Autor: Admin Paul

Tuesday 6 July 2010.

The now retired Dr. Jean Marc Thiollay, was a researcher and then director of research at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) at the University of Paris, first at the Superior Normal School, then at the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle. His main interest is the tropical raptors and general ecology of Neotropical birds and their conservation. Since 1962, he has published nearly 200 articles in books or scientific journals. He has always been deeply involved with scientific conservation organizations, both in France and elsewhere.

His volunteer work focused on the monitoring of diurnal raptors in the region. For this he did intensive monitoring of buzzards, gualas, eagles, hawks and falcons for two weeks. The monitoring consisted in searching the entire altitudinal gradient of La Cuchilla de San Lorenzo, from the Santa Marta area to Cerro Kennedy, being more frequent the explorations and observations in the El Dorado Bird Reserve.

Jean Marc Thiollay and his wife Francoise.

In all Dr. Thiollay found 22 species of raptors between Santa Marta and the upper of La Cuchilla de San Lorenzo. The Sharp shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus), White-rumped hawk (Buteo leucorrhous) and Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) being the most common. Among the species of conservation importance recorded were the Semicollared hawk (Accipiter collaris) and the Black-and-chestnut Eagle (Spizaetus isidori).

It also emerged that four species breed within the reserve. However, maintaining long-term viable populations of predators depends on the protection and conservation of large areas and the minimization of deforestation and habitat degradation. For this reason Dr Thiollay said: “At present, the management and forest rehabilitation (restoration, limitation of introduced pine, non-intervention in the areas of secondary growth in recovery, and the restriction of hunting) is the best thing that is being done in the Reserve El Dorado”.

Sharp shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) and Semicollared hawk (Accipiter collaris).

To date the monitoring results and observations made by ProAves in the region and with the support of groups of bird watchers who visit the Reserve El Dorado through Ecoturs, the review of historical information and results of this report, report a total of 35 species of raptors for the sector. Of these, four belong to species of conservation concern and six boreal migrants.

We invite you to participate as a volunteer in the Reserve El Dorado and get to know the biodiversity in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. More information Ecovolunteers or contact Gloria Castillo by email: gcastillo@proaves.org

Admission and tours:

Contact headquarters EcoTurs Race 20 N º 36-61, Bogotá, Colombia, telephone (57) (1) 287-6592, o info@ecoturs.org

Con el apoyo de:

Thursday 3 June 2010.

The Gorgeted Wood-Quail is endemic to Colombia and highly Endangered. Feral dogs, that were attacking this species frequently, have been controlled and now the population is showing signs of recovery in the Reinita Cielo Azul Reserve. View the first ever photograph of a couple with their five young at one of our feeders.

With the aim of documenting aspects of their behavior and capture evidence of any feral dogs or hunters in the reserve, two camera traps were installed in the Reinita Cielo Azul Bird Reserve. They have been able to capture unique images of the Gorgeted Wood-Quail about which little is known.

In the picture we can see a family of seven individuals, with both adult female and male plus five chicks. This gives us hope that conservation actions to trap and control feral dogs and educate hunters has been successful.

The Gorgeted Wood-Quail (Odontophorus strophium) (EN) continues at serious risk due to factors affecting the reduction of its population, such as hunting and habitat loss due to deforestation for the establishment of grassland and farmland. This is why ProAves continues to perform specific actions for conservation and environmental education in the community and in schools where the children get to know the species and learn to take care of it sharing their knowledge with their families.

This project is been conducted by ProAves and Proyecto YARE, which is supported by the Conservation Leadership Program and American Bird Conservancy.

With the support of:

Tuesday 9 March 2010.

95% of wildfires are caused by man, usually by misuse or careless handling of fire, both in agricultural activities or, as in this case, by tourist recreation or walkers irresponsibly leaving fires badly put out, combustible waste, cigarette stubs thrown away and lighted matches or glass.

The environmental impact of this particular fire is huge, it attacked the source of the river and the gully of Santa Bárbara, which are the most important tributaries of water that supply the municipality and municipal water, likewise, in the Páramo del Sol live countless species of fauna and flora that are at some degree of risk, among these species there is the Dusky starfrontlet (Coeligena orina), the Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer (Diglossa gloriosissima) and Rusty-faced Parrot (Hapalopsittaca amazonina) the 3 endemic and endangered species. We estimate that more than 10% of the population of Paramillo Tapaculo’s habitat was lost with the destruction of some 50 has of habitat.

