Port Royal pelicans, downtown seagulls, Jamaicans counting waterbirds

The Brown Pelican is a splendid bird, solid and dignified. The Snowy Egret is not only snowy, but showy and sometimes feisty. The Laughing Gull is a small toy bird when resting, an elegant bird in the air. It was time for the Caribbean Waterbird Census, and in a few parts of the island Jamaican … More Port Royal pelicans, downtown seagulls, Jamaicans counting waterbirds

Waiting for Tropical Storm Ian, formerly known as Nine: It’s a mood

Jamaica is under a Tropical Storm Watch this evening. The National Hurricane Center‘s map is covered with yellow “x” marks and red spinning tops with names – Fiona, Gaston, and Hermine – but the one Jamaicans were focused on was a red, hollow circle with the inscription “NINE.” It has just turned into a storm, … More Waiting for Tropical Storm Ian, formerly known as Nine: It’s a mood

Cleaning up the coast…for the birds

The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) has registered 200 locations for 193 groups around the island for International Coastal Cleanup Day 2022, which will return on Saturday, September 17 to Jamaica. The annual event is hosted and coordinated nationally by JET, with support from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), the Ocean Conservancy, TeamSeas, and Nestle Jamaica … More Cleaning up the coast…for the birds

Jamaica’s last remaining mangrove forests: a cycle of destruction and replanting

You may have noticed from previous blog posts that I am a little obsessed with mangroves – and confused, perhaps, by the Jamaican Government’s attitude towards them. It seems to be a love/hate relationship. Most of the love seems to be professions of love rather than actual caring and concern. We celebrate World Wetlands Day … More Jamaica’s last remaining mangrove forests: a cycle of destruction and replanting

International Coastal Clean Up Day Is Still On – With a Difference

Just as I was wondering whether Jamaica’s International Coastal Cleanup Day would be possible this year, the coordinators, Jamaica Environment Trust (JET), informed us that it will take place – keeping COVID-19 protocols strictly in mind. And, as I noted in the previous blog post, technology is playing a part in this time of the pandemic, … More International Coastal Clean Up Day Is Still On – With a Difference

On World Wetlands Day, Let’s Give Our Wetlands More Love

Today (February 2) is World Wetlands Day. For Jamaica (and everywhere) this should be an important date on the calendar. It marks the signing of the Convention on Wetlands in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. The “official” celebration will be at the Mason River Protected Area in northern Clarendon on Friday, February 7. It is the … More On World Wetlands Day, Let’s Give Our Wetlands More Love

Plastic Bottles Aplenty, but JET is Disappointed at Delay in Deposit Refund Scheme

“Plastic bans” are clearly not a quick or simple fix for our island’s overwhelming garbage problem. It only sounds simple (to the know-alls on social media, for example). There are obstacles to overcome. We know that plastic bottles are the most ubiquitous item, but we are not ready yet, it seems, to take them on. … More Plastic Bottles Aplenty, but JET is Disappointed at Delay in Deposit Refund Scheme

2019 Was a Fulfilling Year for BirdLife Jamaica: Part 1

To be honest (from my personal perspective) 2019 wasn’t a particularly encouraging year. It seems the only thing to do nowadays is to “play it safe” – something, perhaps, that I am not very good at, myself. There were some disappointments and frustrations – and worst of all, That Man is still President of the … More 2019 Was a Fulfilling Year for BirdLife Jamaica: Part 1

Coastal Cleanups Lined Up for Every Major Coastal Town on September 21

I am saving my energy for International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day Jamaica 2019 – this coming Saturday, September 21. I hope you will be participating! Congratulations to the Jamaica Environment Trust for again gathering a huge number of volunteers and registered sites – see the full list in the press release below; and cheers to the awesome … More Coastal Cleanups Lined Up for Every Major Coastal Town on September 21

The Amaterra Development: Is This Sustainable Tourism?

A tweet dropped into my timeline earlier this week from Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Nothing unusual about that as he, like other government ministers, is a regular tweeter. This one gave me pause, however: Jamaica is open for business. The time is now. I want to thank the Amaterra Group for investing in Jamaica. The … More The Amaterra Development: Is This Sustainable Tourism?