New Bird Records for Bonaire 2016-2017

By Peter-Paul Schets. This article was published in BioNews 11.

The island of Bonaire has achieved worldwide north of Bonaire, is an especially important breed- recognition for its rich and diverse marine life, ing and roosting site for the yellow-shouldered but the island is rapidly gaining momentum amazon, along with Washikemba-Fontein- as a birdwatchers paradise. Recent estimates Onima. Gotomeer and Pekelmeer provide vital put Bonaire’s bird population at more than 210 breeding grounds for the Caribbean flamingo species, with a great variety of terrestrial and (Phoenicopterus ruber), Bonaire’s flagship bird. sea bird species. While some species reside year- Globally and regionally important numbers of tern round on Bonaire, many are migratory species also nest at Pekelmeer (Common tern (Sterna that stop on the island on route to or from North hirundo), Sandwich tern (Sterna sandvicensis), and South America. Least tern (Sterna antillarum)). Klein Bonaire is also an important breeding site for terns, notably The island acts as a sanctuary for many rare or least terns. Lac Bay supports many shorebird endangered bird species, such as the Yellow- species, including seven species of heron. shouldered amazon (Amazona barbadensis), known locally as the “Lora”. Birdlife International Over the past two years - from January 2016 to the has identified six International Bird Areas (IBAs) on end of 2017 – at least eight bird species have been Bonaire: Washington-Slagbaai National Park, Dos recorded for the first time on Bonaire. One other Pos, Washikemba-Fontein-Onima, Klein Bonaire, species awaits final identification. The record of a Lac Bay and Pekelmeer Saltworks (see table 1). 10th species could not be validated due to a lack of IBAs are areas recognized as globally important footage. This article describes these first records. for the conservation of bird populations according The discovery of new bird species for the island to a number of set criteria. Bonaire’s IBAs provide is extremely exciting and shows that there is still vital breeding and foraging grounds to species much to discover about Bonaire’s biodiversity. with a high conservation priority. Dos Pos, in the

Oilbird, photo by: © Paulo Bertuol

BioNews 2018 - Content ... 56 57 58 59 60 ... 1. Lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus) 2. Pied water-tyrant (Fluvicola pica) 3. Dickcissel (Spiza americana) 4. Oilbird (Steatornis caripensis) Plaza Resort Bonaire Sewage plant LVV terrain near the Sewage plant Kralendijk

On January 6th 2016 Peter-Paul Schets took pictures While birding after a working day on January 8th Just after arrival on Bonaire on October 2nd 2016, The discovery of an Oilbird on the night of January 4th of a first year Lesser black-backed gull. The bird was 2016, Schets found a Pied water-tyrant at Sewage Schets went to the LVV fields next to Sewage plant 2017 was spectacular. While having dinner at a restau- resting on a small raft at Plaza Hotel, close to the plant. This was the first record of this species for the to see if there were any migrating birds. Apart from rant in Kralendijk, Lauren Schmalz and Quirijn Coolen beach, amidst a number of Laughing gulls, Royal ABC-islands. A snippet in BioNews (January 2016) was Fork-tailed flycatchers, Caribbean martins and a saw it flying to and from a palm tree. It appeared for terns and Brown pelicans. This species had been dedicated to this record. This bird was seen by various Prothonotary warbler he found two Dickcissels. This several consecutive nights in the same garden, feeding recorded several times on Aruba but so far never on birders until the end of March 2016. Most often it was species, a migrant from North America, had been on palm nuts. The Bonaire Reporter published an arti- Curaçao and Bonaire. Schets saw the same bird that feeding in one of the dead trees in the biggest pond of recorded several times on Aruba and Curaçao but so cle, including a great picture, on this exciting record. week on two more days, on different places. Later it Sewage plant. far never on Bonaire. On October 4th, Schets recorded became evident Bonaire resident Sipke Stapert had another three Dickcissels at Sewage plant and six The Oilbird is a nocturnal bird that lives in the South photographed this bird already in December 2015 at Quite surprising, on January 14th 2017 visiting birder months later (1 April 1st 2017), Sieben took a picture of American mainland and on Trinidad. This species was Pekelmeer (see Birds of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao Marco Tijs recorded a Pied water-tyrant at exactly the one Dickcissel at the same location. only seen once before on the ABC-islands, namely in by J.V. Wells and A. Childs Wells, 2017). same spot. His pictures show a bird with a brown back, 1976 on Aruba. It is reddish-orange in color with white- indicating a female. Again several birders saw this The Dickcissel is a sparrow-like bird that inhabits spotted plumage, big eyes and a small but heavily The Lesser black-backed gull breeds in Europe but species during the first months of 2017, all at the same grassland habitats where it forages for seeds and hooked bill (del Risco et al, 2011). Throughout the day, can be found in North America year-round, with some pond of Sewage plant. The last record made was on insects. While most Dickcissels congregate in huge the Oilbird hides in large numbers in dark caves. It uses going as far south as the Caribbean. It nests in colonies May 8th 2017 by Herman Sieben. Intriguingly, photos flocks in migration and on their tropical grassland echolocation to navigate in the dark. It is a frugivore on the ground or occasionally on cliff ledges and even made by Schets on April 23rd 2017 clearly show a male wintering grounds, some individuals venture far from and consumes lipid-rich fruit primarily from the laurel on the rooftops of buildings. Its diet is omnivorous Pied water-tyrant, which means more than one bird their normal range (Kaufman, 1996). Both sexes have (Lauraceae), torchwood (Burseraceae), and palm and includes fish, eggs, rodents, berries, seaweed and was spotted. a grayish head with a white chin and yellow stripe (Palmae) plant families (del Risco et al, 2011), and will insects (Kaufman, 1996). As its name suggests, this above the eyes (Wildscreen Arkive, 2018). Males are travel quite far from its cave to forage. Some Oilbirds medium-sized gull has a dark grey back, as well as The Pied water-tyrant is a common resident bird in larger than females and have only during breeding are known to migrate seasonally away from breeding distinct yellow legs and a yellow bill with a red spot. northern South America and occurs on Trinidad as season a distinct V-shaped patch on their yellow sites in search for food (del Risco et al, 2011). Lesser black-backed gulls can be found in a number well. This small flycatcher species inhabits marshy chest. Throughout the breeding season, males are of coastal habitats including estuaries, harbours and wetlands and mangrove swamps where it feeds on very territorial and will vigorously defend their nesting lagoons (Wildscreen Arkive, 2018). insects (Neotropical Birds Online). Nests are built by and foraging grounds from other males (Wildscreen both the male and female on tree branches near or Arkive, 2018). over water. Adults are white with a contrasting black nape, back, wings and tail. Females often have brown mixed with the black (Farnsworth & Langham, 2018).

