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| Wilson's Plover's |
Devotion is a word the religious use to describe a profound dedication to observance. In my world i am profoundly devoted to observing the wondrous life of birds. In honor of this observance myself and a partner joined fearless birders all across the Caribbean this past week to collect information about the birds that inhabit our wetlands.
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| Wilson's Plovers hiding |
The Caribbean Waterbird Census collects data that is used to create programs for monitoring, protection and conservation of all birds that either live in the islands or pass through on migration. These places are amazing in their own right and are cherished by birds and humans alike.
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| Smooth-billed Ani |
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| Smooth-billed Ani |
Birds go to the beach too and the wetlands that provide protection for us from storms also provide nourishment and shelter for the birds. The mud and tidal flats that can provide food for birds and humans also contributes to local economies by being great birding spots for tourists.
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| Yellow-crowned Night Heron |
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| American Kestrel |
Through the regional collection of data the Caribbean Waterbird Census is able to “learn more about the distribution, status, and abundance of waterbirds in the Caribbean in order to improve science-based conservation planning and management of these beautiful birds and their habitats. The group aims to increase awareness, build capacity, and engage non-governmental organizations, government agencies, communities, and volunteers in wetland monitoring and conservation. Ultimately, they want to identify and ensure that as many important wetland sites as possible are conserved and monitored.”
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| Hope the Whimbrel |
As more and more islands have become developed the wetlands are being reduced in size leaving precious few areas for the birds to use. Not only are their feeding grounds being destroyed the impact of invasive species, hunting, and sea level rise due to global climate change impacts their survival. As their source of food diminishes and their refueling stops get eaten up by development their numbers also decrease.
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| Common Gallinule |
By opening the eyes of island residents birders and scientists hope to try and protect the habitats these birds need to survive.
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| Little Blue Heron shaking out its feathers |
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| Little Blue Heron back to normal |
Birds are breathtaking. Not only are they uplifting through just the casual sighting, they have managed to entice millions of birders all over the world to express jubilant excitement when a new bird no one has seen drops in. For the most inexperienced birder to the old die-hard birds never cease to amaze. Once you are hooked it is very difficult not to notice them every day of your life.
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| American Oystercatcher |
St. Croix has a lovely variety that changes during migration. If you haven’t had the opportunity to observe birds it is never too late. You can start at your own house by spending as little as 5 minutes a day learning the birds that use your yard. Take a chair and sit outside with a pair of binoculars. Use a notepad to jot down what you saw and if you are really enthusiastic get yourself an account at ebird.org and contribute to the science of bird distribution.
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| Pearly-eyed Thrasher |
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| Green Heron |
i guarantee that if you spend any time at all watching birds you will never stop watching birds.
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| Bananaquit |
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| Antillean Bullfinch female |
See ya next week
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