Time waits for no man or so I am told. I find it hard to believe that we are in November, awaiting the advent yuletide and all that it entails.

It seems like yesterday I was out in Body Ponds, watching the array of hummingbirds teeming around the Saman tree. A truly beautiful sight. Then it was the Bird count out on Great Bird Island and trying to dodge angry parents protesting our intrusion into the rearing grounds of their young. Shortly after, we started getting ready for the trailblazing in the Christian Valley – really long, hot days.

Of course, no year is complete without summer camps, and school trips to nature-watching sites. Then poof: It was October and International Migratory Bird Day activities. We visited at least nine schools and you may see us yet at yours.

We bombarded you with trivia and hopefully interesting bits of information on the radio, in the newspaper and on television, so you have heard a lot from us this year.

Already it is November; nestlings have “flown the coop,” trails have been cut, migrations are in full swing, and we are now preparing to bring this year’s birding activities to a close.

Soon we hope to officially open the Christian Valley Birding Trail, complete with fully trained Bird Tour Guides so, when we announce it, please come to the launch and enjoy a tour with our new guides.

A few persons have asked, “Why are you doing a bird trail anyway?” I wonder if they really meant to ask: “How is it going to benefit us or me?”

So I thought this week I would review a bit about the project and share some insight about why I think it is a good thing.

The Finnish Government, represented in this region by Ambassador Dr Mikko Pyhala, sponsors the Christian Valley Bird Trail Project. (As an avid birder, he had great interest in this project and has been very supportive of ensuring its completion.)

The EAG is responsible for ensuring the completion of the trail and I am the project co-ordinator. However, trail development could not have been successful were it not for the generosity of spirit, expertise and hard work of Landscape Architect Stephen Watt, local bird expert Joseph Prosper, volunteers Karen Cassidy, Mark Walter and others, Christian Valley staff, other government representatives, and the staff of the EAG.

The mandate of the project was two-fold: to educate folks and promote our own wildlife and environments within the local communities and to visitors; to provide opportunities for those forward-thinking entrepreneurs to tap into the increasingly popular environmental tourist market targeting vacationers who want more than “sun, sand and sea.”

Bird tourism is a fast growing and potentially lucrative market. Birders come primarily to see birds, but they still want to see and experience other things on offer. We want to make this experience a great one so with the help of Dr Jorge Moreno (Ecology & Bird identification) Sasha Mercer (customer service) and Vernon Solomon (CPR and first aid), we are training tour guides for birding. Trails need maintenance and monitoring by park rangers and visitors need trail maps, guidebooks, transportation, accommodation, food, water and water bottles, and first aid supplies, babysitters, children friendly activities … and the list goes on. You see where you can fit in.

This brings me to the closure of the year’s events and the opening of the trail. It is an exciting time for many of us who have been working diligently over the past year.

For our grand finale we have decided to do something that will involve the entire Antiguan and Barbudan community: the EAG Bird Photography Contest. And the question of the week is “Are you going to be a winner?” You cannot win if you don’t play. All you need is a camera, some time, a co-operative bird, and computer access to submit your entries. For rules, visit the EAG websiteor the Search Antigua website. Don’t delay … send them right away because time is running out. The contest closes on November 30, 2011.

Our deepest gratitude goes to our wonderful judges and benefactors Anne Granger, Alan Aflak, and Joseph Jones. We also really appreciate our other confirmed sponsors: Search Antigua, OJs Restaurant & Bar, Galleon Beach Hotel, Best of Books, iMobile, Turners Restaurant and Beach Bar, Hawksbill Hotel, Treasure Island Cruises, Kennedy’s (Coca Cola, Vitamalt) and Adventure Antigua without whom we would not be able to offer many exciting prizes.

Finally, we encourage everyone to participate … who knows, you might even see your photo entry prominently displayed on the official Christian Valley Birding Trail sign, giving the world a “birds-eye view” into your talents.