Photos 1, 2 & 3 by: © Peter-Paul Schets New Bird Records for Bonaire 2016-2017 Photo 4 by: © Paulo Bertuol

BioNews 2018 - Content ... 56 57 58 59 60 ... 5. Greater ani (Crotophaga major) 6. Smooth-billed ani (Crotophaga ani) 7. Prairie warbler (Setophaga discolor) 8. Black vulture (Coragyps atratus) Sewage Plant Sewage Plant Sewage Plant Sorobon

While birding at Sewage plant on January 13th 2017, In the same month of January 2017 Sieben recorded Sewage plant produced another new species for On November 4th 2017 Martijn Hickmann, who Marco Tijs found two Greater ani’s, the first for several anis (Crotophaga) at Sewage plant which Bonaire on October 14th 2017, namely a Prairie works for a diving company on Bonaire, recorded Bonaire. He was able to take pictures and submit- looked slightly different from the resident Groove- warbler. This species had so far never been found on the first Black vulture for this island at Sorobon, near ted these to observation.org. These two birds were billed ani. On January 21st he took pictures of several Bonaire, but has been recorded several times on Aruba Fisherman’s pier. He saw it flying as well as perched recorded for several months until mid-May and then birds and submitted them to observation.org as and once on Curaçao. Schets found this bird while on several occasions during a period of several weeks. again from the middle of August. The last record so far possible Smooth-billed ani. Schets was on the island searching for warblers. The bird was rather restless In this period, Hennie de Rijke took some pictures of was on October 16th 2017 by Sieben. This species had in February 2017 and while birding at Sewage plant on and mostly moved behind branches and leaves, so it this bird while it was foraging at a landfill at Lagun. already been recorded on Aruba (first in 2005) and on February 6th he heard an ani calling like an Earasian was not possible to take its picture. Schets found it After circa two weeks, it was no longer seen (pers. Curaçao (first in 2010). curlew. This had to be one of the birds Sieben had back at the same spot exactly one week later and this comm. Martijn Hickmann). In December 2017 a Black photographed a couple of weeks before. There were time was successful in taking some pictures, although vulture was again spotted on Bonaire by Elsmarie The Greater ani is widespread in South America, without doubt several birds involved, but due to the poor, of this male Prairie warbler. Beukenboom at Dos Pos and Lagun. From November where it inhabits forested habitats close to water, difficulty in identifying this species on appearance only, 2016 onwards two Black vultures have been regularly including mangrove swamps (Riehl, 2010). It is a it is hard to tell how many. This species was recorded The Prairie warbler breeds in loose colonies in eastern spotted on Curaçao. It is possible that the Black vulture seasonal migrant. It primarily eats terrestrial insects as by several birders and the call was recorded by Sieben. North America and many winter in the West Indies spotted on Bonaire came from Curaçao. well as small lizards and frogs. It is also known as the Last observation so far was in May. As Groove-billed during the nonbreeding season. Despite its name, “Black Cuckoo” due to its glossy blue and black color. ani is a rather common resident bird at Sewage plant, the small warbler inhabits scrubby fields and forests The Black vulture is widespread in northern, central It has a distinct long tail and massive ridged black bill this means all three species of ani were present at (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2015). It feeds on insects and southern America, notably on disturbed, agricul- (Riehl, 2010). During the non-breeding season, up to Sewage plant during the first five months of 2017. First such as caterpillars and beetles, spiders, small inverte- tural and open areas (Neotropical Birds Online). Adults 150 individuals gather in large communal roosts. The record of a Smooth-billed ani on the ABC-islands was brates as well as some berries. Female Prairie Warblers have a black plumage with white patches under the young are raised in communal clutches within nesting only in February 2016 on Aruba. often consume the eggshells after their young hatch wingtips, a strongly hooked bill and a small bare gray- groups of 2 to 4 unrelated pairs (Riehl, 2010). (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2015). The Prairie warbler ish head (Neotropical Birds Online). Juveniles, as spot- The Smooth-billed ani is widespread in central and is currently listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Red ted on Bonaire, have a predominantly brown plumage. South America and also occurs in southern Florida List of Threatened Species but it is declining through- It roosts in trees and structures like transmission tow- and on several islands in the Caribbean, including the out most of range due habitat loss and cowbird ers, but soars above open areas and roads looking for Greater Antilles. Smooth-billed anis inhabit a variety of parasitism (IUCN Red List, 2016). food (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2015). Black vultures brushy or semi-open habitats in the lowlands, mainly feed almost exclusively on carrion of all sizes and often in humid scrub and forest clearings (Kaufman, 1996). follow the lead of Turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) as They forage on the ground and in trees and shrubs for this species of vulture has a much better developed insects, lizards, frogs and some fruit (Cornell Lab of sense of smell (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2015). Ornithology, 2015). Smooth-billed anis are glossy black Black vultures do occasionally catch and kill their own in color and have a distinctive high-arched, keel shaped food, including small fish, young livestock, skunks and bill (Neotropical Birds Online). They are very social ani- opposums and also eggs of other birds, sea turtles and mals and are often seen in small groups. They typically lizards (Kaufman, 1996). They are also known to pick nest communally, with several females laying their through dumpsters. eggs into one nest. As many as 36 eggs may be found in a single nest (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2015).

