2009 is a very different year for the Bonaire Parrot project. Sam Williams and Rowan Martin are unable to be present on the island for this year's parrot breeding season, so Rhian Evans (last year's field assistant) will be leading the field work. Rhian will be joined this season by Jonathon Dunn, a Cambridge graduate who is currently working towards his masters degree, Eneida Fajardo, a biologist from Venezuela, and later in the season by Gabriela Hadjuk from Poland. As in previous years the team will be working closely with STINAPA the National Park Authority on Bonaire.

All of the project personnel will be writing blogs and sharing their experiences. Volunteers always bring something new to the project and different areas of expertise. Parrotwatch sponsors will be able to read online diaries from the volunteers and find out how they found working in the field on a conservation project. Visit their research websites to find out more about Sam Williams and Rowan Martin.

 

The Bonaire parrot project benefits from having volunteers because it will enables us to search for, and monitor, more nests thought the year. Observing a greater number of nests improves the accuracy in estimating reproductive success, poaching intensity and behavioural patterns, which are fundamental to our research and future conservation management. By having a strong team of volunteers on the parrot project we also have a bigger presence on the island and this further helps raise awareness of the parrot’s endangered status.

On the next page there are introductions to Rhian and Jon