SOCIETY FOR THE CONSERVATION AND STUDY OF CARIBBEAN BIRDS

SOCIETY FOR THE CONSERVATION AND STUDY OF CARIBBEAN BIRDS Fifth Edition of the CARIBBEAN ENDEMIC BIRD FESTIVAL 2006 REPORT 22 April-22 May 2006 Report prepared by Sheylda N. Díaz-Méndez Coordinator, Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival PO Box 2329 Utuado, Puerto Rico 00641 Phone (787) 458-5406 E-mail: otoarina77@yahoo.com CEBF 2006 Final Report FIFTH CARIBBEAN ENDEMIC BIRD FESTIVAL BACKGROUND The Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival is a celebration of the region’s unique bird life: an impressive 25% of the 560 species of birds within the region are found nowhere else in the world. The monthlong annual Festival, an initiative of the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds (SCSCB), aims to draw attention to the region’s unusually high rate of endemism in bird species and to increase public awareness of the importance and value of wild birds, their habitats, and the wider Caribbean environment. The Festival, which runs from April 22nd, "Earth Day," until May 22nd, "International Biodiversity Day," is celebrated through a wide range of activities such as presentations and workshops on local birds, nature walks, exhibitions of bird paintings, and photographs by schoolchildren and artists, arts and crafts, ecology games, planting of native trees that provide fruit for birds, wetland clean-ups, and the distribution of brochures, posters, t-shirts, and coloring books on birds. The activities, organized locally by volunteer coordinators, provide an opportunity for citizens and schoolchildren to learn about and enjoy their local birds. In 2006, the SCSCB celebrated the fifth edition of the Festival. The annual Festival has grown every year since it was launched in 2002 and a large network of NGOs, institutions, and government agencies now participates. Participation in the festival continues to grow each year (see Figure 1): 1,000 persons participated in the first festival in 2002; in 2006, 20,322 persons participated in 260 activities in 11 countries. 24,000 20,000 No. of Participants 16,000 12,000 8,000 4,000 0 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Year Figure 1. Number of People Participating in the CEBF from 2002 to 2006 2 CEBF 2006 Final Report PUBLICITY Each country used their own press release or adapted a general media release prepared by Leo Douglas (Chair, SCSCB Media Working Group). The media release was also sent to SCSCB’s listserve and all coordinators and it was posted on SCSCB’s webpage (http://www.scscb.org). A media release was also posted on BirdLife International’s webpage (http://Caribbean.Birdlife.org). Each country’s festival was posted at the International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) website (www.birdday.org) individually, with their dates, activities and coordinator’s contact information. This helped any person planning a visit to the area using the IMBD Caribbean map to schedule the trip accordingly during each CEBF. GRANTS AWARDED BY BIRDLIFE WITH FUNDS FROM UNEP-GEF A total of $3,000 was awarded to 7 countries in 8 small grants. A small grant proposal form was sent to every coordinator of the CEBF through e-mail and the SCSCB List Serve. We received 8 applications and each was evaluated according to necessity of funds and planned activities. Table 1 provides a summary of the small grants awarded to each organization. Table 1. Summary of small grants awarded to Caribbean organizations for the 2006 Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (grant provided to SCSCB from BirdLife International (UNEP-GEF grant funds). Country Bahamas Cuba Dominica Dominican Republic Jamaica Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Saint Thomas Total ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thanks to Leo Douglas (SCSCB) for preparing a regional CEBF press release and David Wege (BirdLife International) for the coordination of UNEP-GEF small grant funds. Susan Bonfield (Partners in Flight) distributed posters of the International Migratory Bird Day to Puerto Rico and great bird buddy bands, stickers, tattoos and magazines. Lisa Sorenson assisted with proposal review and writing of reports. Adrianne Tossas provided much helpful advice. Special thanks go to all coordinators for their outstanding volunteer work! Award US$ 300 500 500 400 400 150 350 400 3,000 Coordinator/Organization Lynn Gape/ Bahamas National Trust Antonio Rodríguez/ Universidad de la Habana Arlington James/ Dominica Pedro Genaro/ Sociedad Ornitológica Hispaniolajk Maureen Milbourn/ Jamaica Environmental Trust Liza Guzmán/ Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña (SOPI) Ana Trujillo/ Casa Pueblo Jim Corven/ University of the Virgin Islands 3 CEBF 2006 Final Report ACTIVITIES HELD IN EACH ISLAND/COUNTRY A total of 20,322 persons participated in 260 activities held in 11 countries. See details below and a summary in Table 2 at the end of the report. 