Photos 5,6 & 7 by: © Peter-Paul Schets New Bird Records for Bonaire 2016-2017 Photo 8 by: © Caren Eckrich (STINAPA)

BioNews 2018 - Content ... 56 57 58 59 60 ... Possible New Species Records and pictures of these new birds species for Bonaire can be checked at: Cory’s/Scopoli’s shearwater (Calonectris American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) www.bes.observation.org borealis/diomedea) Peter-Paul Schets // [email protected] Less than two weeks after finding the first Black On December 12th 2016 visiting birder Arjan Ovaa vulture for Bonaire, Martijn Hickmann recorded recorded a bird at Sewage plant which he identi- a seabird in bad condition at Lac. The bird was fied as American bittern. He saw the bird only for floating on the waters of Lac and was hardly able a few minutes in the middle of the day and could to fly. The next day, November 18th 2017, Martijn not relocate it that evening. His description of and a colleague caught the bird and brought it to the bird suggests that the bird was an American Elly Albers who runs a bird hospital on Bonaire. bittern but unfortunately he was unable to take Unfortunately the bird died a few days later. a photograph of it to validate his description. If Experts examined pictures of it but are not certain he was in fact right, this would have been a first about its identity: probably a Cory’s shearwater for the ABC-islands. American bittern is a bird but Scopoli’s cannot be excluded (formerly these from Northern America. Its relative from South birds were considered as one species). Elly put the America, Pinnated bittern (B. pinnatus), has so far corpse in a freezer; future analysis of it will hope- been observed on the ABC-islands only once, in fully lead to its final ID. 1972 on Aruba.

New Bird Records for Bonaire 2016-2017 Left Photo (Cory’s Shearwater): © Artie Kopelman Right Photo (American Bitter) by: © Mary Keim

BioNews 2018 - Content ... 61 62 63 64 65 ... Table 1: Important Bird Areas (IBAs) of Bonaire (source: Wells & Debrot, 2008).

• Significant nesting, roosting, and foraging area for the Yellow-shouldered amazon parrot (Amazona barbadensis). Washington-Slagbaai National Park • Important nesting area for globally significant numbers of Common tern (Sterna hirundo), and regionally important (AN009) numbers of Sandwich tern (S. sandvicensis) and Least tern (S. antillarum). • Regionally important concentration of Caribbean flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber). • Important habitat for a number of restricted-range species as well as several endemic subspecies.

• Important breeding and roosting site for the Yellow-shouldered amazon parrot. Dos Pos • Significant habitat for Neotropical migrant passerines. (AN010) • Small pond supports waterbirds, including the Caribbean coot (Fulica caribaea). (AN009) • Significant habitat for two restricted-range species: Caribbean elaenia (Elaenia martinica) and Pearly-eyed thrasher (Margarops fuscatus). Yellow-Shouldered Amazon (Amazona Barbadensis) , Photo by: Washikemba–Fontein–Onima • Important breeding and roosting site for the Yellow-shouldered amazon parrot. (AN011) • Important habitat for the Caribbean coot • Coast is regionally important for breeding Least tern. ng, roosting, and foraging area for the Yellowarbadensis).

• Stop over point for countless species of migratory wetland birds. Klein Bonaire • Important breeding site for terns, notably regionally important Least terns. (AN012) • Significant for the restricted-range species Caribbean elaenia and the Northern South America biome species Bare-eyed pigeon (Patagioenas corensis).

• Important habitat for breeding and wintering shorebirds and seabirds. Lac Bay • Important feeding area for seabirds, including the Magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), (AN013) Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) and gulls (Laridae sp.). • Important roosting area for seven species of heron.

• Supports one of the most important nesting colonies of Caribbean flamingo in the Caribbean. Pekelmeer Saltworks Important feeding area for pelicans, herons and various migratory shorebirds that breed in North America. ©

• Miro Zumrik (AN014) • Globally important numbers of Common tern and regionally important numbers of Sandwich tern and Least tern nest here. • Only known nesting area on Bonaire for the Royal tern.1`

New Bird Records for Bonaire 2016-2017

BioNews 2018 - Content ... 61 62 63 64 65 ... Aruba Shoco Conservation Project

This article was published in BioNews 12.

