With the objective of promoting birding tourism in Bahía de Tobari, the Bird Appreciation Workshop was announced, to take place from Tuesday, January 17 to Thursday, January 19 at the Casa de Cultura in Aceitunitas, Sonora. This workshop, designed for environmental promoters, educators and service providers, has no registration fee.
The workshop will be conducted by Dr. Roberto Carmona and M. en C. Luis F. Mendoza, members of the Bird Laboratory of the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, and collaborators of Pronatura Noroeste. The purpose here is to train local stakeholders in bird identification, using the Guide to Common Birds in the Bays of Tobari and southern Sonora.
Bahia de Tobari, located in southern Sonora, is an important coastal ecosystem made up of 15 estuaries with an area of 16,700 hectares. This site is of conservation importance because every winter season it is used by an average of 90,000 shorebirds, more than 30,000 ducks and geese, and close to 20,000 waterfowl, such as herons and gulls.
In addition to its unquestionable importance for the wintering of a large number of migratory species, Bahia de Tobari is used by local species for breeding. Among them is the Pacific Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus frazari), a subspecies in danger of extinction according to Mexican regulations, with a breeding population of more than 100 nests. These birds use the artificial islands created with dredged material to build their nests, which makes them susceptible to contamination, erosion, and invasion by exotic species. Tobari is used by between 10% (summer) and 22% (winter) of the total Pacific Oystercatcher population.
For this reason, Pronatura Noroeste promotes several conservation projects in Bahia de Tobari, including shorebird monitoring and environmental education activities designed for the surrounding communities. It is only by increasing awareness among local residents that we can create a stronger bond between people and their natural environment. In addition, the spectacle represented by the arrival of migratory birds to the bay can be used as a birdwatching activity that can generate extra income for the community. During the workshop, participants will be able to take part in a winter census.
This workshop is a joint effort between Pronatura Noroeste, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), the Environmental Promoters Group of Bahia del Tobari, the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur (UABCS), David & Lucile Packard Foundation, among others.
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