2016 Caribbean Waterbird Census
The 7th annual Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) is starting very soon! In 2016, the main three-week count period will start on Thursday, January 14, and end on Wednesday, February 3. This includes three weekends and World Wetlands Day on February 2. Please mark your calendars and plan to conduct at least one CWC count of your wetland(s) during this period. If you can carry out 2 or 3 or more counts, that’s even better. So if you haven’t already planned your counts, join us for another great CWC!
What is the CWC?
The CWC is a region-wide waterbird and wetland monitoring program sponsored by BirdsCaribbean. The goal of this program is to learn more about the distribution, status, and abundance of waterbirds in the Caribbean to improve our conservation planning and management of these beautiful birds and their habitats. Each year, one region-wide count is organized in which everyone counts at the same time during the middle of winter (when birds are most stationary) to get a “snapshot” of waterbird population numbers and habitat use throughout the Caribbean.
How to Participate
Joining the CWC is easy and fun, and everyone is welcome. First, find a wetland to survey. There are many types of wetlands in the Caribbean, including both freshwater, saltwater, and brackish wetlands. Second, decide what type of count best fits your ability and wetland location. Many observers use a Level 1 Area or Point Count (Level 1 protocols can be found here). Third, count birds! Visit your wetland at least once during the count period and conduct your CWC count. Fourth, enter your data into eBird Caribbean. Full instructions for participating in the CWC and many other helpful resources can be found on the BirdsCaribbean website’s new CWC page, here.
International Piping Plover Census
This year, the International Piping Plover Census will be occurring simultaneously with the CWC. This international census is held once every five years to document winter populations of Piping Plovers. Census protocols are similar to the CWC and in fact we recommend that you conduct both simultaneously. The Caribbean is an important wintering area for this threatened species, so please participate in the Piping Plover Census this year when you make your CWC counts. Stay tuned for more important information about the International Piping Plover Census including details of count protocols and data submission instructions right here on the eBird Caribbean and BirdsCaribbean websites.
Counts at other Times of the Year
If you enjoy the winter CWC, you can also participate in in the CWC year round. There are very large gaps in our knowledge of migratory waterbirds (including waterfowl, shorebirds, marsh birds, herons, egrets, and seabirds) and the sites they use for migration and wintering. We therefore encourage you to carry out CWC counts at least once during fall and spring migration periods in as many wetland sites as possible. If you can carry out 2 or 3 or more counts, that’s even better. It is the best way to gather information at the regional level about what species are migrating to and through the islands and when, their numbers, and the sites they are using—all vitally important information for conservation and management. As more and more people participate and enter CWC data into eBird Caribbean during both winter and migration, we will be able to greatly improve our understanding of waterbird migration in the Caribbean and help conserve Caribbean waterbird populations.
Special thanks to Alistair Homer for use of the photograph.