COTINGA 6

Neotropical News

CARIBBEAN total amount of land protected to estímate was 100 pairs (Cotinga More reserves for the 3056 acres (4.7% of the total land 4: 8). The most recent estimate Cayman Islands area). Approximately half of this was obtained by banding The Department of the Environ­ total is comprised of the (ringing) ducks visiting the farm ment and the National Trust of the Environmental Zone Mangroves of Mr. Willie Ebanks at Malportas Cayman Islands are cooperating to on the shores of Grand Cayman’s Pond by Fiona O’Brien, with the safeguard areas of natural Little Sound. help of Willie and his son Jim. terrestrial and wetland habitat in • El Pitirre 9(1): 8, 1996 and Radio transmitters were attached the islands. The human population National Trust for the Cayman to six birds, which have indicated of the islands has increased from Islands Annual Report: 23–27, that the birds also rely heavily on 18 000 in 1984 to an estimated 1995 the Central Mangrove Wetland, 33 000 in 1995 and, as a result, probably for breeding as well as natural habitats are under Cuban Parrot shows increase feeding. increasing threat. The Trust has on Cayman Islands • National Trust for the Cayman therefore directed its efforts to A spring 1995 survey indicates that Islands Annual Report: 37, acquiring and protecting areas of the Cayman population of Cuban 1995 pristine terrestrial and wetland Parrot Amazona leucocephala habitats. Areas recently acquired caymanensis has risen from 1500 include 240 acres of dry limestone birds in 1992 to 1900. Factors woodland in central Grand contributing to the increase may Cayman. Known as the Mastic include its removal from the Game Reserve, it provides breeding Bird list in 1990, increased nest habitat for all the island’s site availability due to cavity endemic birds. Further areas of formation in trees damaged by this habitat will be bought as Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, and funds allow and owners are high breeding success resulting prepared to sell. An historic right from favourable rainfall patterns of way has been re-opened as a leading to abundant fruiting of trail through the reserve, which wild trees. However, the woodland is increasing the ecotourism habitat this bird relies on is still potential as well as providing being destroyed and they are very young people with the opportu­ unpopular with farmers as they W est Indian W histling-Duck Dendrocygna nity to learn about the natural damage fruit crops; they are also a r b o r e a (Jon F je ld så) *2 history of their island. The Trust still illegally taken from the wild has also acquired 135 acres of as pets. The Trust will therefore Crown property in the Booby Pond continue to monitor the parrot First record of “Brewster’s and Rookery on Little Cayman, a populations, which are an indicator Warbler” in Hispaniola Ramsar wetland site which has of the overall ecological health of A “Brewster’s Warbler” (the hybrid one of the largest breeding colonies the islands. produced by Golden-winged of Red-footed Booby Sula sula in • National Trust for the Cayman Vermivora chrysoptera × Blue­ the Western Hemisphere and the Islands Annual Report: 36, winged Warbler V. pinus) was Cayman Islands’ only breeding 1995 observed in shade coffee planta­ colony of Magnificent Frigatebirds tions near Manabao, La Vega Fregata magnificens. West Indian Whistling-Ducks province, Dominican Republic on Nature reserves under Trust continue to increase 2 November 1994 by Steven C. ownership have increased by 19% The population of the West Indian Latta. This appears to be the first over the last year and now Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna record of this genotype in comprise 1214 acres including arborea on Grand Cayman is now Hispaniola. Both parent species woodlands and wetlands on all estimated to be at least 360 are rare in Hispaniola (with three islands. This brings the individuals. The previous several records of Blue-winged