Likewise, the flora was affected and thousands of spectacled frailejones (Espeletia frontinensis) individuals and Polylepis trees were destroyed, not to mention the grasslands and wetlands that were lost and are of vital importance for the water regulation of the moor, besides it is natural habitat of wonderful mammals like the spectacled bear and deers.

According to the version of the Reserve rangers apparently approximately 2 has of the Dusky Starfrontlet Bird Reserve were affected, of the Fundación ProAves, which is regrettable since it is a reserve of the civil society linked to SINAP.

Recovery. Taking into account the height of the moor, above 3400 m, and the climatic conditions, which means that growth is very slow, we believe the recovery process of this part of the moor will take more than a century.

Prevention. We would like to give an invitation to enjoy the moors and generally of nature, responsibly; our main recommendation is NOT to light fires.

Without fire there will be no fires. Besides, do not throw away lighted matches or cigarettes, nor plastic, paper, glass or any type of residue that serves as a concentrated solar radiation.

Thursday 30 April 2009.

The Municipality of Génova, Department of Quindío, and ProAves celebrated an agreement to continue a further five years protecting and managing the El Mirador Municipality Reserve which is key for the survival of the Critically Endangered Fuertes’s Parrot.

“The signing of this agreement allow us to continue the activities carried out there with the Threatened Parrots of Central Cordillera project supported by Fundación Loro Parque”, said Lina Eugenia Daza, legal advisor of ProAves. “The renewed agreement for a further five years is in recognition of the good management implemented by ProAves at the site.”

Both in the reserve and its regional headquarters in the beautiful town of Génova, ProAves has conducted an extensive environmental education, conservation and research program.

Initially, ProAves was confronted by many problems managing the municipality land, as over 150 head of cattle had to be relocated off the municipality land to allow reforestation. This created tensions with cattle owners that depended on the public lands, but ProAves has worked closely with the community and now over 1000 acres of pasturelands are being recovered to critical cloud forest habitat.

ProAves is extremely grateful to the Mayor of Génova by the trust for the renewal of this agreement and support of Fundación Loro Parque.

	Génova (Quindío).

Saturday 26 December 2009.

Location and total area of conservation

Conservation Corridor for Threatened Parrots of the Andean Cordillera Central, is located between the municipalities of Roncesvalles, Tolima and Genova, Quindio; it is composed of the Loro Coroniazul, (657 hectares), El Mirador, (2.035 hectares), Loros Andinos, (4.072 hectares), Reserves which gives us a total of more than 6,700 hectares of Andean forest, high Andean and protected wilderness corridor.

In this way we can protect 5 endangered species of parrots including 3 endemic to Colombia: Yellow-eared Parrot (Ognorhynchus Icterotis) (CR), the Indigo-Winged Parrot (Hapalopsittaca fuertesi) (CR) and the Rufous- fronted Parakeet (Bolborhynchus ferrugineifrons) (VU); in the same way we preserve the Golden-plumed Parakeet (Leptosittaca branickii) (VU), and the Rusty-faced Parrot (Hapalopsittaca amazonina) (VU).

The Conservation Corridor is a strategy action initiative that continues the work developed in Roncesvalles for 10 years with the Yellow-Eared parrot Project and 6 years in the municipality of Genova with Threatened parrots of the Central mountains project. The strategy guarantees the conservation of the 5 species of threatened parrots present there, increasing the population of yellow-eared parrot from 80 to over 1000 individuals and the reforestation of over 100 hectares of forest.

With the establishment of the corridor, the Foundation guarantees the protection of the forests that were previously highly threatened due to human direct actions, such as the wood extraction, elaboration of carbon, potato cultivation and cattle, as well as prevention of hunting activities which threatens the populations of big mammals, such as the deer, spectacled bear and Mountainous Danta.

On the other hand, with the establishment of the corridor, the direct conservation of vital bodies of water for the development of communities in Roncesvalles and Genova has been achieved, specifically the conservation of the Cucuana and Cucuanita rivers, which supply the aqueduct of the municipality with sufficient water., benefiting the community of Roncesvalles.

It is very important to highlight that in order be successful with this initiative, ProAves counts with the Reserve Municipal El Mirador, acquired by the Foundation .This actions clearly demonstrate how you can generate this kind of conservation actions with the collaboration of different non governmental organizations and municipal entities.

