Antigua Sailing Week 2013 (Photo courtesy John Esposito)

It’s that time of year again when we welcome sailors from all over the world to participate in Antigua Sailing Week. There are over 100 boats registered. When the number of crew on each boat is considered, the number of visitors here during these seven days is easily between 500 and 1000, not to mention the many other persons that visit to witness the sea and land events.

In the months leading up to Antigua Sailing Week 2013, the EAG approached the regatta’s planning committee wishing to engage them in helping to make the event a more environmentally-sensitive one. Their reaction was immediate and positive. We were all of the view that making the event a truly “green” one would not happen overnight but that making a number of small positive steps puts us on the right path.

As a first step, the EAG facilitated recognition of Antigua Sailing Week 2013 by Sailors for the Sea, an ocean conservation organisation. Sailors for the Sea run a Clean Regattas™ certification programme that promotes practices and policies that reduce negative impacts on the ocean environment. Gold, silver or bronze certification would depend on the level of action being taken. Antigua Sailing Week 2013 participants and partners have been asked to voluntarily pledge to: recycle; reduce the number of waste water bottles by using reusable containers; avoid discharging waste into our marinas; limit use of potentially toxic materials for bottom cleaning in the marinas, and; use alternative fuels where possible.

A major source of support in seeing at least one of these objectives become reality has been Martin Dudley of Rubber Duck Recycling. As he has done in years past, Martin has helped by offering to collect recyclables from boat crew as soon as they dock. Another major facilitator has been the Antigua and Barbuda Waste Recycling Corporation (ABWREC), created by the Rotary Club of Antigua, Sundown. ABWREC has placed recycling bins throughout the Antigua Yacht Club and Nelson’s Dockyard areas, next to a regular garbage bin in most cases, to encourage persons to consider recycling and to place their waste correctly. An integral part of this partnership has been the management of the Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, particularly the Environment Unit.

One challenge associated with recycling has been to convince persons to use the recycling bins for this purpose and not for disposing of other trash. It is hoped that, with greater education and awareness, more residents and visitors will desist from this negative practice.

Another “pledge” that we have aimed to facilitate is the recycling of used oil. Themba Biofuels, another partner working towards raising the environmental standards of Antigua Sailing Week, has reached out to many restaurants and other vendors who offer food for sale. They have offered free collection of this oil, reducing the need for businesses to find a suitable place or manner for its disposal. This used oil is then converted to bio-diesel that can be used to power our vehicles. Local Oils Ltd. has also increased awareness of their initiative whereby used petroleum products are collected and converted to diesel.

As Antigua Sailing Week 2013 draws to a close, success in implementation of some of the above “pledges” will need to be calculated towards setting higher targets for next year. Other pledges will also be evaluated to determine how greater partnership amongst all stakeholders can be achieved. It is hoped that the other regattas on Antigua & Barbuda’s sailing calendar will adopt similar pledges. In the meanwhile, as you journey to English Harbour over the next few days, resolve to recycle.

(Excerpt from Press Release from the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds)

“One of the most amazing features of the Caribbean islands is the diversity of birds,” said Dr Howard Nelson, president of the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds (SCSCB) and lecturer at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, as he launched the 12th annual Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival 2013.

Increasing awareness of the diversity of birds and their life cycles, as well as the urgent need for conservation, will be the main theme of the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival 2013 which runs from Earth Day, 22 April, through to International Biodiversity Day on 22 May. The festival is sponsored by the SCSCB, the largest single organization devoted to wildlife conservation within the Caribbean. The festival is the largest and oldest established, grass-roots, wildlife education program in the Caribbean. More than 100,000 Caribbean students and teachers are expected to participate in this year’s festivities.

In launching the 2013 festival, Dr Howard Nelson, said that, “The Caribbean islands have approximately 208 resident species of birds, of which a staggering 72% are only found in the Caribbean – and many of these are endemic to a single island. The economic contribution of birds to the health and well-being of our islands is still woefully unrecognized. For example, few people realize that each spring, many birds feed their young a high protein diet, harvesting thousands of tons of insects each day. This reduces pest damage on many commercial crops such as coffee and saves farmers millions of dollars.” Dr Nelson noted that birds contribute further to the economy by supporting important industries such as ecotourism, forestry and agriculture.

