GRAND CASE, St. Martin – Thousands of people throughout the region had fun experiences with birds and nature over the past month during the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival.

Dozens of festival events took place on different islands to celebrate the birds that live only here. St. Martin’s events included the Endemic Animal Festival, hosted by Les Fruits de Mer and Earth Day festivities hosted by Environmental Protection in the Caribbean.

Activities were held for pre-school and primary students to adults and families. Bird talks were held on many islands to help people understand the unique birds that live only on specific islands or only in the region. Guided bird walks brought people of all ages out into nature to see these amazing birds firsthand. For many, it was their first chance to get an up-close view of birds through binoculars or a scope.

Other activities were as diverse as the region itself. In the Dominican Republic, Ridgway’s Hawk Day celebrated the endangered Ridgway’s Hawk, that lives only on Hispaniola.

In Trinidad, bird education was brought to the streets with bird education stand at a local market. In Puerto Rico, a special training workshop gave teachers learning tools about birds to use in classes year-round. On St. Martin, festival attendees planted coconut trees and painted bird feeders.

The Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival is one of the Caribbean’s only regional events about birds and nature. It is organized by BirdsCaribbean each spring, and dozens of non-profits, schools, parks and other organizations develop events in their communities.

Endemic birds—those that live only on one island or within a small range—are at special risk of extinction. The Caribbean is home to many endemic species, and many are already in danger.

For more information about the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival, visit birdscaribbean.org or find BirdsCaribbean on Facebook.

IMAGES:

On St. Martin, festival attendees painted bird feeders to bring home. (Photo by Tim Chin)

PHOTO CUTLINE: Games make it fun to learn about birds in Puerto Rico. (Photo by Eliezer Nieves)

PHOTO CUTLINE: A birding trip to Jobos Bay Reserve in Puerto Rico.

PHOTO CUTLINE: Students go birding in Dominica. (Photo by Stephen Durand)

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