During the whole process the community has been involved in specific conservation actions, bringing as a result, the acceptance of the community, their collaboration, recognition and support in all the Foundation initiatives. Till date, the objective is to continue the establishment of the corridor and strengthen the land properties through the implementation of conservation activities and reforestation for the improvement of the parrot’s habitat, ensuring the nourishment and zones of nesting which is essential for the stability of the populations of threatened parrots and their security. Concluded Luis Felipe Barrera Sub Director of the Central Areas of Protected Areas.

Implementing conservation projects in the Corridor

Project Ognorhynchus:

The Project has been implemented since 1998 in the town of Roncesvalles and aims to protect the yellow-eared parrot’s population present in this county through conservation and restoration of natural habitat, environmental education and research.

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Project Parrots under threat in the central cordillera:

we have been working on this project since 2004 in the town of Genoa, Quindío and its main objective is to conserve the Indigo-Winged Parrot, the Golden-plumed Parakeet, Rusty-faced Parrot and the Rufous- fronted Parakeet through research, habitat conservation and environmental education.

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With the support of:

	Municipio de Roncesvalles	Municipio de Génova

Tuesday 19 May 2009.

Thanks to a trail camera installed near the headquarters of the El Paujil Nature Reserve, ProAves has graphically confirmed that the enigmatic, endemic and Critically Endangered Blue-billed Curassow, so difficult to be seen, not only visits trails in the vicinity of the house, but does so very often!!

“The photographic proof of the abundant presence of the Curassow (Paujil) in the reserve is an indication that the conservation processes carried out by ProAves in this place and its hinterland has benefited the species,” said Luis Gabriel Mosquera, Regional Director for Magdalena of ProAves Protected Areas.

Blue-billed Curassow.

The camaras were installed by ProAves on April 3 2009 in easily accessible trails near the reserve’s house. Within two days records of the Curassow were obtained!! The species had been photographed numerous times thereafter. The photographs correspond to at least one male and one female, and were conducted throughout the day (there are records from 6:00 AM until 5:26 PM), almost every day. This indicates a high recurrence of the species to this place.

“But with the reserve we have not only benefited the Blue-billed Curassow but all its associated biodiversity”, said Mosquera. “Proof of this is that the camera was also able to photograph, to our surprise, a puma (Puma concolor), which we have had only three visual records in the reserve but no photographs, and other mammals such as Zain (Pecari tajacu)“.

More photos in Flickr.

The reserve can be accessed through EcoTurs. Please call (571) 287-6592 or write to info@ecoturs.org.

Puma.

Tuesday 11 August 2009.

With an estimated population of nearly 250 individuals and a large decline in habitat loss and hunting, the Blue-billed Curassow (Crax alberti) is considered one of the most endangered species of the Americas. Definitely the El Paujil Bird Reserve in Serranía de las Quinchas now represents the most important sites for their protection and conservation as almost their entire original rainforest habitat has been destroyed.

Since the beginning of the El Paujil Bird Reserve in 2003, Blue-billed Curassow observations were sporadic and rare and almost always of single individuals. Luis Gabriel Mosquera, who has studied and protected the Blue-billed Curassow since 2003 and is now the Director of the El Paujil Bird Reserve, noted a significant increase in sightings and of group sizes in just the past year. Recent observations by birders included groups of up to three males at the same time and recently photos confirmed, up to four females together!

Luis Gabriel also noted that the earliest colonists to the region commented that when they first settled the area of the reserve, they found large groups of Blue-billed Curassows, up to 30 individuals together!! Sadly, the same colonists hunted the species, almost exterminating it from the region. It may take many years for the Curassow to recover to its original population, but protection of El Paujil Bird Reserve in just the last five years has shown the importance of establishing and enforcing protected areas as well as working with local communities as the most important steps to saving the species.

One male and two female Blue-billed Curassows. Can you see the male?

ProAves remains committed to the protection of the Blue-billed Curassows across Colombia and likewise hope to achieve more significant progress in the conservation of this unique species and unique to Colombia.

Thanks to support from American Bird Conservancy and BirdLife International, especially Species Champion Ted Reissing.

Wednesday 14 April 2010.

The Magdalena Spider Monkey (Ateles hybridus) is a primate almost endemic to Colombia and listed as one of the 25 most endangered primate species on the planet, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN. Historically distributed across the Magdalena River of north-eastern Colombia and western Venezuela.

