Birds: they are outside your home, they are in the pond you pass on your daily commute, and they are in the sky while you are at the beach. They are everywhere. Now is your chance to learn who they are and what they are doing.
Local organization Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) [1] will be celebrating International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) [2] during the month of October starting with a free Bird Walk for the public this Saturday, in addition to school presentations and a public Bird Course. International Migratory Bird Day is celebrated throughout the Americas and aims to raise awareness of the incredible phenomenon of the migration of millions of bird representing hundreds of species, the true snowbirds, which travel between North America, the Caribbean, and South America. The Caribbean region-wide event is coordinated by the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds (SCSCB)[3]. This year's theme is "Go Wild, Go Birding" and encourages the public to get out and learn about our feathered neighbors.
Approximately 350 species of birds that breed in North America migrate each year to spend the winter in Latin America and the Caribbean. As a group they are referred to as Neotropical migratory birds, and they include many species of songbirds, hawks, egrets, and ducks, among other well-known groups. Additionally a smaller number of species migrate from South America into the Caribbean to breed during the summer. The Caribbean therefore shares these species with North and South America, and many spend the greater portion of each year on our islands (up to 9 months annually) compared to the time they spend outside of the region. Because most birds migrate primarily during the night, their epic movements, though frequently spectacular in numbers, are often unnoticed by the public.
"There have been many exciting discoveries during our decade of research on the birds of St. Maarten/St. Martin," noted Natalia Collier [4], President of EPIC, "such as observing species never before recorded on the island." However, she also remarked on the rapid destruction of habitat, particularly wetlands, that these amazing migrants depend upon for resting and feeding during their long flights. Collier continued "Birds can serve as ambassadors for these wetlands, they are beautiful, often easy to see, and can indicate if an ecosystem is healthy or not."
In fact, the long-term survival of about a third of these migratory species is of concern because of sustained declines in their populations over recent decades. "There are just much fewer numbers of even some of the more common and well-known species now relative to their numbers a few decades ago," remarked Dr. Lisa Sorenson [5], President of the SCSCB at the launch of the festival.
In response to these unsettling trends the United States government passed the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act in 2000. Under the Act matching grants of approximately U.S. 5 million dollars to support public-private partnerships for projects, in the North and Latin America, and the Caribbean, that promote the long-term conservation of Neotropical migratory birds and their habitats are issued annually. "Because we are dealing with birds that change the country in which they live twice a year, every year, both local, regional, and international partnerships are essential components of any conservation effort," added Sorenson.
A Migratory Birds of the West Indies coloring book, stickers, and temporary tattoos will be distributed by EPIC during school presentations and other events and are available upon request. To schedule a school presentation contact EPIC's Environmental Education Specialist Ms. Emily Ice at (599) 545-3009.
This Saturday October 1st, the public is encouraged to join EPIC volunteer Ronald Pieters at 8 a.m. at Salines d'Orient (Le Galion) for a free guided Bird Walk to learn more about the species which visit our island and those that stay all year-long. Thanks to a generous donation by Birder's Exchange, binoculars and spotting scopes will be available but bring your own if you have them. Long pants are suggested. Meet near the Butterfly Farm. This easy walk will be about one hour and can be extended for those wishing to see more.
EPIC will also be offering a free birding course to help nature lovers identify birds in the field by learning the markings and calls of the varied birds that live on or visit Sint Maarten. The focus of the course is to identify the various types of birds and what type of habitat they use, such as wetlands, coastal, scrub and forest. The course will consist of two evenings of presentations on bird basics from 7-9 pm and three field trips to various habitats from 8-10 am on Saturdays.
For more information on the Bird Walk or Bird Course contact Ronald Pieters at (599) 520-8538.
To view reports and photos of from IMBD in the Caribbean and in North America, for downloadable IMBD resources, and for updates on ongoing and planned activities, kindly visit the website of Environmental Protection in the Caribbean: www.epicislands.org, the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds: www.scscb.org, and Environment for the Americas: www.birdday.org.
