Wings in Motion: Forest MLR on World Migratory Bird Day

World Migratory Bird Day at MLR Forestal began at five o’clock in the morning, included a tour of seven MLR Forestal farms on the North Caribbean Coast and ended with 85 species of birds observed. This is how this commemorative day is summarized around the Global Big Day (GBD), the largest simultaneous global event for the registration of birds in a single day and which aims to increase environmental awareness about birds and the threats they face.

This is the second participation for MLR Forestal since last year 64 species of birds were registered in four properties: Danlí, Mutiwas, Waspado and Santa Fe. This year the tour was carried out through the Waspado, Matiz, Labú, Aló, Mutiwas, Santa Fe and Danlí farms.

MLR Forestal has more than 300 species of birds identified in its plantations and conservation areas. This number has been achieved thanks to the fact that the conservation and monitoring of biodiversity, as well as environmental education and the ecological restoration program, are fundamental pillars of the company. The Global Big Day confirms that both migratory and local species find refuge in MLR Forestal.

New bird species recorded in MLR Forestal

This birding event takes place twice a year: in May and in October. These months are established according to the migration period of the birds from south to north (May) and then from north to south (October). This period is marked by cold seasons, as birds travel in search of warmer environments to survive.

Among the species observed during this day of migratory birds are the Chestnut Warbler (Setophaga castanea) whose particularity is the red plumage on its head. On the other hand, the species Elanoides forficatus, commonly known as Elanio earwig is a new record for MLR Forestal, the 307 in birds. This bird is migratory and was observed at the Waspado farm. Initiatives such as the Global Big Day make it possible to generate more information and obtain new species records. Another interesting specimen that was observed was the osprey (Pandion haliaetus), a migratory species of worldwide distribution and common in the country’s wetlands.

Valuable Community Participation in Birding

Walter Hernandez, an agroforestry engineer originally from Siuna and passionate about nature, participated in the activity, who learned about the MLR Forestal day on its Facebook page and website. The information caught his interest, he contacted the Biodiversity Management area by email and approached the campus located at the La Bú junction to be admitted as a volunteer in the next events focused on birds.

“For MLR Forestry, having people who are voluntarily interested in what we do in terms of monitoring, conservation and preservation of species of flora and fauna is stimulating, because it also promotes the conservation of biodiversity and environmental education at the local level in the community, which is important for the new generations,” said Luis López, the company’s Sustainable Development Manager.

The day lasted twelve hours, two bird specialists participated and part of the materials used were binoculars and cameras.