Nayarit State in Mexico host our first HCCR (Image from the web)
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Two communities in Nayarit, Mexico -El Cuarenteño and La Bajada-, became our first ever Hummingbird Conservation Communities and Reserves (HCCRs) during the summer of 2021. HCCRs is Hummingbird Conservation Networks’ new program that integrates community-based conservation ideas into our science-based beginning and encourages public involvement in hummingbird conservation practices.
El Cuarenteño and La Bajada communities represent crucial habitat for the Mexican Woodnymph (Eupherusa ridgwayi), an endemic hummingbird with a restricted range in western Mexico considered “vulnerable” in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, included in the CITES appendix II, and classified as “threatened” by Mexican laws. Still, its ecological requirements, population trends and conservation threats are barely known. |
The Mexican Woodnymph (Photo by Giancarlo Velmarch)
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To address this, we decided to investigate this species’ habitat and resource use through fieldwork to present the first comprehensive survey that includes detailed information about its foraging resources, habitat use, reproductive biology traits, and community interactions at a local scale. At the same time, we teamed up with local researchers, community members and local stakeholders to help the Mexican Woodnymph to survive, reproduce and thrive.
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Field Workshop and Magic Wings Festival at La Bajada (Photos Sergio Díaz-Infante
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To begin, we partnered with Dr. Elsa Figueroa from University of Nayarit, Carlos Villar, a local volunteer, and Mark Stackhouse, a local birding guide. Also, we got support from local authorities. First, we held a training workshop in La Bajada, for University of Nayarit biology students and people from the communities, to carry out hummingbird monitoring in the area. At the same time, the Magic Wings Festival took place with the participation of community members.
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Field Workshop and Magic Wings Festival at La Bajada (Photos Sergio Díaz-Infante
As result of this conjoint work, we have monitored for over a year the habitat and resources that the Mexican Woodnymph uses in the area and the respective report is being prepared. Three undergraduate biology theses are also underway to be completed. Last year, we held an informative meeting in El Cuarenteño to inform the community of the work done so far and our plans for future activities. Also, we presented results and advances in the CECAM (Conference for the Study and Conservation of the Birds of Mexico) in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Finally, last December we had a reunion with our research partner to plan next steps for the Nayarit HCCR including to extend our monitoring efforts, a crafts workshop to develop local economic opportunities, among other activities.
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Catching up with the work done at El Cuarenteño, and CECAM Conference (photos Sergio Díaz-Infante)
We are looking forward to continuing this initiative with the participation of all our key partners! We’ll keep you updated! (If you want to support this project, please CONTACT US; the Mexican Woodnymph, the communities, and us, will appreciate it).
The Mexican Woodnymph (Photo by Giancarlo Velmarch)