1. Anguilla Sponsoring organization: Anguilla National Trust (www.axanationaltrust.org) Coordinator: Farah Mukhida (antpam@anguillanet.com) Activities: Not reported this year. 2. Bahamas Sponsoring organization: Bahamas National Trust (BNT) (http://www.thebahamasnationaltrust.org/index.html) Coordinators: Predensa Moore (denmor@coralwave.com) and Lynn Gape (lynn.gape@bahamasnationaltrust.org) Activities: 3  Production of a Birds of the Bahamas Colouring Book. This colouring book features Bahamian endemics as well as common birds found in The Bahamas. The illustrations were done by a young local artist John Thompson and the color illustrations were graciously provided by Herb Raffaele - USFWS Wildlife Without Borders Programme.  A visit by the BNT Ornithology Group to the island of Andros. Three Bahama endemics can be found on this island that are not present on New Providence, namely the Bahama Swallow, Bahama Yellowthroat and the newly split Bahama Oriole, formerly the Blackcowled Oriole or Greater Antillean Oriole.  School Presentations on Bahamian Birds, approximately 600 students participated in the programme and received Bird Buddy Bracelets, stickers and posters supplied by the IMBD Programme. Number of participants: 600 Media coverage: Organizational newsletter “Trust Notes” 3. Bermuda Sponsoring organization: Bermuda Audubon Society (www.audubon.bm) Coordinator: Andrew Dobson (info@audubon.bm) Activities: 10  April 21-23 - Annual Show in the Botanical Gardens. Bermuda Audubon Society sponsors a Bluebird Nest box category attracting 20 entries from local schools. (see photo).  Environmental Youth Conference. About 60 students attend workshops and fieldtrips, including building White-tailed Tropicbird nest igloos and Bluebird nest boxes.  April 25th - Workshop to make nesting igloos for White-tailed Tropicbirds  April 23rd & 30th, & May 7th - Bermuda Audubon Society run stall at the Farmers’ Market in Hamilton, promoting bird conservation through the sales of bluebird nest boxes, Cahow DVDs and Audubon magazines. (see photo).  April 26th - Andrew Dobson gave an illustrated talk on Bermuda’s Birds to 40 members of the English Speaking Union. 4 CEBF 2006 Final Report      May - Andrew Dobson gave an illustrated talk on Bermuda’s Birds to 75 students at Warwick Academy primary school. May 14th - The first in a series of “Enviroshorts” sponsored by the Bermuda Audubon Society airs on local TV. The first documentary features Cooper’s Island, a newly designated nature reserve, home to White-tailed Tropicbirds. May 15th - Illustrated talk by Jeremy Madeiros, Govt Conservation Officer and SCSCB Board Member on the Cahow. The first in a series of lecture on Bermuda’s national symbols (the Cahow is our national bird). (40) May 16th - Andrew Dobson, SCSCB President, officially presents the Education Minister, Mr. Terry Lister with copies of the SCSCB Save Our Seabirds poster for each school on the island. (see photo). May 17th Andrew Dobson presents each school with their own DVD of Bermuda’s Treasure Island – featuring the restoration of Nonsuch Island and the Cahow Recovery Programme. Number of participants: 215 Media coverage: TV and newspaper. 4. Cayman Islands Sponsoring organization: National Trust for the Cayman Islands (www.nationaltrust.org.ky) Coordinator: Patricia E. Bradley (pebrad@candw.ky) Activities: 7  Design and production of new bird identification cards illustrating all the land birds, funded by the NMBCA, which have been presented to all schoolchildren.*  Design and production of new check list of Birds of the Cayman Islands.  Series of NT newspaper articles on endemic species  Trained 2 nature/bird tour guides for the Sister Islands  Design of new set of bird stamps for the Cayman Islands  First nesting of the Grand Cayman parrot in an artificial nest placed last CEBF, currently monitoring success.  Rob Norton and Patricia Bradley have finished editing the new book “Breeding Seabirds of the Caribbean” Number of participants: 45 Media coverage: Newspaper articles 5. CUBA Sponsoring organizations: SCSCB, Birdlife International, UNEP, GEF, Faculty of Biology, Ecology and Systematic Institute, ProNaturaleza, Sociedad Cubana de Zoología. Coordinators: Antonio Rodríguez Suárez and Patricia Rodríguez Casariego (arguez@fbio.uh.cu; jrrubio@infomed.sld.cu) Collaborators: Jovany Rojas, Anay Serrano, Mariannys Chávez, Alieny González, René Rodríguez, Ormaily Madruga, Maike Hernández, Yanerki Pereiro, Suchiquil Rancel, Ixchel; López, Alejandro Pérez, Yaima Martínez, Yanairis Medina, Gioser María Ramos, Eneider Pérez, Reinaldo Pérez, Nils Navarro, Edelys Figueredo, Hirán González, Daysi Rodríguez, Alejandro Llanes, Ernesto Rivera, Omar Labrada, Handy Acosta, Evaristo Asencio, Lainet García, Adianez García, Ianela Lau, Gerardo Begué, Nidia García and Misleydis 5 CEBF 2006 Final Report Activities: 126 Number of activities organized as part of CEBF: 24 different types of activities were prepared. In total 126 activities were done. Number of endemic birds observed on CEBF activities: 18 Ciudad Habana (Antonio Rodríguez and Patricia Rodríguez)  April 22 CEBF Inauguration. 32 participants.  April 22 – May 22. Seventeen talks related to Cuban Endemic Birds, Caged and Captive Birds situation in Cuba, Bird Conservation Programs. 