A bird spotted at Mangrove Cay located within the Princess Alexandra Nature Reserve has stirred discussions among professional members of the Society for the Conservation and Study Caribbean Birds (SCSCB).
Recently, some officers of the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR), along with the President of the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds (SCSCB), Dr. Lisa Sorenson of Boston University and Ms. Michele Kading, the Head of Interpretation of the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre in Manitoba, Canada, and a participant of the Wetlands Education Workshop spotted the dark bird with white feathers on its wings and tail at Mangrove Cay in Princess Alexandra Nature Reserve.
Dr. Sorenson conducted some research on the unique bird and concluded that it was an intermediate morph of the Reddish Egret. She noted that the new Stokes Bird Field Guide says: “An Intermediate morph is like a dark morph but with some white feathers, often on its wings”. However, the book did not include a photo. She also searched the web but could not find any photos similar to the bird. Dr. Sorenson claimed that she has never seen this intermediate morph before.
Dr. Sorenson and Ms. Kading were in TCI on late April to early May this year to serve as resource persons for the Wetlands Education Workshop. Seventy (70) wetlands and birds enthusiasts composing teachers, government officers, environmentalists, and some students participated in the workshop.
The two day workshops (one-day lecture and one-day field activities) were held in Providenciales and Grand Turk. This workshop was technically and financially supported by the SCSCB.
The DECR and TC National Trust coordinated the workshop, which drew local support from the First Caribbean International Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, Executive Tours, Big Blue Unlimited, the rectory and staff of St. Mary’s Anglican Church (St. Thomas Parish), Oasis Dives, Chukka Caribbean Tours, Cool Beans and Turks and Caicos National Museum.
Anyone with any additional information on this rare bird is requested to contact SCSCB and the DECR