Caribbean birds have a huge variety of life cycles,” said Dr Nelson. “Some resident species spend their whole lives in one area, others (like the Rufous-throated Solitaire) stay on a single island but breed in the mountain forests and winter in the lowlands.

West Indian Whistling-Ducks nest in the dry forests or cays and walk or swim their ducklings long distances over land or water to the swamps where they
will live and feed. Some tiny migrants (like the Black-throated Blue Warbler) spend the winter in the Caribbean and fly thousands of miles north to North America to breed and return to the same area for 8 or 9 years. Others (like the Black-whiskered Vireo) winter in Brazil and fly north in spring to breed in the West Indies,” he explained.

Each life stage exposes birds to different risks. These risks are increasing as, throughout the region, bird habitats are being destroyed and degraded by development, pollution and climate change, and birds are being killed for sport, food and pest control. Every year it gets harder and harder for birds to survive. For birds that use more than one habitat type or geographical area, the loss or disturbance of even one step in the chain of habitats that they use during their life cycle can lead to death or nesting failure – and cause corresponding losses to the economy.

The Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival promotes a wide range of activities to bring people to birds and their habitats and increase support for conservation. Sheylda Díaz-Méndez, Regional Festival Coordinator explained that, over its 12-year history, the increasingly popular Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival has raised public awareness of the region’s exceptionally rich and threatened bird life, using the Caribbean’s celebrated endemic birds as flagships of nature conservation as a whole.

The Festival engages people in a wide range of activities that are both educational and fun including a diverse array of public events such as nature hikes and bird-watching excursions, seminars, photographic exhibitions, art, song and costume competitions, church services, tree plantings, theatrical productions, media campaigns, and public discussions and debates, all in recognition of the region’s rich natural-cultural heritage and bird life.

The beach survey represented one part of a comprehensive turtle conservation effort that included public outreach and education, and management interventions for sea turtle conservation. The purpose of this survey was to better understand the turtles themselves and how widespread the nesting population was, and will continue over the years collecting and compiling data.

Spearheaded by Mykl Clovis Fuller, her team of trained conservationists and volunteers is able to monitor nesting activity of some five significant sites around Antigua during the key nesting months of March to November. They also try to tag every new nesting turtle so they can be identified upon return in later years.

All sea turtles species found in the Caribbean are listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Antigua & Barbuda boasts three nesting species of sea turtle: Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), Green (Chelonia mydas), and Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) as well as a visiting species sometimes found travelling/feeding in our waters, the Loggerhead (Caretta caretta).

The decline of sea turtles has been rapid and significant in the past few hundred years. This is mostly due to over-harvesting of the turtles and their nests (for food and jewellery made from the shells of some), increased boat strikes/activity, and pollution of the sea by humans.

At this point the common statistic for survival among hatchlings is that only one in a thousand baby turtles survive to be an adult and reproduce. As it takes most sea turtles up to 20 years (at least) to be sexually mature, most turtles are unable to make it to adulthood with all the threats they face—both natural and manmade. By keeping the oceans and beaches safe for turtles, other marine life and future generations also benefit.

If the most important turtle habitats can be identified and protected, then the species will have a much greater chance for survival.

Turtles are known as an indicator species and provide great insight into what is happening with other marine life. Their feeding habits are an important part of maintaining a balanced ecosystem in and around our waters, and their nests (leftover eggshells and un-hatched eggs) even provide vital nutrients for the plant life growing on our beaches. If sea turtles were to disappear completely, many other marine species and habitats could be negatively affected.

Sea turtle conservation efforts and education will continue long into Antigua’s future thanks to help of previously mentioned organisations and the continued effort of the EAG’s trained conservationists. New programmes are being enacted to educate hotel operators and their guests, as some hotel beaches do see quite a bit of nesting activity in the season.