1,467 participants from elementary and high schools. Orlando Pantoja Elementary School. Pedro Albizu Campo Elementary School. Hermanas Giralt Elementary School. Saúl Delgado Duarte Elementary School. Tomás David Royo Elementary School. Felipe Poey y Aloy Elementary School. Raquel Pérez González Elementary School. Adalberto Gómez Núñez Elementary School. Arturo Montori Elementary School. Manuel Permuy High School. Bernardo Posse Elementary School. República de México Elementary School. Raúl Cepero Bonilla High School. Salvador García Agüero High School.  April 22 – May 22. Five visits to Natural History Museum. 110 participants.  April 22 – May 22. Children’s Contest. 355 children of 15 schools participated (121 in painting, 58 in literature and 76 research papers). Two awarding activities were prepared in which participate 117 children of all schools involved in the contest.  April 22 – May 22. Presentation of four books of Aves de Cuba and posters of Cuban Endemic and Threatened Birds to elementary and high schools.  April 22 – May 22. 10 talks and slideshows to 2 Ornithological Children Clubs. 81 participants in each talk and slideshow.  May 5 – May 22. Birds Exposition in Pioneers Palace. 400 participants.  May 7 Two Schoolyard Ecology Activities related with birds and their habitat in Almendares Park and birdwatching activities. 83 participants.  May 10 – May 18th. Two Municipal Workshops of Children Clubs. 175 participants, 52 of them related with birds (Three of the Children Clubs that participate in the activity were Ornithological Children Clubs).  May 12 - Talk related to Cuban Endemic Birds to prepare professors of elementary schools. 35 participants.  May 6 – May 13th - Four birdwatching activites for the International Migratory Bird Day. 139 participants.  May 15 – May 21. Support and participation in the Event of Environmental Volunteer with ProNaturaleza. 38 participants. This activity included: 6 CEBF 2006 Final Report  Trips to the diferents habitat in the Protected Area “Rincón de Guanabo”. Talks and Ecological Cleaning Activity. Contemplative Diving. Award Ceremony of part of CEBF Children Contest May 22 - Closing Activity of the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival in Havana University. On this day, six different environmental activities were carried out with children; there was the Children’s Contest Award Ceremony and a final party. 85 participants. Holguín (Nils Navarro and Edelis Figueredo)  May 15 – 21. Community Festival “Protegiendo las Aves, Gibara, 2006.” 134 participants. This festival included a number of activities including: Drawing and literature contests related with birds and their conservation Talks and slideshows about Cuban Endemic Birds, Migratory Species and measures for their conservation Presentation in local schools of a multimedia about “Protected Areas of Cuba” Five birdwatching activities Didactic and participative games Projection and discussion of thematic films Competition of knowledge among schools Discussion about videos and films projected Award ceremony of the children contests Photo-nature sessions by students of Fine Arts Academy Destruction of cages Liberation activity of birds in captivity donated by “pajareros” Sancti Spíritus (Reynaldo Pérez)  April 22 CEBF Inauguration. 18 participants  April 22 - May 22. Graphic-exposition about Cuban Endemic Birds. 586 visitors  April 22 – May 22. Children Contest. 165 children participate in different modalities like painting and poetry  April 22 - May 20. Fifteen talks related with Cuban Endemic Birds and their threats in different places. 549 participants. Abel Santamaría Elementary School Angel Laborde Elementary School Antonio Maceo Elementary School Eladio M. González Elementary School Municipal University Headquarters (La Sierpe) CPPC from Sancti Spíritus Representation of National Institute of Sports and Recreation in La Sierpe  May 7 - Cultural Activity related to Caribbean Endemic Birds in La Sierpe Museum. 15 participants  May 13 - Varied Activity related to Cuban and Caribbean Endemic Birds in La Sierpe Museum with handicap people. 20 participants  April 22- May 21 - Four “A happiness of childhood” activities dedicated to CEBF. 63 participants 7 CEBF 2006 Final Report        May 15 - “The Museum in my Neighborhood” activity related to Cuban Endemic Birds and their presence in the area. 37 participants April 22 - May 20. Two Stamp Collecting Shows about Caribbean Endemic Birds. 223 participants May 10 - Presentation of the book “Winged Jewels” in the Natural History Museum of Sancti Spíritus. 53 participants May 12 - “Echoes of the Palm” Activity in the Natural History Museum of Sancti Spíritus. 385 participants April 25 – May 20. Exotic Bird Exposition in the Natural History Museum of Sancti Spíritus. 150 visitors May 17 - Two talks related to Bird Conservation. 76 participants. May 22 Closing Activity of the CEBF with a Children’s Contest Award Ceremony. Two different activities were done. 30 participants. Guantánamo (Eneider Pérez, Alejandro Llanes y Gerardo Begué)  April 25 - Community Workshop in Ojito del Agua. 57 participants  May 22 - Talk related to Cuban Endemic Birds in an Elementary School. 45 participants Granma (Omar Labrada)  April 22 – May 20. Drawing Contest. 128 participants  April 22 – May 22. Talks and presentations related with Caribbean and Cuban Endemic Birds. 84 participants  April 22 – May 22. Three birdwatching activities. 