The “First Bird Identification Workshop for Local Leaders of Cuban Birdwatching Clubs” was held from October 16 to 21, 2023, at Villa Cristal, located on the heights of Mirador de Mayabe in Holguín, Cuba. The event, led and taught by Nils Navarro, brought together 40 representatives and speakers from different birdwatching clubs across the country.
The workshop combined theoretical and practical sessions, including field trips along nature trails in a privileged natural setting during the peak of the fall migration season. Its main objective was to strengthen the capacities of local leaders by providing them with essential tools for bird identification and the use of citizen science platforms such as eBird, with the goal of promoting the growth of the birdwatching movement in Cuba and expanding knowledge of the country’s avifauna.
Key topics covered during the sessions included an introduction to Cuban ornithology, general aspects of birdwatching at both the global and national levels, bird identification by taxonomic groups, the use of eBird and other collaborative platforms, and bird photography for scientific documentation purposes. In addition, the program included discussion spaces such as a roundtable with renowned experts, where participants’ questions and concerns were addressed and guidance was provided regarding funding opportunities for local projects.
As part of the workshop, educational materials and working tools were distributed to the clubs, provincial experiences were shared, and the official call for the second edition of the Cuba Big Year 2024 was launched, further consolidating an active collaborative network among birdwatchers throughout the island.
This initiative was made possible thanks to the support of BirdsCaribbean, SalvaPC, Optics for the Tropics, and Caribbean Conservation Trust.