There are also outreach programmes being developed for schools and children’s summer camps to teach Antigua’s younger generation how important sea turtles really are.

While it is not encouraged that people go out seeking to discover nesting turtles on their own in the spring/summer months, the EAG does conduct some supervised turtle watches—led by trained volunteer conservation guides—on the mainland and to one of our offshore islands from June to November. These watches are specifically for the education of locals and tourists, and carried out with the help and cooperation of the Jumby Bay Hawksbill Project team and EAG coordinators.

To receive more information about sea turtles and turtle watching trips, or to make a direct donation to our sea turtle conservation efforts, please contact our office (268) 462-6236 or email the EAG (eagantigua@gmail.com) for assistance.

To keep up on seasonal updates of sea turtle activity and events, you can also follow the ‘Environmental Awareness Group’ and ‘Jumby Bay Hawksbill Project’ on Facebook as well.

The Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus), also known as crayfish, is a crustacean, as are crabs. Different from a ‘regular’ lobster, a spiny lobster lacks large, distinctive pinching front claws, possessing long antennae instead. Panulirus argus reproduces between March and June, a guiding factor for Antigua and Barbuda’s closed season which ends on 30^th June.

To mate, a male passes a sperm packet to a female who bursts this package open at the same time as she releases her eggs and in the same vicinity. Fertilisation is external and fertilised eggs stay attached to structures on the underside of her tail where they incubate for 3-4 weeks. A large female can release up to 1 million eggs per spawn and may spawn 2-3 times during the breeding season.

After hatching, would-be spiny lobsters go through a number of larval stages. During this time, many of these larvae are preyed upon by a variety of fish. To increase their chances of survival, floating larvae will inhabit seagrass beds and clumps of algae. After months as larvae, juvenile spiny lobsters feed on other small crustaceans and on molluscs (example, snails and scallops) within their coral reef home. Panulirus argus is nocturnal, feeding at night then resting and hiding by day.

As spiny lobsters develop, the reason for their name becomes apparent; they sport forward-pointing spines on their carapace (shell) that help protect them from predators. This carapace is usually reddish-brown and there are large, distinctive, cream-coloured spots on the tail. These large, powerful tails (the “lobster tails” on your restaurant menu) are used to rapidly swim backwards to escape predators.

P. argus has 2 long, prominent antennae, like horns over its eyes, that it uses to ward off predators. There are also 2 smaller, secondary antennae used to sense movement and to detect chemicals in the water. In addition, it has compound eyes that are used to detect shapes, light and colour. A spiny lobster can grow up to 60 cm (about 24 inches) in length and is said to be able to live for 10-15 years.

P. argus is a very popular menu item across the Caribbean, Florida and other southern United States and is commercially heavily fished. In Barbuda, the spiny lobsters constitute a main export. Revenue from this popular food item, according to a Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2006 report, was approximated at EC$3-8 million per year.

A FAO 2002 document on Fisheries Management in Antigua and Barbuda stated that P. argus is considered to be over-exploited. Although the species is not endangered, it was recognised that such intense pressure would lead to declining populations over time. Hence, the closed season protects adults, allowing them time to spawn. A minimum carapace length of 9.5 cm was introduced to prevent too-small spiny lobsters from being caught and sold. Further, our Fisheries Regulations (Statutory Instruments 1990, No. 10) prohibits catching, selling or buying of spiny lobsters that are carrying eggs or that are moulting. Establishment and policing of no-fish zones in our marine protected areas would provide further protection and produce larger individuals.

It is hoped that strict observance and regulation of the closed season for P. argus will be a way of life for Antiguans and Barbudans to ensure abundant persistence of this beautiful and highly valued component of our marine resources.

French angel, spotted drums and snappers in 130 feet of water off Antigua (Photo courtesy Marcus Merrin)

The water’s warm, if a bit rough today.  Cap’n Don the divemaster gives the “thumbs-down” to signal our decent. It’s Saturday, and I’m making my hundredth scuba dive.  More than eighty of those dives have been off Antigua’s southeastern shore on the reefs around Falmouth and English Harbour.

