BirdsCaribbean is inviting participation in the 2018 Caribbean Waterbird Census:

Count Waterbirds in the Caribbean – Join our 2018 Region-wide CWC Count!
Do you know of a pond, mangrove swamp or marsh nearby with waterbirds on it? If yes, we invite you to participate in the 9th annual Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC). We need your help to monitor more sites and conduct more frequent counts at new and existing sites! The CWC is designed so that at the basic level anyone—from professional biologists to citizen scientist volunteers—can implement the program and contribute to our knowledge and conservation.

Given the hurricanes which impacted so many islands across the region this past fall, participation is particularly important this year. We have had reports from our colleagues across the islands of unusual sightings in waterbird diversity and numbers. Common birds are notably missing from their usual wetlands in some countries, while birds are showing up in large numbers elsewhere. Help us to document the impacts of severe weather on bird numbers and movements!

Where to Conduct CWC Counts
Waterbirds use many different kinds of wetland habitats. Thus, CWC counts can be conducted in any wetland areas you can access. Wetlands are more than just freshwater swamps and marshes; they include mangroves, salt ponds, lagoons, bays, sandy or rocky beaches, coastal areas, mud flats, tidal flats, rivers, estuaries, canals, sewage treatment plants, and many other places. No matter how big or small, CWC counts from any wetland with waterbirds are valuable.

Visit the BirdsCaribbean website to get more information about the Caribbean Waterbird Census and find out how to participate.

[Image: courtesy of UncommonCaribbean.com/SBPR]