The Dutch Caribbean Islands are a treasure trove of rare and burrowing owls are typically seen in and around their burrows This subspecies of burrowing endemic (sub) species. Island endemic (sub) species, that in the morning and evening hours. During the warmest time of owl is now at a pivotal mo- is (sub) species restricted to just one island, are especially the day they remain in their burrow or sit in shady spots near ment: if no further actions are vulnerable to extinction due to their narrow geographical their burrows. They mostly hunt at night and will take rodents, taken to protect it, the Shoco range, small population size and need for specialized ecologi- lizards, small snakes, small young birds and insects. will likely become extinct. cal niches (Isik, 2017). Therefore, they “must be given priority and monitored and managed carefully in an effort to promote A survey of the Aruban burrowing owl population, which dates genetic conservation” (Isik, 2017). Aruba’s most famous bird, back to 1999, found that the island is home to approximately the Aruban burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia arubensis) 200 pairs. This number is of great concern to David Johnson - locally known as Shoco - is endemic to the island and an of the Global Owl Project, who considers the Shoco now to be important part of the local culture. A recent study by Rose critically endangered. It is likely that the population has since Garrido found that the owl is very much loved by locals and a decreased further in light of the island’s land development and source of pride (Peterson, 2018a). The Shoco population has resulting habitat destruction, as well as due to free roaming however declined considerably over the past few decades due dogs and cats, rats and the invasive boa constrictor. The experts to an increase in anthropogenic pressures. This subspecies of the Global Owl Project now believe that a negative shift of of burrowing owl is now at a pivotal moment: if no further just about 10 to 15% in their numbers could lead to the collapse actions are taken to protect it, the Shoco will likely become of Aruba’s Shoco population (Aruba Birdlife Conservation, extinct. However, the right conservation actions could help 2018a). Regretfully, but justifiably so, it is feared that the island’s the population recover. burrowing owl will follow the same path as other bird species that have already gone lost to Aruba’s landscapes, such as the The Aruban burrowing owl is an endemic subspecies of bur- Yellow-shouldered Amazon Parrot (Lora or Amazona barbaden- rowing owl, however David Johnson of the Global Owl Project sis), the Scaly-naped Pigeon (Paloma Azul or Patagioenas squa- after having given a workshop on Shoco conservation in Aruba mosa) and the Rufous-collared Sparrow (Gonzalito or Zonotrichia believes that chances are significant that the Shoco is now a capensis). While the Aruban burrowing owl population receives completely different species of owl that is unique to the island some form of protection through its listing in Appendix II of (BonDia24, 2018). This species of owl is small with large round CITES, the efforts and capacity by Aruba’s government to setup yellow eyes, prominent whitish eyebrows and unusually long and implement a comprehensive conservation plan to prevent grey legs. Aruba is the only country within the Kingdom of the the Shoco’s extinction have been seriously lacking. “Over the Netherlands that has burrowing owls. Burrowing owls get their years, excessive, unsustainable, government-driven projects and common name from their unusual habit of nesting underground the lack of know-how, goodwill and conservation efforts have been in already dug-out burrows, but the Aruban Shoco is known devastating to Aruba’s nature and our Shoco can now be consid- to dig its own burrows. When the breeding season is over, the ered critically endangered” (Aruba Birdlife Conservation, 2018a). Photo by: © Diego Marquez owls continue to use the borrows to rest during the day. Aruban

BioNews 2018 - Content ... 61 62 63 64 65 ... Since 2011, Aruba Birdlife Conservation has been reduction in nesting habitat for the owls. For at the heart of conservation efforts to ensure this reason, the foundation has renewed its that the Shoco does not go extinct. Thanks to the efforts to protect this owl through the Aruba foundation’s efforts, the Shoco was made one Shoco Conservation Project. The Aruba Shoco of Aruba’s National Symbols in February 2012 Conservation Project, which was launched in and now appears on Aruba’s postal stamps and 2017, is a collective effort by Aruba Birdlife currency (Aruba Birdlife Conservation, 2018b). Conservation, The Global Owl Project and Parke However, it has been “a very steep up-hill battle to Nacional Arikok. Aruba Birdlife Conservation try and prevent this critically endangered endemic and Arikok National Park have taken the initia- sub-species of Aruba from going extinct” (Aruba tive to get different Government departments Birdlife Conservation, 2018c). In 2014 legislation involved in the Shoco Conservation Program and was adapted in which the Shoco attained protec- invited Veterenary Services, Santa Rosa (LVV), tion as such. In 2017 the protected species list the Department of Nature and Environment helped to fortify the Shoco’s position one step (DNM), the Department of Public Works (D.O.W.), further (Aruba Birdlife Conservation, 2018b) The the University of Aruba and the Aruba Airport island’s terrestrial protected area, Parke Nacional Authority to participate in the first Shoco work- Arikok, has served as an important refuge for the shop of Aruba. The Shoko Beer Co., sponsored Aruba borrowing owl, and park staff are actively Aruba Birdlife Conservation with $10.000 which involved in conservation efforts and monitor the was rerouted by Aruba Birdlife Conservation to the owl’s population within the protected area. park under the condition that the funds be ear- marked for the Shoco conservation program. While conservation efforts by Aruba Birdlife Conservation have pathed the way for improved protection of the Shoco, the species is still ex- tremely vulnerable to extinction; ongoing devel- opment of the island to accommodate growing tourist numbers has led to a significant

