Geographic Information System (GIS) on Breeding West Indies Seabirds

The system currently includes: 23 seabird species, 800 sites, and data from 3,100 surveys, based on 90 literature references and 85 contributors. More than 90% of sites have precise coordinates, although minor and some major location corrections must be made. All colonies are assigned a level of importance (2 = Hosts greater than 5% of a regional population; 1 = Hosts less than 5%; and 0 = Extirpated or Severely Impacted). The goal of the GIS is the ability to conduct analyses: for example, the GIS can be queried for information on the most important colonies, or most threatened, or most poorly known. Also, it can be used to generate maps, area and distance estimates for use in population or habitat conservation planning. Work is now underway to make the database information available online and set up a portal where people with access (members, etc) can make queries and get access to the information and maps. Contact creator Will Mackin (visit: www.unc.edu/~mackin).

Seabird and Invasive Species Database

Environmental Protection In the Caribbean (EPIC) announces the release of seabird and invasive species data in an interactive, map-based format at OBIS-SEAMAP (Ocean Biogeographic Information System - Spatial Ecological Analysis of Megavertebrate Populations). This global program seeks to organize marine mammal, seabird and sea turtle spatial data to advance conservation and collaboration.

Caribbean Lesser Antilles Seabird Colony Atlas 2001-04. Results from breeding colony surveys from 2001-2004 are available at: http://seamap.env.duke.edu/datasets/detail/418

The database is part of EPIC’s goal to create a seabird breeding atlas for the Lesser Antilles region using standardized field surveys. Funding is needed to complete the collaborative surveys and share the information. Undocumented colonies have certainly disappeared without notice. For more information, visit: EPIC or contact Natalia Collier at EPIC.

Monitoring Manuals/Handbooks

Chardine, John. W. undated. Basic guidelines for setting up a breeding seabird monitoring program for Caribbean countries. Unpublished. (PDF) Contact John Chardine

Schreiber, B.A. 1988. BARBUDA MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD COLONY MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING PLAN. Unpublished. Project funded by the British Government through a project memorandum between the British Department for Development in the Caribbean and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. (PDF)

Burger, A. and A. D. Lawrence. Seabird Monitoring Handbook for Seychelles. Nature Seychelles, Roche Caiman, P.O. Box 1310, Mahe, Seychelles. Tel: +248 60 11 00, Fax: + 248 60 11 00, Email: nature@seychelles.net. Available for sale at www.NatureSeychelles.org

Steinkamp, M., B. Peterjohn, V. Byrd, H. Carter, and R. Lowe. 2003. "Breeding Season Population Census Techniques for Seabirds and Colonial Waterbirds Throughout North America" . February 13, 2003 Draft. Unpublished. (PDF, 7 MB)

Paul, Richard T. and Ann F. Paul. undated. Project ColonyWatch Handbook. Published 2004 by Audubon of Florida. 444 Brickell Ave, Suite 850. Miami, FL 33131. (PDF)

Public Education Tools

Save Our Seabirds posters -- Available in English or Spanish - see below

Seabirds of the Caribbean Identification Cards -- English and versions for Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are available (French version in preparation) - see below

Contact Lisa Sorenson if you are interested in receiving copies of these materials.