The Wrap-Up

The finca worker, Jijo, accompanies us for two days, leading us along the mountain stream and then up the steep slopes, instinctively knowing when to stop and let us catch our collective breath, and always patiently waiting as 9 birders spend 15 minutes waiting, listening, hoping to catch a glimpse of an elusive warbler. Jijo's dog, Chewy, is the subject of speculation as he waits with us each time we stop, and he silently and nearly imperceptibly moves one foot forward, then inches another along, this bounding, running canine suddenly turned into a slow-motion sloth-dog. We wonder at his nervous system. His metabolism. His mental issues. And then, the answer, delivered easily once one of the Dominicans asked Jijo what the hell is wrong with his dog. Nothing is wrong with him. He enjoys feeling the underbrush rub along his body. If you look into his eyes, you can see that he zones out as the endorphins kick in - it's his fix.

 

Chewy enjoying the underbrush on his underside.

So we continue on, breathlessly following Jijo, higher and higher, laughing at the sight of Chewy doing his thing, in and out of the cocoa and macademia forests, a bit of grassland, and then boom - we are at a wall of what appears to be primary growth forest. We stop, ears straining for bird sounds. Something is going to be here; this habitat is rich, and rare, and it would be impossible for something special to not be here. I know we are all hoping "Bicknell's thrush" . We are spread out, waiting. And then I see Andrea's face melt into a big, beautiful smile, as she reaches into her backpack for her iPhone. Her youthful ears caught the sound before mine did. She punches a few buttons, and runs some calls; and then we all hear it: a Euphonia musica. Although considered a "common" bird in Dominican forests, the population is dwindling because of habitat loss. It is a gorgeous bird, with distinctive vocalizations, and a prize to find.

Our foreys usually consist of teams of 2 or 3 of us transecting plots of varying terrain. Using MP3 players or smart phones to play bird calls, we target specific species. Play the call for a bit, listen, then repeat, and document the species heard. Do this till lunchtime, then go out later and do it some more. With 1,100 acres to explore, we did not run out of places to probe. One of the best finds occurred on the final day of the trip, when a team climbed up the ridge behind the casa. A whole little flock of indigo buntings, considered uncommon.

All in all, our group identified 63 species, including Hispaniolan Parakeets, Hispaniolan Lizard-cuckoos, 3 species of hummingbirds, both the broad- and narrow-billed tody, Hispaniolan pewee, the white-necked crow, limpkin, and the Louisiana waterthrush. It was a big effort by a dedicated crew. Although no potoo, no ashy-faced owl, or Ridgway's Hawk, it doesn't mean they weren't there - just that we didn't find them. This time.

Many thanks to Paul and Tamara Moore for inviting us to their beautiful plantacion, and to all who contributed to the cause; you were certainly along in spirit.

With much appreciation,

Peg DiBenedetto, Andy Mason, Dr. Peter Fauth, Tod Winston, Gabriel Willow, Danilo Mejias, Maria Paulino, Miguel A. Landestoy, and Andrea Thomen.