62 participants  May 22. Closing Activity of the CEBF with Drawing Contest Award Ceremony and talks. 235 participants Santiago de Cuba (Nidia García and Misleydis Almedía) The principal activities were prepared mainly for students of elementary and junior high schools, although students of high school and universities were involved too. These consisted of festivals, talks, drawing and literature contests and painting expositions. Talks and lectures related to Cuban and Caribbean Endemic Birds, Status and Ways of Bird’s Conservation were done. These activities took place in seven different municipalities and 4,300 people were involved. Total number of participants: 10,666 Media coverage: 32 radio programs were done (26 in local and provincial centres and 6 in a National Broadcasting Centre –Radio Reloj-). 87 promotional spots were done in local a provincial radio broadcasting centers. Two interviews in a local TV centre were done and a media release was sent to the National TV. 6. Dominica Sponsoring organization: Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment, Forestry, Wildlife & Parks Division (http://www.dominicaforestrywildlife.org/) Coordinators: Committee of Forestry Officers - including Bertrand Jno. Baptiste, Stephen Durand, Ronald Charles, Jacqueline Andre - and headed by Arlington James (arljames@cwdom.dm) Activities: 28 8 CEBF 2006 Final Report            21 April - Official launching of CEBF 2006 by Minister for Agriculture and The Environment on local television and national radio 27 April - Introduction to Birding at the Lake held at Freshwater Lake, with Laudat Primary School and Trafalgar Primary School May - Introduction to Birding in the Garden - held at Dominica Botanic Gardens in Roseau, with Convent Preparatory School (3 May); Roseau Primary School (3 May); Convent High School (9 May); Orion Academy (9 May); Dominica Grammar School (16 May); Roseau Junior Secondary School (16 May) 4 May - Introduction to Birding by the River held at Castle Bruce River Estuary, with Castle Bruce Secondary School 8 May - Introduction to Birding in the Swamp held at Indian River Wetland, with Dominica Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School 5 May - Birding in the Rainforest held along Syndicate Nature Trail / Morne Diablotin National Park, with Wacky Rollers Tour Guides Group 13 May - Birding While Hiking held along Syndicate to Picard Trail, with Dwivayèz Hiking Group & Friends 20 May - Visit to Seabirds Colony boat trip to Pointe des Foux for Invited Guests 18 May - 4 Radio Discussions (Live) on Birds and the CEBF – Kairi FM (2nd May); Voice-ofLife Radio (4th May); Q-95 FM (10 May); DBS Radio May - Radio Quizzes (total of 10) – DBS Radio (9th May, 16th May); Kairi FM (11th May, 18th May); Voice-of-Life Radio (10th May, 17th May); Q-95 FM (12th May / twice, 18th May / twice) Distribution of CEBF Posters to schools, groups that participated in CEBF 2006, Government Printery, and individuals Number of participants: 312 Media coverage: Newspaper, TV stories on two stations, 5 news items on radio stations 7a. Dominican Republic Sponsoring organizations: Programa Áreas Importantes para la Conservación de las Aves, Grupo Jaragua (http://www.geocities.com/ibasdominicanas), PDA Apolinar Perdomo/Visión Mundial, Eco-Club Infantil El Carpintero, y Club Cultural Apolinar Perdomo. Coordinators: Yvonne Arias , Laura Perdomo and Rafael Lorenzo (www.grupojaragua.org.do, jaragua@tricom.net , sisterlau09@yahoo.com ), R. Eduardo Vásquez (reduvasquez@yahoo.es ) Activities: 10  May 24 – Talk about the endemic West Indian Whistling-Duck “La Yaguaza Pato Endémico del Caribe,” “Conociendo la Yaguaza Blas,” (108 R Eduardo Vásquez.)  May 25 – Liberation of a young West Indian Whistling-Duck in the Neyba wetlands“Liberación de la Yaguaza Blas en Humedales Salados de Neyba.” (45 R Eduardo Vásquez)  Coordination meeting with several institutions about CEBF A general meeting was held in order to coordinate activities with several institutions such as the media, schools and government institutions.  Distribution of Materials such as: (80) Large and (30) Small CEBF posters (50) Copies of the article “Another Endemic Bird Has Been Declared“ by Simón Guerrero published in 9 CEBF 2006 Final Report     Diario Libre Newspaper about recently reported endemic species Cigua Canaria (Icterus ominicensis). (60) Brochures about Hispaniola Endangered Endemic Birds, (50) List of 31 species of birds endemic to Hispaniola, (50) Leaflets on Hispaniola Endemic Birds and the CEBF. These were distributed among Site Support Groups and the general public during the IX International Book Fair. Feature of article about CEBF in IBA-DR e-Bulletin The main article for the latest number of IBA-DR E-Bulletin featured “Festival de las Aves Endémicas del Caribe: Sembrando para las Aves.” This bulletin was distributed electronically through a list of 415 contacts. Financial and information support to local groups (Site Support Groups - SSGs) Grupo Jaragua supported the celebration of the CEBF in the local communities. This allowed the Site Support Groups to design CEBF programs themselves. These programs and the types of chosen activities reflected their local vision and expression. This year Grupo