More visually appealing. Easier to navigate. A LOT more information about birding hotspots in the Caribbean, how to get there, and which guides and operators can offer the best birdwatching experience on the ground.

Those were our objectives when we embarked on redesigning the Caribbean Birding Trail (CBT) website. Now, we are finally ready to launch the CBT’s new online home and to share it with you, and the world! Click here to access the new website.

The CBT was launched in 2011 by BirdsCaribbean in order to promote authentic experiences that benefit local people and encourage the protection of the Caribbean’s natural resources, including birds and their habitats. The website has always been a key part of making this happen.

Overhauling the website and building a customized directory (and beautiful maps!) of the birding gems of the Caribbean was no small task. To do the project justice, we knew we would need to learn as much as possible about every birding nook and cranny there is on each island. And we are here to tell you…there are many!

What’s Special about the New CBT Website

West Indies map showing locations of birding sites, history/culture and accommodations. — Map of the West Indies from the CBT website showing locations of Birding Sites, History/Culture Sites, and bird-friendly Accommodations. You can also toggle on and off eBird Hotspots on this map. Note that this is a work in progress: we need YOUR help to add many more sites!

As you scroll through the pages, you will find information about 138 birding sites in 24 countries. We are also proud to be promoting more than 50 guides and tour operators. These are people and enterprises who are from the Caribbean, or who now call the region home. We also aim to include a listing of every field guide and book that our partners have published for their islands. We also provide links to as many additional resources as we possibly can, giving you as full a picture as possible of the wealth of birds, habitats, and local customs and folklore.

Through the website, we also strive to tell the story of the Caribbean and its incredible natural heritage through pictures. There are nearly 700 species of birds known from the Caribbean, including 171 species that are endemic to the region and found nowhere else in the world. Furthermore, there are thousands of endemic plants, snails, lizards, frogs, mammals, and insects; and the beautiful landscapes and geological treasures that the birder will discover along the way. We have collected almost 1,000 photos thus far, and hope for many, many more.

It’s a Work in Progress, and We Love Our Partners!

If you are one of the dozens of individuals who supplied us with photos and/or information about people and places, we thank you! And we ask that you keep the information coming. We are not planning to stop adding to the website. In fact, our goal is for the CBT’s new site to become the number one resource in the world for planning a trip to the Caribbean to see birds, or simply to enjoy the nature and culture of the islands. We are going to build it into the “go-to” site for Caribbean birding.

We consider this website a work in progress. We will always accept suggestions for additional sites, guides, and accommodations to add; or edits and corrections to existing pages. We also greatly appreciate high quality photos, especially of birds.

Our online presence has already helped spur fruitful discussions with tour operators, and as a result BirdsCaribbean has partnered with three different companies (Wildside Nature Tours, Birding the Islands, and Carefree Birding). These companies are committed to giving back to the islands, and they donate a portion of their profits from Caribbean tours to BirdsCaribbean to invest in conservation.

The CBT…More than Site Promotion

The CBT project is not just about places to go. Through the CBT we are also helping create authentic experiences, and building capacity where needed in the Caribbean to do so. Essential to this is the Caribbean Birding Trail Interpretive Guide Training program, a five-day intensive course where participants not only learn to identify the local bird species and their connection to the environment, but also discover how to use interpretation techniques that will bring this knowledge to life for their birding guests.

The training helps guides to uncover unusual pieces of local science and cultural context that will spark the imagination of the birders and have them fully engaged during their tours. Professional bird and nature guides, certified through the National Association of Interpretation in the U.S., conduct this exciting, hands-on training program.

The reason we thought this important is for the same reason we think the Caribbean Birding Trail itself is important. It is because birds are windows to nature. And in the Caribbean, they are also portals for getting away from the tourism hubs and into the beating heart of the islands. They facilitate discovery, having an authentic experience, and bird by bird, getting to know the real Caribbean.

And There’s More…

Have you taken a look at the BirdsCaribbean YouTube channel lately?

Our new video is now available on the CBT website and on our YouTube channel. The four-minute long video gives the viewer an enticing glimpse into the birds they will see, and a taste of the culture they can get immersed in when they go looking for those birds.

With Deep Gratitude

Thank you again to everybody who contributed to the original CBT website and this much-improved 2.0 version.

Special thanks to our CBT cartographer, Aly DeGraff Ollivierre for creating the awesome maps and helping solicit, organize, and upload content to the website. Also to Holly Robertson, the CBT Project Manager, for her role as webmaster and digging deep into the world of WordPress.

We would be nowhere without the patience and fortitude of our web designer, Kathleen McGee of BTN Designs, and the vision of Ted Eubanks and Fermata, Inc in originally charting the course of the Caribbean Birding Trail and establishing the first iteration of the website.

With deep gratitude we also thank the donors who financially supported the development of this website over the years: the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund, the Marshall-Reynolds Foundation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Program.

Links to articles about our Caribbean Birding Trail Guide Training workshops:

To Union and Back: A Week of Developing Skills, Facing Fears, and Building Friendships

Sharing a Passion for Birds: the Caribbean Birding Trail Guide Training in Cuba

Loving the Lora and Chasing the Chuchubi at Bonaire’s Caribbean Birding Trail Guide Training Workshop

Caribbean Birding Trail Conducts First Guide Training Program for 24 Participants in Jamaica

On the Caribbean Birding Trail in the Dominican Republic

Sisters from Different Misters? Learning to Differentiate between Willet and Short-billed Dowitcher

The Birding Experience: A Poetic Take on the Caribbean Birding Trail Workshop

August 22, 2019

Birding Tours of Cuba in 2020 from BirdsCaribbean

Cuban Tody—one of Cuba's most beloved endemic birds. (photo by Aslam Ibrahim) — 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 acclaimed Cuban bird guide, Ernesto Reyes Mouriño, on the adventure of a lifetime in January or March of 2020.

Cuba is well-known for its amazing landscapes, vibrant culture and unique biodiversity. According to the new Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Cuba: 2018-2019 Edition, 394 birds have been recorded in Cuba, including 28 which are endemic to the island and 30 which are considered globally threatened. Due to its large land area and geographical position within the Caribbean, Cuba is also extraordinarily important for Neotropical migratory birds—more than 180 species pass through during migration or spend the winter on the island.

Our itinerary takes you to several of the best and most beautiful birding locations in Cuba, providing opportunities to see many of Cuba’s endemic species and subspecies as well as many migrants. Along the way, we will meet people in local communities, stay in Bed & Breakfast establishments (casas particulares) and eat in private restaurants (paladars), allowing you to experience Cuba’s rich culture, delicious food, friendly people, and generous hospitality. We will also have the opportunity to meet and have discussions with local ornithologists and conservationists that have been working with BirdsCaribbean for many years.

BirdsCaribbean is offering two tours in 2020: a 9-day trip in January and a 12-day trip in March. Find detailed itineraries for both trips below. Traveling with us helps Caribbean birds as a portion of the proceeds from the trip supports our bird conservation programs and partners in Cuba and the Caribbean. See some of the world’s most beautiful and memorable birds, knowing you are helping ensure their welfare by supporting the people who study and protect them.

Read testimonials and see photos from past trips in the gallery below. Purchase the Endemic Birds of Cuba Field Guide here. Check out the report and photos from our January 2016 trip here and from our July 2017 trip to Havana and Zapata Swamp here.

NOTE: The recent policy changes in the Cuban Assets Control Regulations do not affect BirdsCaribbean’s birding trips or the requirements of US citizens traveling with us. Our birding trips consist of group travel under the general license that authorizes travel transactions that provide “Support for the Cuban people.” The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) requires that: 1) travel be conducted under the auspices of an individual or organization (BirdsCaribbean) that promotes independent activity intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba, and 2) the tour must consist of “a full-time schedule of activities that: (i) enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba or promote the Cuban people’s independence from Cuban authorities; and (ii) result in meaningful interaction with individuals in Cuba.” While you are on the trip, BirdsCaribbean will ensure that you have a full-time schedule of activities that engages with and provides support for private citizens (e.g., local guides, Cuban biologists, private business owners), and avoids transactions with the State Department’s List of Restricted Entities and Subentities Associated with Cuba (“the Cuba Restricted List”).

June 29, 2019

Festival Celebrates Unique Birds in Unique Ways All Over the Caribbean

June 28, 2019

Guadeloupe 2019: Be a Media Maestro!

June 28, 2019

Keeping Caribbean Birds Aloft! International Bird Conference in Guadeloupe in July

“Keeping Caribbean Birds Aloft” is the theme of BirdsCaribbean’s 22nd International Conference in July in Guadeloupe. Parc national de la Guadeloupe is our local host. (artwork by Guillaume Zbinden)

Every two years, BirdsCaribbean holds its international conference. The meeting is the largest of its kind, attracting hundreds of guests from the region and beyond. This year, it will be held on the island of Guadeloupe from July 25-29, partnering with local host, Parc national de la Guadeloupe.

BirdsCaribbean is the largest conservation group in the region. Its members come from nonprofits, forestry departments and universities all over the region. They do research, save wild spaces and share the magic of birds and nature all over the Caribbean. At the conference, over 200 members will gather in one place to share the latest in research and more.

The conference is important because it is the one time when people working all over the Caribbean come together to learn and share. Training workshops teach skills like how to do a bird survey. New research and techniques for helping birds are shared. This know-how is brought back to dozens of islands where it can be used to save rare birds or protect valuable habitats.

This year’s conference is “Keeping Caribbean Birds Aloft” (or “An nou poté mannèv pou zozio karayib volé” in Créole). In keeping with the theme, the conference will feature many ways to help birds in the Caribbean.

“Our birds face many challenges, and we want to address them,” noted Lisa Sorensen, the Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean. “We will work on how to protect birds from threats like plastic pollution or habitat destruction. We are also working to promote birds for their value as a tourism attraction and the benefits they provide to people.”

The Guadeloupe Woodpecker is found only on the island of Guadeloupe; conference delegates will have a chance to see this bird on conference field trips. (photo by Frantz Delcroix)

You can learn more about the conference here, including keynote speakers, workshop themes and field field trips. Registration is open – it is not too late to join us! BirdsCaribbean is also still seeking sponsors to help delegates attend that would not be able to otherwise. Click here to help sponsor a delegate – any donations are gratefully received! Sponsorship donations are tax-deductible for US donors.

BirdsCaribbean is very grateful for the help and financial support of many companies and organizations to make this conference a success, including Parc national de la Guadeloupe, Karibea Beach Hotel, Environment Canada, US Forest Service International Programs, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, para la Naturaleza, Benjamin Olewine IV, American Bird Conservancy, Rare Species Conservatory Foundation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Caribbean Initiative, Wildside Nature Tours, Carefree Birding, Optics for the Tropics, NuStar, Vermont Center for Ecostudies, Bermuda Audubon Society, Holbrook Travel, Levesque Birding Enterprise, AMAZONA, and The Friendship Association.

June 1, 2019

Endemic Caribbean Birds Make a Good Showing on Global Big Day 2019

A Puerto Rican Flycatcher sings at first light on Global Big Day. (Photo by Hector Ortiz)

Congratulations to all our citizen scientists out there! The biggest day in birding was even bigger for the Caribbean this year. May 4, Global Big Day 2019, saw 846 checklists posted on the eBird Caribbean site, topping last year’s 698. This is quite a big jump in one year!

Whether it was by the sea, in the hills or in backyards, over 200 Caribbean birdwatchers, ornithologists, photographers and nature enthusiasts grabbed binoculars and cameras on May 4. They recorded 330 species in total, including 140 endemics. This means that no less than 80% of the Caribbean’s special birds, found nowhere else in the world, were seen in one single day. This is a very encouraging development. You can see all of the Global Big Day data from the West Indies on eBird.

A pair of Bobolinks were spotted on the Cayman Islands. (Photo by Denny Swaby)

This year, 21 islands played a part in Global Big Day. In recent years, an annual (friendly) competition in the West Indies has been warming up between the Bahamas and Puerto Rico. This year the race to the top was again close, but the Bahamas emerged as winners, spotting 138 species. Puerto Rico came in just six species behind and Cuba came in third with 125. Who will the winner be next year? Trinidad and Tobago, grouped with South America in Global Big Day counts, spotted 194 species.

Globally, a record 33,459 enthusiasts went out birdwatching in 171 countries, finding 6,842 species. Two thirds of the world’s bird species were spotted in a single day. The Western Hemisphere dominated the global results; Colombia came out on top for the third consecutive year with the stunning total of 1,591 species, followed by Peru.

A Wilson’s Plover in Anguilla. (Jacqueline A. Cestero)

BirdsCaribbean and eBird Caribbean thank all who went out on Global Big Day, even if only for a short time. The main point is that you participated, making an invaluable contribution to science and conservation. As the world’s largest biodiversity-related citizen science project, eBird had 1.85 million observations on Global Big Day. eBird is managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, in collaboration with partner groups such as BirdsCaribbean – and hundreds of thousands of eBirders. For more information, go to the Caribbean portal: https://ebird.org/caribbean/home. You may also download the free mobile app, which makes tallying those numbers even easier. Enjoy!

May 23, 2019

Coming Together for Conservation: How the Support of a Community is Helping Protect the Ridgway’s Hawk from Extinction

May 10, 2019

Barbuda in Recovery Mode: What Does the Future Hold for Its Endemic Warbler?

April 28, 2019

Guadeloupe is on the Horizon!

Cardinals are definitely red,

Blue Jays are… well….yes, mostly blue,

And it’s a FACT that our Guadeloupe Conference in July will be a damn good time…

Because your BirdsCaribbean family—along with great birds, stunning landscapes, and a warm French culture—all anxiously await you!

Dearest delegates and potential delegates far and wide,

We are now less than 3 months from conference time, and I’m happy to report to you that everything is lookin’ good!

Our Conference Organizing Committee has been working around the clock for the last 5 months to ensure that your time in Guadeloupe is going to be the best it can be! And we have no intentions of dialing it back until we’ve made sure that all of you are at the Karibea Beach Hotel with a smile on your face, an ocean breeze in your hair, and a cold drink in your hands.

I can confidently say that we’ve created what promises to be an unforgettable adventure for you. Don’t miss out! If you haven’t yet acted on any of the other deadline reminders we’ve sent out, please take this one seriously – May 7^th (less than 10 days from NOW!) is the deadline for a GREAT MANY THINGS!

Early Bird Registration – May 7^th

Call for abstracts (presentations and posters) – May 7^th

Travel Support applications (awarded on a rolling basis) – May 7^th

I also want to point out that the pre-conference field trip on July 24^th with Anthony Levesque has only 8 openings left!

And the post-conference field trip to Dominica and Martinique has only 3 openings left!

In order to claim a spot, you MUST pay a DEPOSIT here, absolutely immediately.

Please reach out to me personally if you have any questions and need some help: justin.proctor@birdscaribbean.org.

Ok, with the paperwork behind us, let’s give you a glimpse of what we’ve been putting together!

First, the Karibea Beach Hotel is going to be our venue, and it won’t disappoint. The presentation and meeting rooms are comfortable and sized just right; the socializing space where we’ll be having our coffee breaks is set up perfectly to mingle with old friends and meet new ones; the backdrop is a beach looking out over the ocean towards the western half of the island, where Le Soufriere dominates the landscape; and the personal rooms are close-by, comfortable, and come with quite the view!

Karibea-beach-resort-Gosier-hotel-clipper-hotel-salako-résidence-prao-plage-17

We’ve got 6 exciting Keynote Speakers lined up. Be sure to make time to meet with as many of them as you can during a coffee break or over a meal!

The field trip options before, during, and after the conference are abundant and diverse. We’re throwing as many opportunities to explore the island at you as we possibly can! Climb a volcano, snorkel the mangroves, island hop down to Dominica and Martinique, watch the Caribbean Martins come in to roost in downtown Pointe a Pitre, explore the Deshaies Mountains, or experience Guadeloupe’s famous waterfalls – staying active won’t be a problem!

The Program itself is filling up quickly. We’ve already had dozens of excellent presentation and posters abstracts submitted, which means that our symposia from shorebirds to hurricanes to technology will be rich with new and exciting talks and information. Likewise, we are overflowing with interesting workshops and engaging training sessions. We’ll be sure to get the full digital version of the conference PROGRAM out to you before you head to Guadeloupe, so you can start making some decisions on what you’d like to attend!

Don’t forget, there are several PRE-CONFERENCE workshops ready for you to attend. Please make sure to adjust your travel accordingly and also let us know that you’ll be attending!

Restoring Habitat through World Migratory Bird Day Cleanups

Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation

Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Harvest Workshop

And if you’re coming to Guadeloupe to see some awesome birds, the island will not disappoint.

284 bird species have been observed in Guadeloupe, including 81 nesting species reported since the year 2000.

Guadeloupe hosts 8 bird species that are endemic to the Lesser Antilles, 5 species that are endemic to the Lesser Antilles + Puerto Rico, and 1 species entirely endemic to Guadeloupe – the Guadeloupe Woodpecker.

A huge thank you to Frantz Delcroix and Anthony Levesque for allowing us to showcase some of their stunning photographs:

And there is so much more lined up for you! Head to our conference website and just browse around to see what else we’ve been up to!

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, our conferences wouldn’t be teaming with a diverse crowd of scientists, conservationists, and students if it wasn’t for the generous support of donors that help sponsor delegates to attend. PLEASE CONSIDER helping sponsor a delegate – our conferences can be life changers for our community members that don’t normally have the financial means to travel, personally network with leaders in their field, and attend workshops and symposia that can help them better their work. Help shape the future of the Caribbean you love, and please considering sponsoring a delegate.

April 27, 2019

Artists Create Auction to Save Endangered Caribbean Birds

The Caribbean islands are home to 172 endemic bird species that are found nowhere else in the world. Many survive on just one island. Right now, these birds, and their habitats, are under increasing pressure from badly planned commercial development, poaching for sport and subsistence, as well as increasingly deadly storms due to climate change, to name just a few threats. The Caribbean’s biodiversity is at serious risk with about 1/3 of the region’s species threatened with extinction, making the Caribbean one of the top hotspots assessed by the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund for globally threatened species.

That is why Saint Lucia artists, Christopher Cox, Donna Grandin & Daniel Jean-Baptiste, have donated their work, including an outstanding image of the Imperial Parrot, to raise funds to protect this and other magnificent endemic Caribbean species. The auction will launch on May 3rd at https://www.32auctions.com/SaveCaribbeanBirds You can buy one of these incredible pieces of art and, with your purchase, ensure the work needed to save these birds in the wild continues. This is vital work so reward yourself and purchase art that will protect the most endangered birds of the Caribbean.