The use of camera traps has become an important strategy by ProAves to collect biological and ecological information from different species of endangered fauna found in the El Paujil Bird Reserve. This tool has yielded excellent images never before recorded in the natural habitat of two species of primates, the Red Howler Monkey (Alouatta seniculus) and Magdalena Spider Monkey (Ateles hybridus), the latter one of the largest within the neotropical primates in America and that is protected in perpetuity in the forests of the Reserve.

With the installation of camera traps in strategic sites, we were able to obtain images of a troop of Spider Monkeys and Howler Monkeys who came to the only salt for miles around, places that offer mineral and salt dissolved in a mixture of sandy-clay soil and we documented unique moments in wildlife species. Such places become strategic points to assess possible agonistic encounters inter and intra species specific and also facilitate the assessment of population structure and other aspects of their biology that contribute to future conservation plans for the groups that approach the area where the salt is to be found.

4 individuals Ateles hybridus, 2 females breeding.

Individual Ateles Hybridus male.

Youth Individual Ateles Hybridus.

Youth Individual Ateles Hybridus.

Troop of howler monkeys Alouatta seniculus.

3 individuals Alouatta seniculus.

Spider Monkey Video taken in the El Paujil Bird Reserve

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Wednesday 14 July 2010.

Framed within the objectives of conservation of wildlife and their habitats in Colombia, ProAves, as a conservation strategy for two species listed as Critically Endangered, the Blue beak paujil (Crax alberti) and the Spider monkey (Ateles hybridus ), developed the first training workshop on economic alternatives for hunters in the community of the Municipality of Puerto Pinzón in the El Paujil Bird Reserve. These two species have lost almost 98% of their habitat by deforestation, hunting and fragmentation.

Individual Ateles hybridus and female Crax alberti. Photos taken with camera traps installed in the El Paujil Reserve.

Through this workshop, with support from SENA and UMATA, advice was offered on the manipulation of bamboo for the production of products made from this material; the workshop also included a talk on food security, friendly crops and reforestation.

The aim of these workshops is to provide economic alternatives to people from the community and continue with our efforts to conserve endangered species and their key areas in Colombia.

To meet this objective, the SENA, Tolima branch, helped us to provide advice on the use of bamboo with manipulation techniques for obtaining products made from this material, plus a representative of the UMATA gave a talk on food security, environmentally friendly crops and reforestation in the watershed of the Ermitaño river which passes through the Reserva El Paujil to empower people in the community and providing opportunities for environmentally sustainable living.

The main focus of the workshop was handling bamboo, which is explained in a guadual located within the reserve, important aspects to be taken into account when selecting the bamboo to work with, when it should be cut, external features and the preparation for processing. Through photographs it was also possible to show the community that this is a good economic alternative because of the importance and popularity the products made from this material in our country have obtained.

At the end of the workshop SENA certified the participants, obtaining their commitment and enthusiasm to continue the training and managing an extensive course for the management of bamboo, likewise, the Foundation will provide for these courses, the bamboo found within the Reserve.

With the support of:

Wednesday 18 August 2010.

Since the creation of the El Paujil Bird Reserve in 2003, significant effort has been focused on the recovery of the population of Crax alberti and its habitat through concrete conservation actions, strengthening links direct academic institutions, the local community around the Reserve and regional and national organizations. Through such joint actions nearly 6,000 hectares of rainforest have been recovered on the banks of the river Ermitaño, the natural boundary of the departments of Boyacá and Santander, and main habitat of the species.

Female with her chick in the El Paujil Bird Reserve in June 2010.

By these means and through the continuation of management policies established by ProAves ,we have been able to monitor the recovery of the population of the Blue-billed Curassow (Crax alberti) within the Reserve, recording up to five individuals in the same place where in previous years the records were limited to one individual. Even more rewarding are the recent and unpublished records of a female with her chick in this area which represents a substantial recovery in plant cover and density of the species, supplemented by standardized census data which are being carried out continuously.

Photos taken with camera traps.

It is very encouraging for ProAves to share this information with the scientific community, conservation enthusiasts, active members and the entire membership of the Foundation, showing that committed and conscientious work can achieve great results that ultimately trigger the recovery of our natural wealth by becoming an example of conservation for the world. 

With the support of:

Friday 12 November 2010.

Since the creation of the El Paujil Bird Reserve in November 2003, this reserve has ensured the perpetual protection of birds and their habitat in the unique and endangered Magdalena valley rainforest ecosystem. After eight years of gradually acquiring and protecting private properties that were either cleared of pastureland or about to be cleared, we have increased the reserve area to 14,830 acres by the end of 2010. (See map).