Jaragua supported three local groups: Voluntari@s Comunitari@s de Jaragua, Asociación de Guías de la Naturaleza de Oviedo and Asociación de Guías Ecológicos de Paraíso Voluntari@s Comunitari@s de Jaragua and Asociación de Guías de la Naturaleza de Oviedo. This group is located in Oviedo, Pedernales Providence, in the Southern Region. They gave speeches in the local schools of Los Tres Charcos, El Cajuil y Manuel Goya communities. With the participation of teachers and students, they planted trees of Mahogany (Swetenia mahagoni) and Guayacán (Guayacum officinalis) two very important species to Dominican birds and Dominican culture. The schools were instructed to take good care of their trees. The school that takes the best care will be awarded with a trip to the Botanical Garden in 2007. Asociación de Guías Ecológicos de Paraíso. This group is located in Paraíso, Barahona Providence, in the Southern Region. They gave speeches and distributed materials about birds in schools and to the general population. Number of participants: 853 Media coverage: Boletín Mensual Visión Mundial República Dominicana, Two articles in two major newspapers Hoy and Diario Libre, A feature in Atajo magazine, Six Sunday, 15 minute broadcasts in GEOVIDA program, between April 16-May 28. 7 b. Dominican Republic Sponsoring organization: Parque Zoológico Nacional Coordinator: Simón Guerrero (destra@tricom.net) Activities: None reported this year 7 c. Dominican Republic Sponsoring organization: Sociedad Ornitológica Hispaniola (http://www.soh.org.do) Coordinator: Pedro Genaro Rodríguez (falco67_99@yahoo.com) Activities: 10  Throughout the CEBF Festival: Repair of Amazona ventralis nests in the Bahoruco Mountains. All nests were located in Baitoa tree (Phyllostyllon brasiliensis). 19 nests were repaired. 4 participants. This initiative was possible due help from the National Aviary.  April 22nd- 23rd Campout at Rabo de Gato, Bahoruco. Celebration of Earth day. Bird Counts at Rabo de Gato, Puerto Escondido and Zapotén. Planting of Flower Garden at 10 CEBF 2006 Final Report         entrance to Campground by SOH members and local Committee Members of Puerto Escondido Green Brigade. 27 participants. April 30th- Presentation about Ridgway’s Hawk at Laguna cristal, Sánchez, Paraguay, Los Limones. (all communities at Los Haitises). 69 Participants. May 7th- Sunday Walk at the Botanical Garden in Santo Domingo. 16 participants. Varied activities at Mirador del Norte Park. Presentation to 25 School Children + 6 Teachers. Brief Walk, Presentation about birds, games, face paintings. 3 Members of the Education Team helped. 35 participants. May 8th – Presentation about Ridgway’s Hawk at Loma de Cuatro, Trepada Alta, Arroyon, Los Atillos, El Bambú, El Porton, El Valle, Trepada Alta (all communities at Los Haitises). 71 participants. Printing of Ridgway’s Hawk Brochure. We wish to emphasize that there were other educational presentations before and after the Endemic Bird Festival, in which in we used the brochure we designed and printed with help of SCSCB. The Hawk was seen during this festival, both by participants and by members of SOH. May 21st- Visit to Ebano Verde Scientific Reserve. 9 participants. May 25th- Presentation about endemic birds of Hispaniola at Centro León (Santiago). 220 participants. We developed a poster for the conservation of the Hispaniolan Parrot in association with the National Aviary and Societé Audubon d’Haiti (SAH). The poster was printed in Spanish, French and Creole. This design was also used for a Campaign we launched in association with Diario Libre Newspaper which has a nationwide reach. Number of participants: 451 Media coverage: Diario Libre Newspaper 8. Guadeloupe Sponsoring organization: AMAZONA / Parc National de la Guadeloupe (http://www.aeva.net) Coordinator: Anthony Levesque (Anthony.Levesque@wanadoo.fr) Activities: 5  20 May - AMAZONA staff manned a “stand” that reached 1,000 persons, distribution of leaflet about Guadeloupe Woodpecker and outreach items from International Migratory Bird Day  21 May - 2 field-trips, 10 persons  22 May – Presentation at school: 45 children; meeting: 15 persons Number of participants: 1,070 Media coverage: TV, radio, newspaper 9. Jamaica Sponsoring organization: Jamaica Environment Trust (lead organization; http://www.jamentrust.org/); also BirdLife Jamaica, Forestry Department, The Natural History Division of the Institute of Jamaica, Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust, Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Windsor Research Centre in Cockpit Country Coordinator: Maureen Milbourn (mmilbourn.jet@cwjamaica.com) Activities: 30 11 CEBF 2006 Final Report The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) hosted the Jamaica Endemic Bird Festival on Friday, April 28, 2006 at Emancipation Park as part of the weekend-long activities for the Jamaica Wellfest 2006 (April 28th - 30th). For the remaining two days of Jamaica Wellfest 2006, JET mounted displays on Jamaica’s threatened and endemic birds. The festival commenced at 9:00 a.m. and ended at 4:00 p.m. The day was divided into two parts: a morning and afternoon session. Activities in the morning session were geared towards students in basic and primary schools, and the afternoon session was geared towards high school students. Approximately 700 students from 40 schools in Kingston & St. Andrew, St. Catherine and St. Thomas attended the festival. Festival activities included:  Exhibitions – JET, along with 6 other organizations (listed above), mounted displays of Jamaica’s threatened and endemic birds and bird conservation project implemented in some of Jamaica’s Important Bird Areas. JET created a special panel of paintings featuring Jamaica’s endemic birds.  