Caribbean Species Continue to Face Serious Challenges

For years, Caribbean conservation organizations have toiled to bring these species back from the brink of extinction. Recent hurricanes and lack of resources have caused huge setbacks that conservationists are desperately working to resolve. Funds raised from this auction will all go to support the recovery of critically endangered Caribbean island species: protecting their habitat and ensuring local communities are engaged in protecting them – actions that will guarantee their survival. Please support our effort and purchase some of the Caribbean’s finest artwork.

Christopher Cox and the Imperial Parrot of Dominica

“Imperials of Waitukabuli – Imperial Parrots” by Christopher Cox

The auction is the brainchild of Christopher Cox, who felt compelled to support preservation of Imperial Parrots after he saw the massive devastation on their island home, Dominica, caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017. Having worked at Saint Lucia’s Forestry Department for many years, Chris knew how much this hurricane’s destructive force would impact this magnificent species’ already stressed chance for long-term survival. This painting depicts the birds in their element – as they should be forever – high in the rugged rainforest, with the poise of majesty and hope of a secure future.

Chris feels privileged to be among the few recognized wildlife artists from the region. He has combined his passion for wildlife art with his conservation career; working with Saint Lucia’s government and then with a regional environmental agency. Recently, he has opened up new horizons beyond the Caribbean, having relocated to Nairobi, Kenya in 2014, where he pursues his professional career with the United Nations Environment Program working on combating marine pollution. His art is expressed in a variety of media from watercolors to acrylics to oils.

His stunning image of Imperial Parrots in the wild, titled “Imperials of Waitukabuli – Imperial Parrots,” is an oil painting on canvas. Its dimensions are 48×36″ – based on the current size of the stretcher it is on; *note that when re-stretched it may be slightly smaller.

“Mango Delight” – a Vibrant Work That Expresses Joy

Silk painting artist Daniel Gabriel Angelo Jean-Baptiste of Saint Lucia immediately joined with Chris on the idea of an auction to support Caribbean birds. Daniel uses tropical nature as his inspiration and silk as his canvas. His creations reflect on a life of growing up in the beautiful tropical paradise of the Caribbean. His works are in the private art collections of golf champion Arnold Palmer, heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman, singer/songwriter Paul Simon, U.S. President Bill Clinton, U.S. President George W. Bush, South African President Nelson Mandela, and CEO of Sandals Resorts Gordon “Butch” Stewart.

Daniel’s contribution to the auction, “Mango Delight” is a commissioned one-of-a-kind. It is hand drawn water-based resistant and hand painted using Sumi sheep hair brushes to apply a water-based liquid pigment silk paint onto 10mm, 100% Habotai silk. This magnificent image measures 40″high x 30″wide. The piece is unframed and is shipped as a rolled textile.

A Third Saint Lucia Artist Has Stepped Up

“Pondlife with Snowy Egrets” by Donna Grandin

Donna Grandin is a professional fine artist from Saint Lucia. She studied art in Canada and, since then, has been exhibiting her acrylic paintings in the Caribbean and Canada, gaining collectors from those areas and beyond. Donna also responded to Chris’s call and has provided the third piece for the auction.

Donna states that Nature provides a feast of inspiration for the artist. With its organic shapes and patterns, nature provides her with an endless supply of interesting compositions. “As an acrylic painter, I capture and translate these compositions through the filters of my personal sense of color and interest in visual rhythm, to convey mood and movement.”

Her piece, “Pondlife with Snowy Egrets,” conveys the serenity of nature. Her inspiration for Pondlife was the pond in front of the Auberge Seraphin at Vigie, in Saint Lucia. This beautiful image is a 30”x40” acrylics.

Let the Bidding Begin!

Now that you have seen the images, let’s all go bid on them! It’s easy, all you have to do is click on https://www.32auctions.com/SaveCaribbeanBirds and put a bid on one or all of the paintings. Mark your calendars – the auction begins on Friday, May 3 and closes on Sunday, May 12, 2019.

Please spread the word as well. Tell everyone you know about the auction by e-mailing the link, pasting the link into your social media with a post encouraging friends to enter the auction and any other creative ways to make the auction a success. Let’s ensure the birds and habitats of the Caribbean, especially Dominica’s Imperial Parrots, survive for generations to come. Thank you!

April 25, 2019

Global Big Day Is May 4, 2019: Let’s Put Caribbean Birds On The Map!

Cuban Oriole, one of 26 endemic birds in Cuba (photo by Aslam Ibrahim) — Cuban Oriole, one of 26 endemic birds in Cuba. (photo by Aslam Ibrahim)

Last May, more than 30,000 people took to fields and forests around the world, noting 7,025 species in a single day—Global Big Day. A world record! In less than 2 weeks, birding’s biggest day is coming back.

On Saturday, May 4th, will you represent the Caribbean and join birders across the world as part of Global Big Day? You don’t have to commit to birding for 24 hours- just an hour or even 10 minutes of watching birds makes you part of the team. This annual event raises the profile of birds, conservation issues, and gathers a snapshot of bird distribution around the globe—and we need your help to do it!

The Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival is ongoing and incorporating Global Big Day as an activity into your events is the perfect opportunity to introduce newcomers to the joys of birding. You can practice bird identification, proper equipment use, and field skills like keeping a checklist. Visit your favorite spot or search out someplace new!

A Little Friendly Competition

In 2018, a total of 254 Caribbean birders reported an incredible 453 species on Global Big Day! Here are some of the top contenders from last year (see all the West Indies data on eBird). Will they be able to defend their titles in 2019?

Species diversity:

1. Trinidad and Tobago: 178 species (yes, yes, we know TT is on a different level, being so close to South America)
2. Puerto Rico: 136 species
3. The Bahamas: 135 species
4. Guadeloupe: 83 species
5. Cuba: 82 species

Number of checklists (of 926 total across the region):

1. Puerto Rico: 249 checklists
2. Bahamas: 167 Checklists
3. Cayman Islands: 50 checklists
4. Guadeloupe: 42 checklists
5. U.S. Virgin Islands: 41 checklists

In 2018, 104 of the 175 West Indian endemics were reported. Can we do better this year? If your island has endemic bird species, near endemics or endemic subspecies, make sure they are represented on the count!

Global Big Day last year also resulted in some interesting and rare birds in the Caribbean. In Barbados, a Pacific Golden Plover and a Eurasian Spoonbill were both spotted on the same day. In Antigua, a Black Kite was reported. We are curious what rarities or vagrants might show up this year!

How Do I Participate?

Birding at Ashton Lagoon, Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)

You don’t need to be a bird expert, you just have to go out and enjoy birds. Here’s our two-step guide:

Watch birds on Saturday, May 4th: Can’t commit to an excursion? Even 10 minutes in your backyard will help. Global Big Day runs from midnight to midnight in your local time zone. You can report birds from anywhere in the world.
Enter what you see and hear on eBird Caribbean: You can enter your sightings via the website or—even easier—use the free eBird Mobile app. You can enter and submit lists while you’re still out birding, and the app will even keep track of how far you’ve walked, so you can just focus on watching birds. Counts conducted at wetlands, ponds, mud flats and beaches can be entered as Caribbean Waterbird Census counts. (On a desktop when entering your data on eBird.org, on Step 2 “Date and Effort” page, be sure to choose either the “CWC Point Count” “CWC Traveling Count” or “CWC Area Search” observation type. If you are using the EBird Mobile app – adjust your settings – choose eBird Caribbean as your portal and these options will show up!)

Global Big Day Tips:

If you’re looking for a new place to find birds, explore eBird Hotspots near you.
Use Merlin Bird ID for help with tricky species.
Get together with friends and set a goal for your birding—most unusual species? biggest flock? all the species in your favorite family? The possibilities are endless.
Take photos and add them to your checklist—they might end up on the Global Big Day page!
Make your sightings more valuable: submit complete checklists, keep counts of the birds that you see, and keep multiple checklists throughout the course of your birding—if you get in the car, end that checklist and start a new one when you get to the next location.
Share what you’re seeing on social media with #globalbigday! Add your planned May 4th location to the global map.

Last year’s Global Big Day was record-breaking in terms of effort and species reported. On May 4th, we hope you will join us for the word’s next birding record!

April 21, 2019

Happy 80th Birthday to our wonderful Kate Wallace!

The following birthday announcement is brought to you by…

Presidente, a refreshing brand of Pilsner beer proudly brewed in the Dominican Republic since 1935

and…

The Solenodon Crochet Company, a family owned and operated business out of Rabo de Gato known for high quality, hand-crafted crochet animals

Loving shout-outs, warm well-wishes, and funny anecdotes from your friends around the Caribbean and beyond:

Kate Wallace is a living legend in the Dominican Republic. With much enthusiasm, passion and energy, she has done so much to advance ornithology, bird education, and bird tourism in the DR.

For those that may not know her history: Kate arrived to the DR 24 years ago with the Peace Corps and has worked as a volunteer for BirdsCaribbean, Sociedad Ornitologica de la Hispaniola, Grupo Jaragua, and Grupo Acción Ecológica. Her formal education is teaching, and as a field naturalist, bird education came natural to her. At her house one can see drawings from the 1980’s all over the walls, including pictures done by school children learning how to draw birds. There is also a colorful bird rotofolio to give talks (“charlas”) about birds when there is no electricity, a frequent condition out in the countryside.