7 COTINGA 6 Neotropical News

but only two of Golden-winged). Xiomara Galves, the festival American Free Trade Agreement The bird was searched for. but not organiser, hopes that future counts (NAFTA) inquiry. Originally it relocated, the following day. will expand onto the main island was thought that the birds had Warbler species commonly and possibly include other been killed by heavy-metal wintering in these coffee threatened species such as poisoning, as the reservoir is plantations include Cape May crocodiles and iguanas. downstream from tanneries and Dendroica tigrina, Black-throated • The ICF Bugle 22(1): 3 , 1996 other industries near León. Blue D. caerulescens, Black-and- However, the panel did find that white Mniotilta varia, American MEXICO exposure to heavy metals, Redstart Setophaga ruticilla and New parrot reserve in Mexico especially chromium, lead and Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla . In August 1995 purchase of the El mercury, played a role and could Rarer species include Tennessee Taray Sanctuary in north-eastern have contributed to the botulism. Warbler Vermivora peregrina, Mexico was completed. The They suggested that explosives be Northern Parula Parula reserve, near the city of Monterrey, detonated at the site to deter birds americana, Magnolia Dendroica includes 360 ha of montane pine from using the reservoir and that a magnolia, Black-throated Green D. forest habitat as well as the most feeding programme be established virens, Yellow-throated D. important known nesting cliff of at an alternative site. The National dominica, Prairie D. discolor and the threatened Maroon-fronted Audubon Society and two Mexican Palm Warblers D. palmarum, Parrot Rhynchopsitta terrisi, environmental organisations had Louisiana Waterthrush Seiurus which is endemic to the Sierra filed a request for an inquiry under motacilla and Common Madre Oriental in Mexico. This the terms of the NAFTA environ­ Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas. species has one of the smallest mental accord. • El Pitirre 9(1): 2 , 1996 ranges of any continental parrot, • Field Notes 49(3): 215, 1995 occurring only in a 200-mile (320- Cuba hosts first crane count km) stretch of these mountains, BELIZE More than 400 Cubans and a dozen with all 24 breeding colonies Britain backs logging in Belize Americans counted the endemic known occur within a 60 mile rainforest races of Sandhill Crane Grus (100 km) stretch. An estimated The Belize government, on the canadensis nesiotes and Cuban 100 pairs nested in El Taray advice of British officials, has Parrot Amazona leucocephala Sanctuary in 1995 — a quarter of approved large-scale logging palmarum from 105 watchpoints the nesting population (although operations in a remote primary across Isla de la Juventud, Cuba’s the total population was rainforest reserve near the second largest island, as part of estimated at 1000–2000 pairs in Guatemala border. The Columbia Cuba’s first “Love the Sandhill the 1970s). River Forest Reserve in the Toledo Crane and Cuban Parrot festival”. Acquisition of the reserve was District of southern Belize covers The count, on 17 December 1995, made possible by financial 103,000 acres and Atlantic produced 126 Sandhills and 1384 contributions from CONABIO (the Industries, a venture financed from Cuban Parrots. Both subspecies Mexican Committee on Hong Kong and Singapore, has are endemic to Cuba and are Biodiversity), the US State been granted a 20-year licence to considered endangered. Department, the US Fish and log an area of 10 000 hectares. The festival also promoted Wildlife Service and the Zoological Under its licence, Atlantic environmental education among Society of San Diego. Purchase of Industries should implement a local people and a celebration of the new reserve will facilitate “sustainable forest management the island’s natural heritage. habitat protection, education, plan” permitting it to extract only Crane calls and counting research and ecotourism. Title to marked trees, totalling no more instructions were broadcast over the land will be held by CONABIO, than 17 cubic metres of trees per local radio and television each but administration of the reserve hectare on a 40-year rotation. The night during the week prior to the will be the responsibility of the licence also requires it to consult count. Local hunters were Museo de las Aves. with the local Maya people and especially active and provided the • Psitta Scene 8(1): 8–9, 1996 avoid protected areas. However, majority of the manpower for the Atlantic Industries has already count, putting their identification Mexican waterfowl catastrophe apparently flouted the terms of the skills to the test. Luis Hernandez update licence, failing to tell local people Garcia, the president of Cuba’s Most of the 40 000 waterbirds that of its plans, cut trees untagged by hunting association, was positive died at a reservoir in central the Forestry Department, about this, explaining that it would Mexico in October-November 1994 bulldozing logging roads in help to make hunters more (see Cotinga 4: 8) died of botulism prohibited areas and failing to conservation-minded. according to the findings of a North mark stumps. It has also emerged