Thanks to the continued support of partners such as American Bird Conservancy, the World Land Trust-US, USFWS Wildlife without Borders (Critically Endangered Species Fund), Ted Riesling, Earth’s Birthday and The Rainforest Site, the expansion of the Reserve was successfully completed with 1,480 acres of forest and reforestation protected. Important populations of threatened species are saved, including the Blue-billed Curassow (Crax alberti) CR, the Magdalena Spider Monkey (Ateles hybridus) CR, the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) VU, the Colombian Tapir (Tapirus terrestris colombianus) VU and the Jaguar (Panthera onca) NT and other species.

ProAves continues to consolidate this area as one of the largest and most important areas within its protected area system so fulfills important guidelines for habitat conservation in the Serrania de las Quinchas, included within the strategic conservation plan where there are established objectives and methodology that lead to the perpetual protection of this important and vulnerable habitat and biodiversity.

Video Paujil in camera trap

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Thanks to the support the following organizations:

Wednesday 1 December 2010.

Bromeliads are a distinctive and unique group of plants that play a fundamental role in many Neotropical ecosystems providing a habitat for many species of animals and resources for others, as well as water storage sites. Colombia, with nearly 500 species, ranks second in the world in terms of richness of bromeliads, after Brazil, however 160 of these are endangered (about 33%) mainly due to the destruction and deterioration of habitats.

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a special place in the Neotrópico, its geological history and isolation of the Andes made this mountain an island within the continent, causing the evolution of many endemic species in all biological groups. Of these, many have been recorded in the Natural Bird Reserve El Dorado which is located in the Cuchilla de San Lorenzo, protecting 800 ha of pre-montane and montane rain forests important for a great number of priority bird species for conservation, including 18 endemic species of the mountain and about 40 migratory species.

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The development of inventories of biodiversity and the search for endemic and threatened species has produced satisfactory results in the group of bromeliads. Explorations and observations during four years have produced an inventory which includes 11 species of conservation concern.

This news marks the rediscovery of three species not located / reported from the description in 1946, two since 1960, two since 1972, two since 1977, and other since 1983. Of these species: two Critically Endangered, six Endangered and two Vulnerable nationally, and 7 are endemic to the Sierra Nevada.

Currently, only a small area of the Cuchilla de San Lorenzo is under a legal form of protection and require more efforts and conservation strategies involving communities to allow recovery of native habitats.

We appreciate the conservation efforts and support of the following organizations:

Tuesday 12 January 2010.

Workshop for socialization and discussion of the Plan for Conservation of Threatened Parrots of Colombia 2010 – 2020

The objective to the workshop is the consideration of the Plan for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots in Colombia 2010 – 2020, which is enshrined in the National Policy for Biodiversity and the Convention of Biological Diversity, prepared by the Foundation ProAves of Colombia within the National Programme for the conservation of threatened parrots that has been developed since 1998 in conjunction with local communities and environmental agencies.

This Programme has been promoted by Fundación Loroparque and has the support of a large number of local organizations.

The Plan for Conservation of Threatened Parrots of Colombia 2010 – 2020 focuses on the species of threatened parrots of Colombia under IUCN categories and other species not included about which information has been compiled that permits their inclusion in this, such as:

· Military Macaw – Ara Militaris (VU)

· Great Green Macaw – Ara ambiguus (EN)

· Yellow-eared Parrot – Ognorhynchus icteriotis (CR)

· Golden-plumed Parakeet – Leptosittaca branickii (VU)

· Santa Marta Parakeet – Pyrrhura viriditaca (EN)

· Maroon-tailed Parakeet – Pyrrhura melenura –

· Brown-breasted Parakeet – Pyrrhura calliptera (VU)

· Rufoud-fronted Parakeet – Bolborhynchus ferrugineifrons (VU)

· Spot-winged Parrotlet – Touit stictopterus (VU)

· Saffron-headed Parrot – Pyrilia pyrilia (NT)

· Ruty-faced Parrot – Hapalopsittaca amazonina (VU)

· Indigo-Winged Parrot – Hapalopsittaca fuertesi (CR)

The document contains:

1. A general framework of the national plan, with aspects of reference and methodological framework developed for its construction.

2. A detailed analysis for each priority species, including analysis of its distribution, population trends, ecology, habitat use and conservation status as well as actions proposed for specific conservation.

3. A national conservation plan that meets the most important aspects to consider for the general maintenance of this group of species.