Over the years Kate has worked with many researchers and students such as Steve Latta, Chris Rimmer, and Justin Proctor, to name a few, generously helping them with whatever they needed—providing a place to stay in Santo Domingo and organizing help in the field and other logistics. Kate has been a key person in getting the Caribbean Waterbird Census going in the DR, and has organized and helped with countless bird education events for the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival and World Migratory Bird Day, as well as BirdSleuth Caribbean. Kate also developed her own bird tourism company, Tody Tours, and has a fabulous “camp” up in the Sierra de Bahoruco mountains so that people can experience the incredible birds and beauty of this region.

When you walk down the streets of the Colonial Zone with Kate, she is greeted by everyone. The day we went to the Ministry of the Environment, she was treated like royalty. Greetings from different people included, “I took the course you coordinated!” “Hi Katy, how are you? I know you from the workshops!” and “Hi Kate, after our bird club, now I work for the ministry.” Even out in the countryside, people wave to Kate as she drives by shouting “Katy, Katy” with a big smile! If you say to her, “Kate, you didn’t tell us you were famous,” she cheerfully responds, “I didn’t know I was!”

Kate is also fearless—the WORST roads in the world are in the DR and they are not an impediment to Kate and her mission. I have been with Kate when a rock fell from a passing truck on to our windshield – it sounded like a bomb and the windshield shattered into a million pieces, embedding some tiny fragments of glass into my skin. Another time, in pursuit of birds, we drove across a stretch of flooded, washed out road with a river running over it that nearly swept our car away! Both experiences were terrifying (to me), but were all in a day’s work for Kate!!!

Kate absolutely loves being a part of the conservation movement in the DR and, at 80, she still wants to do more for birds! Kate inspires us to keep working…and keep giving. She just registered for the upcoming BirdsCaribbean conference in Guadeloupe, and we can’t wait to see her there. In the meantime, we plan on celebrating her 80th birthday with a tall, cold beer—her favorite, El Presidente!!! Happy Birthday Kate, we love you!!!

– Lisa Sorenson and Sheylda Diaz-Mendez and the BirdsCaribbean Board

Over the course of 5 years of field work, Kate helped make the Dominican Republic a second home for us. She welcomed us into her Santo Domingo apartment, even providing a room for Jason to stash his many bins of field gear! Kate showed us around Santo Domingo, introduced us to birding spots, directed us to secluded natural areas, and let us camp at her Rabo de Gato property whenever we came down the north side of the Sierra de Bahoruco. She also introduced us to everyone and everything related to birds on the island, and never asked for anything in return except the occasional jug of maple syrup, brought in from the old country!

Kate’s influence on birdwatching and conservation in the DR is enormous. On her 80^th we wish her many more years of continued success and positive influence. We wish we could be there for a couple of Presidentes with Kate!

– Jason and Andrea Townsend

Happy Birthday Kate! We can never thank you enough for having been so much help and giving so much of your time and warm hospitality when we were in the DR. Your passion and dedication are an inspiration. We’ve been showing videos and photos of the work with cua and gavilan to our boys lately and we miss the birds, and you, a lot. Hope you have a lovely and wonderful day surrounded by many friends! All our love!

– Lance and Rina

Saludos a Dona Kate on your 80th birthday!

We are SO HAPPY that you stumbled into Joe Wunderle, Esteban Terranova, and me in Jarabacoa many years ago, and that your service to Dominican ornithology was launched.

Thank you for being our host, our field help, our eyes and ears, our recorder of data and histories, our annotator of records.

Thank you for being our networker, and introducing so many of us to each other.

Thank you for bringing ecotourism with style to the Sierra de Bahoruco.

Thank you for being you, and keeping that Kate attitude!

And most of all, thank you for being our friend!

Un abrazo,

– Steven Latta

A Birthday Shout-Out to Kate! Happy Birthday to the Silent Auction Queen! Thank you for all you’ve done to support BirdsCaribbean over the years!

– Jennifer Wheeler

Would like to add my birthday wishes to Kate Wallace. We have worked together on the Silent Auction for a few years and have also roomed together several times – still friends.

My Bird Club of New Providence (Bahamas) did Kate’s tour in 2010 which was amazing, she is a great tour guide and ambassador for the birds of the region.

Kind regards from Nassau, Bahamas,

– Carolyn Wardle

Kate has been an important part of my training in the world of birds, I am very grateful to have known her.

Once we were in a Christmas Count in Bani, for the Waterfowl and at lunchtime she told us that she felt calm in the local restaurant because the dishes had flower paintings, which in the restaurants that put white dishes without designs was very expensive, hahahaha.

In the festivals of endemic birds I teach how to draw any bird in 4 simple steps: a circle for the torso, a circle for the head, two lines are the legs and a triangle is the peak. Ready, you have your bird.

There are many things you can meet with a person with so much experience and way of being. Thank you Kate Wallace for your love of the birds of my country.

– Johanna Rodriguez Paulino

Kate,

Happy Birthday – can’t believe it’s your 80th, but congratulations for your many contributions to bird conservation and environmental education in the DR and throughout the Caribbean, all contributed with good cheer. Your willingness to assist with the silent auctions for BirdsCaribbean has helped raise badly needed funds for BC. I don’t know where the time went, but it seems like only yesterday when you came up to Jarabacoa to join Steve and the “Ciguetaros” in our coffee study. Your infectious enthusiasm was a shot in the arm for us and eventually to bird conservation and environmental education in the DR. Hope I can celebrate with you in Guadeloupe in July. Much to discuss I’m sure. In the meantime, all the best on an important birthday!!

Cheers,

– Joe Wunderle

I will say about Kate… she is a character and one for the history books. While Annabelle Stockton (Dod) made the birds of the DR and Haiti available for all through her newspaper articles and guide, Kate Wallace was responsible for promoting the birds of the DR and Haiti, helping researchers do their work, and helping form a whole generation of bird lovers in the DR. Her commitment to the conservation of birds is undeniable. She established the first hostal designed exclusively for birdwatchers in this country. She has witnessed how a few local bird watchers have transcended to become accomplished bird photographers. Here are a few of my favorite moments when I think of Kate:

Kate instructed Danilo Mejia once to buy a used SUV for her. He found one and used a mechanic friend of his to make all the necessary repairs before Kate even saw the vehicle. When Danilo was about to deliver it, he thought it needed a “Hati Guallace” special something that would make it hers, so he had a tinted paper placed on the upper part of the windshield that read “LLEGÓ KATY”.

Kate’s eternal response to whether she had seen birds on any given outing was always… “miliones de aves”. She would also unknowingly make these yummy noises when she ate… “hmmm… muy buena”. So I travelled with two good friends around Lago Enriquillo and after a couple of days of imitating Kate’s “miliones de aves” and “hmmm… muy buena” we arrived at the Hotel Iguana in La Descubierta. We met the owner at the front door of the house, next to which there was a closed window that hid the hotel’s dining table. We could not see beyond the window as the panes where shut. We asked the owner if there was vacancy and a second later we heard a voice through the closed window. “Hmmm… muy buena!” It was Kate who coincidentally was having dinner with some birders. Of course my two companions only knew Kate by my imitations of her savoring her beloved Dominican food.

A Kate Wallace fact: Kate is a very nice person until 5pm rolls around, at which time it is imperative to provide immediately a Jumbo-sized Presidente “vestida de novia” (frosted). If the Presidente is not provided immediately, she will turn into werewolf.

With much love,

– Eladio Fernandez

Happy birthday, Kate! Wow, 80! Congratulations on this milestone. We are sorry that we aren’t around to celebrate with you. I remember your 75th birthday party, dancing and partying on the street with you!

And there are so many wonderful memories we have with you of birding adventures. We have quite a few photos but want to send you a few for memory’s sake.

We want you to know how much we love and appreciate you, Kate, and we will celebrate your birthday with you, although from a distance.

Love,

– Steve & Sandra

Please send Kate my warmest regards and a Happy Birthday! shout out.

– Wayne Arendt

The day we visited Ebano Blanco reserve, while training guides for the Caribbean Birding Trail, a rooster ripped Kate’s pants! I have no idea what that rooster was thinking Kate would do, but It was just amazing to watch her, calmly but cautiously, regaining her balance after the “attack”. Strong message that the rooster will never forget! Kate your patient, diaphanous speech, and overall passion for bird conservation truly inspired me!

Happy Birthday “desde Panama”

– Beny Wilson

Kate, it has been A LOT OF FUN becoming good friends with you over the past 9 years. I feel like those of us that have extensively wandered the back woods of the DR looking for birds together share a special bond. There’s just nothin’ else like it!

Thank you SO MUCH for all your warm hospitality over the years, and most importantly, for all the great laughs and fun adventures along the way. You have been a big inspiration to me, and so many others, and you should be proud of that!

All my best,

– Justin Proctor

April 20, 2019

Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival Takes Aim at Plastic Pollution

Plastic is killing our planet – not least our beautiful birds. But you can help! This year, the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) and World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) address this critical issue with the conservation theme Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution.

While migration is in full swing, in the Caribbean, it’s a time to celebrate the birds that live only in the region and that stay here all year round. The Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival, organized by BirdsCaribbean, focuses on these special birds that we know and love. CEBF events are held between Earth Day on April 22nd and International Biodiversity Day on May 22nd.

What can we do about plastic?

