This course will be in Dutch/ English. If we get English speaking participants the principal language will be English with translations when needed.
Want to get started on identifying the bird species that live and breed, or visit Curaçao, and volunteer with the inventory and monitoring of the birds of our island in the coming years, this is the course for you!
Register and participate in the upcoming new workshop Birds of (Klein) Curaçao – ID and Monitoring.
Klein Curaçao Conservation, experienced birders and teachers Michelle Pors-da Costa Gomez and Léon Pors and coordinator Maureen Keunen, are organizing this upcoming workshop in the first few weeks of July 2025. Course participants will learn the principles of bird identification including ID-training, and also learn the basic techniques for monitoring birds. In this workshop we will train future Bird Watching Curaçao volunteers who will collect data through bird monitoring for the protection of birds on Curaçao in general and on Klein Curaçao in particular.
Klein Curaçao & Klein Curaçao Conservation
Klein Curaçao Conservation is committed to the protection of the natural ecosystems of the island and the promotion of responsible tourism. The organization does this in collaboration with various stakeholders, boat charters and volunteer organizations such as Clean-Up Curaçao, Sea Turtle Conservation Curaçao and Bird Watching Curaçao.
Klein Curaçao is a RAMSAR area and an Important Bird Area (IBA). For migratory birds, the small island is an important stopover to rest and refuel before continuing their long journey. In addition, Klein Curaçao is one of the most important breeding locations for sea and coastal birds on our island. Various terns, gulls and other birds have nested here for centuries but are seriously threatened. Monitoring over the past 7 years has ensured that Klein Curaçao is now seen as the number 2 in the Top 10 hotspots for bird species on the island.
In order to continue monitoring the birds and important bird areas on Klein Curaçao, more volunteers are needed in the coming years who are willing to help monitor birds on the small island at least once a month or more. During the workshop, attention will therefore not only be paid to the identification techniques of birds in the field, but also to monitoring methods using ebird.org. We will do this on Klein Curaçao itself.
What will you learn and do during the workshop:
- Basic bird identification techniques
- Safe bird watching and monitoring (personal safety, bird safety and ethics)
- The most common bird species of Klein Curaçao and where to expect them
- Equipment for monitoring and how to use them: binoculars, camera, phone, bird guide
- How does ebird.org work and how are we going to use it for monitoring
- Practical tips and tricks, bird monitoring on Klein Curaçao.
Workshop schedule:
- Session 1 – Online
Saturday July 5 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Curacao time)
Introduction, introduction round, explanation of course content, basic bird identification techniques, installing ebird.org and homework assignment. - Session 2 Field session
Saturday July 12 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM
(locations to be determined, but at least 3 locations not too far from the city). - Session 3 Classroom
Saturday July 12 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
(on the same day) - Session 4 and 5 field sessions Klein Curaçao
July 14 and 15 with overnight stay
– Upon arrival after breakfast: introduction Klein Curaçao, bird habitats and exploratory walk
– In the afternoon when the boats leave we really go on an excursion in part of the islands habitats.
– Early morning excursion through part of the habitats on the island with observing and recording.
– After breakfast evaluation, eBird discussion and monitoring protocols, evaluation and planning.
– And of course some free time for swimming and snorkelling or further birding - If needed we will include another field session later in the week, to keep training.
Participation fee and volunteer commitment discount:
The contribution for participation in this workshop is Cg 375,- per participant.
This includes: course materials, field trips and the overnight stay on Klein Curaçao with breakfast, lunch and drinks.
We aim to train the participants of this workshop to become active monitoring members of Bird Watching Curaçao and to strengthen the bird monitoring team on Klein Curaçao. Special provisions will be made for this in the future, which will be announced during the workshop. Participants who are willing to monitor birds on Klein Curaçao at least once a month for at least 1 year after attending the workshop will receive a very attractive discount on the course contribution. More information about this will be provided on request when registering.
What to bring yourself:
- Binoculars
- Camera (if you have one)
- Smartphone
- Notepad, pens/pencil
- Bird field guide
- Snacks
- Sleeping and toiletry items for the overnight stay on Klein Curaçao
- Sturdy walking shoes, refillable drinking bottle, sunscreen, hat/cap, good walking clothes, sunglasses and medication if applicable.
Workshop registration:
Register for this workshop by completing the registration form at the underside of this page. You will then receive a confirmation mail with additional information and an invoice. Registration is final once the contribution has been transferred. A maximum of 12 participants can participate in this workshop. If you have more questions please complete the contact form on our contact page.