Bird identification training with IFTA

We had our last Institution Formation en Technique Agronomie (IFTA) lecture on Monday in which I spoke about conservation.  The finale was today in which we took the class birding west of Torbeck.  Thanks to the teacher Decossard for making the arrangements, and James for translating.  I taught the students about which features to pay attention to on the birds to help them more quickly identify birds.  We also talked about the logistics of being a bird guide.  We saw only about 7 species, and it was overcast and rainy.  But it was still a great teaching experience. 

Ornithology seminar at IFTA

This month the Audubon Center is presenting a series of ornithology talks for the agronomy class at Institut de Formation Technique en Agronomie (IFTA) in Les Cayes.  Sean Christensen and Debbie Baker are giving four talks covering endemic and migratory birds of Haiti, how to identify birds, bird habitats in Haiti, and the causes of the decline of Haiti birds.  Thanks to IFTA director Decossard Guemy for inviting us.  For attending this 4-week series, his students will receive a certificate from the Audubon Center.