bird – Petchary's Blog

Notes to Self on Boxing Day

December 27, 2019

It is a perfect day. Sunlight like honey, an occasional gentle breeze. The White-winged Doves are cooing. Only an occasional car passes. There are no motorbikes revving up their engines, no builders shouting and banging on the house over the road. No trucks. Our road is always busy during the day, so we appreciate the … More Notes to Self on Boxing Day

White Birds and Gunfire on the Old Harbour Mudflats

September 12, 2019

As we climbed out of the car – next to Auntie’s Hot Spot and an azure blue beauty salon – shots popped not far away. It is the bird shooting season in Jamaica. Ironically, perhaps, it was also time for the Global Shorebird Count, and BirdLife Jamaica was not going to let the opportunity to … More White Birds and Gunfire on the Old Harbour Mudflats

Our Oceans Are in Trouble

July 25, 2019

Yes, we know. But it bears repeating. I am sharing this great article by Erica Hamilton that sums it up very well. I think it is a good follow-up to my previous blog post about the threat of deep-sea mining, and the Greenpeace/Jamaica Environment Trust protest outside the International Seabed Authority yesterday. A paragraph below … More Our Oceans Are in Trouble

Travels with a Canadian, Part 1: Native Plants, a Mystery Duck and the Discovery Centre at Salt River

July 22, 2019

Yes, we have been on an extended hiatus. Not only have we been dashing up and down with many chores and obligations to fulfill, but we had the honour of a visit from a fellow blogger. “Always a Redhead” hails from Hamilton, Ontario. Yes, we actually met online. It was a week of adventures, mishaps, … More Travels with a Canadian, Part 1: Native Plants, a Mystery Duck and the Discovery Centre at Salt River

Leo Douglas To Speak On Youth Attitudes to Wildlife at BirdLife Jamaica’s Annual Lecture

May 23, 2019

What do Jamaica’s young people think about wildlife, its conservation – and conservationists? Do they think about these things at all? Dr. Leo Douglas, Assistant Clinical Professor at New York University and a former President of BirdsCaribbean, has conducted some interesting research over four years in Jamaican schools. He has developed an interest in the … More Leo Douglas To Speak On Youth Attitudes to Wildlife at BirdLife Jamaica’s Annual Lecture

Endangered Species Day – May 17

May 17, 2019

Originally posted on Zeebra Designs & Destinations:
Where is the VIP bird? Poza Honda Ecuador – I will forever treasure the moment I saw this bird. Minding its own business, it perched on a branch of Cecropria in a small switch-back area between the reservoir and a small waterfall. My eyes were on the gravel…

We Need a Strong Organic Farming Movement in Jamaica

May 15, 2019

I always feel anxious when I hear reports that thieves have stolen crops from farmers. A warning goes out that we should not purchase or eat the lovely lettuces, tomatoes etc. because they are “not ready” to be consumed. Why not? Because it seems, the chemicals on them have not yet worn off. Then again, … More We Need a Strong Organic Farming Movement in Jamaica

Art for Caribbean Birds

May 9, 2019

Art and birds seem to go together – in my mind, anyway. What could be more inspiring than the shape of a hawk’s wing, the iridescence of feathers on a hummingbird, the graceful neck of an egret, the steady flight of a heron? Not to mention the colors of our migratory birds, such as the … More Art for Caribbean Birds

Walking on a Salty Morning with John and the Shorebirds

May 4, 2019

Salt is a curious substance. We humans need it in our bodies, but not too much. Too much raises our “pressure” and often Jamaicans put too much salt in their food (our local cook shop, for example!) When you see it all laid out in front of you in liquid form, it takes on a … More Walking on a Salty Morning with John and the Shorebirds

BirdSleuth Caribbean Program Connects Kids to Science and Nature

April 11, 2019

Bird sleuthing! An important part of the work of BirdsCaribbean (the region’s largest conservation NGO) is education. Not the “chalk and talk” kind of education, but hands-on, creative, experiential – and fun. Thousands of children – schools, youth groups and so on – have learned all about birds and the habitats they live in, thanks … More BirdSleuth Caribbean Program Connects Kids to Science and Nature