While completing surveys for wetland birds on St. Maarten, Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) documented low numbers for various bird species. Working in its 14th year documenting bird diversity and monitoring population trends on St. Maarten, EPIC has found substantially reduced numbers of wetland birds on the island, specifically for smaller wading species.
Adam Brown, Senior Biologist for EPIC, has led the wetland bird monitoring effort for the organization since the project started in 2001. Brown remarked on the apparent lack of birds on the island, "In years past, we typically recorded healthy numbers of wading birds using the ponds and shorelines on St. Maarten/St. Martin. This year, wading bird numbers island-wide have been down and in some cases no wading birds have been recorded on certain ponds. Species such as the Greater Yellowlegs, Black-bellied Plover, and Semi-palmated Sandpiper require shallow areas to wade in while in search for food as well as to rest. Numbers of these species are notably down."
There is some speculation among the Caribbean bird conservation community that wetter than normal conditions throughout the Caribbean during the past few months led to ponds that are fuller than in an average year. EPIC reports that pond levels on St. Maarten/St. Martin are higher than normal and this condition led to fewer resting and feeding areas for wading birds. However, EPIC can report that numerous swimming and diving species of wetland birds are doing well in the higher water conditions and populations trends in those species is consistent with years past. Regarding what high water levels mean for the long-term health of Caribbean bird populations, Brown noted, "Water levels are variable within the Caribbean among years. These changes are part of long-term cyclical trends and the lower wading bird numbers are a reaction to those trends. Studies such as this one are valuable because they shed light on bird reactions to possible climate shifts."
For more information on EPIC’s bird surveys on St. Maarten/St. Martin, please visit www.epicislands.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/epicislands