Today’s dive is one of my favourites, an old trawler sunk in fairly deep water. It’s a challenging dive because of the depth, but well worth it.  There’s an atmosphere about a wreck, not to everyone’s taste, but sitting upright on the bottom, she seems to be defying her mortality.  This ship is not dead, and its life is not over. In fact, if she was a fortunate vessel, she took a lot out of the ocean, and now she is repaying her debt to nature.

This trawler has become an artificial reef in a location where otherwise there would be little marine life at all. As an anchor point for corals and sponges, and shelter and hiding for fish and their young, she is truly an oasis in a watery desert – an aquatic meeting place and nursery.

As we drop down, we are greeted by three angelfish the size of dinner-plates, curious to see what strange, noisy swimmers are doing in their waters. A three-foot barracuda swims by as we descend further. The ghostly wreck looms out of the blue and we have arrived! One of the special things about the site is that it’s depth limits diver’s “bottom-time” to about ten minutes.  It is not safe to stay longer and air consumption is quite high at this depth.  This slight edge of urgency heightens the senses and brings the experience into sharper focus.

As I swim alongside, I see red snapper through a large hole in the rusting hull, a large rock beauty emerges and swims about her business. Dropping to the stern, I move in towards the large propeller, encrusted with bright red growths.  The odd thing is, you can’t see the red stuff at all.  The light down there is filtered so everything looks blue. But take a camera with lights and the incredible colours are revealed!  There are hidden spaces behind the propeller, and here I see a juvenile French angelfish with its startlingly bright black and yellow banding. Graceful, juvenile spotted drums with long flowing dorsal fins are swimming among some bigger groupers who may be sizing them up for breakfast.

Now I’m off to the foredeck to see what’s there.  Previously I have seen a very large black lionfish there, but not today. It’s time to return to the world of air-breathers once more, and soon we are back on the boat eager to discuss what we have just seen.  The entire dive was only about 18 minutes, but filled with the astounding diversity found in Antigua’s waters.

You may have heard it said that Antigua has no good scuba diving or that there is nothing to see down there.  This is a complete myth.  Television and the movies may have taught us to seek extreme and unique experiences, and to seek out the most extreme and most stimulating only.  But, like food, the exotic and unusual is not a healthy diet every day.  To an amateur naturalist and underwater photographer, there is plenty to see and do on Antigua’s reefs.  Yes, they could do with some help, they are in danger and they could be better.  But don’t let anyone tell you the reefs are gone, or that the reefs are dead.

With true Marine Protected Areas hopefully on the way, and more awareness of our beautiful underwater wilderness, Antigua’s waters, already spellbinding, have the potential to be stunning!

Humpback whale calf (Photo courtesy of Eli Fuller)

Ruddy ducks at McKinnon’s Pond (Photo courtesy of Andrea Otto)

In 2010, the EAG added participation in the Caribbean Waterbird Census to its list of programmes for the study and conservation of the environment and biodiversity. This is overseen by the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds, whose mandate is summed up quite aptly in its title. The programme has been ongoing for three years and has revealed much about the wetlands and waterbirds which are part of the Antiguan and Barbudan landscape.

In February 2009, the Society’s Monitoring Working Group held a workshop in the Bahamas entitled “Bird Monitoring in the Caribbean – Why, What, Where, When and How,” funded by the Western Hemisphere Migratory Species Initiative/Organization of American States and many others.

It involved participants from 18 West Indian islands and two Caribbean rim countries. The workshop highlighted the gap in scientific information about water birds and wetlands in the Caribbean, a gap that is not covered by the Neotropical Waterbird Census (NWC) and the International Waterbird Census (IWC).  As a result of discussions held at this workshop, the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds decided to establish the Caribbean Waterbird Census to complement the NWC and the IWC.

