Bird Ecology Training 2024

Bird Ecology Training 2024

Bill Gette and Reymundo Chen just completed teaching TIDE’s International Certificate in Bird Ecology Program at TIDE’s Big Falls Retreat. This four-day masterclass took 14 participants from zeroes to heroes by incorporating practical bird watching sessions with classroom activities detailing bird anatomy, flight patterns, identification, and migration. Expert tips were also shared with the aspiring bird enthusiasts in how best to lead bird-watching field trips as well as cater to different age groups and levels of skill. Assistant Instructor Reymundo Chen also gave the students a brief introduction to bird banding which gave one or two of them a chance to hold and release a bird for the first time in their life!

 

Some of the participants had more experience in bird watching which served as an inspiration to others and enabled peer-to-peer learning when they were split into groups and self-learning was encouraged.

Interest in Bird Watching is growing in Belize but expertise in the field is lacking in Southern Belize so TIDE would like to thank Mass Audubon and Bill Gette for making this much needed training possible.

“These courses are so important because you build relationships with the other people, if you have a question you can go to them, or if you’re seeking a job opportunity these kinds of contacts are so valuable, they’re building networks” – Bill Gette, Course Instructor.

“I’ve been doing this for about 6 months and with this program it gave me a boost, it opened up my brain so that I could identify different birds whether it be a shorebird, or a flycatcher, from here going back I reckon I can do much better when it comes to working in the field” – Andres Boh, Copal Tree Lodge

“I definitely learned a lot more about birds, it was an exciting program being among a lot of people who get excited too when they see a bird moving in the trees and sharing knowledge on what everybody learned and putting everything together!” – Desmond Ramirez, Copal Tree Lodge

“I have learned a lot, I’m very new to birding but now I’m going with a lot of information about birds their feathers and migration, the avian systemics, I’ve learned a lot! – Susana Choco – TIDE Tours