8 COTINGA 6 Neotropical News that the Minister for Natural breeding is hoped for. catchments, due to the threat to the Resources, Eduardo “Dito” Juan, • Peregrine Fund Annual Report: forests. They respected this and are signed Atlantic Industries’ 11, 1995 now seeing massive mining and concession despite the Forestry logging operations about to start by Department having filed 11 VENEZUELA foreign companies which will cause objections. As with all logging Amazonian forests under threat in far greater deforestation and water concessions in sensitive areas, this south-eastern Venezuela pollution and threaten to destroy one threatens the homes and Large areas of the pristine their lands and their livelihoods. livelihood of the local Maya people, rainforests of south-eastern The threat to the native people is who have hired lawyers to seek Venezuela are threatened by new the main concern voiced in the judicial reviews of the Belize government sponsored oil, mining report, but the effect on the wildlife government’s actions and the advice and logging concessions. These and the forest ecosystem, from the by Britain’s Overseas Development concessions, if they are all taken, will ranchers and other settlers who Administration that the rainforest have a devastating effect on the move in along the access roads, as was suitable for logging. enormous forested regions of Amazonas well as from the direct results of A survey of the Columbia River and Bolívar states, as well as on the logging and mining, are only too Forest Reserve by Conservation native people dependent on them. apparent. The major concern is that International estimated that it These findings are presented in a this pristine area could witness the contains at least 1500 plant new report by Survival International same huge-scale destruction which species, 10 species of frog and the World Rainforest Movement, occurred in Brazil in the 1980s - a (including three new to Belize and in which the Venezuelan government fate which most people previously one new to science), 29 different has been charged with “serious thought this unique area would be mammals and 224 bird species. violations” of the International spared. They recommended establishing a Labour Office’s Convention on Tribal • BBC Wildlife 14(1): 59, January national park in the region. and Indigenous Populations, which 1996 • BBC Wildlife: 14(4), 1996 was officially incorporated into Venezuelan national law in 1983. Breeding Greater Flamingos in COLOMBIA There are 315 000 native people in Venezuela More on the Andean Condor Venezuela but only 1% of native A Greater Flamingo Phoeni- reintroduction scheme communities possess legally binding copterus ruber colony was The reintroduction of Andean land titles; this recent avalanche of discovered at the Ciénaga de Los Condors Vultur gryphus in land concessions apparently ignores Olivitos in the Maracaibo Basin in northern South America continues. even these. Zulia state, western Venezuela, in This year the Peregrine Fund and For example, in Estado Bolívar 1987. Breeding was also confirmed its partners plan to release 4–6 around 60 foreign mining companies, in 1988 and 1989. The highest birds at a new site in the Parque including the Canadian-owned numbers were in 1987 with 4015 Nacional Los Nevados in the Yellowback Resources and Solomon nests (about 8000 adult birds) Department of Caldas, Colombia. Resources, have been granted containing a total of 3000+ pulli. Last year saw the first confirmed concessions, which in many cases A total of 5000+ birds is estimated breeding effort by reintroduced encroach on native lands and to have fledged from the colony birds when a pair laid an egg at a supposedly protected forests. This is over the three years. site in the Andes near Bogotá, a double blow to local people because Greater Flamingos have Colombia. This year several more they had previously been denied declined throughout the Caribbean of the released birds will reach permission to cany out small-scale area and this is an important sexual maturity and further mining to protect headwater discovery. Phelps and Phelps Jr. knew of only one Greater Flamingo colony in Venezuela: on La Orchila Island where a colony in 1952 contained 50 nests, all of which were abandoned due to human disturbance. This is the first record of breeding in Venezuela since 1952 and the first mainland colony to be discovered. • Colonial Waterbirds 17(1): 28– 34, 1994

Andean Condor Vultur gryphus (Dave Beadle)

