MONITORING WATERBIRDS IN SAINT LUCIA and THE CARIBBEAN

the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds (SCSCB)

Lyndon JohnDepartment of Forestry

Ministry of Sustainable Development, EnergyScience and Technology (MSDEST)

ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES/ WESTERN HEMISPHEREMIGRATORY SPECIES INITIATIVE PROJECTPROJECT PO#259197

GOAL • To promote greater appreciation for biodiversity through

conservation and protection of waterbirds and wetland habitats in Saint Lucia, and to support the Caribbean Waterbird Census programme

  OBJECTIVES • To establish a national waterbird monitoring programme by

January 2011 • To increase awareness among community groups, schools, and

policy makers on the importance of waterbirds and wetlands in Saint Lucia

Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival Awareness Activities• Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival Exhibition – Aimed at increasing awareness of the

importance and value of birds and their habitats• Although this activity was not specifically listed in the original programme, it was seen as

crucial to supporting the cause of waterbirds and their habitats• Two separate exhibition held over a 7 day period; One exhibition lasted for 5 days;

Exhibition two held over two days• Exhibition featured the work of two prominent bird enthusiasts and conservationists• 15 bird species were featured; One major feature was the Caribbean Coot – water bird• There were photo displays of Saint Lucian and Caribbean endemics; photos were used to

create posters• Targeted general public, particularly schools (mostly primary schools and 1 secondary

school)• Press releases were done• The Various media houses (HTS – Helen Television System, Daher Broadcasting System,

Radio St. Lucia) covered the event • Radio programme with Radio St. Lucia• Staff of Forestry were guest on a 2 hour calling programme dubbed “The Agenda”.• Topic was, St. Lucia Birds and their habitats• The discussion centred on the various groups of birds and the importance of their habitat

• Training Workshop

– One workshop was held to train field surveyors on the field protocols for surveying water birds. The workshop was held over a 2-day period. comprised of only lectures, with question and answer sessions. These lectures gave background on the development of the Caribbean Waterbird Census, Monitoring tools and methodology, Data recording, Site inventory and logistics, and techniques for identifying waterbirds.

– A small competition was also held at the end of day one with the entire class being divided into groups. The focus was on identifying birds

– The lecture sessions comprised mostly of power point presentations downloaded from the SCSCB’s website and additional presentations featuring the private work of the facilitators

– Day two, started with a briefing and review of bird ID techniques followed by a 3 hour field period at the Eau Piquant Pond familiarizing with the field equipment, practicing bird counting methods, learning to id birds, and data recording.

– There were 13 participants, 8 of which were members of the nearby communities. The other 5 were staff of the Saint Lucia Department of Forestry

– Field surveyors exhibited different levels of competence from those who scarcely knew anything about waterbirds, to a few who were able to identify the species very convincingly

SCSCB Caribbean Waterbird Census(CWC) Monitoring Training Workshop

23 - 27 February 2011Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES/ WESTERN HEMISPHEREMIGRATORY SPECIES INITIATIVE PROJECTPROJECT PO#259197

• The original target with OAS WHMSI funding was ‐to bring 10 persons to the workshop. Additional funds were requested and received from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, US Forest Service, and Optics for the Tropics and others that enabled us to bring an additional 12 participants to the workshop making a total of 22participants.

• The funding provided by OAS/WHMSI was more than matched by cash and in kind donations to the ‐project by third parties.

• Two officers of the Forestry Department; Alwin Dornelly and Adams Toussaint received training between the two regional workshops

• Wetlands conservation education workshop conducted by the SCSCB in partnership with the Ministry of Education.

• Training provided to teachers from the Secondary and primary school level islandwide

• Field activities and class room techniques provided at two workshops

THANK YOU!