The overall goal of the Caribbean Waterbird Census is to increase support for waterbird and wetland conservation in the insular Caribbean by promoting monitoring as a means to improve science-based conservation planning and adaptive management of birds. The involvement of ordinary citizens is of paramount importance so the protocols developed for the programme promote citizen science. Ordinary citizens are given the opportunity to gather data that is scientifically useful.

The EAG held workshops in 2011 and 2012 to familiarise participants with these protocols and introduce them to the world of birds. The attendees were then given training sessions in the field. The official census period is mid-January to early February.  During this time, Antigua joins countries throughout the Caribbean in gathering much needed data on the status of waterbirds and wetlands in the region.

In Antigua, the census started with four wetlands in 2011 and now surveys seven wetland sites, including McKinnon’s Pond, Flashes, Christian Cove, Darkwood Swamp, Johnson’s Point Swamp and Fitches Creek (Parham).

The 2013 census revealed that there are 39 waterbird species currently making use of the wetlands surveyed in Antigua.  They include the well known Brown Pelicans and garlings but also revealed species new to our participants such as Lesser Scaups, Ruddy Ducks, Greater and Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Glossy Ibis.

Most interestingly, the Ruddy Duck was observed to be breeding, with several clutches of over seven chicks each. Ruddy Ducks are considered a supplanting species and their presence at the McKinnon’s pond bears further study as previous census exercises have shown that White-cheeked Pintails and West Indian Whistling ducks (threatened) also breed in this area.

The possibility exists that these two species may be displaced by the Ruddy Duck. It was also instructive that the Darkwood swamp – an area that previously seemed bereft of birdlife in spite of its size, recorded the presence of over 100 Blue-winged Teals and 180 Sandpipers. Over 1,600 birds were counted across the seven wetlands by the volunteers. The census showed that there was an increase in the dumping of solid waste in some wetlands and that all wetlands were negatively affected by the very dry weather conditions.

The future of the Caribbean Waterbird Census in Antigua will mean an expansion in the number of wetlands surveyed and the implementation of National Census periods outside of the official census time set by the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds. There is also the intention to move the monitoring from levels one and two to levels that require the collection of more detailed data on the habitats. There will, therefore, be more workshops and other activities to promote the Caribbean Waterbird Census. Birds are excellent indicators of the health and quality of wetlands, and provide recreation. The Caribbean Waterbird Census will allow Antigua & Barbuda to step up to the responsibility it shares with other countries of the world to manage its wetlands for the benefit of the birds and all other creatures.

Leatherback hatchlings make their way to the sea

St. John’s Antigua- We have a variety of marine animals that live or frequent Antigua’s waters every year, but one of the most fascinating and incredible has to be the Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea).

Leatherbacks are the largest of all sea turtles, measuring 6-7 feet long and weighing anywhere from 1,500-2,000 pounds. They are called Leatherback because of their tough leathery “shell” which is usually dark brown to black and has seven pronounced vertical ridges along it. They live most of their lives in the open ocean, only coming into more shallow waters when it’s time to nest on the beaches.

Leatherbacks are known to travel great distances, and can be found in every ocean and travel farther north (and south) than any other reptile. They can easily withstand very cold temperatures, and will migrate to the warmer waters around the equator to mate and lay their eggs on sandy beaches like the ones Antigua is famous for.

These turtles eat crabs, fishes, and tunicates, but the main part of their diet is jellyfish. A Leatherback turtle can eat up to 440 pounds of jellyfish per day, and will often dive more than 1,000 meters to find these jellies or to avoid predators.

Leatherbacks play a key role in keeping the ocean’s jellyfish population in check. Most types of jellyfish reproduce very quickly, and spread across vast distances because of their drifting ability. If Leatherbacks did not consume them, it’s estimated that jellyfish populations would increase so dramatically they would be more common than most commercially important fish and essentially “clog up” our vast oceans.

Leatherbacks have sharp notches in their upper jaw that allow them to easily slice through the soft animals, and the powerful sting that you find with most Jellyfish seems to have no effect on these turtles.

