Cover Photo: Tjalle Boorsma, Director of Conservation Programs at Armonía, and Teodoro Camacho, Armonía researcher, at one of the events of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group (WHSG) meeting.
The 10th Meeting of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group (WHSG), held from August 11 to 16 in New Brunswick, Canada, served as a platform to share valuable shorebird conservation experiences from Bolivia. Tjalle Boorsma, Asociación Armonia’s Conservation Program Director, and Teodoro Camacho, Armonía researcher, were present to showcase the innovative strategies and findings of their work.
At this international meeting, Boorsma highlighted the positive impact of sustainable cattle ranching in the Barba Azul Nature Reserve. His presentation focused on how this ranching model, implemented in the seasonally flooded savannas of Beni (Llanos de Moxos) and the Amazonian rivers, significantly contributes to the conservation of shorebirds. Boorsma explained how the combination of sustainable cattle ranching practices and the preservation of natural habitats has created a favorable environment for species like the Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis), that uses these habitats to feed and rest during their southbound migration.
“The conversion of natural savannas into agricultural systems and the pollution of Amazonian rivers endanger the Buff-breasted Sandpiper’s stopover habitat. However, the sustainable ranching model implemented in the Barba Azul Nature Reserve has proven to be an effective alternative to mitigate these issues, ensuring the conservation of these critical stopover sites for migratory birds,” said Boorsma.
Camacho, on the other hand, shared the results of extensive research on the Buff-breasted Sandpiper in Bolivia. His presentation included a detailed analysis of the continuous monitoring conducted over 10 years in the Barba Azul Nature Reserve, as well as the findings from the first shorebird census conducted in October 2023 along the “Mamoré” and “Madre de Dios” rivers. Camacho explained how the annual monitoring has allowed for the evaluation of critical habitat factors, such as grass length, the size of short grass areas, and the presence of cattle, and how these factors impact the abundance and distribution of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper.
“Over the past five years, the Barba Azul Nature Reserve has recorded an average of 100 to 609 Buff-breasted Sandpipers per day, showing a clear preference for sites with short grass between 4 cm and 6 cm and a consistent presence of cattle. Additionally, a recent census along the Mamoré and Madre de Dios rivers revealed a total of 921 individuals of this species, as well as 20 other shorebird species, including 15 migratory and 5 resident species,” reported Camacho.
Boorsma and Camacho’s participation in the WHSG represented a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences at an international level. Their presence at the event not only highlighted the importance of conservation efforts in Bolivia but also underscored the significance of sharing effective strategies to protect these migratory species throughout their migratory routes.
Photo: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis) making a stop at the Barba Azul Nature Reserve in Beni, Bolivia. Teodoro Camacho, Armonía.