[xml][/xml]
The Bahamas Weekly Facebook The Bahamas Weekly Twitter
Columns : Bird Talk - Erika Gates Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM


Basic Birding Course Students Graduate
By Erika Gates
Dec 6, 2010 - 10:41:39 AM

Email this article
 Mobile friendly page
DSCN5494.jpg


Freeport, Grand Bahama - Over the past ten years, during the month of November, the Garden of the Groves in conjunction with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has been conducting a basic birding course for interested persons of the Grand Bahama community. Over 200 nature and bird enthusiasts have participated in this program which is led by Erika Gates. Erika is a certified Bahamas Birding Guide, has studied Bird Biology with Cornell University and wrote a book in 1998 on the Bahamian Speciality birds and their habitat.

During the course students learn how to use binoculars and how to organize and use their fieldguide for the purpose of bird identification. The course combines classroom and fieldwork and each participants begins keeping a lifelist of all birds observed. This
list leads to an award program whereby they receive "Birds of the Bahamas" certificates issued by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.

The graduates also have gained an understanding of the amazing journeys that birds undertake during fall and spring migration. They were  introduced to the terrestrial ecosystems of our island to better understand bird habitat and food sources. Part of the curriculum is information in how they can contribute to bird conservation by converting their own gardens into a bird friendly habitat.

Pictured after presentation of certificates of participation by Erika Gates: Mary and Chuck Seidel, Carlton Wildgoose, Duncan Mullis, Maryann Chamberlain, Gail and Candice Woon, Christopher Baker, Jeffrey Pinder.

Bookmark and Share




© Copyright 2010 by thebahamasweekly.com

Top of Page

Receive our Top Stories



Preview | Powered by CommandBlast

Bird Talk - Erika Gates
Latest Headlines
22nd Annual Christmas Bird Count in Honour of the Late Erika Gates
Grand Bahama Island Birders' 2018 Fall/Winter Events
Grand Bahama Birders enjoying a busy May
Grand Bahama Birders visit Inagua
Annual Grand Bahama Birdcount involves visiting and local birders