Photo by: © Aruba Birdlife Conservation, Greg Peterson

Aruba Shoco Conservation Project

BioNews 2018 - Content ... 61 62 63 64 65 ... One of the main goals of the Aruba Shoco Conservation than 6,000 burrowing owls throughout the Americas Project is to make 100 artificial nesting sites available (Aruba Birdlife Conservation, 2018a). The first Shoco island wide to help the Shocos to find safe located and banded in Aruba was done by David on February 20th , reliable nests. Due to a structural shortage of nesting loca- 2018, at Queen Beatrix International Airport before the tions, too often the Shocos end up digging their burrows bird was relocated to Parke Nacional Arikok. Dr. Martha in heaps of construction sand or too close to dangerous Desmond from New Mexico State University has a PhD in traffic locations. Another main goal of the project is to burrowing owls. Martha is working on setting up student relocate Shocos that are in high-risk areas to artificial exchange programs with Aruba in order to help with burrows located in safer locations and in some cases within the conservation program. The “Aruba Burrowing Owl the safety of Parke Nacional Arikok. When the owls are Workshop” took place from February 16 to 20th this year moved, they are first put in a release cage for approximate- and was attended by 22 participants from Aruba Birdlife ly four weeks to ensure that they will not fly back to their Conservation, Arikok National Park and from different old burrow (Peterson, 2018b). The first two Shoco nests government departments. The workshop provided educa- were relocated from Queen Beatrix International Airport tional training on the scientific and conservation manage- Photos by: last month, on February 20 and 22nd due to the large ment of the Aruban burrowing owl as well as hands on © Aruba Birdlife Conservation, Greg Peterson amount of construction going on there (Queen Beatrix fieldwork, including the creation of artificial burrows. On International Airport, 2018). The relocation of the nests the last day of the workshop the participants received their occurred under supervision of David Johnson of the Global “Shoco Conservation Masters” certificate. Owl Project who incorporated these reallocations within the workshop. Many items are on the agenda of the Aruba Shoco Conservation Project, varying from placement of a large Gian Nunes, Research and Conservation Manager of number of artificial burrows, getting more volunteers Parke National Arikok, was entrusted by Aruba Birdlife involved and of course outreach, notably communicating Conservation and Arikok National Park with developing to the public the importance of protecting the Aruba bor- the Shoco conservation program. Earlier in 2017 Gian rowing owl and how each individual can play a part. Parke established contact with David Johnson, director of the Nacional Arikok is already receiving more calls Global Owl Project which brought the conservation inten- about endangered Shoco nests from concerned residents tions to a next level. Plans were made to hold a first con- in different neighborhoods. The road ahead is however servation workshop in Aruba and to train as many locals not likely to be an easy one. On March 6th 2018, a wetland as possible about Shoco conservation. The workshop was area with a Shoco nest was bulldozed over for construction given by two Shoco experts, David Johnson and Prof. by the Mill Resort. Thankfully, the four nestlings were res- Dr. Martha Desmond. David has been involved with owl cued and are being taken care of. The precarious situation conservation for over 42 years and the Global Owl Project of threatened Shoco is ongoing and a lot of work remains works in no less than 63 countries. David has constructed to be done to ensure the Aruban burrowing owl over 600 artificial burrowing sites and has banded more a chance of survival.

Aruba Shoco Conservation Project

BioNews 2018 - Content ... 61 62 63 64 65 ... Yearly Parrot Count

This article was published in BioNews 15.

Every year on Bonaire, dozens of dedicated amazons typically roost in pairs or small groups volunteers wake up before dawn with one during the breeding and nesting season but roosts simple but important mission: count as many in large groups from September to January, flying yellow-shouldered amazon parrots (Amazona out at sunrise to feed (Williams and Evans, 2011). barbadensis), or Lora as they are locally known This makes them easier to count as they are con- in Papiamentu, as possible to estimate their centrated in a few areas. numbers on the island. This year marks Bonaire’s twenty-third Lora count, which has been organ- When the last Saturday of January comes along it is ized by Echo Bonaire with the help of STINAPA time for the actual count to take place. Volunteers and Bonaire’s Department of Environment which have prior experience are sent to the most and Nature (DRO). The Lora census started important roost sites. Each team has at least two in 1980 and is central to the protection of this counters so that data logged can be cross-checked. endangered and endemic species of parrot as it provides a yearly population assessment and The methodology used is simultaneous counting, appraisal of management efforts in place. during which all volunteers count the parrots at the same time in different places. The fact that the The yearly monitoring event of Bonaire’s yellow- roost count technique is standardized and used shouldered amazons is made possible thanks to the consistently facilitates the assessment of popula- contribution of volunteers. These citizen scientists tion trends (YSAP Management Plan). Volunteers receive training prior to the count to ensure that leave home before dusk to their designated site, they can perform the tally to the best of their wearing dark clothes to ensure minimal distur- ability. This also helps guarantee that volunteers all bance to the birds and are equipped with a com- apply the same methodology and know directions pass, binoculars and a watch. Once the Loras wake to the monitoring site they have been designated. up, shrieking loud and flying up, the volunteers As Loras are sometimes confused with brown- begin to fill out the data collection sheet. They throated parakeets (Aratinga pertinax), volunteers record the number of observed parrots, their point are taught how to identify the parrots visually and of departure, flight direction, destination and time vocally. Pre-roost counts begin in early January to at which this happened, and complete an observa- work out how many volunteers will be needed per tion map. Once all the data has been collected, the roost site on the day of the count. New identified organizers of the Lora count tally up the numbers roosts and those that have become re-active are and can estimate the minimum number of Loras added to the annual count. Yellow-shouldered present on Bonaire. Photos by: © ECHO