Killer Trash

Have we thought about how plastic affects our birds? It is estimated that 80% of seabirds and waterbirds have ingested plastic.

Be the Solution

Plastic is a worldwide epidemic. We need to work together to be the solution, for the sake of our birds and ourselves!

What YOU Can Do to Beat Plastic Pollution:

Use reusable metal bottles for your drinking water.
Travel with your own metal cutlery and use glass or metal storage containers.
Take cloth shopping bags with you to the grocery store.
Try reusable bamboo or metal straws.
Refuse plastic straws or containers in restaurants and stores.
Avoid plastic packaging in food stores as much as possible, including clamshell containers.
Take your plastics to the nearest recycling centre.
Reuse plastic items as much as possible in and around the home.
Host a beach or community cleanup day. Get local companies on board as sponsors. Share your photos.
Get involved! Join a local environmental or community group. Get your neighbours involved, too!
Design art competitions highlighting the problem of plastic trash.

Contact your local environmental group to find out about events on your island, or contact BirdsCaribbean to organize an event of your own.

The Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival celebrates the 172 species of birds that are found only in the Caribbean and nowhere else in the world. World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is a celebration of the thousands of birds that make their way to and fro across the Americas and the Caribbean each year. To raise awareness about the need for bird conservation, volunteer coordinators organize events in the Caribbean in April and May for CEBF and September and October for WMBD. For much more information about CEBF, WMBD and the 2019 plastics theme, visit www.BirdsCaribbean.org and www.migratorybirdday.org/

Learn more about plastics pollution and what you can do to help: https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/

Reneive Rhoden helps clean up the refuge. (Photo by Jessica Cañizares)

A dead seabird tangled in a balloon string.

The March 2019 BirdsCaribbean Cuba Tour removes a fishing net from the beach in Cayo Coco. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)

Cataloging trash collection. (Photo by Jessica Cañizares)

Plastic bottles on beach in Nigua, DR.

Laughing Gull dead in fishing line.

April 18, 2019

It’s Spring Migration! How Many Shorebirds Have You Seen?

It’s that time of year again – spring migration! Migratory birds have started making their way to the temperate areas of the globe for breeding, Some of these birds have spent the entire winter in the Caribbean and others are passing through as part of a longer journey. In both cases, the Caribbean provides essential habitat that supports these fearless travelers. Safe, clean places to rest and refuel are critical to their survival.

A round trip migration for the Pectoral Sandpipers can reach over 18,000 miles (30,000 km). (Photo by Nick Dorian)

Some of the longest trips made this spring will be completed by the arctic-breeding shorebirds. If you catch a glimpse of a Red Knot in the next few weeks, you are seeing it on just a small part of its 9,300 mile (15,00 km) journey! Shorebirds are both incredible athletes and world travelers: they can travel hundreds of miles a day without rest and pass over continents in weeks.

Capturing data of birds during migration is vital to understanding their status, distribution, and how they are using sites in the Caribbean throughout their life cycle. While you are out birding don’t forget to log your observations in eBird Caribbean. If you are visiting a wetland, please do a Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) count! The regional count occurs in January and February, but CWC data is collected year-round! When entering your data on eBird, on Step 2 “Date and Effort” page, be sure to choose either the “CWC Point Count” “CWC Traveling Count” or “CWC Area Search” observation type. (you can also choose one of these options if you are using the EBird Mobile app – adjust your settings – choose eBird Caribbean as your portal and the options will show up!)

Is that a Least Sandpiper or a Western?

Earlier this year, we redesigned an existing poster of common shorebirds in the Caribbean which features many of the sandpipers, plovers and larger shorebirds that you may see while birding. This poster is a great resource because: 1) it shows the relative size of the shorebirds to each other and 2) all the birds are in their winter plumage. In their non-breeding plumage shorebirds – especially peeps – can be challenging to identify. We hope that this resource is a helpful guide for those learning their shorebird identification.

The poster is also available in Spanish and French. Below the English common name and scientific name, the common name of the bird appears in Spanish for Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. For example, the Red Knot has three Spanish common names: Zarapico Raro (Cuba), Playero Gordo (Dominican Republic), and Playero Pechirrojo (Puerto Rico). If only two Spanish common names appear, this indicates that two of these three countries have the same common name for the bird.

Do you have access to a large format printer and want to have a hard copy of this beautiful resource? The poster is the perfect addition to wildlife offices, public education spaces, or to have on hand for events like presentations and bird festivals! Larger versions of the posters can be downloaded here: French, English and Spanish.

We very much appreciate the National Audubon Society and the Bahamas National Trust allowing us to redesign their original poster and for Manomet’s input during the process. We thank the Canadian Wildlife Service for supporting poster printing costs in 2019. Participants at the Conserving Caribbean Shorebirds and Their Habitats Workshop were treated to small versions of the poster thanks to a generous donation from the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.

March 27, 2019

The Caribbean Bird Sleuths Have Been Busy, Connecting Kids Through Birds

March 20, 2019

10th Caribbean Waterbird Census Reveals Signs of Hurricane Recovery and Exciting Discoveries

We are impressed. We are excited. We are hopeful. Yes, CWC 2019 has sparked some emotions among us all!

First and foremost, we at BirdsCaribbean wish to thank you – our partners, who joined in the 2019 Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC). The Census is now in its tenth year of data collection by energetic birders across the region. Over the three-week count period ending on February 3rd, we received a total of 321 checklists from 19 countries, with 212 different species observed. We are deeply impressed by the work you have all put in!

This year’s CWC was unusual in some ways. We were not sure what to expect. In 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria cut a swathe of chaos and destruction across parts of the region. Our birds suffered and struggled to survive, and conservationists struggled to recover along with them. Results from the CWC in 2018 a few months later were worrying. Our counters reported dramatic declines in the diversity and numbers, even of some of our most common bird species. We might have expected this as the hurricanes damaged fragile wetland habitats – which had already been threatened in recent years by human activities. Even though the storms occurred in 2017, those ecosystems still have a long road to recovery.

The results from this year were heartening, compared to the post-hurricane CWC results in 2018. There were quite a few surprises and records during the counts.

Locations of the sites surveyed during the 2019 Caribbean Waterbird Census (Map by Aly Ollivierre)

Encouraging Numbers

It’s early days yet. We won’t have a complete picture of how birds are recovering until we analyze all of the data. However, there have been promising reports from the field. In the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Canadian Wildlife Service led Piping Plover surveys with a team of partners and volunteers. The team counted 134 Piping Plovers this year at six sites – compared to 62 plovers at three sites in 2018. Among these birds, the surveyors spotted 15 marked with unique leg codes (including ten from their own study!).

A group of Piping Plovers foraging in Cayo Paredon Grande, Cuba. (Photo by Martin Acosta)

The teams visited a variety of good shorebird sites including foraging sand and mud flats, salinas, and ponds. Black Rock, an area of islets and sandbar on the south side of Middle Caicos, came out top in terms of the range of species and numbers counted. Almost 1,500 shorebirds were spotted, including 180 Red Knot (five of which were banded with unique codes). In the past, this location has yielded many bird sightings, but in the post-hurricane count last year numbers were lower (around 500 birds). This may have been due to the redistribution of sand from Hurricane Irma which limited good foraging habitat. The abundance of birds has since tripled – which is exciting news.

In Cuba, Professor Lourdes Mugica and her team from the University of Havana counted 41 Piping Plovers in Cayo Paredon Grande on the north coast of the island. Lourdes reports that they observed more Piping Plovers in other areas. However, interestingly this is the largest flock her team has ever encountered in four years of CWC monitoring. Five of the birds were banded – these were read and reported in their eBird entry.

Is it too early to suggest that this lovable, endlessly fascinating bird is making a comeback?

Exciting Discoveries

Does this plover look suspicious to you? It’s a Common Ringed Plover, which should be overwintering in Africa. Seen in Guadeloupe, this is the third record for the Caribbean. (Photo by Anthony Levesque)

On to Antigua, where Andrea Otto and her team from the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) spotted a Wattled Jacana! Not only is this a new island record, but it is a first sighting for the West Indies. This range map from eBird Caribbean clearly shows that this is a South American species. In addition to the jacana, the group also saw an American White Pelican – a new record for the island. Both are incredible sightings – check out the eBird report here!

Andrea and Natalya Lawrence shared the news of the Wattled Jacana sighting, explaining the importance of the CWC and Antigua’s waterbirds in a lively television interview on the “Antigua Barbuda Today” morning show. To see the interview, complete with photos, advance to 2:05:15 here). Our partners at EAG really helped to put their island’s waterbirds on the map!

Nature Explorers Anguilla also had an unexpected American White Pelican during their CWC count at Meads Bay Pond in Anguilla. According to the literature available and eBird records, it would appear to be a first record for the island. Way to go team! Their eBird list is available here.

Anthony Levesque in Guadeloupe spotted a Common Ringed Plover. This is only the 2^nd Guadeloupe and 3^rd Caribbean record of this species! Common Ringed Plovers usually overwinter in Africa (see the eBird range map). They are quite a challenge to identify in the field, especially when they are supposed to be on the other side of the world! Read Anthony’s descriptive notes on his eBird list here.

In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Lystra Culzac spotted a single male American Wigeon. This is also a rare, and possibly first, sighting for the island.

Future CWC Surveyors in the Making

Students practice their waterbird identification in Jamaica during the CWC. (Photo by Ava Tomlinson)

In Jamaica, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) hosted 65 students to participate in the CWC in the Palisadoes, Port Royal Protected Area. Students learned about the importance of the area, which is a RAMSAR site close to the capital city of Kingston, and the species they might encounter. In addition, they learned about the impact of pollution on this fragile environment.

The students used materials from BirdsCaribbean, including “Wetland Birds of the Caribbean” and “Seabirds of the Caribbean,” identification cards, binoculars, and data sheets, and set out to record their observations. They worked in groups of four, validating the type of birds seen under the guidance of NEPA staff. The students were excited to see the Belted Kingfisher, Magnificent Frigatebird, Royal Tern, Ruddy Turnstone, and Sandwich Tern.

On World Wetlands Day, a group from BirdLife Jamaica counted in the same area, which is slated for tourism development – including a retractable pier for cruise ships that is already on the island. How will this affect the wetland habitat and the birds that shelter there? Time will tell. Among the species counted there was a “party boat” full of Laughing Gulls.

Disturbing Events

Grupo Acción Ecológica (Dominican Republic) discovered and removed over 300 traps for waterbirds during their CWC counts. Here, an American Flamingo is freed. (Photo by Maria Paulino)

Wetlands were the focus for Maria Paulino and her team from Grupo Acción Ecológica in the Dominican Republic. However, there were some unhappy discoveries. At one of the country’s important wetland sites, Monte Cristi on the north coast, the team found large traps designed to catch American Flamingos. Tragically, other species were casualties – including a dead Snowy Egret, a dead Reddish Egret – and two days later, a similar trap was found with three dead Tricolored Herons. The team freed one trapped flamingo from a trap.

Altogether, the team removed over 300 traps! This terrible situation was reported to the Environmental Department in Santo Domingo and (hopefully) this will pressure the government into taking some action. It is not clear what the fate of the flamingos would be when caught, but Maria Paulino has heard that they are sold to resorts and hotels.

What is the CWC?

The Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) is a multi-partner, region-wide waterbird and wetland monitoring program led by BirdsCaribbean. The goal of this program is to learn more about the distribution, status, and abundance of waterbirds in the Caribbean in order to better conserve and manage these beautiful birds and their habitats.

Environmental Awareness Group in Antigua discussed the CWC and their record findings in a television interview.

The program also aims to increase awareness, build capacity (for example through training workshops), and engage communities and volunteers in wetland monitoring and conservation. Ultimately, we want to identify and ensure that as many important wetland sites as possible are protected, thus nurturing the many fascinating bird species that live in them.

Since the program began in 2010, dedicated bird enthusiasts have ventured into wetlands across the Caribbean to systematically survey all types of waterbirds (shorebirds, seabirds, wading birds, marshbirds, and waterfowl). The three-week regional counting period begins on January 14^th and ends on February 3^rd each year – just including World Wetlands Day (February 2^nd).

However, this is not a “once per year” event – you certainly don’t have to wait until January of 2020 to join the CWC. We collect data all year-round! To learn more about migration routes and important stopover sites, everyone is asked to count waterbirds as often as possible throughout the year, especially during migration periods in fall (August-November) and spring (March-May).

The CWC forms part of the International Waterbird Census (IWC) – the largest volunteer waterbird count in the world, organized by Wetlands International and now in its 53rd year. We are still relatively “new kids on the block,” but after ten years we are making valuable contributions to the knowledge base for these critical but often overlooked species.

The collected data is recorded on the newly designed eBird Caribbean online platform.

Any time you are counting birds in Caribbean wetlands, you can enter your data on eBird as a CWC Point Count or Traveling Count. Make sure to choose one of these protocols on “Observation Type” if using the eBird Mobile app (be sure to choose eBird Caribbean portal in your Settings), or on Step 2 of data entry on your laptop.

A rare American Wigeon (male) spotted by Lystra Culzac and Glenroy Games in St. Vincent. (photo by Lystra Culzac)

2019 CWC Survey team in the Dominican Republic – Kate Wallace, Maria Paulino and Daniel Mejia.

March 12, 2019

Registration is Open for The BirdsCaribbean 22nd International Conference July 25-29, 2019 in Guadeloupe

The Guadeloupe Woodpecker is endemic to Guadeloupe. (Photo by Frantz Delcroix)

Join us for the BirdsCaribbean 22nd International Conference, registration is now open! Please visit the conference website to register and to find information about field trips, travel support, accommodations and much more. The Call for Papers and opportunity to apply for Travel Support is also open (see below).

BirdsCaribbean and Parc National de la Guadeloupe have been working hard to put together a diverse, interesting, and relevant scientific program for the 2019 conference. And of course there is plenty of room for adventure and bird-watching in our pre, mid and post conference field trips. Hike a volcano or head to the waterfalls with chances to see Caribbean endemics like the Guadeloupe Woodpecker, Brown Trembler and Purple-throated Carib.

The conference theme is “Keeping Caribbean Birds Aloft.” “Keeping” implies that we, as a Caribbean community, are: 1) actively involved in the effort, and 2) working on ways to build resilience in the face of many challenges that Caribbean birds are facing. “Aloft” is an encouraging choice of words that reminds us what we’re all in this for – to see our Caribbean birds 1) in flight, 2) alive and well, 3) in their natural place, and 4) thriving.

To learn more about the amazing island that is hosting us this year, BirdsCaribbean Vice President Justin Proctor detailed his scouting trip to Guadeloupe here.

Brown Trembler photo by Anthony Levesque

Call for Papers & Travel Support

The Call for Papers is also open with a deadline for submission on April 15th. Thinking about submitting a talk or poster? Check out the themes/sessions at this year’s conference.

If you are in need of Travel Support to attend the conference, please visit this page and fill out the application form as soon as possible!

Travel to Guadeloupe is a bit challenging – we are encouraging everyone to register and sort out their flights as soon as possible – procrastination is not advised! We offer lots of great information and support for finding a flight on our Travel Logistics page.

Remember to check the conference website over time as information will continue to be added and updated. This includes plenary speakers, workshops, symposia, round-tables, and more.

See you in Guadeloupe! #BirdsCarib2019

The Purple-throated Carib is a spectacular Caribbean endemic. (Photo by Anthony Levesque)

The beautiful Scaly-breasted Thrasher is endemic to the Lesser Antilles. (Photo by Frantz Delcroix)

The Brown Trembler is endemic to the Lesser Antilles. (Photo by Frantz Delcroix)

Will you see this shy Forest Thrush in Guadeloupe this year? (Photo by Frantz Delcroix)

Spectacular natural features of Guadeloupe await. (Photo by Fabien Salles)

March 7, 2019

JCO Roundup: Volume 31 Describes Exciting Research from Nine Islands and Highlights Caribbean Endemics

Thank you to the Growing Editorial Team at JCO.

With the recent completion of The Journal of Caribbean Ornithology’s 31st volume, I would like to recognize the outstanding new team that has come together at the journal. Managing Editor Justin Proctor has done a tremendous job organizing a copy editing team that has helped us move manuscripts much more quickly and efficiently into production than ever before. This team includes Simon Campo, Holly Garrod, Dr. Alfredo Huerta, and Seth Inman. Their dedicated work made a major contribution to the diversity of articles published in Volume 31 and will ensure an increasingly timely publication model for JCO as we look forward to 2019’s Volume 32. Thanks to all!

On the production end, Doug Weidemann continues to do a painstaking job ensuring that all errors and formatting glitches are corrected before publication. Assisting Doug are two new Assistant Production Editors, Kyle Burnham and Jenifer Morgan-Davie. Special thanks to Doug for taking the time to work with Kyle and Jenifer as they learn the JCO production system! We also had the wonderful production assistance of Alice McBride on Volume 31. Although Alice is moving on to new career responsibilities that will not leave time for JCO work, we wanted to recognize all the hard work she put in to Volume 31, and wish her all the best! Please enjoy the Roundup of articles that follows, and know that this new team of JCO editors is looking forward to growing the journal, increasing our publication efficiency, and continuing to provide this valuable resource to the greater Caribbean community.

– Jason Townsend, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Caribbean Ornithology

1. **New documentation of pine forest nesting by the Critically Endangered Bahama Oriole (*Icterus northropi***)

Daniel C. Stonko, Lehron E. Rolle, Latia S. Smith, Alexis L. Scarselletta, Jennifer L. Christhilf, Michael G. Rowley, Shanna S. Yates, Shelley Cant-Woodside, Leslie Brace, Scott B. Johnson, Kevin E. Omland

Currently restricted to just Andros, the Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi) is of critical conservation concern. In this article, Stonko et al. present evidence that Bahama Orioles breed in and use pine forest extensively, altering the current approach to population estimates and conservation strategies.

2. Short-term fluctuations and long-term changes in the use of a tropical water reservoir by resident and migratory waterbirds in Jamaica

Stefan Bräger

Utilizing surveys of a man-made freshwater habitat, Bräger assesses the environmental factors influencing waterbird species abundance and composition in Jamaica. Additionally, he draws on four decades worth of observations to identify long-term trends in the waterbird population.

3. **A rare observation of White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris) breeding activity on Hispaniola**

Neil A. Gilbert, Michelle R.A. Eshleman, Amy E. Janik, Kiera L. Kauffman, Joshua B. LaPergola

With little known about the breeding status of White-collared Swifts (Streptoprocne zonaris) on Hispaniola, Gilbert et al. describe breeding behavior at a previously undocumented nesting site. Moreover, they urge the discovery and monitoring of additional nesting sites on the island to better understand behavior and population trends.

