The “Conserving Shorebirds and their Habitats Workshop” and surveys on Coche Island in the state of Nueva Esparta
Story by Sandra Giner
One of the island regions of Venezuela that has been identified as an important stopover for shorebirds includes Margarita Island and nearby Coche Island, both in the state of Nueva Esparta. Their varied wetland ecosystems support migratory and resident shorebirds. Large numbers of individuals arrive during fall and spring migration, and some resident species breed on these islands as well.
To promote and strengthen local capacity for the conservation of shorebirds and their habitats, WHSRN led the “Conservation of Shorebirds and their Habitats in Venezuela” workshop on June 11-12, 2019 in Porlamar, Nueva Esparta. 15 people participated in the workshop, including officials from local offices in the area of biodiversity and the conservation of protected areas. Three attendees joined from the Ministry of People’s Power for Ecosocialism (MINEC), three from the National Park Institute (INPARQUES), one from the mayor’s office of Tubores and two from the Nueva Esparta state government, plus six local bird watchers and representatives from local NGOs.
Participants in the “Conservation of Shorebirds and their Habitats in Venezuela” workshop in Porlamar, Nueva Esparta. Photos: Sandra Giner.
This workshop was facilitated by Professors Sandra Giner of the Institute of Zoology and Tropical Ecology at the Central University of Venezuela (IZET-UCV) and Virgina Sanz of the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC), who provided information on shorebirds, their migrations, and current population status and highlighted the need for the strategic conservation of their habitats. They presented the diversity of shorebird species in Venezuela and helpful traits and characteristics for identification, focusing on species that can be observed in Nueva Esparta. Likewise, with the hope of motivating more locals to participate in shorebird monitoring, the workshop covered census methods and active protocols such as the International Shorebird Survey (ISS) and the Neotropical Waterbirds Census, as well as conservation initiatives in the Western Hemisphere, especially those connected to the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative (AFSI).
The field portion of the workshop took place on the shores of the Punta de Mangle lagoon, which includes an intertidal zone alongside a sandbar separated from the sea by mangroves. Workshop participants observed seven species of shorebirds at this site, including Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromos griseus), the most abundant, and Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus), Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), Wilson’s Plover (Charadrius wilsonia), Collared Plover (Ch. collaris), Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola), and Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca). Participants expressed great interest in recognizing and differentiating between species, as well as observing behavioral characteristics associated with feeding and displaying that can help with identification. This activity was very motivating; officials were very receptive and interested in participating and proposing new sites for monitoring, where these species are located.
Left: A Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus) at the Salina de Coche, in the northwest of Isla de Coche. Right: A Wilson’s Plover (C. wilsonia) and Seimpalmated Plover (C. semipalmatus) in El Saco Bay at the south of the island. Photos: Sandra Giner.
From June 13-14, censuses were conducted in two locations on Coche Island: Salina de Coche in the northwest of the island, and El Saco Bay in the south. The observers were the leaders of the workshop, ornithologists Sandra Giner and Virginia Sanz, along with ornithologist Gianco Angelozzi (from the NGO Provita) and, for one of the mornings, Sabino Silva, a local birdwatcher. The censuses confirmed that the Salina de Coche provides very favorable conditions for nesting Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus). This species was the most abundant at the site, and the team observed adults with chicks of different ages. On the other hand, the beach and sandbar at El Saco provides the preferred conditions for nesting Wilson’s Plover, which was the most abundant species at this site. Both of these sites could potentially qualify as future WHSRN sites.
Left: Participants practice shorebird identification during the field portion of the workshop. Right: Sand dunes at Salina de Coche. Photos: Sandra Giner.
The potential of these two sites on Coche Island could be threatened, especially the salt flats favored by Snowy Plover, due to the interest of government entities in commercially developing the area for salt or shrimp production. This issue was discussed with MINEC officials, who were concerned about this possibility, and agreed that information should be provided on how to minimize the effects of this threat to shorebirds, in case this development is approved.
Participants from the “Conserving Shorebirds and their Habitats Workshop” in the field. Photo: Sandra Giner.
Cover Photo: Looking for shorebirds at Salina de Coche, on Coche Island, Venezuela. Photo: Sandra Giner.
