Avian Eyes bring new bird ID card

In an effort to build awareness and highlight the various bird species that exist in this country and Grenada, Avian Eyes birding group has launched a bird identification card.{{more}}

The group, whose aim is to promote education, research and documentation of local flora and fauna, with specific emphasis on avian species, launched the card last Tuesday, September 23, at the Old Kingstown Public Library.

Describing the Launch as “historic and significant”, the group’s Co-ordinator Andrew Wilson said the card celebrates the “rich biodiversity and heritage in the Caribbean, particularly in SVG and Grenada”.

He said that since his group’s inception in 1995, they recognized that there was a scarcity of information on birds, “so we have focused a lot on documenting and presenting information on … birds in SVG”.

Amos Glasgow, Public Relations Officer of the group, said the cards depict birds commonly seen in Grenada and SVG and highlights the endemic species in both islands.

He noted that the occasion brings together “birds which are under treat due to loss of habitat.” Glasgow mentioned that the birds have lost a number of their habitat areas, which he said will result in them becoming extinct.

He hopes the card would not be used as another collector’s item, but instead be “put to use and build awareness and teach others about the birds in SVG”. It can also be used as a field guide.

Martin Bariteau, Project Manager of the Sustainable Grenadines Project, gave brief remarks.

The identification card was produced by the Society for the Conservation and study of Caribbean birds, in collaboration with AvianEyes birding group, the Sustainable Grenadines Project and the United States Wildlife Service. (VM)