Bonaire’s freshwater wetlands, at the LVV environs, are important

for resident birds, as well as migratory and vagrant birds.

Over 60% of the island’s recorded bird species have been found at Bonaire’s freshwater wetlands.

So far, 238 species of birds have been observed, identified, and officially recorded on Bonaire.  Despite the limited size of the freshwater wetlands at the LVV environs, more than 130 different bird species  (over 60%) have been identified at the LVV just since 2012 (when wastewater treatment commenced), many more than in any other area of Bonaire.

Bonaire’s freshwater wetlands are imperative for local breeding species, as well as for birds that are migrating or spending the winter.

Each winter, numerous birds visiting from North America, especially ducks and waders, are also observed at Bonaire’s freshwater wetlands where they spend the winter.  In the 2019/2020 winter season, a female Ring-necked Duck passed the winter on Bonaire at the freshwater wetlands. This is a very rare bird on the ABC islands.

Since 2016, fourteen “new” species have been identified on Bonaire. Half of these species were observed in this area of ​​just one square kilometer. Some of these, such as the Crowned Slaty Flycatcher and White-winged Tern, were even new for the ABCs.

Relatively many of the other wanderers–nomadic or vagrant species that are only occasionally observed on Bonaire–have been found to be present in the LVV area.

Conservationists request legal protection due to the avian importance of the LVV and its environs.

I am very pleased to be a part of the initiative to garner legal protection for this very important bird area on Bonaire, collaborating on this project since July 2020.

Since then, a memorandum on the importance of the LVV and its environs has been presented to the relevant department of the OLB, the island’s governmental body. The memorandum also discussed the possibilities of the area as a tourism nature area for birdwatching. Appendices to the memorandum included a report of the findings of American scientists from their 2018 research on the Grasshopper Sparrow subspecies caribaeus on Bonaire and Curaçao, as well as an overview of all bird species identified to date in the LVV area.

It is my hope that this memorandum will result in the LVV environs being preserved as a valuable freshwater wetland, that the area will remain suitable as a nesting site for the rare Grasshopper Sparrow, and that it will receive the legal protection it deserves.  We firmly believe that nature protection can be combined with the development of small-scale nature tourism activities.

Due to the great importance of this area for birds, it is necessary to grant this area a legally protected status.

Reach out to Susan

If you have any questions in regard to your birding tour on Bonaire, feel free to contact Susan to get answers.  She is always happy to elaborate on routes or best times for a tour based upon your own personal preferences.  Tours can be tailored to your own interests, whether that be birds, photography, or both!

It is also recommended that you do some homework about Bonaire's birds before you visit.  By knowing a little bit about the birds which might be encountered on tour, your enjoyment will be heightened!  Be sure to check out these resources for Bonaire Birding. Reading the Bonaire Bird Blog will also accustom you to the birds that habitually are encountered on Bonaire.