What a year it was.

The 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season was a bitter and painful one for sections of the Eastern Caribbean – in particular during the peak month of September, when Hurricanes Irma and Maria raged through several islands. Some Caribbean nations were still not fully back on their feet as June 1 ushered in the start of the 2018 season.

Everyday life was turned upside down on more than a dozen islands – and that included their precious birds. BirdsCaribbean came to the rescue, with all speed, to help partners and birds struggling to cope in the aftermath of the storms. Stories poured in of pigeons and doves standing in the road, weak, dazed and exposed; hummingbirds trying to feed on brightly-colored pieces of trash since no flowers were left; and surviving parrots descending into towns from the forest in search of food. The birds were as traumatized as many of the islands’ human residents.

Food, Glorious Food

Food was the most immediate need. BirdsCaribbean sprang into action, reaching out to U.S-based bird feed suppliers, who responded generously. Lizzie Mae Bird Seed donated 5 tons of bird seed. Classic Brands, Songbird Essentials, Freeport Wild Bird Supply and Aspects Inc., among others, donated high quality nectar feeders and nectar concentrate or provided them at a discount.

The needs were great, so BirdsCaribbean started a fundraising campaign on MightyCause (formerly Razoo). “Over 500 amazing donors from around the world responded to the call for help and we raised about US$126,000,” said Executive Director Lisa Sorenson. “We used some funds to buy and ship the bird feed supplies, but follow up work is equally important; most of the funds have been used to award grants to partners for hurricane restoration activities.”

It was an enormous task. In total, BirdsCaribbean, along with partners, volunteers and with the support of generous donors, coordinated shipments of 4,201 nectar feeders; 5 tons of bird seed; 1,850 bottles of nectar concentrate; and 100 tube feeders. These supplies were delivered to no less than 18 islands or countries impacted by one or both hurricanes.

From Miami to the Islands

The logistics were complex and time-consuming. Using five different sea freight companies — Tropical Shipping, Four Star Cargo, ECU Worldwide, Hassle Free Shipping, and King Ocean Services — BirdsCaribbean battled with seemingly endless paperwork, customs forms, emails and phone calls to arrange the multi-island shipments. Volunteers in Miami (where FEMA kindly provided temporary storage) worked hard. Some shipments had to be sorted and repacked. Thanks to their efforts, the items reached each island within a few days of leaving Miami. On each island, they were cleared and unpacked by our amazing Caribbean partners, who worked hard at the receiving end. Despite a number of ports being either damaged or overloaded with relief supplies, our shipments got through. Truly, it was a labour of love by all!

Then, the distribution began, with numerous non-governmental organisations, government agencies and volunteers pitching in to help on the ground. All held giveaway events in the weeks and months after the hurricanes. Many schools also received feeders.

The response to the outreach events was heart-warming. Many island residents realized for the first time how important their birds were, and learned to love them. Despite struggling with their own post-hurricane problems (no roof, for example, or lack of utilities such as electricity and water) the islanders were delighted to help their hungry birds, who flocked to the feeders and quickly emptied them.

Bringing Hope and Happiness to Birds and Humans

Hurricane Maria transformed the landscape on the once lush island of Dominica. Colleagues at the Forestry Department struggled to recover, after losing much of their infrastructure and equipment. Director of Forestry, Wildlife and Parks MInchinton Burton thanked BirdsCaribbean for their donation of field equipment and bird feed: “Your very timely and generous support assisted us in being able to respond in a tangible manner to some of the urgent needs of the birds, particularly our two endemic parrot species, whose habitat and food sources were severely impacted by this monstrous storm.”

The U.S. Virgin Islands suffered considerable damage to bird habitats, as well as infrastructure. The supplies were welcomed with open arms. On St. John, Phyllis Benton and Sybille Sorrentino from VI Ecotours reported on the distribution of supplies in Cruz Bay and Coral Bay: “People love them!! They’re so excited to be able to do something immediately helpful for the birds. Thank you and the group again so much for…bringing a little happiness and hope.” They noted “many hungry hummingbirds and Bananaquits at feeders!”

On St. Thomas, Renata Platenberg, Assistant Professor of Natural Resources Management at the University of the Virgin Islands expressed it well: “From the ocean to the sky, the natural world is struggling to cope in the aftermath of the storms.” She noted that residents were anxious to help birds such as the Scaly-Naped Pigeon, which were “largely unable to find any food and so they’ve just been collapsing where they stand.” She noted the importance of this species, which feeds on fruit. This species is critical for seed dispersal and thus the revival of the forests. In many ways, the supplies that followed the storm brought people closer to nature. One St. Thomas family put up feeders by the window. “The grandmother sits and watches the birds all day long, and it makes her so happy,” said Professor Platenberg.

Caribbean Youth Get to Know (and Feed) the Birds

The donations increased Caribbean citizens’ bird knowledge and conservation awareness. One young Anguillan, first-former Tahena Polanco-Hodge, was enthusiastic: “I was so excited to set up the hummingbird feeder. We had hummingbirds visiting our backyard before the hurricane but had hardly seen any after. But my mom and I put our feeder up and we’ve already had six hummingbirds flying around it and feeding from it!”

On Tahena’s island, the give-away of 200 hummingbird feeders, nectar concentrate and over 350 pounds of bird seed sparked tremendous interest, noted Executive Director of the Anguilla National Trust Farah Mukhida. “The island’s birds now have a much higher profile,” said Ms. Mukhida, with residents dropping by her office to talk to her about their bird sightings.

In Guadeloupe, BirdsCaribbean partner AMAZONA collaborated with garden suppliers Jardiland, distributing feeders at Abymes Town Hall. This was a valuable opportunity to teach schoolchildren greater environmental awareness.

Appreciating the Beauty of Nature in Puerto Rico

In hard-hit Puerto Rico, BirdsCaribbean’s shipments brought hope and a degree of comfort. Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña Inc (SOPI) worked hard to provide hummingbird feeders for at least 27 municipalities. SOPI’s major partner was Para La Naturaleza, whose properties served as distribution centers. “These feeders were not only beneficial to the birds but also the people that could find a little solace in the beauty of nature,” mused SOPI’s Nathaniel González. “In these trying times we can always turn to nature to know that everything shall pass and that we can look forward for a better future,” he added.

“There is no doubt that the feeders and seed provided a boost to many native birds,” commented Sorenson. “This helped them survive a serious food shortage. The birds, in turn, lifted people’s spirits and brought them closer to nature.”

A Huge “Thank You!”

Post-hurricane assistance was a monumental effort coordinated by BirdsCaribbean. It was only made possible by close teamwork and collaboration across the region with literally hundreds of partners, donors and volunteers, including governments, non-governmental organisations and businesses.

We are tremendously grateful to all those who supported our effort (see a partial list of companies and organizations below). However, the work is not over! Recovery projects and surveys are ongoing, taking place across the region with BirdsCaribbean’s financial support, thanks to all the donors. You can still donate to this effort by clicking here.  Further updates will follow.

Last but not least, the birds were thankful for the lifeline, too!

We invite you to enjoy the gallery of photos below. Hover over each photo to see the caption or click on the first photo to see a slide show. See our acknowledgments below.

Blue-headed Hummingbirds are found only on Dominica and Martinique (Photo by Paul Reillo)

A Bullfinch at a feeder made by the Forestry Dept. in Cabrits National Park, Dominica.

Volunteers in Puerto Rico ready to distribute feeders and bird seed.

Antillean Crested Hummingbird trying to get nectar from a brightly colored piece of trash in St. Martin following Hurricane Irma. There were no flowers available for weeks following the storm. (photo by Mark Yokoyama)

Principal Ellis and students of Bethel Methodist School with feeders in St. Eustatius. (Photo by Hannah Madden)

Feeder giveaway in St. Maarten. (Photo by Binkie)

The Scaly-naped Pigeon is one of the many species of pigeons and doves that benefitted from the bird seed. (Photo by Canter Photography)

Boxes of bird feeders arrive in St. Thomas, USVI. (Photo by Renata Platenberg)

Setting up the bird feeding stations in Dominica.

Bamboo feeding station installed at Cabrits National Park, Dominica.

Zenaida Dove- one of many doves and pigeons helped with bird seed. (Photo by Ted Eubanks)

Pallets of bird seed wrapped and ready for shipping! (photo by Judd Patterson)

Recipients learned how to clean and fill feeders in St. Martin. (Photo by Mark Yokoyama)

Volunteers on the ground in Puerto Rico. (Photo by Para la Naturaleza)

Forest Ranger Eugene explains the importance of bird feeders to students in Dominica.

Feeder giveaway in Anguilla. (Photo by Farah Mukhida)

Students hang up bird feeders in Barbuda. (Photo by John Mussington)

Princlpe and students from the Tete Morne Primary in Dominica with their bird feeders.

Feeder giveaway in St. John, US Virgin Islands.

Adult Eared Dove with chick in Grenada – Mt. Hartman Estate. (Photo by Greg Homel)

School students in Barbuda prepare seed and nectar for the birds. (Photo by John Mussington)

Para la Naturaleza staff in Puerto Rico were happy to receive bird feeders.

Feeder giveaway in Guadeloupe. (Photo by Eric Delcroix)

Forest Ranger Eugene demonstrates to the students of the Morne Prosper Primary School in Dominica how to set up the bird feeders.

St Thomas US Virgin Islands feeder giveaway. (photo by Renata Platenberg)

Volunteers Raul (left) and Craig (right organize 25 pound bags of bird seed to go to different islands. (photo by Judd Patterson)

Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña Inc (SOPI) volunteers distribute feeders in Puerto Rico.

Zenaida Dove (photo by Glenroy Blanchette)

A Pearly-eyed Thrasher visits a feeder in Dominica.

Bird feeding station in Dominica. Thanks to the Forestry Dept for making these awesome feeders!

By Emma Lewis, writer and social media activist, member of BirdsCaribbean’s Media Working Group.

BirdsCaribbean is extremely grateful to the following companies and organizations for providing funding and/or in-kind donations for our “Operation Feeder Rescue” Project; thanks also to many individual donors to our Hurricane Relief Fund and to our many partners and volunteers in the U.S. and across the Caribbean islands.

Lizzie Mae’s Bird Seed, Classic Brands Bird Feeders, Songbird Essentials, WildSide Nature Tours, Freeport Wild Bird Supply, Carefree Birding, Tropical Shipping, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap, NozoMojo Tours & Arts for Nature Conservation, American Bird Conservancy, Bermuda Audubon Society, US Forest Service International Programs, JSP Family Foundation, Markel Corporation, Bermuda Audubon and the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Warehouse in Miami.