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threat to the species. occurred close inshore, involving The survey was carried a different set of species, but out between 1–14 Waved Albatrosses were not September 1995 and associated with these. involved dawn-to-dusk Waved Albatrosses were also watches on nine full days observed scavenging in other and casual observations on situations. On one occasion several the other days. It was albatrosses, plus frigatebirds and found that flocks of Waved storm-petrels, were attracted to Albatrosses frequently the remains of an attack by seven associated with feeding Killer Whales Orcinus orca on a groups of Common school of Common Dolphins. On Dolphins Delphinus another, three albatrosses were delphis, Blue-footed seen feeding on the remains of a Harpy Eagle Harpia harpyja (Dave Beadle) Boobies Sula nebouxii, large squid Angistrocheirus Masked Boobies S. lesevri. Harpy Eagle Conservation dactylatra, Magnificent During the entire survey no Program Frigatebirds Fregata magnificens, albatrosses were seen feeding on In 1995 the Harpy Eagle White-vented Storm Petrels live prey. Thus (and contra to most Conservation Program discovered Oceanites gracilis, Wedge-rumped of the literature) it seems that seven new nesting sites in Storm Petrels Oceanodroma scavenging may be an important Venezuela, bringing the national tethys and Galápagos Sea Lions feeding strategy for Waved total found during their surveys to Zalophus californianus which Albatrosses at certain times of the an impressive 18. Three of the regularly form in the vicinity of year. This means that the structure seven contained chicks by the year the islands. Large concentrations of feeding groups and the well­ end and another had an almost of albatrosses were observed on being of all their components (fish, fully grown fledgling still accepting many occasions, always with dolphins, boobies and frigatebirds) food from its parents. Sadly, they feeding groups, with the largest is perhaps of importance to the also report that one of the juveniles flock recorded during the survey feeding success of the albatrosses. radio-tagged 27 months previously being 389. However, taking the There is a potential threat in was shot by a poacher. Their survey as a whole, 1–3 together that fishermen, as well as detailed study of nesting Harpy was a more typical sighting. dolphins and seabirds, are also Eagles Harpia harpyja in The feeding groups always attracted to schools of tuna. Until Venezuela continues. occurred offshore in deep water very recently the fishing fleet in • Peregrine Fund Annual Report: and seemed to follow a fixed the area has been slow, local and 15, 1995 pattern. The dolphins would locate primitive in its methods. However, the food with Blue-footed Boobies there is enormous pressure to ECUADOR following overhead. Once the food allow local fishermen to increase Flocking and feeding behaviour was accessible to the boobies, they the tonnage of their fleet. The fleet of Waved Albatross poses a would begin to dive on it. is also modernising and one of the potential threat Frigatebirds, which had been “new” techniques to be introduced The world population of Waved keeping an eye on the proceedings, is the use of longlines for the Albatrosses Diomede a irrorata was would descend to mob the boobies, valuable Yellow Fin Tuna Thunnus estimated at about 15 000 pairs in forcing them to disgorge their fish. albacares and other pelagic fish in 19941, of which 99% breed on However, the albatrosses which the waters surrounding the Española Island in the Galápagos. were attracted by the activity were Galápagos. The effects of Using satellite transmitters, it has observed on dozens of occasions to longlining on albatrosses in other been demonstrated that the birds move in and grab the disgorged parts of the world has been forage over the continental shelf of food. On one occasion up to four catastrophic (the albatrosses Peru2. However, a survey by Godfrey albatrosses were seen round one scavenge from the baited hooks as Merlen, David Parer and Elizabeth “downed” booby. The albatrosses they enter the water — with Parer-Cook in 1995 indicates that appeared to rely on the frigatebirds disastrous results) and there is a scavenging near the Galápagos to initiate the attack but would very real threat that the same breeding grounds may constitute an then try and seize the disgorged thing may now occur around the important part of their feeding food. Storm petrels fluttered Galápagos; especially given that behaviour and as this brings them amongst these birds and picked up Waved Albatrosses are not just into close contact with local tuna whatever morsels were left over. scavengers, but are also heavily fishermen could pose a potential Similar feeding groups also reliant on squid3, a popular bait

