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. 

 
 
C-CAM interns monitoring birds for a neotropical migratory bird Act project in Portland bight

C-CAM interns monitoring birds for a neotropical migratory bird Act project in Portland bight

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.

 

prairie warbler

prairie warbler

Bird banding

Ann holds a Master Permit from the USFWS Bird Banding Laboratory.


 
coral reef assessment

coral reef assessment

Portland Bight Protected Area

Monitoring programmes in the PBPA include bird counts, reef and wetland assessments