Protect Seabirds in the Caribbean

A seabird identification workshop in the remote islands of the Grenadines archipelago helped to increase the capacity of law enforcement to protect regionally and globally important seabird populations. The two-day training enabled the six participants to identify species in the field and learn about the unique characteristics and adaptations of seabirds to this often-harsh marine environment. They were also familiarized with local conservation threats, particularly aspects they may encounter in their work, such as poaching.

This training is a follow-up from our earlier Drone Training Course in St. Vincent and the Grenadines facilitated by Conservation Drones. During that training course, participants recognized that, in order to effectively monitor and protect seabirds and other wildlife, they needed a working knowledge of seabirds. A seabird training workshop was therefore proposed, where trainees would be given the opportunity to learn about and observe, first hand, seabirds of the Grenadines.

Day one of the workshop featured presentations and discussions on the local seabirds and focused on the key field marks used to identify them. While most participants had seen the more common seabirds such as the Laughing Gull and Brown Booby, they were amazed at the variety found locally and the subtle differences used to tell several apart. They also learned how to use data entry forms and in the afternoon went to a coastal area to test their skills in real life.

The second day found the team in a fishing vessel heading out to remote islands where seabirds nest. They were treated to hundreds of boobies surrounding their boat as well as frigatebirds and many other species.  One Coast Guard Officer, being surprised at the number of different seabirds, commented “I often saw all these seabirds while at sea and thought they were all the same.  I never realized that there were so many different species.”

Participants left with a greater appreciation of the unique adaptations and diversity of our local seabirds, opening up a new way to see these remarkable masters of sea and sky, and a better understanding of the conservation threats they may encounter.

You can help support work like this during the upcoming Bonus Day on July 20. During this special event, donations of $100 USD and up will be matched and the higher the donation, the higher the match! We'll be sending out reminders so you can be sure to take part. Thank you for your support!

Links:

• Website for Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC)