On Saturday, July 29, 2023, the annual count of loras, the parrot species living on Bonaire, will take place. Volunteers will post early at the sites where the loras spend the night. Once they awaken and fly away, the volunteers count the parrots to get a picture of the population on the island. By estimating the number, Echo gets an idea of the number of loras on the island. Then Echo can take targeted action. You too can help count the loras on Bonaire.
Loras sleep in large communal groups at this time of year. Therefore, now is a good time to count them. Because counting is done simultaneously around several locations on the island it prevents double counting. This allows for a good estimate of the total population of loras, or yellow-shouldered Amazon parrots. Echo has seen an increase in the number of loras in recent years and hopes for a successful count this year as well.
Help volunteer
Echo is hosting a training session on Wednesday, July 26, for both newcomers, and volunteers who have helped before. During the count itself, you will be expected to be in your spot before sunrise. This will be assigned to you by Echo. As soon as the parrots begin to fly out from their roost you will count them. Together with the counting results of other volunteers, an estimate is then made of the population of loras on Bonaire. These figures are again compared with past data to see if the population is growing or declining.
To thank all the volunteers, a free breakfast will be served after the count between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. at Mangazina di Rei in Rincon. This is also where the preliminary results of the event will be counted.
If you also want to participate in the so-called 'Roost Count Event' you can sign up until July 26. You can do that by sending an e-mail to echobonaire@gmail.com