U.S. Ambassador and High School Students visit Brasso Seco Forest for International Migratory Bird Day

Ambassador Beatrice Welters and students looking at the removal of a bird from the netting

Students look on as a bird is tagged by naturalist Carl Fitz James

June 11, 2012: U.S. Ambassador Beatrice Welters and students from Bishop Anstey East High School and Trinity College East, Trincity experienced the diversity and importance of Trinidad and Tobago’s bird population when naturalist Carl Fitz James invited them to participate in his bird banding exercise at Brasso Seco.

The visit to Brasso Seco was in commemoration of International Migratory Bird Day, traditionally observed on the second Saturday of May but celebrated year round.

Mr. James has been quietly conducting research on Trinidad and Tobago’s bird population for the last several years, as part of his tracking project in the Brasso Seco forest on the outskirts of Arima. He explained that the tagging exercise will provide valuable data on bird migratory patterns, the environmental health of Trinidad, and the extent that human behavior may affect the bird population.

The 30 high school students, many of whom are members of the environment club or are pursuing studies in environmental science, were keen to learn about the bird tracking process. Student Varisha Branker, 17 was excited to try her hand at bird tagging, stating that she “never knew about bird banding [before coming to Brasso Seco]…this is something new.” Aryanna Babb, 17 also commented that she “didn’t think Trinidad had a place like this” and given the opportunity she “would love to come help out.”

Science teachers Neisha Hutton and Marina Berahzer, who accompanied the students to Brasso Seco, commented that the outing “exposed [the students] to birds that they wouldn’t see anywhere else,” and presented an opportunity for academic, research-based careers in the environmental sciences, rather than the industrial field which has traditionally been more popular for job-seekers.

Ambassador Welters, an avid hiker and nature lover, was also excited about the trip. “When I first arrived in Trinidad and Tobago I was told the country is a bird watcher’s paradise, and my trip to Brasso Seco confirmed that.”  

The Ambassador went on to say that, “the bird-tracking program is a wonderful, hands-on way to attract students to a career in the rapidly advancing scientific field. The students were very excited to participate in the process of netting and banding the birds and it clearly develops valuable analytical skills that will contribute to their future success. Perhaps some of these students will discover a new passion for bird watching and environmental conservation in Trinidad.”

Mist netting is a popular and important tool for monitoring bird species’ population, which includes assessing species’ composition, population size, and abundance. In order to band and track wild birds, trained individuals like Mr. James capture the birds in nylon mist nets, record scientific data including wing measurements and physical characteristics, and band the bird’s leg before releasing it back to the wild.