Bird Games - Students participated in bird games like “Match the Bird” in which they learn the names of all 30 endemic birds in Jamaica by matching life size replicas of the birds with those on a poster. They also played “Bird Detective” which involved using a clue sheet to identify laminated endemic birds on a nature trail.  Art and Craft Workshops - students painted bird models made from papier mache, coloured endemic birds using a colour and number key and made bird face masks from paper plates.  Entertainment – Four schools performed a song and/or skit about Jamaica’s endemic birds. Amina Blackwood-Meeks, a renowned Jamaican storyteller, told the children a story that highlighted some of Jamaica’s endemic birds. Each school that performed was given a poster of Jamaica’s endemic birds and a Teachers’ Guide on birds donated by BirdLife Jamaica, and International Migratory Bird 2006 posters. The basic schools were also given copies of the West Indian Whistling Duck Colouring book.  Creation of an original song about Jamaica’s endemic birds entitled “True Jamaicans.” JET staffperson, Mrs. Andrea Fender-Longman, wrote the lyrics to the song and Mr. Arthur Taylor, the music teacher at Lannaman’s Prep, composed the music. Lannaman’s Prep was given a prize for their outstanding performance of the song at the festival. They received book vouchers worth $3,000, a copy of Birds of Jamaica by Downer and Sutton, donated by BirdLife Jamaica, and a copy of DVD on Jamaican Folklore and Natural History donated by the Natural History Division of the Institute of Jamaica.  Jamaican Endemic Bird Costume Competition – Three schools participated in the competition; prizes were awarded to children with the best costumes (Jamaican Owl, Redbilled Streamertail, Jamaican Woodpecker)  Some schools that were not able to attend the festival organized activities in their own school to celebrate the day. An estimated 3,394 children and 123 adults (parents and teachers) participated in 33 activities which included the writing of songs, poetry, and comic strips on birds, bird costume competitions, slide presentations on Jamaica’s endemic birds, bird watching in a wetland, and displays of posters and brochures on birds. Adastra Gardens Basic School - All levels; 48 students and 10 parents Denbigh High - All grades; 1,400 students Sheffield All Age - Grades 4 & 5; 145 students Race Course Primary - Grades 1-6; 500 students Spalding High School - Grades 7 - 11; about 1,200 students St. Theresa's Prep - Grade 5; 51 students 12 CEBF 2006 Final Report Liberty Prep - 50 students made bird masks and donated them for JET’s bird festival Number of participants: 4,217 Media coverage: The CEBF and activities sponsored by JET were featured on TV (3), radio (12), and in newspaper articles (9). 10a. Puerto Rico Sponsoring organizations: Puerto Rican Ornithological Society (www.avesdepuertorico.org), Cupey Arboretum, Coordinators: Sheylda Díaz Méndez (otoarina77@yahoo.com), Verónica Méndez (aia_sopi@yahoo.com), Mayra Vincenty (mvincenty@yahoo.com), Israel Guzmán (Igvivi@aol.com ), Alcides Morales (archypielago_30@yahoo.com), Basilio Santiago (BasilioSR@aol.com), Millie Esparra Activities: 9  April 21-West Indian Whistling-Duck and Wetlands Education Workshop in Utuado (28) Teachers from the North Educational Region actively participated in the workshop and in addition to the usual agenda we introduced the 16 endemic birds highlighting the Puerto Rican Oriole as our 17th endemic.  April 22 -Wetland Birds of Caño Tiburones Exhibit at University of Puerto Rico (30)  April 28 – “Wetlands are Wild” Puppet Show in Academia Dailén (42 Kindergarden through second grade students 5 teachers) The puppet show “Wetlands are Wild!” was presented after a brief talk of the importance of birds to children and attendees.  April 28 - Nature Walk for students and teachers in Caguas (25)  April 30 - Bird Identification Walk in Arroyo (4)  May 6 – Presentation of “Winged Migration” Movie in Cabo Rojo The activity was held in the organic restaurant ASIQUESI. Participants received a brief introduction on all Puerto Rican endemic species, their main threats and alternatives for their conservation. The role of birds in agricultural pest control and bird-habitat relationships were highlighted. The documentary Winged Migration was then presented to commemorate International Migratory Bird Day. The activity was held in a relaxed, informal environment and was accompanied by famous ASIQUESI’s organic treats. (15)  May 6 – Nature Walk and Mangrove Clean up in Camuy and Quebradillas. For the first time community members and the municipality of Camuy participated in a clean up of the mangroves. Teachers trained in the WIWD workshops gave presentations on the importance of wetlands and their birds before the clean up. (60)  May 7 – Nature Walk and Presentation in Cupey Arboretum (2 adults, 5 children)  May 20- “El Plumaje del Múcaro” Theater presentation in San Juan (~200). This was a special effort coordinated by Liza Guzmán and Verónica Méndez. Endemic Bird photos were in a screen before and after the presentation to everyone that went to see the theatrical presentation that featured our endemic bird Mucarito de Puerto Rico. Number of participants: 411 Media coverage: Radio interview, TV Channel 11, SOPI produced a poster/calendar for all the CEBF activities in Puerto Rico (18) that was used as a press release in local newspaper. The CEBF was also announced in SOPI’s webpage and listserve. 