Bicknell’s Thrush to learn from expanded reserve
Simply in time for fall migration, Dominican Republic conservation group SOH Conservación has bought 432 acres of land with monetary assist from American Chicken Conservancy (ABC). The brand new acquisition will significantly broaden the 35-acre Bosque de las Nubes (“Forest of the Clouds”) Reserve and act as a buffer towards unlawful incursions into the adjoining 277,964-acre Sierra de Bahoruco Nationwide Park. It’s going to additionally broaden habitat safeguards for Neotropical migrants just like the weak Bicknell’s Thrush and quite a lot of endemic species such because the endangered Hispaniolan Crossbill and the Dominican Republic’s nationwide hen, the Palmchat.
“When most individuals consider the Dominican Republic, they typically consider its lovely Caribbean seashores and waters. Nevertheless, the nation can also be residence to an unbelievable variety of mountainous forest habitats which might be essential for a lot of species of migratory birds that we see in North America throughout our summer season,” stated Marci Eggers, ABC’s Director of Migratory Chicken Habitats in Latin America and the Caribbean. “This enlargement of the Bosque de las Nubes Reserve is a crucial step in direction of making a protected hall for Neotropical migrants within the Dominican Republic.”
The Dominican Republic is without doubt one of the most essential international locations for hen conservation within the Caribbean. Its various habitats and heat local weather shelter Neotropical migrants throughout the North American winter. The nation additionally hosts greater than 30 hen species discovered solely on the island of Hispaniola, which the Dominican Republic shares with Haiti.
The Bosque de las Nubes Reserve and adjoining Sierra de Bahoruco Nationwide Park are positioned within the Sierra de Bahoruco BirdScape, a precedence area recognized by ABC and companions for the nation’s migratory species. Positioned within the Dominican Republic’s southwest nook, this BirdScape stretches throughout the plush Bahoruco mountains, the place broadleaf, pine, and cloud forest habitats all host various avian communities at completely different elevations. The world is critically essential to the Bicknell’s Thrush, which breeds within the coniferous forests of New England and southeastern Canada, and winters totally on Hispaniola.
Sadly, the Bicknell Thrush’s comparatively small nonbreeding vary has left it notably weak to the impacts of habitat loss on the island, and its inhabitants is declining by no less than 7 p.c per 12 months. ABC has been working with companions since 2006 to reverse this development by addressing unsustainable logging and agriculture, together with different sources of forest loss within the Dominican Republic. Actions to this point have included facilitating reforestation efforts and supporting enhancements to protected space administration.
Enlargement of the SOH Conservación-managed Bosque de las Nubes Reserve is the most recent essential step within the means of making certain satisfactory nonbreeding habitat for Bicknell’s Thrush. The addition brings ABC one step nearer to establishing a conservation hall that spans the complete Sierra de Bahoruco BirdScape.
Species profile: Bicknell’s Thrush
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