Wood Warblers - Song Birds

A total of 36 species of song birds or wood warblers, family Parulidae, migrate to Jamaica every winter to get away from the cold weather in North America.

These small (10-18.5 cm), often coloured birds are called 'Christmas birds" as most arrive in the islands during the Christmas season, or "Chip, chip birds" because of the 'chip' sound they make. They remain in island until about May the following year, then they return to their breeding grounds in North America.

Of the 36 species of wood warblers that winter in Jamaica, only 13 are regular visitors. The most common ones are the American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), Prairie warbler (Dendroica discolor), Black throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens), and Ovenbird (Seirus, aurocapillus).

Wood warblers are restricted to the New World (Americas). They are mainly arboreal (tree dwelling) and inhabit woodlands, marshlands and dry scrubs. Most of their diet consists of insects, but they will also consume fruits. In Jamaica, they play a vital role in the coffee industry, as they consume the coffee berry borer beetle which is a pest.

They are nocturnal migrants, and in one night can cover up to 160 km, with a maximum speed of 30 mph. Many birds use up their entire fat reserve during their migration. The American Redstart uses up 50% of its pre-migration fat reserve on its 2,900 km flight to Jamaica.

Up to 30% of the wood warblers die during migration. Many birds die, especially on cloudy nights, from encounters with tall buildings and communication towers. Some become exhausted from encounters with strong headwinds, and some are predated by other birds such as owls.

Habitat loss is a major threat to these birds, especially in dry coastal areas in Jamaica where many species are found. There is evidence that warblers return to the same feeding area every winter. Dr. Susan Koenig of the Windsor Research Centre in Cockpit Country, Trelawny, and Robert Sutton of Marshalls Pen in Manchester have banded the same birds in successive years.

In Jamaica, the Windsor Research Centre is working in Cockpit Country, Trelawny, where 22 species of wood warblers are found, to protect the habitats of these birds.

Source:

• www.answers.com/topic/new-world-warbler-1?cat=technology

• Verb. Comm. John Fletcher, President, Birdlife Jamaica.

• Verb. Comm. Dr. Susan Koenig, Windsor Research Centre, Cockpit Country, Trelawny.

The West Indian Whistling Duck and Wetlands Programme (WIWD)

Background

The Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds (SCSCB) is a regional organization dedicated to the conservation of birds and their habitats and support of local institutions in the Caribbean region. The West Indian Whistling-Duck and Wetland Conservation Project is a project of the SCSCB which is working to reverse the decline of the endangered West Indian Whistling Duck and to prevent further loss and degradation of the wetlands in the West Indies.

JET works with the SCSCB

The Jamaica Environment Trust has had the privilege of delivering teacher/training workshops funded by the SCSCB for the past year. Workshops started in October/November 2004 and were attended by 423 principals, vice-principals and teachers from approximately 268 schools island wide.

The workshops were aimed at educating the teachers about the importance of wetland habitats, what threatens them and what can be done to protect them. In their field trip to various wetland sites such as the Portmore Mangroves and the Black River Lower Morass, teachers learnt to identify mangrove species and sited wetland animals such as crabs, birds, fish and crocodiles. According to Mrs. Lewis, a teacher from Mount Alvernia Prep, "the workshop was very informative and interactive. It really increased by awareness as before I thought wetlands were an eyesore. Now I know of their importance and hence can make a contribution to their preservation".

JET is happy to continue working with the SCSCB in conducting workshops for the 2005/2006 school year.

The SCSCB Biennial Meeting in Guadeloupe - August 2005

JET's Senior Project Coordinator, Nadia Watson, attended the Society for the Conservation and Study of Birds (SCSCB) biennial meeting in Guadeloupe from August 1st to 5th. The meeting focused on avian conservation and research and brought together ornithologists, resource managers and interested citizens from over 18 Caribbean countries, the USA, UK and Canada.

JET gave a presentation on the "Wetlands not Wastelands" workshop we developed in 2001. The workshop was sponsored by the West Indian Whistling Duck and Wetland Conservation project which is funded by the SCSCB. Nadia had this to say about the experience:

"Many thanks to Dr. Lisa Sorenson and SCSCB who facilitated my attendance at the conference. I had the opportunity to hear about the different research projects being conducted within the region and to share experiences through the group meetings. This trip was definitely enlightening and enjoyable."

Sources:

• www.whistlingduck.org

• www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/SCSCB

• www.birdlife.org/action/awareness/wiwd