13 CEBF 2006 Final Report 10b. Puerto Rico Sponsoring organization: Asociación Puertorriqueña de Interpretación y Educación, Inc. (APIE, www.apie.tk) Coordinator: Hilda Morales (aventura@coqui.net) Activities: 1  May 7 – Children’s Nature Walk and Talk in Maricao State Forest Number of participants: 30 Media coverage: Announcements in local list serv. 10c. Puerto Rico Sponsoring organization: Universidad del Este Centro de Utuado Coordinator: Noemí Méndez (nmendez@suagm.edu) Activities: 1  April 28 - Caño Tiburones Exhibit in Universidad del Este Utuado (50 students & personal) A display of panels with pictures and information on wetlands and the natural history of Caño Tiburones. Display was at the local library from the 28th until May 1st. Number of participants: 50 Media coverage: Announcements in local list serv 10d. Puerto Rico Sponsoring organization: Coordinator: Gisella Burgos (gisella_burgos@fws.gov), US Fish & Wildlife Service- Vieques Activities: 2  May 27 & 28- Celebration of Migratory Birds of Vieques (40) Saturday a presentation of Puerto Rico’s Endemic Birds was held during the evening. Sunday morning the attendees of the presentation were led through Mosquito Bay to identify the endemics present at that area. After the walk at the bay, the WIWD Project personnel of SOPI presented the “Wetlands are Wild!” puppet show with help from DNR personnel doing many of the puppet voices. Number of participants: 40 Media coverage: Newspaper and USFWS listserve. French Media covered this activity to present it in France, Canada and French West Indies. 10e. Puerto Rico Sponsoring organization: Coordinator: Javier Almeyda (jalmeyda@coqui.net), Bosque de San Patricio Department of Natural and Environmental Resources of Puerto Rico Activities: 1  May 21 – Book Presentation “Biodiversidad de Puerto Rico” in Bosque San Patricio Number of participants: 15 Media coverage: Press release in newspaper 10f. Puerto Rico Sponsoring organization: Boy Scouts Nature Team of Puerto Rico 14 CEBF 2006 Final Report Coordinator: Miguel Santiago (miatu83@hotmail.com) Activities: 1  May 21- Nature Walk & Presentation in Bosque Guajataca. The troop organized and coordinated with one SOPI member to talk about endemic birds and their ecology at the Guajataca forest. Number of participants: 25 Media coverage: None reported 10g. Puerto Rico Sponsoring organization: Casa Pueblo Coordinator: Ana Trujillo (anatrujillo2002@yahoo.com) Activities: 1  May 28- Printing of a new Endemic Birds of Puerto Rico Memory Game and presentation of the game in Adjuntas. The children were organized in a tournament called “Endemics World Cup,” winners and teachers were awarded with a free game valued in $15 each. Number of participants: 195 Media coverage: Announcements in Casa Pueblo and University of Puerto Rico Ponce Campus 10h. Puerto Rico Sponsoring organization: Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico (fideicomiso.org) Coordinator: Eliezer Nieves (nievese@fideicomiso.org) Activities: 1  April 22 - Conservation and Reforestation Fair in Central Park in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Trust’s West Indian Whistling-Duck Working Group, set up a booth where visitors were able to chat with the environmental interpreters, receive information about the conservation and status of the endemic West Indian Whistling-Duck in the Caribbean and Puerto Rico and receive educational materials. (103) Number of participants: 103 Media coverage: Local Newspaper, AMIGOS listserve 10i. Puerto Rico Sponsoring organization: SART Program, Metropolitan University (UMET) Coordinator: Liza Guzmán (lagenodelphis2@yahoo.com) Activities: 2  April 21st- 22nd - Observation of Shore Birds and endemic birds during a Beach Clean-up in Playa Piñones. Students had a talk from SOPI member Liza Guzmán on the endemics and shorebirds they could observe during the cleanup the evening before at the UMET Campus. They prepared a poster with a conservation message to display during the clean up (photo available). Number of participants: 40 Media coverage: At the university system SUAGM 15 CEBF 2006 Final Report 11. Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands Sponsoring organization: University of the Virgin Islands (www.ebird.org/usvi) Coordinator: Jim Corven (calidris1@earthlink.net) Activities: 5  April 21 - ProEnviro Fair in collaboration with the regional office of the US EPA. Approximately 800 students from primary and secondary schools toured the all-day fair.  