Unfortunately, Leatherback Turtles are critically endangered, since their population has dropped 80 per cent since 1980.  Most of the dangers come from humans, either from poaching of the adults for meat or oil, taking of the eggs for food, vessel strikes from large boats, entanglement in nets or fishing lines, or the turtle’s consumption of trash thrown into the seas.

It’s estimated that only 26,000-43,000 females nest every year around the world, with the most popular nesting sites being in Gabon (West Africa), Colombia, Indonesia, and the Caribbean. Antigua sees only a small number of Leatherbacks nesting from February through April, and this is all the more reason to protect these rare animals.

While spotting a Leatherback Turtle is an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience, you have to remember that they are still wild animals that should be respected and left alone. There was a recent incident at one of Antigua’s hotels where a female Leatherback came up to nest, to the surprise and enjoyment of the hotel staff and guests. While most of those present simply enjoyed watching the nesting mother, a few people got too close, were shining bright lights in its eyes, and one person even jumped onto the turtle’s back for photos.

In light of reports like this, here are some very important “Do’s and Don’t’s” when dealing with Leatherbacks and other sea turtles:

• DO NOT touch/disturb nesting females. Approaching too close can stress or scare the mother; NEVER attempt to flip her or stand on top of the shell, and always stay at least 5 meters/15 feet away.
• DO NOT shine bright lights at the turtles. Flashlights, car lights, and flash cameras can disturb the nesting mothers, and while hatchlings are attracted by moonlight/white light when they come out of the nest, camera flashes can blind them or hurt their eyes severely. Red light is the best to use since they cannot see it as well.
• DO NOT touch, dig up, trample, or disturb nesting sites or handle hatchlings. Also, never remove nesting females or hatchlings from the beach. If you find a nest or encounter mother turtles, immediately contact the EAG and/or Turtle Hotline.
• DO NOT litter. Trash left on the beaches or thrown into the sea—especially plastic bags—can be eaten by sea turtles or ensnare them. If you find trash, please pick it up.
• DO report any sightings or harmful activity/disturbance of the sea turtles immediately. If you see anyone digging up nests, catching the turtles, handling the hatchlings, or bothering the nesting mothers, contact the EAG/Turtle Hotline asap!

For more information on Leatherback Turtles or to report any activity, please contact the EAG (462-6236) or the Antiguan Sea Turtle Hotline (720-6955).

EAG hikers at a dam near Ayres Creek. (Photo courtesy Alan Scholl)

For some people, names such as Comfort Hall and Gaynors are very familiar. Some others say the names are vaguely familiar but are not sure where in Antigua they are located. Others will ask in which country they exist!

On Saturday February 16, the Environmental Awareness Group’s (EAG) February hike started near (south-west) Willikies in an area called Comfort Hall, which previously housed Comfort Hall Estate in the era when sugar was king.

What would eventually be a 7.6 mile walk started promptly at 7 am with an introduction to features to be seen given by our trip leader.

The group was full of energy and took off at a comfortable but business pace. The scenery was beautiful and varied and we passed quite fertile farmland areas, whether for livestock or garden produce.

At a mangrove swamp at Ayres Creek, which eventually leads to Nonsuch Bay, our guide pointed out that this is one of the few areas on the island (and apparently, in the world) where a clear geographic progression of our various types of mangrove trees can be found since scientists and teachers from as far away as Europe have requested trips to the area just to be able to photograph and otherwise catalogue this ecosystem.

The red mangrove sits in the water or at its edge followed further inland by the black mangrove then the white mangrove and buttonwood. Mangroves are an extremely important part of our coastline since they are a breeding ground and a nursery for many types of fish, shell fish and other sealife; they trap sediment and waste, preventing them from reaching the ocean and the reefs within; they help protect the coastline from wind and wave action.

Unfortunately, in 2013, still not everyone appreciates the importance of mangrove trees since we observed the progress of two roads being built directly through this mangrove stand.

Thankfully, all of the mangroves had not been clear-cut but the position of one of these two roads bisects a part of the swamp in a manner that restricts exchange of water with the ocean beyond.

