My dear readers, you will have to bear with me for a while. For the next two months or so, my blog post output will be rather “on and off,” and less consistent than usual. I will be very distracted by other things.
The primary reasons for this are that for most of June I will be very much focused on home and family matters; in July, I will be very busy with birds! Yes, the BirdsCaribbean 20th International Meeting, to take place at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, is coming up soon (July 25 -29, to be precise). We are offering a very exciting program, with scientific symposia as well as a special “Jamaica Day” on July 25, to which the public are invited. And did I mention the wonderful field trips, morning bird-watching sessions, silent auction, photography workshop and competition, and much more… For details on registration, participation and sponsorship (and also if you would like to volunteer at the meeting), go to the Birds Caribbean Meeting 2015 website (link below). And look out for the beautiful new BirdsCaribbean website coming soon!
Which reminds me: Do you know anyone who would like to take up an opportunity for some great eco-tourism training? Then why not apply for BirdsCaribbean’s (birdscaribbean.org) and the Caribbean Birding Trail’s (caribbeanbirdingtrail.org) upcoming Caribbean Birding Trail Interpretive Guide Training course from June 15-19 in Albert Town, Jamaica – in the heart of Cockpit Country. This training will cover all the topics related to building a sustainable tourism market in Jamaica that focuses on birds, nature and heritage. The tuition for 5 days of training (including a new pair of waterproof binoculars, several books/ field guides, bird ID cards, posters, etc. transportation for field trips, lunch, and breaks) is $200, but scholarships are available.
As you are aware, this kind of tourism is growing in popularity internationally, and increasingly individuals are traveling to other countries specifically to see birds and wildlife that they cannot see in their own country. These same individuals have an interest in traveling in a way that does not negatively impact the environment or local people. However, the Caribbean is not often associated with biodiversity and a rich bird life by international travelers, and our project is aimed at raising awareness and appreciation among locals and visitors alike about the unique natural heritage of the islands. In short, BirdsCaribbean wants to let the world know that there is much to see and enjoy beyond the beach.
For information about the training you can contact the local coordinator on the project, Llewelyn Meggs, who can be reached at 876-579-8219 or 876-990-5754. Please also contact me if you would like to receive an invitation letter and application form.
This is part of the Caribbean Birding Trail project, to be launched at the upcoming BirdsCaribbean International Meeting 25-29 July at Knutsford Court Hotel, Kingston, Jamaica. The purpose is to promote nature-based, authentic experiences that engage visitors and locals with the unique birds of the Caribbean and connect them to the extraordinary places, diverse cultures and people of each island…including Jamaica!
Please visit and “like” the Birds Caribbean and Caribbean Birding Trail Facebook pages! You can also follow them on Twitter @BirdsCaribbean and @InfoCbt For more information on the BirdsCaribbean 20th International Meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, go to https://sites.google.com/site/birdscaribbeanmeeting2015/home
So “look for me with one eye,” as Jamaicans say. I will do my best to update my blog as often as I can, but can’t promise…
Meanwhile, please feel free to browse the Petchary Archives (which go back to June 2010). If you enjoy the visual stuff, I keep my Flickr account up to date at
You are also free to browse my Pinterest boards! Oh yes, I have some quite large and interesting collections of photographs and pictures on a range of topics, including Human Rights Struggles, Women of Influence, Our Oceans, Americas…and, of course, Jamaica. Here I am: http://www.pinterest.com/petchary/
Thank you for your patience. Normal transmission should resume at the end of July.
Petchary's Blog 
Be sure to enjoy the distractions!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Herman, I certainly will!
LikeLike