An Annual Count of the Number and Species of Water Birds in Belize
2022 is the year of the census, including a population count for aquatic species of birds that are native to Belize. The exercise began a few weeks ago and is scheduled to conclude on the fifteenth of February. The annual count is being led by the Belize Audubon Society and will cover specific protected areas across the country, including Corozal Bay, Crooked Tree Lagoon, and Hopkins watershed. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
A systematic count of the number, as well as species of water birds in Central America is being undertaken by various agencies, including the Belize Audubon Society. The annual Central American Water Bird Census commenced on January twenty-fourth with a training workshop to identify native water birds. The session included the participation of Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development.
Roni Martinez
Roni Martinez, Trainer, B.A.S.
“We are doing this training up in Sarteneja for our colleagues at S.A.C.D. and our aim is to help them to be more proficient in their bird identification, but also to open the possibility of bird tourism in this area. One of the things that we want to accomplish with this training is for them to know better how to identify their birds. We also want to make them more aware of some of the critical habitats that they have in this area that they already monitor.”
The importance of conducting this census is for conservationists to be able to gather critical information, as well as to be able to keep track of species that are only found in certain parts of the country.
Kevin Tsau
Kevin Tsau, Research and Monitoring Officer, B.A.S.
“This year, we have already started the period or the season for water bird census. Normally we start on January fifteenth and it ends on February fifteenth. This is a very important activity. It’s a national survey that we conducted across the country, so there are different protected areas that we target. The first one is Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Over there we have five sites or five points located and the second protected area is Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. Over there we have five points as well, and then going further south we have Gales Point Wildlife Sanctuary. In that area, we have four points and there are two other protected areas that are in the district of Stann Creek which is the Gra Gra Lagoon and Hopkins wetlands.”
Jennifer Recinos has taken up bird watching for the past four years. Observing herons, frigates and egrets in their natural habitat has become a passion.
Jennifer Recinos
Jennifer Recinos, Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation & Development
“This workshop has been beneficial to me because I have learned a lot. It was very informative and easy to learn. I was able to apply it when we went out for the practical and it will help me in my future career.”
Giselle Tepos
Giselle Tepos, Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation & Development
“This workshop has been very useful for me since I’ve gained a lot of knowledge because there were some birds that were out there that I didn’t know that they had subspecies. Now I could exactly know what’s their name because sometimes we were confusing them and then this would help in the future since we are conducting a bird survey every month and we can have a clear data of the type of birds that are coming in yearly or the birds that are permanent residents and are using the Corozal Bay.”
At fifty acres, Guanacaste National Park is Belize’s smallest protected area. It covers two miles of maintained trails. Notwithstanding its size, the location is ideal for birding.
Park Ranger
Park Ranger, Guanacaste National Park
“The protocol that is used for the Central American Water Bird Census which will maybe one day become something that I can use in my own field of work.”
Isani Cayetano for News Five.
