What exactly is discussed during an ornithology meeting? “Birds, of course,” you might say! But not just birds. Since their inception, the Ecuadorian Ornithology Meetings (EOM – REO in spanish as “Reunión Ecuatoriana de Ornitología“) have provided a space for integration and knowledge sharing among everyone involved with Ecuador’s birds—their study, conservation, and more. Researchers, birding guides, students, and park rangers come together to discuss feathers, nests, migration, conservation, and various topics related to Neotropical birdlife.
The sixth edition will again take place in one of the national hotspots of endemism: Arenillas, located just a few kilometers from the Peruvian border. These vast coastal plains, influenced by the cold Humboldt Current, have gradually seen their semi-dry forest vegetation replaced by shrimp farming and banana monocultures. Yet, this area lies at the heart of the Tumbesian bioregion, one of Ecuador’s five biodiversity hotspots. Shared with Peru, this region boasts an astonishing rate of endemic species, making it a fitting and urgent choice for the sixth EOM.
For EOM organizers, selecting the site is crucial. The venue’s success depends on attracting bird lovers from all over the country (including the Galápagos) while spotlighting regions often overlooked by the general public. The goal is to balance opportunities for observing rare, photogenic, and endemic species with enriching, captivating content for participants.
Field observation sessions were carefully planned and represented a significant draw for attendees in previous editions in Quito, Guayaquil, Mindo, Maldonado, and Zamora. These mornings in the field were complemented by engaging academic sessions and presentations. The conference topics have always been as varied as they are educational.
This year, the program promises to be just as robust. A panel of international speakers, including Dr. Christian Devenish, Dr. Bette Loiselle, Dr. Jaime Chavez, and Dr. Catherine Graham, will cover topics ranging from updates on the systematic organization of the Galápagos finches (Geospiza, often called “Darwin’s finches”) to the reproductive behaviors of manakins in Yasuni National Park and the fascinating ecology and evolution of hummingbird communities, among many other subjects.
Several discussion panels will address critical topics such as the state of birdwatching tourism in Ecuador, coordinated with the Ministry of Tourism, as well as the progress of Ecuador’s Red List bird species. Workshops will offer participants opportunities to enhance their scientific writing and wildlife photography skills. The event will culminate with a bird-banding workshop on the Pacific coast, blending education with hands-on experience.
The 6th Ecuadorian Ornithology Meetings will take place from August 1–5, 2018, in Arenillas, El Oro province, Ecuador. Nature Experience and Birding Experience are now co-organizing the event.
By Xavier Amigo, your correspondent for REO 2018.
