Children and birds – a happy combination in Jamaica's Hope Botanical Gardens

petchary

May 29

One small girl found the binoculars weighed her down too much, so her father took them over.

Another girl (pre-teen age) was convinced that there were woodpeckers in the clump of bamboo; in fact, bamboo often makes all kinds of knocking and rattling noises when the wind blows. But we did see a real endemic Jamaican Woodpecker, with his blazing red head, a little later.

Several Common Moorhens tripped as fast as they could along the pond side to avoid the children's cries - but were duly admired, anyway.

Two boys, guided by their father (a brilliant BirdLife photographer), were busy counting Greater Antillean Grackles, who were making their usual racket in a bush.

BirdLife Jamaica's concept of staging a children's birding session in Kingston's beloved Hope Gardens was an absolute winner, straight out of the starting block (since it was the first attempt, or perhaps we could call it a "pilot project"...)

BirdLife Jamaica's Keisha Miller conducts a "bird pop quiz" with the children at Hope Gardens, Kingston.

BirdLife Jamaica's Keisha Miller (left) doing a "pop quiz." (Photo: Stuart Reeves)

The gardens themselves were remarkably busy, with what seemed to be a major picnic going on. Literally hundreds of children were spread across the grass, with the occasional lady and gentleman dressed up in wedding attire, for photo-ops. The noise level was terrific. I was disturbed to see how many cars were allowed in the gardens, however. There is quite a large parking lot. It should be a place to walk (or run)...

We gathered in the shadiest spot we could find in the Chinese Garden (a little more sedate), handed out loaned binoculars - without which you honestly cannot be a serious birdwatcher - and signed adults and children up. I think we had a total count of around fifty. The parents were protective, supportive and seemed to enjoy themselves. The children were kept so busy that only one or two had "meltdowns" towards the end of two hours or so of hard birding.

Group photo of adults and children participating in BirdLife Jamaica's first "Bring a Child Birding" event in Hope Gardens, Kingston.

A 3/4 full photo (just a few didn't make it!) Photo: Stuart Reeves

Splitting up into groups, each with an adult leader, we walked off in different directions, with our necks adjusted at different angles, to find birds. The children's necks needed adjusting, too; it is not just about spotting a bird, but also training one's binoculars in the right direction - the right tree, the right branch - to see it in spectacular detail. Also, one usually needs to fiddle with the binoculars so that it's not all a blur, but actually matches your eyesight and fits your eyes comfortably.

Adult participants in "Bring a Child Birding" event looking at something interesting.

The grownups had an interesting time. Here they have appeared to make an amazing discovery. A flamingo? No, we had already explained to the children that they can only see them in the nearby Hope Zoo. They expressed a desire to see ducks on the pond, however, but only Moorhens (now called Gallinules) obliged. (Photo: Stuart Reeves)

The children soon became adept at spotting the birds (when they weren't too busy interacting with each other in various ways). Spotting them wasn't a problem. Several children shouted, pointed, and jumped up and down each time they saw a bird. The objects of their interest were not very impressed with this behaviour, often flying away from the shouting, gesticulating young humans. We had to explain to them that when birding you have to reduce the volume, step quietly, and refrain from sudden movements. This is something, of course, that children are not naturally prone to do. We had to remind them to use their binoculars, too. This brings the whole birding experience to life.

Frequently heard comments were:

"I see it!"

"Where?"

"Oh, it's gone!"

"Give me your binoculars!"

"I don't see it."

"Look, look, look!" (crescendo)

"My binoculars aren't working!"

And more.

Here are some more photos, courtesy of Stuart Reeves, Kahlil Francis, and myself. You notice we didn't photograph the birds this time; we were focusing on the kids watching the birds. However, apart from the more common residents such as Greater Antillean Grackle, White-winged Dove, Smooth-billed Anis and Zenaida Dove (plus a whole host of Cattle Egrets, pecking away at some freshly watered grass) we did spot some endemic species that live nowhere else in the world but Jamaica - the children found this fact surprising. There was the aforementioned Jamaican Woodpecker, Jamaican Parakeet, Yellow-billed Parrots, Jamaican Oriole (endemic sub-species), and the Red-Streamertail. A pair of much less common Black-billed Parrots (conservation status: Vulnerable) posed for a while on a bare branch.

BirdLife Jamaica's Justin Saunders talks to a young participant in the "Bring a Child Birding" event, at Hope Gardens in Kingston.

Talking birds: Justin lends a listening ear. (Photo: Stuart Reeves)

Winding down in the warm late afternoon sun, we handed out posters of Jamaican endemic birds to each young participant. Copies of my personal little "Bible," A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Jamaica, by Ann Haynes-Sutton, Audrey Downer, and Robert Downer, were on sale. All went home quite satisfied. Boredom just didn't happen. I think we have "converted" a few children to birding (and perhaps one or two adults, too). Moreover, I believe that the children enjoyed themselves away from their tablets, iPads and phones - just appreciating Nature.

Thank you poster to participants and sponsors at the "Bring a Child Birding" event on May 27 in Hope Gardens, Kingston.

I think it's safe to say that BirdLife Jamaica pulled off a coup (the non-violent kind, of course). Many congratulations to Justin, Michelle, Keisha, Damany, Treya, Kahlil, Stuart and all the others that got involved to make it a roaring success! With special, special thanks to Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) and the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation (C-CAM) for their support.