The effect was already clear: dying and dead mangroves in the section cut off from access to the ocean. One has to wonder about the effect this will have on fishermens’ catches since this bit of coastline sits within the boundary of the NorthEast Marine Management Area, a marine ‘protected’ area (MPA) where many fishers seek their livelihood.

DCA relayed to the EAG that no plan had been previously submitted to them so they have since halted this construction. Is clearing of mangroves within this MPA even allowed?

Our trip continued past a dam which previously served the former tobacco cultivation nearby and which later housed a shrimp farm.

On to Gaynors (north of Newfield) where, at the apex of a track, we were greeted with a breathtaking view of Ayres Creek leading into Nonsuch Bay and overlooked by the verdant hills of Comfort Hall.

We were again observing, across the water, the mangroves we had visited earlier. Considerable land-clearing in this part of Gaynors is said to be the future site of a large farm but this is unconfirmed.

Making our way back along the shoreline of the Creek, we marvelled at the beauty of the area, at the plant and birdlife, at the serenity.

This trip was billed as one where hikers would get exposed to history, environmental points of interest, and the simple beauty of nature. It fully lived up to each one of those promises.

Join us each month for an EAG field trip. All trips for 2013 are listed on www.eagantigua.org.

Oshane and Marlon of the Boy’s Brigade help clear the Christian Valley Birding Trail.

In January 2012, the Christian Valley Birding Trail opened to much fanfare. At an official ceremony, persons such as Antigua & Barbuda’s Prime Minister, the parliamentary representative for the area, and Finland’s Ambassador-At-Large to Caricom and Venezuela were present.

The trail, developed by landscape architect Stephen Watt, was part of a larger project well coordinated by Dr Carmen Lake and funded by Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

More than one year later, the trail has been visited by schoolchildren, teachers, summer campers, hotel and cruise guests, and a number of individuals – residents and visitors alike – some here on business or for pleasure.

The Christian Valley Birding Trail is not a paved, covered walkway. It is a part of nature and is exposed to the elements. Many of us know that guinea grass, elephant grass and many other grasses, shrubs and trees need no encouragement to grow.

This is even more so when there is rain. Therefore, these parts become overgrown but with very regular use, only light maintenance is necessary.

Many individuals, groups and businesses were excited at the prospect of a birding trail at its inception. However, a bit more community spirit would go a long way to ensure that it remains a place that can be enjoyed by all.

Ideally, since this trail is part of the Mount Obama National Park, the government would ensure that it is kept in top condition. In reality, the apparent capacity of the government to ensure that such activity occurs has been sporadic at best.

In fact, staff at the Christian Valley Agricultural Station have pledged their support and, indeed, manage to keep the northern loop and valley road sections of the trail in usable condition, in addition to their other regular duties. However, help is needed to ensure that the rest of the trail is maintained.

Some private individuals have created colourful flyers to attract paying guests seeking to do some bird watching in Christian Valley. Large buses of church groups have been seen passing through the area.

Some companies take their guests there. Hotels arrange for their guests to go on bird-watching tours at this site. All of these persons and groups clearly understand the need to diversify what Antigua has to offer to its tourism product and have an appreciation for the potential of eco-tourism.

So, it becomes extremely disheartening when a call is made for persons to help maintain this resource that so very few answer.

In 2012, EAG was able to pay two persons to weed-whack the trail. It was so overgrown at the time that it took them the better part of five days. Those scarce funds are now non-existent.

So a recent call was made for volunteers to help clean the again overgrown trail. Eight dedicated souls answered the call: members from the EAG board of directors and other EAG members and friends, including two teenagers and Mr Campbell Coates of the Boy’s Brigade.

Their dedication was such that what could have taken another two to three days for two persons to cut took about three hours.

The EAG extends heartfelt thanks to all of the volunteers who helped put the Christian Valley Birding Trail back into a splendid condition for all to enjoy.

We encourage everyone to visit and enjoy the vast beauty to behold in this area. Then, when the time comes, we encourage persons from all sectors of society to lend a hand and show love for our natural space to ensure its maintenance.