10 COTINGA 6 Neotropical News for longlining. One way of courting and one pair was observed nests observed contained eggs or diminishing such a threat is to copulating. young. This is the most recent prohibit longlining and other The total was slightly lower breeding record of Scarlet Ibis on the potentially dangerous fishing than the 873 counted in 1994 but north coast of Brazil. techniques in the waters within significantly higher than the 398 • Ararajuba 3: 67–68, 1995 the Marine Resource Reserve (15 counted during the 1982/83 El nautical miles seaward from the Niño. The relatively high total and ARGENTINA perimeter of the archipelago). high percentage of juveniles Pesticides in Argentina affecting References suggest the population is slowly populations of Swainson’s Hawks 1. Anderson, D. (1995) Census of recovering from the 1982/83 El An extremely potent organophos- Waved Albatross, 1994: Final Niño, when it declined by an phate pesticide has been linked to report to the Charles Darwin estimated 77%. However the data the death of up to 20 000 Swainson’s Research Station, June 19 indicate that the population is still Hawks Buteo swainsonii in La 1995. Unpublished report, 50% below that prior to 1982. Pampa region of Argentina. 700 dead Charles Darwin Research The number of goats has Swainson’s Hawks were found in Station. increased recently in western 1995. This led to a more detailed 2. Anderson, D. (1995) Ecological Isabela, where penguins are survey this year, led by Brian and population dynamics of abundant, and their nesting Woodbridge of the US Forest Service, Waved Albatross: Preliminary habitat may be being damaged as a result of which 3900 dead report to the Charles Darwin through continuous soil erosion by Swainson’s Hawks were found in Research Station, June 23 these animals. An eradication January 1996. This followed the 1995. Unpublished report, programme is being planned to spraying of fields in the area with Charles Darwin Research remove the goats. There is also monocrotophos for grasshopper Station. concern that massive extraction of control. 2729 of these were found at 3. Harris, M.P. (1973) The biology sea cucumbers in the area may a single site following a pesticide of the Waved Albatross affect other trophic levels in the application. These hawks, which Diomedea irrorata of Hood Galápagos, as well as penguins. breed in northern North America, Island, Galapagos. Ibis 115: • Penguin Conservation 9(1): 2–4, spend their austral summers in 483–510. 1996 Argentina, where they feed primarily • Godfrey Merlen, Puerto Ayora, on grasshoppers. They are subject to Galápagos. Texaco sued for damage to direct mortality through skin contact Ecuadorian rainforest with the pesticide, as well as Galápagos Penguin census: 1995 A group of native Ecuadorians has secondary poisoning through the results filed a £1 million lawsuit against consumption of contaminated The 15th census of Galápagos Texaco in the New York courts. The insects. Penguins Spheniscus mendiculus oil company is accused of “large- In recent years, much of the was carried out on 22–23 August scale disposal of inadequately winter (austral summer) habitat of and 27 September–3 October 1995 treated hazardous wastes and Swainson’s Hawk has been changed by the Charles Darwin Research destruction of tropical rainforest”. from range-based livestock to Station and the Galápagos The Rainforest Action Network intensive crop production using National Parks Service. The census estimates that Texaco may have pesticides. There are fears that other produced a total of 844 penguins, of spilled 17 million gallons of crude insectivorous birds in the region are which 402 (47.6%) were adults, 145 oil in the Amazonian region of suffering the same fate as the (17.2%) juveniles and 297 (32.5%) Ecuador, which is more than half Swainson’s Hawks. Monocrotophos is of indeterminate age. 538 (63.7%) as much again as in the Exxon highly toxic to birds and banned in were on Isabela (with most of these Valdez disaster of 1989. the US and Canada. Despite this, it on the western side), 271 (32.1%) • BBC Wildlife 14(1): 55, 1996 is in widespread use worldwide and on Fernandina, and just 35 (4.1%) is manufactured by many companies on other islands. The percentage of BRAZIL under varying brand names, juveniles were 16.2% for Isabela, Scarlet Ibis colony discovered in including Nuvacron by Ciba-Geigy of 17.3% for Fernandina and 22.9% Brazil Basel, Switzerland, one of the largest for the other islands. The largest In April 1991, during shorebird producers. This and many other flock was 21 in south-western research, a breeding colony of about incidents illustrates the pressing Isabela. Two active nests were 2500 Scarlet Ibises Eudocimus need to establish a global protocol found, one with a nearly fledged ruber was found on Cajual Island, dealing with persistent and chick and one with two downy Maranhão, Brazil. The nests were 8– bioaccumulative chemicals. young. Twelve birds were in active 12 m high in young mangroves • Gerald W. Winegrad, American moult, two pairs were seen (mainly ofAvicennia sp.). All the Bird Conservancy

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