April 21 - "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill" was shown free to the public Friday evening. A brief discussion of the endemic and introduced parrots of the Caribbean followed the film.  April 22 - Birding for Beginners, a video presentation and practice bird walk at the UVI Maclane Marine Science Center to help novice birders learn to identify the region’s birds.  April 22- "March of the Penguins" was shown free to the public in the UVI Chase auditorium followed by a discussion of amazing bird facts and a "pop quiz" in which the audience competed for copies of the book "Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands Wildlife Viewing Guide."  “Birding the Best Birds” was a new event to get people out in the field to observe as many of the birds of the Virgin Islands as they could in a 2-week period. About 30 people, novice to expert birders, signed up for the birding "competition" to find the best birds in the U.S. Virgin Islands. All participants received a copy of the new “The Best Birds of the Virgin Islands” photo field guide and checklist plus instructions about birding etiquette and use of the new Virgin Islands eBird website (www.eBird.org/usvi). Participants found a West Indian WhistlingDuck, a Tri-color Heron, White-crowned Pigeons, and a Scarlet Tanager, plus all the usual beauties were there too. A compiled checklist was posted on the eBird website news page and entered into the data records. Everyone who submitted a signed checklist of their sightings received rewards of an IMBD poster, “Bird Buddy” wrist bands, and bird stickers.  Funding for publicity flyers, reward premiums, and the new field guide (“The Best Birds of the Virgin Islands”), was provide by a grant from Birdlife International through SCSCB. Number of participants: 870 Media coverage: The St. Thomas Source and the Daily News had announcement and after-event articles. Radio ONE provided a 30 minute live interview program. 12. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Sponsoring organization: AvianEyes Birding Group (www.avianeyes.org) Coordinator: Lystra Culzac-Wilson (lystraculzac_wilson@hotmail.com) Activities: None reported this year. 13. Tortola, British Virgin Islands Sponsoring organization: National Parks Trust of the British Virgin Islands (http://www.bvinationalparkstrust.org/index2.html) Coordinator: Esther Georges (deputydirector@bvinationalparkstrust.org) Activities: 4  Four guided bird tours to major wetlands in Tortola, Beef Island, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke. This was the first celebration of the CEBF by the BVI National Parks Trust and it was a huge success. Approximately 114 people ranging in age from 5 to 70 years old participated in the bird walks, led by resident ornithologist Clive Petrovic. Unfortunately all the wetlands that were visited are slated for development. 16 CEBF 2006 Final Report  At the beginning of each tour participants were given binoculars, identification cards and sheets on which to record their observations. All the participants (schoolchildren, community members, teachers) learned how to use binoculars and identify birds; they were very excited about the experience and are requesting more bird tours in the future. Number of participants: 114 Media coverage: A public service announcement was sent to radio and television stations inviting the community to participate in the tours. 17 CEBF 2006 Final Report Table 2. Summary of events organized by each country/organization in the 2006 Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF). Country Anguilla Bahamas Bermuda Cayman Islands Cuba Organization Anguilla National Trust Bahamas National Trust Bermuda Audubon Society National Trust for the Cayman Islands No. activities 3 10 7 126 No. participants 600 215 45 10,666 Faculty of Biology (University of Havana), Ecology and Systematic Institute, ProNaturaleza, Sociedad Cubana de Zoología Dominica Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment, Forestry, Wildlife, and Parks Division Dominican Sociedad Ornitológica Hispaniola, Grupo Jaragua, Parque Republic Zoológico Nacional, PDA Apolinar Perdomo/Visión Mundial, Eco-Club Infantil El Carpintero, y Club Cultural Apolinar Perdomo Guadeloupe Amazona, Parc National de la Guadeloupe Jamaica Jamaica Environment Trust, BirdLife Jamaica, Forestry Department, The Natural History Division of the Institute of Jamaica, Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust, Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Windsor Research Centre in Cockpit Country Puerto Rico Puerto Rican Ornithological Society (www.avesdepuertorico.org), Cupey Arboretum, Department of Natural and Environmental Resources of Puerto Rico, US Fish & Wildlife Service- Vieques, Fideicomiso de Conservación de Puerto Rico, Asociación Puertorriqueña de Interpretación y Educación, Casa Pueblo, Boy Scouts Nature Team of Puerto Rico, Bosque de San Patricio, Universidad del Est Saint Thomas, University of the Virgin Islands U.S. Virgin Islands St. Vincent & AvianEyes Birding Group the Grenadines Tortola, National Trust of the British Virgin Islands British Virgin Islands TOTAL 28 20 312 1,304 5 33 1,070 4,217 19 909 5 870 - - 4 114 260 20,322 18