Will this road into a protected reserve be a blessing or a curse? |
I have several strategies I utilize when birding new areas. 1. Research my area for endemic birds like the Florida Scrub-Jay in.....Florida:) And 2. Find them first. Everything else will fall into place. The endemic species on our planet really face an uphill battle. And like the Florida Scrub-Jay, these birds could face extinction within the near future due to habitat loss and fragmentation of their habitat. This fragmentation can lead to the birds being "trapped" and confined within one area where they won't be able to breed with other populations. The good news is that there are people listening and work is being done to protect some of these areas like the Ocote region. But just how well protected are these "biospheres"?
White-winged Tanager |
Stripe-throated Hermit |
When we visit these very special places, I try to memorize every little detail because I know it will change. The deeper into the life bird realm you go, the more you discover about the world around you. I am an observer. When I chose this life several years ago, I realized that I could one day face the inevitable possibility of a bird going extinct from my life list. There is profound sadness in that realization. Today's trek was a mixed bag of the good and bad.
Long-tailed Sabrewing |
Slate-colored Solitaire |
Blue-black Grosbeak |
Crimson-collared Tanager |
On a positive note, the area was deemed as a protected space for our next bird, the Nava's Wren. I enjoy hummingbirds like the next person, but wrens and sparrows and terns and cryptic birds get my blood flowing. Our wrens in the Americas(yes, the US is included:) are spectacular. So we continued onwards. My heart started beating rapidly for this one.
Black-faced Grosbeak |
Olivaceous Woodcreeper |
Red-billed Pigeon |
Nava's Wren |
It felt good. Everything else after this trek was gravy. But I was left sad after the observation. Does this bird have a chance? The Nava's Wren has a restricted range in easternmost Veracruz, one site in Western Chiapas(that would be us) and two in eastern Oaxaca. This bird is listed as Vulnerable due to its' limited range. Sometimes it's not that the bird is hunted or poached; it's just that it naturally has a small population that is vulnerable to human encroachment. While land has been set aside for these birds here in Chiapas, we also observed that farming has infiltrated this particular spot. Just what exactly defines a "protected" area? Hopefully some lines will be drawn to help keep this region TRULY protected. So for now I throw this question out to the international community? Are there natural areas in your part of the world that people are trying to develop but shouldn't?
A thought provoking post Chris and so pleased you managed to see the wren.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I get saddened, angry and frustrated at the way man is slowly but surely destroying this planet, its ecosystems, habitats and wildlife :(
Gosh Chris, I didn't realise you had eye troubles you take such super photos! I know exactly what you mean about the human error, the more I see the mistakes we make with our precious planet the more I realise the most stupid/dangerous creatures are people!
ReplyDeleteyes. It's happening right in my work area! They just cleared a bunch of beautiful desert for another suburb! I know the wildlife that hangs out at my site and I am saddened for them. The critters have less area to forage now.
DeleteThanks for the compliment. My ears took over for my eyes. I've had it since I was a kid and it can be frustrating sometimes. I'll often to always hear the bird first before sighting it. But I try as best I can:)
My sister is the same Chris, she always says she has supersonic hearing to make up for her eyes.. there's no telling secrets around her :)
DeleteI am simply hoping for more nature protection everywhere on earth! We are messing everything up big time. Let's continue not only thinking but fighting too for more protection.
ReplyDeleteWonderful thoughts, facts and pictures Chris.
I am stunned and saddened by the canal project in Nicaragua. A beautiful pristine semi-wilderness is going to be destroyed and no one can do anything about it. I major source of fresh water! What are they thinking??
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos Chris. Glad you got your bird and didn't get sick.
Oh my....thrilling beyond words. Great photos, wonderful finds and your narration had my heart soaring. I understand your thoughts on the wren...will it have a chance? Let's hope and pray it will. I just finished reading a book about USA's Ivory Billed Woodpecker and its once thought extinction and then proof positive they exist in Louisiana and Alabama. At least in 2008---so if people become aware of their plight/existence, we can only hope for positive survival.
ReplyDeleteHello Chris, it is sad how people and countries are treating our earth. We only have one earth and can not afford to ruin it, that includes loosing wildlife and habitats for all the animals. I hope your cute wren will survive. I did not know about the canal in Nicaragua. I knew they were making the Panama Canal wider, I saw the work being done when I was there. Great post and photos, happy birding.
ReplyDeleteI was heartbroken when I read about that canal. We enjoyed that part of Nicaragua so much. Especially Ometeppe. Well, your wren is more exotic than my wren this week. But mine was a lot easier to spot!
ReplyDeleteIt is a vanishing world Chris. You return to this theme a number of times as I do myself and lots of others the world over. Unfortunately the voices of those who would destroy the world for financial gain are presently both louder and more numerous. We can but hope that before it is too late we will see sense. I hope your pleas and eloquence will be read by just a few of those able to make a difference.
ReplyDeleteI am saddened and angry about the greed of my species with no care for the rest of life that shares our world.
ReplyDelete