4. **First description of Ashy-faced Owl (Tyto glaucops) nest and first record of Ashy-faced Owl nesting in Palmchat (Dulus dominicus) nest on Hispaniola**

Marta Curti, Christine D. Hayes, Thomas I. Hayes, Misael Calcaño Silven

Little is known about the life history of the Ashy-faced Owl (Tyto glaucops), a Hispaniolan endemic. In this article, Curti et al. provide the first detailed description of an Ashy-faced Owl nest, providing vital information about the biology of this secretive species.

5. **Black-capped Petrel (Pterodroma hasitata) occurrence near Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles, 2001–2008**

Anthony Levesque, Pierre Yésou

Black-capped Petrel (Pterodroma hasitata) populations have experienced drastic decline and are currently considered endangered, though a small breeding population has been identified on Dominica. In this article, Levesque and Yésou present evidence of this population utilizing waters off the coast of Guadeloupe and call attention to the importance of these waters in conserving marine biodiversity.

6. **Flock size of West Indian Whistling-Ducks (Dendrocygna arborea) in Puerto Rico**

Nickolas S. Goodman, Jack C. Eitniear, James T. Anderson

Though West Indian Whistling Ducks (Dendrocygna arborea) have been declining in recent decades, Goodman et al. present promising survey data suggesting that the population size on Puerto Rico is larger than previously estimated.

7. **Distribution, population status, nesting phenology, and habitat of the West Indian Woodpecker (Melanerpes superciliaris nyeanus) on San Salvador Island, Bahamas**

Robert Miller, Jean Miller, Scott L. Findholt

San Salvador Island is home to a small population of West Indian Woodpeckers (Melanerpes superciliaris nyeanus), however little is known about this population. In this paper, Miller et al. confirm the presence of a single population of West Indian Woodpeckers and describe in detail their distribution, population estimate, nesting phenology, and habitat use.

8. Notable bird records from Hispaniola and associated islands, including four new species

Steven C. Latta, Pedro Genaro Rodríguez

As resources for bird-watching in Hispaniola have expanded, many new and vagrant species have been recorded. Here, Latta and Rodriguez provide detailed, formal observations of four previously unrecorded species and six vagrant species on Hispaniola and associated islands.

9. **New sightings of melanistic Green Herons (Butorides virescens) in the Caribbean suggest overlooked polymorphism**

Jacob R. Drucker, Ruth E. Bennett, Lila K. Fried, Mona L. Kazour, Darin J. McNeil

Color variation in Green Herons (Burorides virescens) has been poorly documented in the recent literature. Drucker et al. begin to fill this void by describing a melanistic morph and by discussing spatial color variation and polymorphism among erythristic individuals.

10. **Observations of territorial behavior of the Antillean Crested Hummingbird (Orthorhyncus cristatus) on St. Eustatius**

Joseph P. Shepherdson

In this article, Shepherdson analyzes observations of Antillean Crested Hummingbirds (Orthorhyncus cristatus) in three locations on St. Eustatius. Drawing on these observations, Shepherdson characterizes territoriality in the species and speculates on behavior differences between the sexes.

11. Seabird surveys of globally important populations in the British Virgin Islands

Susan Zaluski, Atoya George, Clive Petrivic, Judy Pierce, Nancy Woodfield-Pascoe, Louise Soanes

Zaluski et al. use survey data of Magnificent Frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) and Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) in the British Virgin Islands to assess current breeding populations. As a result of their data, they call attention to the importance of these surveys as well as conservation management practices for these species.

12. New avifaunal records and checklist for the island of Saba, Caribbean Netherlands

Michiel Boeken

With the last comprehensive species records for the island of Saba published in 1983, Boeken documents 31 new species on the island. Additionally, he provides updated breeding statuses of many avifaunal species.

13. **Atypical foraging habitat use by Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) in The Bahamas**

Scott Johnson, Pamela Loring, David Jones, Shannan Yates

Though Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) typically forage and roost in sand and mud flats, Johnson et al. document these shorebirds foraging amongst mangroves. As Piping Plovers are either Threatened or Endangered in the United States, this work sheds light on the importance of wetland habitats in conserving this species.

14. **Density and abundance of the Black-billed Streamertail (Trochilus polytmus scitulus) in eastern Jamaica**

Caroline D. Judy

After conducting point-count surveys in the John Crow and Blue Mountains, Judy presents population density and abundance estimates for the Black-billed Streamertail. Her data suggests reassuring news about the current population trends, but encourages further monitoring to better understand the species’ status.

15. **Nesting of the Puerto Rican Emerald (Chlorostilbon maugaeus) and a record of nestling parasitism by botflies (Philornis sp.)**

Spencer C. Schubert

In this article, Schubert thoroughly describes the reproductive biology of the Puerto Rican Emerald (Chlorostilbon maugaeus) after monitoring a nest for 29 days. Interestingly, he provides photographic evidence of botfly (Philornis sp.) parasitism of Puerto Rican Emerald nestlings, highlighting the threat of ectoparasitism to Caribbean birds.

16. Bird Checklist Guánica Biosphere Reserve Puerto Rico

Steven C. Latta

Here, Latta reviews the Bird Checklist Guánica Biosphere Reserve Puerto Rico, evaluating the utility and layout of the checklist as well as praising the rich biodiversity of the Guánica Biosphere Reserve.

Article by Simon Campo – Editor for the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology and a Researcher at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, CT. Connect with Simon via LinkedIn or email.

March 5, 2019

Shorebird Workshop Inspires Commitment to Conservation Across the Caribbean

February 21, 2019

Pepe, Fela, and the Puerto Rican Tody

Fela and Pepe, inseparable, on the search for Puerto Rican Todies.

Join Justin Proctor on his adventure to Puerto Rico where he was invited to help launch an exciting new book on one of the Caribbean’s most unique birds.

Everybody in Puerto Rico knows José (Pepe) González Díaz and Felisa (Fela) Collazo Torres in the same way: as a husband-wife team just as inseparable from each other as they are from their island’s natural landscapes. They wake up every day just as in love as when they met decades ago, and just as ready as they were the day before (and the day before that) to go out amidst their mountains, valleys, and rivers to discover something new…together. I’ve never met another couple like them. They are, like Puerto Rico, something beautifully special.

It is no hyperbole when I make the claim that Pepe and Fela have collectively spent tens of thousands of hours researching, photographing, filming, and producing educational materials about their island’s flora and fauna. It isn’t difficult to find their Aves Puerto Rico FelPe (Fela + Pepe) insignia on dozens of full length documentaries covering everything from endemic butterflies to birds. Their extensive YouTube channel is a good place to start your way down the rabbit hole. Keep in mind as you look through their material how much “behind the scenes” time and effort it takes to capture some of the high-quality, rare footage of many of the species that are featured. A 20-second shot of never before seen behaviors was likely the product of days, if not weeks, of time spent waiting and watching from within a cramped little blind.

Pepe and Fela’s trademark logo, involving a blend of both their names

A sampling of the multimedia filmed, edited, and produced by Pepe and Fela.

But beyond these invaluable pieces of work, Pepe and Fela are probably even better known for something else.

Todies.

For more than 15 years, they have consumed themselves with unravelling the story of the Todidae family. And the more they dug, the more they found. The Todidae family is unique for so many reasons, but perhaps the most obvious is that it is a small family of only five species, all of which are collectively endemic to the Greater Antilles. You’ll find one species in Cuba, one in Jamaica, two in Hispaniola, and one in Puerto Rico.

The Puerto Rican Tody, locally named San Pedrito, is one of the five tody species endemic to the Caribbean.

That’s it. They belong to the Caribbean and nowhere else.

Todies are also unlike any other birds that you’ll ever see, guaranteed, which makes them a major attraction for birders and photographers from all over the world. But don’t just take my word on it. Pick up a copy of Pepe and Fela’s coauthored book, La Raíz de las Antillas: La Historia de la Familia Todidae, which has certainly proven itself to be the most comprehensive historical account of these birds ever published. The book is now available on Amazon, and should find its way into the hands of any birder that has ever had the pleasure of spending (or longed to spend) a few moments with a tody.

The book does an excellent job of navigating readers through the last three-hundred years of documentation of the todies, and how so many people struggled to describe these birds for what they really were. Consistently confused with hummingbirds and oftentimes inaccurately illustrated, the todies weaved their way in and out of ornithological accounts as different birds almost every time. And so readers will quickly come to appreciate the detective work that Pepe and Fela have undertaken so as to guide us efficiently and accurately through the convoluted timeline of the todies. The late James W. Wiley summarized it well:

“The book is an important contribution to our knowledge of the family Todidae as well as a major contribution to Antillean ornithology in general. The authors’ exhaustive investigation and compelling presentation are an exceptional model for others to follow.”

Readers will also be quick to notice that the authors have interlaced an important message throughout their book: that their island’s tody species—the Puerto Rican Tody, or locally the San Pedrito—rightfully deserves a change of its scientific name, Todus mexicanus. Through their historical account of the species, Pepe and Fela make a clear case for changing T. mexicanus to T. portoricensis or T. borinquensis (the latter derived from “Borinquén”, the original Taíno name for Puerto Rico). Geographically speaking, this makes sense, because the Puerto Rican Tody has never touched foot in Mexico. And the reason for the misleading mexicanus species name has likely stemmed from just a quick moment of confusion that occurred in the late 1830s, when two tody specimens collected at two different localities were later misidentified and subsequently documented incorrectly.

