Call: first eBird platform course in Nicaragua
Róger Solórzano Canales | Aug 29, 2017
International ornithologists will train participants on the use of the global platform.
This call is for every birder located in Nicaragua. For the first time, a group of three international bird expert will held an intensive, professional training on the use of the on line platform eBird. Location: the Apoyo Lagoon and its forested crater; dates: September 22 - 25.
The eBird on line platform is a massive and growing data base, describing itself as a “Global tools for birders, critical data for science”. Launched in 2002 in the United States by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, it has become a prominent, international tool for tourism, conservation and science. And its data base is increasing every day: just in May 2015, by instance, there were reported 9.5 million bird observations world wide, according to its website.
Currently, there is a very low participation from Nicaragua on the data collection. For this reason, organizers' main goal is to increase records and positioning the country as an excellent destination for birding. Freddy Membreño -from the Matagalpa Tours operator- is one of the organizers. He told ViaNica that the other two principal goals are to identify the possible hotspots for birding in Nicaragua, and to create a united community of birders among tourists guides, ornithologist and biologist.
Instructors for this course will be Oliver Komar, biologist and author of the Peterson Guide for birds in North of Central America; John van Dort, ornithologist and enthusiastic birdsongs recorder; and George Durieux, birdwatching expert renowned in Nicaragua. The courses is organized by the Alianza Mesoamericana de Ecoturismo (AME), Apoyo Resort and Matagalpa Tours, and conducted by eBird.
About registration
If you are interested on this course, you need to register yourself using this link. The requirements are: field experience, binoculars and a field guide, and finally, passion for birds.
The cost of the course is US$250 (20% reduction for registrations before Aug 31). The fee cover:
- 3 lodging nights in Apoyo Resort
- All meals.
- Field birdwatching practice.
- Bird observation report indoor.
- Certificate of participation.
A direct contact for more information or registration is Freddy Membreño: freddy@matagalpatours.com, telephone (505) 8645 1688.
