Philipsburg, Sint Maarten — The Nature Foundation Mysteries Bird Tour held this past weekend was a large success, with over 50 participants from all segments of the community coming out in order to learn about birds on Sint Maarten, their habitat and efforts to conserve them.
The tour, organized by Nature Foundation Board Member Binkie van Es, introduced the population to birds on Sint Maarten, both migratory and endemic, and the efforts to conserve their important habitat on the island including forested areas and wetlands. Presentations were given about birds at the University of Sint Maarten with hands-on bird observations at Etang Chevrise and Little Bay Pond, where numerous birds were spotted and identified.
Mark Yokoyama of Association Fruits de Mer also gave a presentation on the importance of conserving the habitats of birds and participants at the event were also given seedlings of Lignum Vitae, a traditional and endangered tree to plant in their own gardens.
The event was organized by the Nature Foundation through the support of BirdsCaribbean, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance and the Windward Islands Bank.
