Two hours of intense classroom work during Basic Birding Class instructed by Erika Gates
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Freeport, Grand Bahama Island - During November of each year
nature enthusiasts, conservation leaders, researchers and bird lovers
throughout the Bahamas and the Caribbean promote public awareness of the
amazing journeys that birds undertake each year. Birds fly over thousands of
miles between their breeding grounds in North America and Canada and their
winter homes in the Bahamas, the Caribbean and South America.
It has become a tradition
over the past six years at Garden of the Groves to host a variety of events
during this time and Mrs. Marilyn Laing, coordinator, states: “We want to share
the message of bird conservation with the Grand Bahama community and we offer
bird and conservation related activities for all ages throughout the month whereby
we focus on education, fun and exercise!”
The Annual Basic Birding
Class is part of the IMBD celebrations and is conducted over five consecutive
Saturdays in November by Erika Gates, Cert. Bahamas Birding Guide. The Class
has been sponsored by Grand Bahama Nature Tours and the Bahamas Ministry of
Tourism over the past 11 years and teaches novice birders bird identification
skills, proper use of binoculars, organization of a fieldguide and accurate
recording of sightings into the electronic database of Cornell University.
Students also learn about the diverse terrestrial ecosystem on Grand Bahama and
receive an introduction to “Gardening for Wildlife”. After attending all five classes they receive
a certificate of participation and are invited to come out on the monthly
birdwalks to improve their skills and enjoy the outdoors.
Susan Krupika assisting in class by giving presentation on parts of bird
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The Garden of the Groves
Vendors are also getting prepared for the arrival of the migratory birds. Several artisans have produced bird-related
items which are being enjoyed by visitors and residents alike.
Several school groups have
already attended Fieldtrips and talks at the Garden this month on how they cold
become involved and protect bird habitat on Grand Bahama Island. Upon
completion of their fieldtrips big smiles could be seen from the children when
they received colorful Bird Buddy Bands, stickers, the highly educational bird coloring
books and classroom posters depicting Bird Migratory Routes.
Class fieldtrip (Bev Hall, Louise Durocher, Barb Stollery, Linda Barry-Cooper, Adriel Ferguson, Valon Nesbitt, Erika Gates, Keith Cooper, Jaheim Russell, Bridget Davis, Judith Dawkins, taking picture is Cynthia Rolle
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Another highlight of the IMBD
events in November is the art competition for primary, middle and high school.
This year’s theme that the students have to adhere to is: ”Why Birds Matter!”
The paintings can either be
done in oil, crayon or water colour. All participants of the art competition
will receive prizes. The deadline for entries has been extended to Nov. 30th.
Erika Gates expressed her appreciation to BirdsCaribbean to have partnered once again with Grand Bahama
and the Garden of the Groves in sponsoring materials to make this another
memorable year for the celebration of migratory birds. She states that
BirdsCaribbean, formerly known as the Society for Conservation and Study of
Caribbean Birds (SCSCB) is an amazing organization that works with over 37
countries throughout the Caribbean to create awareness in birds and their
habitat conservation through education and capacity building.
Anyone interested in
fieldtrips, art competition or birding classes please contact the Garden of the
Groves at 374-7778.
Erika Gates is
owner
of Kayak Nature Tours (one of the first Eco-Tour businesses in The
Bahamas); co-founder of the Ecotourism Association; a published writer;
and a Cacique award winner! Her column
Bird Talk will enlighten and educate us about birds of The Bahamas, as well as the importance of Ecology. Erika can be reached at
gbntours@hotmail.com or (242) 373-2485
Bridget Davis with Bahamian carved Pelican
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Henry Duncombe with a painting of a Baltimore Oriole
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Denise Gray displays two of the most popular birding fieldguides sold at the Garden Shoppes
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Mrs. Vernell Forbes showing off her hand plaited strawgbags painted with birds of the Bahamas
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Students from Morris Moore Primary School with their teacher and guide Marilyn Laing displaying coloring books
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Last year’s art competition winners with Marilyn Laing and Erika Gates: From left to right with Marilyn Laing and Erika Gates: Terrance Bain, Stephen Morris, Vernesse Henfield, Quinton Sands, Darrell Taylor
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