Conservation efforts in Barbados soared to new heights on Wednesday with the unveiling of the island’s first-ever osprey nesting and monitoring platform, a significant development in the regional fight to protect biodiversity and combat climate change.
The platform, installed at Walkers Reserve in St Andrew was launched through a collaboration between the Walkers Institute for Regenerative Research, Education, and Design (WIRRED) and the British High Commission.
It is expected to serve not only as a nesting site for ospreys but also as a vital education and research tool for tracking migratory patterns and improving habitat awareness.
Speaking on the timeliness of the project, Project Coordinator at WIRRED, Georgina Thornton said, “It’s important because there’s really a lack of information throughout the island and the Caribbean about the ospreys and birds like that.
“So it’s to try and really increase the awareness and the data collection of these species on the island. But then also, ospreys are attracted to areas where the ecological habitat is suitable for them. So there’s enough fish, there’s enough roosting areas, there’s enough water spaces that they’re able to then thrive.”
Thornton further shared that the presence of ospreys signals a thriving ecosystem and plays a critical role in nutrient cycling and biodiversity.
She emphasised that the platform aligns with other ongoing environmental efforts in the area, including the conservation of coastal dunes, restoration of Long Pond Wetland, and projects around Bawden’s Irrigation Pond.
The British High Commission played a key role in funding and supporting the initiative, which also features a livestream camera for real-time observation.
Speaking during the launch event, Chargé d’Affaires Charley Williams said, “The British High Commission is really proud to support this launch of a new osprey nesting platform at Walkers Reserve in Barbados.
“For me, it’s a personal passion—I’m a bird watcher, I’m a passionate environmentalist. But for the British government, protecting climate and biodiversity is one of our top international priorities.”
The acting British High Commissioner further stressed the importance of inspiring young people to connect with the natural world, stating, “I think it’s important not just for helping us tackle climate change or prevent the loss of species, but also to encourage and inspire younger generations to connect with their environment, to understand how important that environment is, and to play a part in protecting biodiversity loss.”
She also made a call for environmental education to be integrated into the national curriculum.
Williams pointed to the global dimension of the project, noting that migratory birds like ospreys require conservation support across continents.
“We have to take action wherever migratory birds go—on breeding ground, on wintering ground, and on land,” she said.
“They connect conservation across countries and continents. I think we have a moral obligation to protect them.”
Barbados has committed to the UN’s global biodiversity framework, which includes restoring 30 per cent of land, freshwater, and sea by 2030.
Noting that the new platform is a valuable contribution to these goals, Williams said, “Your site is a really important contribution to regional biodiversity, to Barbados’ biodiversity, and global biodiversity. It’s great, very exciting to see the webcam, where Barbadians and visitors, like me, will be able to see these amazing birds.”
“With this incredible East Coast backdrop—my favourite part of Barbados. I just bought a painting of it. It’s a bit of a surprise.”
The platform further adds to WIRRED’s educational offerings at Walkers Reserve, which regularly hosts school tours and youth-focused programmes.
Organisers also noted that the platform will help generate more interest in conservation among students and the general public.
(SM)
The post Walkers Reserve launches landmark osprey nesting platform appeared first on Barbados Today.
