PG Gets Twitchy!

The bird life on the Yucatán is very noteworthy, therefore the staff at Punta Gruesa have decided to pioneer their very own bird monitoring research to compliment the reef research and incidental sightings of megafauna (Big stuff…dolphins, sharks etc.). The first phase of 2009 is conducting the first stages of identification to create a species list to be used for monitoring. A selection of staff and volunteers have been twitching at the crack of dawn, trying to identify the species that they see…some being harder than others! (Particularly the many little warbler-type thingys that are all small and yellowish and fly like the clappers!)

The morning walks are greeted with the sunrise, and depending on the direction, the dogs!!!! To the north, the dogs currently join us on the walks, which makes bird spotting even more challenging, as they like to chase them, particularly the waders…However, the routes have been decided, the species list is ever growing, and next phase will mark the beginning of data collection, thanks to the hard work of the current phase.

Some stars of the show so far include a resident Osprey, a Lineated Woodpecker, Great Blue Herons, performing Pelicans, Tropical Kingbirds, Magnificent Frigates and the beloved, many voiced, Grackle! (Not the official name, but well deserved). We are looking forward to expanding the list and seeing what the data will show.

PG Gets Twitchy!