ONE OF the key components of this years innovative summer programme was conducted by the members of Guyana Amazon Tropical Birds Society (GATBS).
“The members of GATBS would like to express their thanks to the various schools, environmental groups and youth clubs for extending the invitation for our participation,” the group said in a statement Friday.
According to the missive: “The society conducted sessions at their summer camp and educated the participants in promoting a more environmentally friendly society, through the birding field exercises and in spreading awareness and counseling on bird preservation.  Our team provided a wonderful opportunity for the participants of the various summer camps to learn more about recreational birding and also the scientific aspects of data collection.
“It was interesting to see person/children eager to learn about Guyana’s birdlife education and the various methods in collecting bird data. We also provided hands on experience and engaged Interested and enthusiastic persons learned how to trap birds, taking the biometric measurements of birds in the taxidermy fields and releasing them into the wild
“All the summer camp participants were enthused to observe the setting up of bird nets, and we were pleasantly surprised to watch everyone’s participation and some even volunteered in releasing the bird. The experience of safely handling and releasing birds helped them respect their environment, especially the animals.
“The equipments used provided learning tools for the participants and assisted in their understanding of scientific data gathering.  They were also introduced into using other birding equipments such as binoculars, spotting scopes, recorders/playbacks and even to identify the birds seen in the field guide ‘Birds of Northern South America’.
“GATBS would like to especially thank Rhonda Narine for promoting the educational lectures in classroom. The theory for the educating on important bird information is vital and this was done with the involvement of the participants for two hours at every session. She was able to get persons to note information on important bird data in the country and even the history of bird documentation in Guyana.
“We would like to also express our thanks  to other members, Gajendra Narine (Andy), Kevin Prashad, Randy Jourdain, Alain Van Veen, Trevor Chan and Jason McKenzie for conducting the field exercise and showing the participants the methods used in which birds are recorded or  collected in the fields.
“GATBS is presently working on a publication to be shared which includes valuable information on the birdlife in Guyana.
“Once published, these booklets will serve as a very informative tool in spreading the awareness of bird education. This booked will be entitled, ‘The Guyana Bird Checklist’. This will not only be a checklist of birds recorded here, but also information on their habitat, the different species and their status locally and globally.
“The society has recently held its annual executive committee elections and there are new elected members who were voted into the various positions. Those members voted who are now officials that govern the society are President – Darwin Bourne; Vice-President – Gajendra Nauth Narine (Andy); Coordinator – Rhonda Narine; Treasurer – Alain Van Veen; and Secretary – Kevin Prashad.
“Mr. Bourne, the new President, will be ensuring that all ongoing society projects are carried out and looking forward to taking this organization to another level.
“Membership to this organization is open to the public. For more information on us and our ongoing programmes contact us on tele 225-2190 or email:gatbs@yahoo.com or  add us on facebook acct. Guyana Amazon Tropical Birds Society.”