A green heron lands briefly in a coconut tree in Road Town Saturday. Photo: CHRYSTALL KANYUCK

More photographers and students joined in the annual Christmas Bird Count in the Virgin Islands this year, as organisers have tried to make the event – and birding in general – more accessible.

 

A green heron lands briefly in a coconut tree in Road Town Saturday. Photo: CHRYSTALL KANYUCK
With help from some other experienced bird-watchers, Ms. Woodfield-Pascoe has recruited young students and others by creating a one-page visual guide to some of the more common birds in the territory, and a Facebook community called BVI Birding.

“I had about 17 students take forms; I haven’t heard back yet but I’m sure a few of them will participate,” said Nancy Woodfield-Pascoe, the National Parks Trust officer who leads the annual count effort.

She said photographers make ideal birders because even if they can’t identify a particular bird in the field, they can get a photo, which can be used to identify the bird later.

“It’s not difficult, you just have to be out there with a decent pair of binoculars and good birding book,” Ms. Woodfield-Pascoe said.

See the Jan. 8 2015 edition for full coverage.

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