BioNews 2018 - Content ... 66 67 68 69 70 ... The yellow-shouldered amazon has a limited and DRO, Salba Nos Lora), nest site management (Echo), distinct range with genetically isolated populations in awareness campaigns (STINAPA, Echo, Salba Nos Bonaire and Curaçao as well as northern Venezuela Lora), rescue and release of injured birds (Echo), Graph 1: Population dynamics of the Yellow-shouldered Amazon parrot based on and the Venezuelan islands of Margarita and La enforcement of protected status (STINAPA, Echo) data collected by the yearly Lora count Blanquilla. This parrot is endangered with a global and tree planting (Echo and Salba Nos Lora ) [Graph population estimated at less than 8,000 individuals, 1]. In 2017, however, the number of Loras recorded and is classified by the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable was significantly lower than usual, with 700 Loras (Birdlife International, 2018). On Bonaire, the popula- counted as opposed to 1,000 in previous years (Echo, tion was once close to extinction due to poaching and 2017). This drop in numbers was not the result of habitat degradation. Therefore in 2002 DRO ringed fewer parrots on the island, but rather a long period and registered all existing pet Loras. Anyone after this of drought followed by heavy rains caused the parrots campaign found in possession of an unringed parrot to spread out more across the island, making them faces prosecution. Thanks to concerted and continued harder to observe and count. Weather and food supply conservation efforts, legal protection and enforcement have been known to drastically affect the count and – the Lora receives local protection under the Island’s parrots periodically change roost locations. In the area Nature Ordinance - the population has rebounded of Sabadeco, just 11 parrots were counted compared and is now an important stronghold for the global to the previous year’s 229, while in the Washington population. The yellow-shouldered amazon parrot Slagbaai National Park, just 50 birds were recorded is now considered a flagship species for the island’s (Echo, 2017). This unpredictable behavior of the Loras dry forest ecosystem. The local non-profit organiza- makes it challenging for the participating volunteers tion Echo is working hard to protect the parrots on to count them each year (Echo, 2017). While this The green dots on the graph show the actual annual population the island, find out more about their behavior and shortcoming means that the yearly count can under- counts, while the green lines represent the trendlines increase local awareness. estimate the island’s Lora population, it provides (average, minimum and maximum) associated with it. enough of a baseline data to assess population Information gathered over the years, thanks to the trend dynamics over the years. By involving annual Lora count, suggests that the number of locals in monitoring efforts, the count not parrots on Bonaire is increasing steadily. While only gathers vital information but numbers of parrots counted has fluctuated each year, also helps increase local aware- the overall trend is clearly an upward one and is linked ness of the need to protect one to the start of conservation efforts on the island, of Bonaire’s most iconic species. including population monitoring (Echo, STINAPA,

Yearly Parrot Count 1 Salba Nos Lora is no longer an active organization.

Photo By: © ECHO

BioNews 2018 - Content ... 66 67 68 69 70 ... Worth Its Salt: Bonaire’s Cargill Salt Ponds Designated a Shorebird Site of Regional Significance

This article was published in BioNews 16.

Imagine a vast expanse of rectangular saline acres) in 17 countries. Sites are categorized as of the Red Knot: every year, this shorebird flies a which winters on the northern coast of South ponds in surreal colors – pinks, turquoises, having Regional, International or Hemispheric roundtrip of close to 19,000 miles, from the Arctic America, has shown similar declines over 30 greens – that reach out towards the horizon, Importance based on the total number of shore- to southern Chile and Argentina. If that wasn’t years. This is a global problem: The Spoon-billed flanked by a collection of enormous, immacu- birds they support annually; or if the sites support impressive enough, this bird’s journey includes Sandpiper, which breeds in Russia and winters in lately white pyramids of salt. It’s an extraordi- a substantial percentage of the population of a multi-day stretches (even up to one week!) of con- Southeast Asia, may have just 100 breeding pairs nary landscape, with an eerie beauty. single species. The new site, the first for the Dutch tinuous flight between stopover sites. These sites left. The greatest threats to shorebirds are habitat Caribbean, also lies within BirdLife International’s that allow the birds to rest and refuel are critically loss, predators, hunting, and climate change. Now, there is something even more remarkable Important Bird Area (IBA) Pekelmeer Saltworks, important to the success of the Red Knot’s migra- Areas such as WHSRN sites, which are preserved about Bonaire’s Cargill Salt Ponds. BirdsCaribbean Bonaire. This area includes the 400-hectare tion. Without them, this fascinating shorebird and protected for shorebirds, are crucial for suc- is excited to share the fantastic news that this im- Pekelmeer Ramsar site (a designation given to would not survive. cessful breeding and migration. portant stopover and wintering site for migratory Wetlands of International Importance. birds has been designated a Western Hemisphere Cargill’s Invaluable Support for BirdsCaribbean and partners recorded 15 other Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) site of The Big Attraction for Shorebirds at Cargill Shorebird Surveys species during the salt pond surveys, including: Regional Importance. This is the second WHSRN Salt Ponds Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Stilt site in the Caribbean, joining the Cabo Rojo Salt Daniel DeAnda Jr., Cargill’s Production Manager, Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover, and Sanderling. Flats in southwestern Puerto Rico. This designa- Why do shorebirds thrive at the Salt Ponds? What collaborated with Lisa Sorenson, Executive Significant numbers of Snowy Plovers are also tion will ensure the protection and management could possibly survive in this alien landscape? The Director of BirdsCaribbean, on the nomination of found regularly at the location. These are probably of the site for shorebirds. It’s excellent news for answer: brine shrimp and brine flies. These small the salt ponds for WHSRN status. With Cargill’s a combination of migrants (nominate Charadrius the Red Knot, in particular. In addition to this invertebrates lay the foundation that support support, BirdsCaribbean led surveys, beginning in nivosus) and resident birds belonging to the threatened migratory bird, more than 20,000 thousands of shorebirds annually. Most of them 2015, to learn more about the species and num- Caribbean breeding subspecies (C. n. tenuirostris). shorebirds, representing 17 species, have been are hungry migrants, taking a much-needed break bers of birds using the site. Survey results revealed The area is the only known nesting area on Bonaire recorded at the location. before continuing on their journey, or spending that more than 20,000 shorebirds visit the wet- for the Royal Tern. It also supports one of the most the winter at this food-rich site. A privately-owned lands annually, qualifying it as a WHSRN site at important American Flamingo nesting colonies in What is the Western Hemisphere salt production facility at the southern end of the “Regional” level of importance. This large the Caribbean. Shorebird Reserve Network? Bonaire, owned by Cargill Salt Bonaire B.V., the concentration of shorebirds includes at least 1% of site comprises 3,700 hectares: 2,700 hectares are the biogeographic population of the threatened The Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve artificial wetlands – primarily solar evaporation rufa (American) subspecies of Red Knot (Calidris Network is dedicated to protecting key habi- ponds for salt extraction. Brine shrimp fill the canutus rufa) and Short-billed Dowitcher. tats throughout the Americas, helping sustain ponds. The dike roads running between the ponds healthy populations of shorebirds. are covered with brine flies. For shorebirds, the Unfortunately, shorebird numbers are declining. With the addition of Cargill Salt shrimp and flies are a delicious food source, right Some species have seen dramatic and worrying Ponds Bonaire, there are now 103 amongst the mountains of salt. decreases in numbers. The rufa subspecies of the WHSRN sites covering nearly Many are familiar with the Red Knot has declined 80% over the last 20 years. 15 million hectares (38 million extraordinary migratory cycle The population of Semipalmated Sandpiper, Photos by: © Sipke Stapert (LEFT) & Lisa Sorenson (RIGHT).

