Perspectives is an ongoing series by the Cari-Bois Environmental News Network. The series aims to give Caribbean scientists, explorers, and nature enthusiasts, the platform to express themselves and share important environmental information in creative ways. This latest piece was written on behalf of the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) by Attish Kanhai and Lester Doodnath.
When you think about Carnival events, birds may not be the first thing that comes to mind.
But ornithologist, Dr. Alex Sansom, is reminding carnival promoters and revellers that the loud music played during the season’s festivities may have an effect on birds, especially breeding populations.
A waterbird expert at the regional non-profit BirdsCaribbean, Sansom explained that loud music associated with festivities may cause breeding pairs to abandon their nesting sites and increase stress levels in birds which can affect their natural behaviours.
While it’s important to acknowledge that the loud sounds during Carnival are generated and confined to a short period of time each year, it doesn’t diminish its effect.
Nocturnal birds in particular, like owls, depend on sound to hunt for prey and the loud music from late night festivities can greatly diminish their capacity to receive necessary auditory feedback for a successful hunt.
Birds in Chaguaramas
With Chaguaramas being a popular location for a variety of fetes, the effects of these activities must be considered.
For example, the Great Egrets have traditionally made their rookery (the place where a group of birds breed, nest, and raise their young) in Cuesa River, Chaguaramas.
However, recent surveys have shown that these birds are using the area less frequently.
While Carnival fetes near the area isn’t solely to blame for the decrease of the species, it’s important to consider that the loud sounds generated during Carnival – and the increase in people in and around the area during this time – present more challenges for the species which is already affected by other environmental issues.
The general quiet of the river, and its surroundings, is what initially attracted the species to this area.
Forest Birds
With Carnival promoters increasingly holding fetes in secluded, green areas, to fit certain aesthetics and themes, the effect of the music on the birds in these areas also cannot go unnoticed.
Birds living in forested environments tend to be more sensitive to noise than those living in more open environments.
In North America, one study researched how the duration of drilling noises can affect bird populations in these areas.
The results showed that that periodic noise caused birds to change their habitats and decreased their productivity.
Sansom further explained that elevated levels of background noises can lead to birds in these environments becoming habituated to these situations and adapting their breeding, feeding, and roosting behaviours to noise-polluted environments.
Constant noise creates an “acoustic blanket” that muffles the audio cues that birds rely on to detect predators, competitors, and other members of their own species.
This leads to a decrease in the number of habitable spaces for birds and influences their fitness and population sizes.
How light pollution from fetes affect birds
While noise pollution emitted from Carnival festivities are a concern for the wellbeing of birds, it’s not the only byproduct of these events that affect them.
The bright lights from Carnival fetes may also affect local bird populations.
In addition to increasing the stress level of birds, Sansom explained that bright lights can cause disorientation, collisions and affect the movements of migratory birds.
Be conscious of birds during Carnival nature excursions
For those who do not partake in Carnival activities and rather go on nature excursions, it’s still necessary to be mindful of bird populations whether you are hiking, camping or staying at the seaside.
Sansom explained that sounds – like loud walking and music – on hiking trails can be disruptive to birding activities such as feeding.
For example, a constant stream of hikers could lead to adult birds abandoning their nests and not feeding chicks for long periods.
Additionally, frequently used hiking trails may be avoided by some birds altogether.
When hiking, Sansom urges people to stick to established trails to reduce their impacts on bird populations.
Mitigating the effects of Carnival activities on birds
Though there’s no singular solution to the above-mentioned effects of Carnival activities, there are actions which can be taken to reduce them.
One suggestion is to designate areas specific for fetes and parties that go late into the night.
These areas should not be close to bird habitats and forested areas.
While there is no ideal time to disturb birds when they are mating or feeding, the timing of events is also important.
Fetes being held in popular venues that are near to bird populations can have earlier ending times.
While Carnival puts Trinidad and Tobago on the centre stage and visitors from all over the world arrive for the Carnival season, it’s also important to be mindful of the fact that many birds also visit the country during Carnival seasons as it coincides with their migration season.
Annually during Carnival, Yellow Warblers, American Redstarts, and the Northern Waterthrush, make Trinidad and Tobago their home to escape winter conditions.
Trinbagonians are famed for their hospitality to long-distance travellers, let us extend these courtesies to our feathery friends as well.
To find out more about birds visit https://www.birdscaribbean.org/