Monitoring
Monitoring is an essential step in the adaptive management cycle. Without effective monitoring the effectiveness of conservation programs cannot be assessed. However, it is very difficult to establish cost-effective long-term monitoring programmes. Initiatives have included development of standard approaches monitoring that can be applied across the region.
Caribbean Birdwatch, Caribbean Waterbird Census, Seabird Monitoring
The Caribbean Birdwatch programme is intended to provide practical guidance monitoring all bird groups of species. The first part to be developed was the Caribbean Waterbird Census http://birdscaribbean.org
Sorenson, L. & Haynes-Sutton, A. 2011. Caribbean Waterbird Census Manual. Caribbean Birdwatch Series, Volume 1. BirdsCaribbean, Arlington, VA.
This has formed the basis for the Caribbean Waterbird Census, which is currently being implemented throughout the region, and the seabirds manual.
Haynes-Sutton, A.M., Sorenson, L.G., Mackin, W.A., Jodice, P.G., Haney, C. & Wheeler, J. 2014. Caribbean Seabird Monitoring Manual: Promoting Conservation of Seabirds and their Habitats in the Wider Caribbean Through Systematic Monitoring. Caribbean Birdwatch Series, Volume 2. BirdsCaribbean, Arlington, VA. 108 pp.
The landbird protocols are currently being field-tested in Portland Bight.
Bird banding
Ann holds a Master Permit from the USFWS Bird Banding Laboratory.
Portland Bight Protected Area
Monitoring programmes in the PBPA include bird counts, reef and wetland assessments