BioNews 2018 - Content ... 66 67 68 69 70 ... The Power of Partnerships shorebirds and the efforts to conserve them through the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative. BirdsCaribbean was very fortunate to have motivated and pas- sionate international and local partners, who were essential Acknowledgments during the survey periods. The partnership included staff and volunteers from STINAPA Bonaire, WILDSCONSCIENCE, US BirdsCaribbean thanks Fernando Simal (WILDCONSCIENCE), Jeff Fish and Wildlife Service, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and Dutch Gerbracht (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), Frank Rivera-Milan (US Caribbean Nature Alliance. Survey teams led by Fernando Simal Fish and Wildlife Service) and Lisa Sorenson (BirdsCaribbean) for (WILDCONSCIENCE) counted birds at 110 points, over five many hours in the field to survey shorebirds. We also thank the counting periods. Their findings informed the site’s WHSRN following individuals for field assistance: Paulo Bertoul, Caren designation. Lisa Sorenson, Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean Eckrich, Herman Sieben, Elise Lara Galitzki, Diana Sint Jago and commented, “We are very grateful for the support we received from Luigi Eybrecht from STINAPA Bonaire, Elly Albers from Bonaire Cargill and our partners and volunteers, who enabled us to complete Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, and Jilly Sarpong (Biology stu- To learn more about the Caribbean this work. We are especially thankful to Environment and Climate dent at HAS University of Applied Sciences in The Netherlands). Waterbird Census (CWC) and Change Canada for its principal funding support for the surveys, as Dr. Frank Rivera-Milan carried out the data analysis needed to how to participate, visit: well as the contribution of the U.S. Forest Service’s Department of support our nomination of Cargill Salt Ponds as a WHSRN site. https://www.birdscaribbean.org/our-work/ International Programs. We also deeply appreciate the encourage- Funding support was provided by Environment and Climate caribbean-waterbird-census-program/ ment and support we received from Manomet for our nomination.” Change Canada with additional assistance from the US Forest BirdsCaribbean looks forward to continuing to work together Service and in-kind support from STINAPA Bonaire, Cargill Salt, with Cargill and all the partners to monitor and manage the site STINAPA and Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance. Photos by: © Lisa Sorenson for shorebirds.

What can we do to help our shorebirds? Reprinted with permission from BirdsCaribbean. https://www.birdscaribbean.org/2018/05/worth-its-salt-bonaires- What can we do to help our shorebirds and their habitats? The cargill-salt-ponds-designated-a-shorebird-site-of-regional-signifi- Caribbean is a key link on the Atlantic Flyway. Its beaches, la- cance/ goons, marshes, swamps, rice fields, and other wetlands support enormous numbers of shorebirds annually. In order to ensure shorebird survival and mitigate against ongoing population declines, it is critical to identify and protect important sites in the region. One way you can help is by taking part in the Caribbean Waterbird Census, when professionals as well as citizen scientists count waterbirds during a 3-week period from January 14th to February 3rd as well as other times of year. Read more about

Worth Its Salt: Bonaire’s Cargill Salt Ponds Designated a Shorebird Site of Regional Significance

BioNews 2018 - Content ... 66 67 68 69 70 ... St. Eustatius: Bridled Quail-Dove Population Continues Declining

By Hannah Madden (CNSI), Frank Rivera-Milán (USFWS) and Kevin Verdel (Utrecht University). This article was published in BioNews 19.

In the December 2017 edition of BioNews, we provided The Bridled Quail-dove is a regionally endemic species in an overview of the results of two population assessments the family Columbidae that, on Statia, is only found in upper of the Bridled Quail-dove (Geotrygon mystacea) that had elevations of the Quill (above ~150m) and inside the crater. been conducted that year. This article provides the results It is easily distinguished from other dove species by the of a third assessment that was conducted eight months torquoise patch on its neck and white stripe (bridle) under the after two major hurricanes impacted St. Eustatius. eye. With its habit of wandering the forest floor during day- light hours in search of food (seeds, fruits and the occasional The Bridled Quail-dove can grow to a length of around 12 gecko or snail), observant hikers are likely to spot this bird. inches (30 cm) and weigh around 230 grams. Perched on a Activity and breeding are very much dependent on rainfall, branch, the dove emits a mournful ‘who-whoooo’ call that and the dove is sensitive to hurricanes and extended periods echoes through the forest. Nevertheless, this is a shy and se- of drought. Similar to other Columbids, the Bridled Quail- cretive species that usually walks or flies away when humans dove lays clutches of two eggs in a flimsy nest made of twigs approach. up to six meters above the forest floor. Bridled Quail-doves do not fare well in areas of human activity and numbers have While it is usually seen alone or in pairs, aggregations of over declined across the species’ range, presumably due to habitat a dozen may occur, especially in the non-breeding season. loss, but also due to hunting and predation by invasive mam- Local names include “wood dove” and “wood hen”, indicating mals such as the its preference for forest and woodland habitat. Black Rat (Rattus rattus).