However, the process of procuring a formal scientific name change through the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) can be a challenging one. Unfortunately, current taxonomy is rife with species that have geographically-misleading scientific names, and the ICZN does not usually address these cases. However, Pepe and Fela’s case has additional ground to stand on (read the book to find out!), and so they are continuing to push forward. For them, the name is important; the San Pedrito is as unique and beautiful as the island of Puerto Rico itself, and because of that, has limitless potential to grow into an icon of pride and stewardship for Puerto Ricans over their island’s rich biological diversity. But the tody and what it can signify loses power and influence when its name does not match the people that should care about it the most.

Pepe and Fela are on a mission to establish the San Pedrito’s taxanomic name as Todus portoricensis

Over the last couple of years, La Raíz de las Antillas (for short) has been enhanced and amplified through a series of revisions and new editions. It was in early 2018 that Pepe and Fela reached out to BirdsCaribbean, and ultimately our Journal of Caribbean Ornithology (JCO) editorial team, to see if we’d be willing to help proofread and copy-edit the first full-length English edition, appropriately titled, The Root of the Antilles: A History of the Todidae Family. One of the JCO’s best editors, Alice McBride, decided to take it on. She did such an outstanding job of cleaning the grammar that Pepe was compelled to go back to the original Spanish edition and make some changes. As the Managing Editor of the JCO, I was excited to see us involved with the future of the book, while equally interested in seeing how the collaboration could grow over time. A few months later, the opportunity came in the form of an invite from Pepe and Fela for us to attend the much-awaited, public release of their book scheduled for the 8^th of December in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico.

One of the perks of being employed by a non-profit are the (sometimes) flexible hours. With the rest of the BirdsCaribbean and JCO crew tied up with “work,” I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to fly down and represent us. It was a chance to see Puerto Rico for the first time, be hosted personally by Pepe and Fela, and see my fifth and final tody species. Done deal, sign me up! The hospitality I received and the fun I had over just a short five days on the island is worthy of its own full-length account. But in short, it was spectacular, and one of those trips where the puzzle pieces all just come together perfectly, over and over again. From spending afternoons with the Puerto Rican Parrots in El Yunque and the shorebirds in Cabo Rojo, to sipping a fresh cup of mountain coffee while seeing my first San Pedrito at La Mocha, to squeezing in a grand-finale sunset from the Arecibo Observatory (eat your hearts out James Bond fans), I had no choice but to fall in love with Puerto Rico (it would have been easy despite).

Casa Pueblo in Adjuntas, PR made for the perfect venue to celebrate Pepe and Fela’s coauthored book, The Root of the Antilles_A History of the Todidae Family

Through all of that, it was the day of Pepe and Fela’s book release that took me most by surprise. Looking back, I’m not sure what I originally expected to unfold, but it was definitely second-rate to the magnitude of what greeted me. The event was hosted by Casa Pueblo. My best attempt at describing this organization is by saying that they’re engaged with absolutely every initiative that a community needs and wants, and they’re doing it right. An hour before the ceremony was going to take place, the venue’s auditorium that could comfortably seat 75 people was overflowing into every open space available. Among the crowd were members of the Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña (SOPI), passionate birders, wildlife photographers, professors, school groups, and a myriad of community members. Everyone was excited about Pepe, Fela, the todies, and the great success story surrounding all three. Bands played, beautiful presentations and speeches were made, handmade gifts were given, and food and drink were shared—it was a true celebration, filled with friendship and pride.

The invitation we all received was for a book release, but anyone attending would agree that what actually transpired was an opportunity for Puerto Rico to show its gratitude to Pepe and Fela for all they had done, and continue to do, for the people and wildlife of the island they love. I consider myself lucky and fortunate to have been a part of that truly special day.

The story of the Puerto Rican Tody can no longer be told without the addition of Pepe and Fela, nor can their personal story be told without the tody. I hope that everyone reading this gets a chance to meet all three of them. In the meantime, while the winter days are short and cold, brush up on your tody history by picking up a copy of The Root of the Antilles: A History of the Todidae Family. And by doing so, you’ll be supporting all of the great work and forward progress that it stands for.

2019-2020 Awards Now Open!

But wait! What if you are not eligible to apply for funds, you ask? You can still support this worthy cause by being a sponsor!

What can we do about plastic?

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Here’s a recap and another shoutout to all of our 2019 Award Winners:

Buy the Book:

Interview with the Authors:

How did you first become interested in birds and birding?

Where did you go from there, did you decide to become ornithologists?

How did you first end up in the Grenadines?

What made you decide to create this field guide?

What was your favorite part about the 7 years you spent working on the book?

What work are you still involved with in the Grenadines?

The Need for Clean, Fresh Water

Our Experience With Major Hurricanes

Delivering Hope

Mobilizing for the Restoration

The Grand Prize is “Mango Delight”

Other Amazing Prizes

Make Your Shorebirds Count—Submit Your Data!

Participate in the International Shorebird Survey (ISS)!

Banded Birds

All About Birds – and People

Challenges, Solutions, Optimism

The passion continues to flow

What’s Special about the New CBT Website

It’s a Work in Progress, and We Love Our Partners!

The CBT…More than Site Promotion

And There’s More…

Have you taken a look at the BirdsCaribbean YouTube channel lately?

With Deep Gratitude

The Community is Key

How Are the New Releases Doing?

Learning More About the Guaraguaíto

The Future Looks Brighter, Thanks to Support!

Of Tents, Tarps, and Old Friends

Revisiting Old Haunts, Meeting the Barbudans, and Lobster Wraps for Lunch

The Frigatebird Revival

Connecting with Barbudans of All Ages

A New Airport Raises Concerns

Thank you to our Partners!

Dearest delegates and potential delegates far and wide,

Ok, with the paperwork behind us, let’s give you a glimpse of what we’ve been putting together!

Restoring Habitat through World Migratory Bird Day Cleanups

Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation

Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Harvest Workshop

284 bird species have been observed in Guadeloupe, including 81 nesting species reported since the year 2000.

Guadeloupe hosts 8 bird species that are endemic to the Lesser Antilles, 5 species that are endemic to the Lesser Antilles + Puerto Rico, and 1 species entirely endemic to Guadeloupe – the Guadeloupe Woodpecker.

Caribbean Species Continue to Face Serious Challenges

Christopher Cox and the Imperial Parrot of Dominica

“Mango Delight” – a Vibrant Work That Expresses Joy

A Third Saint Lucia Artist Has Stepped Up

Let the Bidding Begin!

A Little Friendly Competition

How Do I Participate?

The following birthday announcement is brought to you by…

and…

Loving shout-outs, warm well-wishes, and funny anecdotes from your friends around the Caribbean and beyond:

What can we do about plastic?

Killer Trash

Be the Solution

Is that a Least Sandpiper or a Western?

Detectives of Discovery

Inclusive for all Avian Investigators

Gumshoes Achieving Goals

Encouraging Numbers

Exciting Discoveries

Future CWC Surveyors in the Making

Disturbing Events

What is the CWC?

Call for Papers & Travel Support

1. New documentation of pine forest nesting by the Critically Endangered Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi)

2. Short-term fluctuations and long-term changes in the use of a tropical water reservoir by resident and migratory waterbirds in Jamaica

3. A rare observation of White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris) breeding activity on Hispaniola

4. First description of Ashy-faced Owl (Tyto glaucops) nest and first record of Ashy-faced Owl nesting in Palmchat (Dulus dominicus) nest on Hispaniola

5. Black-capped Petrel (Pterodroma hasitata) occurrence near Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles, 2001–2008

6. Flock size of West Indian Whistling-Ducks (Dendrocygna arborea) in Puerto Rico

7. Distribution, population status, nesting phenology, and habitat of the West Indian Woodpecker (Melanerpes superciliaris nyeanus) on San Salvador Island, Bahamas

8. Notable bird records from Hispaniola and associated islands, including four new species

1. **New documentation of pine forest nesting by the Critically Endangered Bahama Oriole (*Icterus northropi***)

3. **A rare observation of White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris) breeding activity on Hispaniola**

4. **First description of Ashy-faced Owl (Tyto glaucops) nest and first record of Ashy-faced Owl nesting in Palmchat (Dulus dominicus) nest on Hispaniola**

5. **Black-capped Petrel (Pterodroma hasitata) occurrence near Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles, 2001–2008**

6. **Flock size of West Indian Whistling-Ducks (Dendrocygna arborea) in Puerto Rico**

7. **Distribution, population status, nesting phenology, and habitat of the West Indian Woodpecker (Melanerpes superciliaris nyeanus) on San Salvador Island, Bahamas**

9. **New sightings of melanistic Green Herons (Butorides virescens) in the Caribbean suggest overlooked polymorphism**

10. **Observations of territorial behavior of the Antillean Crested Hummingbird (Orthorhyncus cristatus) on St. Eustatius**

13. **Atypical foraging habitat use by Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) in The Bahamas**

14. **Density and abundance of the Black-billed Streamertail (Trochilus polytmus scitulus) in eastern Jamaica**

15. **Nesting of the Puerto Rican Emerald (Chlorostilbon maugaeus) and a record of nestling parasitism by botflies (Philornis sp.)**