The plan is aimed at researchers, conservationists and government representatives responsible for managing natural resources that have an impact on priority areas for the protection of the Parrots of Colombia, so that collectively they can comply with the proposed objectives for the next ten years.

With the support of:

Roncesvalles (Tolima)

Genova (Quindío)

Jardín (Antioquia)

Friday 5 February 2010.

It successfully developed the workshop “Work Desk – National Action Plan for the conservation of threatened parrots of Colombia 2010 – 2020”. In that Governmental and non-governmental organizations that have collaborated with the Program ProAves Threatened Parrots attended in addition to ornithologists, conservationists and people from local communities and other entities with the foundation or who have not developed an action plan framed within the 2002 – 2007 plan or independently that are involved in research and conservation of the Parrots of the country. There were 23 people and 11 institutions in all.

The objectives of the workshop sought to evaluate the scope of the results raised during the first plan and the appropriateness of the current framework to develop new guidelines and ensure the permanence of populations of threatened parrots, based on the progress of the conservation status of each species.

Objectives met

During the discussions the current state of knowledge on natural history for the threatened parrot species from Colombia was outlined, threats to national and local level were identified and assessed, the current conservation status was identified, actions were proposed and undertaken, and the conservation needs of each, finally, the relevance of the guidelines established in the plan 2002 – 2007 were evaluated and recommended in the plan 2010 – 2020, to propose alternatives consistent with the current state of conservation of the species.

One of the points satisfying the workshop shows that the most critical species (ie Indigo-winged Parrot, Yellow-eared Parrot and Pyrrhura viridicata) are those with the most complete scientific information and with the greatest number of conservation activities, an increase in populations of Ognorhynchus Parrot and a successful use of artificial nests by Hapalopsittaca fuertesi has been documented.The needs of these parrots in terms of research should focus on population studies, ecological and genetic detail.

Our findings show the clear presence of a group of species whose situation is alarming, as well as presenting distributions and small populations or strong pressure at different spatial scales, ignorance about their biology and ecology worse they are: A. ambiguus, P. subandina, P. caeruleiceps, P. peaceful and Touit stictopterus.

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For more photos visit the workshop Flickr

With the support of:

Institutions:

Jardín (Antioquia)	Roncesvalles (Tolima)

Wednesday 17 March 2010.

From 1st to 6th March the first version of the technical workshop of population monitoring and management of artificial nests for High Andean parrots of Colombia was held in Roncesvalles, Tolima, with the aim of empowering the community where ProAves, with support from Loro Parque Foundation, has developed the program Threatened Parrots. The workshop lectures were on the monitoring and installation of artificial nests, population monitoring techniques, reproductive aspects, handling and management of chicks, basic treatment information and techniques of climbing palms and trees. The objective of the workshop was to provide participants the basic tools to take ownership of the project and become those conducting the monitoring in the future.

The workshop was attended by 20 people from different parts of the country where the project with threatened parrots is being developed: Roncesvalles, Tolima; Jardín and Urrao, Antioquia; Barbacoas, Nariño; Genova, Quindio; Santa Marta, Magdalena and Ocaña, Norte de Santander, we also count on the participation of two postgraduate students who will begin their undergraduate work this year with the Santa Marta Parakeet (Pyrrhura viridicata) in RNA El Dorado.

The training workshop was conducted by Gonzalo Cardona with over 11 years experience in monitoring and conservation of threatened parrots with the Fundación ProAves, Adriana Mayorquín has 8 years experience with parrots, Esteban Botero has experience with P.viridicata and is co-author of the National Action Plan for the conservation of threatened parrots of Colombia 2010-2020 and Luis Felipe Barrera, current deputy director of protected areas, central region, to coordinate the development of project objectives threatened parrots.

During the workshop the first 5 artificial nests were placed in the new Bird Reserve Loros Andinos to be used by the Rusty-faced Parrot (Hapalopsittaca amazonina) and indigo-winged Parrot (Hapalopsittacafuertesi), climbing techniques were practised and experiences on different methods of monitoring populations were shared.

Finally we strengthened the commitment of the participants to continue the monitoring process, trying this way that the community maintains continuity in the conservation of species in their natural habitats.

For more photos visit flickr.

Thanks to the municipal authorities of Roncesvalles, Tolima, Jardín and Urrao, Antioquia;Barbacoas, Nariño; Genova, Quindio; Santa Marta, Magdalena and Ocaña, Norte de Santander and the Voz de la Tierra school in Roncesvalles, Tolima.

With the support of: