Northern Mariana Islands' Annual Bird Count Highlights Conservation Success
The Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) annual Christmas Bird Count once again showcased the vital role that community volunteers and conservation efforts play in protecting the islands' unique bird populations.
Organised by the Division of Fish and Wildlife's (DFW) Wildlife Section, this year's count saw enthusiastic participation across Saipan, Rota, and Tinian, providing essential data to guide ongoing conservation strategies.
A total of 48 volunteers joined the effort: 37 on Saipan, eight on Rota, and three on Tinian.
Volunteers included community members, students from Saipan International School and Saipan Southern High School, American Memorial Park rangers, and staff from Pacific Coastal Research & Planning and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance-Aga Team.
'This hands-on involvement fosters a deeper connection to nature, encourages environmental stewardship, and strengthens community collaboration in protecting and understanding the CNMI's unique wildlife,' DFW's wildlife biologist Amanda Santoswith said.
The count documented several endangered and endemic species, including the Marianas Common Moorhen, Saipan Reed Warbler, Mariana Swiftlet, Mariana Crow, and Rota White-eye.
These sightings underline the critical need for continued conservation efforts to protect these rare birds, many of which are found nowhere else in the world.
This year's results showed 3441 individual birds across 37 species om Saipan, 231 individual birds across 18 species on Tinian, and 3,351 individual birds across 31 species on Rota.
The most numerous species varied by island. On Saipan, the Eurasian Tree Sparrow dominated the count, while Rota saw the Red-footed Booby as the most observed species. Tinian's count was led by the White Tern.
Conversely, the least numerous species were the Sooty Tern on Saipan, the Tufted Duck on Rota, and the Tinian Monarch on Tinian.
Beyond monitoring efforts, DFW has introduced new conservation initiatives to bolster local bird populations. Recently, three experimental floating nest platforms were deployed on the ponds at Laolao Bay Golf Course.
These artificial platforms aim to provide safer nesting sites for the vulnerable Mariana Common Moorhen, helping to increase nesting success and population stability.
'This type of innovation is critical for ensuring the future of endangered species like the Pulattat,' Santos said.
The CNMI is home to a rich diversity of both migratory and endemic bird species. Migratory species, such as the Pacific Golden Plover and the Northern Pintail, pass through or seasonally inhabit the islands, while endemic birds like the Mariana Fruit Dove and Tinian Monarch live exclusively in the Marianas.
The Christmas Bird Count helps track these populations over time, providing valuable insights into the health of the islands' ecosystems and the impacts of environmental change.
Part of a global initiative led by the National Audubon Society for over a century, the Christmas Bird Count empowers local residents to participate in scientific research.
By contributing their observations, CNMI volunteers are part of a worldwide network working to safeguard bird species and their habitats.
DFW expressed gratitude to all who participated and supported the count. 'Your dedication to community science helps ensure the continued protection and understanding of our local bird species and ecosystems,' Santos said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
12-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Seeking out diversity moving from Brazil
Beneath the surface of Michelle Silva and Evandro Santos's success story is a tale of hard work and overcoming familial separation. The married couple are originally from the town of Minas Gerais in Brazil where they were married and had two children. Mr Santos and Ms Silva came to New Zealand at the beginning of 2020 under a work visa, leaving their children with family members in Brazil to see what life was like in this country. Ms Silva, who was trained as a materials engineer, had a galvanizing job in Christchurch and not long after the move Mr Santos, a civil engineer, got a job as a tiler in Wānaka. The couple were then not only separated from their children but from each other too. 'This is the immigrant life," Ms Silva said. 'Sometimes we don't have a choice, we don't have other options." It was diversity that drew them to uproot their comfortable life in Brazil. Ms Silva wanted her children to experience a spectrum of cultures and learn different languages. 'I decided I want to go to a country where my kids, they can learn English and they can learn about another country,'' Ms Silva said. She was confident about the idea, but Mr Santos needed some convincing. He said their life in Minas Gerais, unlike other parts of Brazil, was very safe. 'For me, I feel homesick a lot because our life here it's harder. "You need to work more than we worked in Brazil," Mr Santos said, explaining that New Zealand's higher cost of living had meant more financial stress at times. Once Ms Silva found a job in Wānaka the two were reunited, but their son and daughter remained oceans away. Due to the Covid-19 lockdowns, it took the couple two years to bring their their family back together. Their daughter, Ana Ribeiro, is now 9 years old and their son, Lucas Souza, is 16, both of whom have been able to immerse themselves in learning a second language and meeting people from all over the world. 'To be honest, they love to live here," Ms Silva said. 'Ana has friends from Canada, from London and she has friends from Qatar. And she learned gymnastics here and how to swim." Seeing their children benefit from the move was the first success, next was building a business from nothing. Mr Santos worked for a company in Wānaka to start with but quickly felt he wanted to do more. 'Evandro never wanted to work for someone. 'He always wanted to work for himself," Ms Silva said. Three years ago, Mr Santos became self-employed and after one year the couple set up their business, VIP Tiling. Mr Santos tiled and Ms Silva managed the business and the pair were to growing their enterprise, slowly expanding their team. In addition to building a business they also built a life in Wānaka with a supportive Brazilian community by their side. "What I love about New Zealand, it is like communities are open," Ms Silva said. 'We go to the New Life Church and we have a big community there. "But at the same time, we support the Calvary International Church as well, because it's a Brazilian church." Although the couple experienced periods of homesickness from time to time, they said they could not imagine living anywhere else and felt fulfilled with the life they had worked hard to set up in Wānaka.
RNZ News
11-06-2025
- RNZ News
Oil spill cleanup in Tinian Harbor completed
Cleanup efforts following a waste oil spill in Tinian Harbor concluded on June 8. Photo: Supplied/US Coast Guard Cleanup efforts following a waste oil spill in Tinian Harbor concluded last weekend (8 June) with no significant impacts to wildlife or the shoreline, according to the US Coast Guard and local environmental authorities. The spill, estimated at 113.5 litres of waste oil , came from the Mariana , a 145-foot US-flagged freight vessel, and was reported on 6 June. Responders - including crew members from the Mariana and support vessel Galide - deployed containment and sorbent booms to trap the spill. The wind aided in concentrating the remaining oil in the harbor's corner, where it either evaporated or was removed by the cleanup crew. Cabras Marine Corporation later resupplied response equipment on Tinian, and the Mariana continued on to Guam with the collected waste. The US Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Saipan oversaw the operation. Coast Guard officials confirmed that no recoverable product remained and that the response was completed ahead of schedule. "This is exactly the kind of swift, responsible action we expect from vessel operators," said Petty Officer 1st Class Jon Kramer of MSU Saipan. "Our mission is to safeguard public trust and Tinian's marine ecosystems." The CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality and the Division of Fish and Wildlife also confirmed that no shoreline or wildlife impacts were detected. Though an investigation into the cause of the spill was conducted due to the vessel's commercial status, the incident did not meet the threshold for classification as a serious marine incident warranting further federal inquiry.
RNZ News
11-06-2025
- RNZ News
Environmental concerns take centre stage as US military releases revised CNMI plan
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Photo: Google Maps The US military's updated proposal to expand troop training in the Northern Mariana Islands is again drawing close scrutiny from environmentalists, cultural advocates, and local residents concerned about its long-term impact on Tinian's ecosystem. But the Marine Corps said it will use public feedback to refine or adjust its plans. Among local concerns is the potential threat to endangered species and sensitive habitats, particularly the Tinian monarch, a small native bird that inhabits the same forested areas proposed for live-fire exercises. The Tinian monarch Photo: WikiCommons Conservation groups fear that expanded training activities - such as ground maneuvers, construction of targets, and aircraft landings - could degrade nesting grounds and lead to further population decline. There is also worry about bat species, migratory birds, and native vegetation that have already been stressed by development, invasive species, and climate change. While the revised plan excludes Pagan Island from the training footprint, concerns remain about Tinian's shoreline integrity, especially if support facilities near the coast are developed or expanded. Cultural preservationists are also sounding the alarm over potential damage to historic and ancestral sites, some of which have yet to be formally surveyed. These include burial grounds, latte stones, and WWII-era structures that carry spiritual and historical significance to the Chamorro and Carolinian peoples. The plan calls for site avoidance strategies, but critics argue that without full documentation and enforcement, irreversible damage remains a possibility. These concerns set the stage for the release of the 'revised draft environmental impact statement' for the US Marine Corps' CNMI joint military training proposal, which reworks earlier plans from 2015. The updated statement drops Pagan from consideration and narrows the scope of activities on Tinian to areas already leased to the Department of Defense. It introduces three new training alternatives that include live-fire ranges, convoy training areas, and rotary-wing landing zones. The document marks the beginning of a 75-day public review period from 6 June through 20 August, and the military is encouraging residents to weigh in through public meetings and formal comment submissions. The Marine Corps said it will use public feedback to refine or adjust its plans before issuing a final environmental impact statement.
