thebahamasweekly.com - International Migratory Bird Day activities in full swing at Garden of the Groves

From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Bird Talk - Erika Gates
International Migratory Bird Day activities in full swing at Garden of the Groves
By Erika Gates
Oct 19, 2010 - 9:08:38 AM

Mrs. Gilbert with students and teachers of Grace Christian Academy showing off their "Bird Buddy Armbands" upon completing classroom session and fieldtrip at Garden of the Groves.

Freeport, Grand Bahama - During this first week of October several schools seized the opportunity to send classes to an informative session and field trip at the Garden of the Groves. Mrs. Marilyn Laing, coordinator of this year's Migratory Bird Day events for children introduced the youngsters to the amazing journeys that migratory birds take each year.

This four year old BIRDER handled the spotting scope like a pro during introduction to birding

"These birds, like our resident and endemic species, are part of our natural heritage and it is up to us to conserve the habitats they need to feed and rest during their migratory journey or on their wintering grounds" remarked Erika Gates who organized this month's events at the Garden of the Groves.

Grace Christian Academy K3 and K4 with their teachers pose after having learned about the "Miracle of Migration" - they followed the flight of the Peregrine Falcon from the arctic circle to Argentina

"We feel privileged to have this beautiful natural bird habitat here at the Garden of the Groves and want to share it with the community through this year's International Migratory Bird Day programs. IMBD is the largest bird conservation and education event of its kind in the Western Hemisphere and we are excited to be a part of it." added Gates

Children and teacher, Ms. Rachel, from the International School gather at sign of resident and migratory species observed at the Garden of the Groves

"The children love the new colouring book "Migratory Birds of the Caribbean" which they receive after they participated in the classroom session and an introduction to birding at the Garden of the Groves," says Mrs. Laing.

Ms. Fossette's and Ms. Brown's Grade 3 from Calvary Academy are being assisted by Mrs. Laing at the spotting scope to focus on "Wallace", the Great Blue Heron. "Wallace", a Great Blue Heron leaves the Garden of the Groves each April to migrate north. He returns each year during the first half of October and spends the winter at the Garden to keep a large population of fish under control.

The high quality, educational colouring book features 41 beautiful drawings of migratory birds that occur in the Caribbean along with brief text about each species. The books as well as bird stickers have been sponsored by the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds (SCSCB), the largest single regional organization devoted to wildlife conservation in the Caribbean. SCSCB is a non-profit organization whose goals are to promote greater public awareness of the bird life of the Caribbean region. IMBD is one of their popular events of the year taking place throughout the Caribbean.

Erika Gates – Bird Talk: 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