Despite being classified as Least Concern by the International Irma and Maria were the first recorded category five hur- Union for the Conservation of Nature, with such a limited ricanes to hit the Windward Islands, and while Statia was geographic range (listed as ‘uncommon to rare in the Lesser spared extensive infrastructural damage in urban areas, its Antilles and extremely rare in Puerto Rico’) and the fact that forest ecosystems did not fare so well. According to a recent it is losing habitat, populations of the Bridled Quail-dove are publication by Eppinga and Pucko (2018), an average decreasing across the region and its status could be upgraded of 93% of tree stems on Statia and Saba were defoliated; to Vulnerable. It is said to be absent from Anguilla, Barbados, 83% lost primary/secondary branches, 36% suffered substan- St. Vincent, Grenada and the Grenadines. tial structural stem damage, and average tree mortality was 18% (with mortality being almost twice as high on Statia than Saba).

Quill before after Irma. Photo by: © Hannah Madden

BioNews 2018 - Content ... 66 67 68 69 70 ... Our pre-hurricane assessment in May 2017 was Reduced survival and reproduction, and thus initially encouraging, with an estimated 1,030 abundance fluctuations at low numbers, could (standard error [SE] = 275, 95% confidence interval lead to local extirpation. Because of the life-history [CI] = 561-1,621) quail-doves across its local habi- characteristics shared by members of the fam- tat of 440 hectares, possibly the highest known ily Columbidae (e.g., early maturity and short density in the region. Post-hurricanes, lifespan), conservation efforts are now urgently in November, we repeated the surveys and record- required. Although survival and reproduction ed decrease of around 22% in the population to rates of the Bridled Quail-dove on Statia are 803 (SE = 208, 95% CI = 451-1,229). Nevertheless, poorly understood, Black Rats are present in all we feared that the population would continue to vegetation types within the terrestrial protected decline as a result of hurricane-induced habitat areas. Management of these invasive mammalian degradation and the negative impacts of severe predators within the dove’s range is needed as vegetation damage, loss a first step towards increasing reproduction and of vegetation cover, food limitation, and survival, and therefore population recovery to pre- increased predation. hurricane levels, of this highly vulnerable species.

We repeated surveys in May 2018, hoping to coin- The authors are grateful to St. Eustatius National cide with the quail-dove’s peak breeding season. Parks Foundation for granting permission to con- However instead of the usual ~70 transects, we duct surveys in the Quill National Park. Thanks to had to walk a total of 255 transects in order to funding by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs detect sufficient doves for analysis. No doves were (now Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food heard calling, most likely as a result of delayed Quality (LNV)) under their Nature Fund initiative, breeding, and only 32 were detected during 2018 a rodent control project, facilitated through the surveys compared with ~92 in previous years. As Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute (CNSI), expected, the quail-dove population continued is running on St. Eustatius. We also wish to thank declining in May 2018 the many generous donors who contributed to (-76% compared with May 2017) and is BirdsCaribbean’s post-hurricane fundraising currently very small at around 253 individuals appeal, which covered Dr. Rivera-Milán’s costs (SE = 105, 95% CI = 83-486). With such a small to help conduct surveys in November 2017. The population there is a very real risk that Bridled end date of this project was recently extended to Quail-doves could become extirpated on October 2019. St. Eustatius. Bridled Quail-dove. Photo by: © Hannah Madden

St. Eustatius: Bridled Quail-Dove Population Continues Declining

... 71 72 73 74 75 ... Crowned Slaty Flycatcher: another new bird for Bonaire and for the Kingdom of the Netherlands

By Peter-Paul Schets. This article was published in BioNews 19. Photos by: © Peter-Paul Schets

In BioNews 11 (2017) an article was dedicated to Pieterson answered this bird mostly resembled the eight bird species that in 2016 and 2017 were a Crowned Slaty Flycatcher (Griseotyrannus au- added to the Bonaire-bird list. One of these, Pied rantioatrocristatus), a species of South America. Water-tyrant, was even new for the Kingdom of An unexpected finding because of the southern the Netherlands. distribution of that species, but comparison of photos of that species led Schets to the convic- Less than one kilometer from the location tion that this was indeed the bird he had seen. where that bird was recorded for the first time in Shortly afterwards its identification was con- January 2016, Peter-Paul Schets found another firmed by several experienced birders. tyrant-flycatcher which was never recorded before on Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. Finding this species on Bonaire is exceptional as its regular range is much more to the south. It In the early morning of 3 September 2018 Schets mainly breeds in central and in the southern half visited Bonaire’s LVV-grounds and sewage plant. of South America and migrates in austral winter At around 7 AM he noticed a mainly greyish rarely further north than Orinoco River. There flycatcher that reminded him of a phoebe or a are very few records outside South America. In pewee. The birds made short sallies to catch 2007 it was recorded in Panama and in 2008 in insects and repeatedly returned to the same or a Lousiana, USA. nearby bare branch. Schets realized this bird was not in the Sibley guide (birds of North America) This record once again shows birding on or in the field guides for the ABC-islands. He took Bonaire can we very rewarding. Finding many pictures that he sent to several birders in another new species for this island probably the Netherlands. It did not take long before Bert is just a matter of time. Year-round Breeding

Credit: Robb (2013) Non-Breeding

BioNews 2018 - Content ... 71 72 73 74 75 ...