Window To Our Wetlands: April 2010

(The Valley, Anguilla - ANT Release) - Along the shallow water pond-lines, hundreds of migratory wading birds were recorded during this April’s bird count. On the very still Road Pond, over 600 birds were recorded, including 28 Black-necked stilt chicks and juveniles – the result of nesting activity that took place the month before. Over a hundred laughing gulls lined the Pond’s rock walls and on this and several other ponds, Least terns could be seen on the sandy shores and flying through the air. April marks the return of both these gulls and terns to the mainland – at least for a few months.

Wetland Bird Monitoring Dates: Wednesday 28 April – Friday 30 April 2010



What to Watch For: Brown Pelican

The Brown pelican is one of the world’s seven species of pelicans. A highly social waterbird, it is large, dark, and heavy and weighs between 2 and 5 kilograms. It has a wingspan of approximately 2 metres.

The Brown pelican has a long bill with an extendible pouch and its plumage is largely dark. That is, its upperparts are grey/grey-brown while its belly is black-brown. The rest of its under-surface is striped black and silver. Its head and neck have three different appearances, depending on the time of year. During the post-breeding season, its head is pale yellow and its neck is white. Just before breeding, this bird’s head turns yellow while its neck becomes dark brown. Meanwhile, during the nesting season, (between about May and August in the Caribbean), the Brown pelican’s head is white and its neck is brown. Similar to its plumage, its legs and feet are also dark in colour.

Brown pelicans primarily eat fish and some marine invertebrates. They tend to forage in relatively shallow waters (less than 150 metres deep) and they capture fish by diving into the water and trapping their prey in their bills. After draining the water from their bill pouch, they are able to swallow the fish.

Brown pelicans populations severely declined in the United States during the 1950s due to hunting and pesticide poisoning – so much so that they were once listed as an “endangered species.” Brown pelicans, however, have been able to make a come back and total US populations now exceed historic levels.

During the April count, 35 Brown pelicans were observed on Anguilla’s ponds, with the most being recorded on Caul’s Pond (24).

April’s count is included in the 2010 Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF), a festival held throughout the Caribbean. This year the CEBF aims to celebrate the important role that partnerships—local, regional and global—have played in bird conservation success stories. As part of the Festival, the Anguilla National also has a photo exhibit at the Public Library of Anguilla’s only nesting cattle egret population. In recognition of this year’s Festival theme, the ANT would like to thank all of the volunteers who have assisted the Trust with its bird monitoring programme, including long-standing volunteers, Jacqueline Cestero and Don Mitchell. Countless hours have been dedicated to this work by these volunteers and the ANT is grateful.

For more information about the Anguilla National Trust’s monthly wetland bird monitoring programme or to learn how to become involved, please contact the Trust at 497 5297. To become a fan and to receive regular updates on Trust activities, search for the Anguilla National Trust on www.facebook.com.