Save an endangered southwest willow flycatcher

The willow flycatchers are at their wintering grounds! Thank you for helping us protect and monitor these adorable but threatened birds.

Thanks to your gift, we’ve been able to maintain willow flycatcher monitoring at three different locations in Nicaragua: Mateare, Tisma, and Cosiguina. At Mateare and Cosiguina sites, we are still observing returning flycatchers that were banded 3 years ago (before the pandemic!). This is indeed critical habitat for this endangered species. 

At the Cosiguina location, our agreement with the landowner to avoid cutting the brush is working. The brush clearing activities at this property will not begin until after the flycatchers depart for North America.

We are also delighted to share that once again, our team in Central America organized the Christmas Bird Count in Southwestern Nicaragua on Jan. 5! With over 3,000 observations and 166 species counted, the event brought awareness to the communities where willow flyctachers and other species spend their winters. 

Additionaly, our new community rangers working in Eastern El Salvador have reported three willow flycatchers near the shores of Olomega Lake. These rangers are now in conversation with over 100 farming households to encourage them to avoid burning agricultural fires until late April. The flycatchers love the scrubby vegetation that pops up on fallow land.

Lastly, be on the lookout for the 2022 Spring edition of Audobon Magazine! The magazine will feature willow flycatcher conservation efforts including those of our collaborator, the Southern Sierra Research Station. 

Thank you again for helping to protect willow flycatchers on their Central America wintering grounds. We could not do this work without you.

Sincerely,

Marlon Sotelo 

Migratory Bird conservation specialist at Paso Pacifico