Finding the Devil

So its not just Frogs that we work on over here. This month a team from the Dominican Republic (Grupo Jaragua) and the American Bird Conservancy came to try and find the Black Capped Petrel or Diablotin (Little Devil). This critically endangered bird is only known to nest in the DR. However after an investigation last year several were believed to have been seen, on night vision cameras, flying over Dominica. So this year a larger team was sent down to help to see if the birds may be nesting in the mountains of Dominica. So I signed up to help. It was a hard week, trekking across the mountain ranges of Dominica looking for potential nesting sites (above 1000m). The guys were were working with were a great laugh even across the language barrier. But did we find the devil?? Unfortunately not, we found suitable sites but alas not a single nest. It was only a short survey period however so hopefully next year?

The Black Capped Petrel

View from Morne Trois Piton

The Team! Dominica Forestry Division, Grupo Jaragua and the American Bird Conservancy

Jose-Luis and Josh checking out a potential nesting cave.

Trekking up Morne Trois Piton

Heading down a landslide.