PARC NATIONAL LA VISITE, HAITI: A LAST REFUGE FOR THE COUNTRY’S MONTANE BIRDS Liliana M. Dávalos* Graduate Fellow, Division of Vertebrate Zoology-Mammalogy, American Museum of Natural History Central Park West at 79th Street New York, New York 10024-5192 USA & Center for Environmental Research and Conservation Columbia University, 1200 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, New York 10027 USA Thomas Brooks Center for Applied Biodiversity Science - Conservation International 2501 M St NW Suite 200, Washington DC 20037, USA * Author for correspondence
Abstract Parc National La Visite, in south-east Haiti, harbours the only sizeable remnant montane broadleaf and pine forest in the Massif de la Selle. In this article we summarise historical and contemporary records in the park of species on the global lists of threatened or restricted-range species, based on the literature and a visit in early January 2000. At least 24 restricted-range species and 11 species listed in Birds to Watch 2 occur in La Visite, and it is a global stronghold for Black-capped Petrel Pterodroma hasitata and La Selle Thrush Turdus swalesi. Because most of Haiti is deforested, La Visite constitutes a clear, if threatened, opportunity to preserve a unique and endangered avifauna within the county. With this paper we hope to attract visitors and researchers to the park, thus aiding conservation efforts already underway. Résumé Le Parc National La Visite, situé au sud est d'Haïti, abrite le seul grand ensemble forestier de montagne du Massif de la Selle, composé de feuillus et de conifères. Cet article présente les archives et les données actuelles concernant la liste des espèces menacées met endémiques, basées sur des références bibliographiques et sur une visite effectuée début Janvier 2000. Au moins 24 espèces endémiques et 11 espèces cosidérées comme menacées dans la liste Birds to Watch 2 sont présentes dans le parc La Visite, qui est de plus une zone privilégiée pour le Pétrel diablotin Pterodroma hasitata et pour la Merle de la Selle Turdus swalesi. A cause de la déforestation important du reste de l'île, le parc de la Visite constitue clairement une zone de conservation pour la faune endémique et menacée d'Haïti. Nous espérons avec cet article attirer l'attention des visiteurs et des scientifiques sur ce parc, et ainsi accroître les efforts de conservations déjà entrepris. Resumen El Parque Nacional La Visite, al sureste de Haití, contiene el único remanente considerable de bosque montano y de pinos en el Macizo de la Selle. En este artículo resumimos los registros contemporáneos e históricos para el parque de especies amenazadas o endémicas globalmente, con base en la literatura y una breve visita en enero del 2000. Por lo menos 24 especies endémicas y 11 especies señaladas como amenazadas en Birds to Watch 2 han sido reportadas en La Visite, y el parque es un refugio global para el Diablotín Pterodroma hasitata y el Zorzal de la Selle Turdus swalesi. Como la mayor parte de Haití está deforestado, La Visite constituye una clara oportunidad para conservar una avifauna única y en peligro, aunque existan serias amenazas sobre él. Con este artículo esperamos atraer visitantes e investigadores al parque, y así ayudar los esfuerzos de conservación que allí se están desarrollando. Introduction Parc National La Visite is located 22 kilometres south of Port-au-Prince in the Massif de la Selle at 18°20'30" N, 72° 20'00" W. The park encompasses about 3,000 hectares of pine forest, savannahs and montane cloud forest, at 1,900-2,268 metres elevation.6,13 La Visite is at the western section of the Massif de la Selle-Sierra de Baoruco (Dominican Republic) mountain range in southern Hispaniola. Vegetation types on the Massif range from dry forest (up to 1,000 m), through semi-deciduous forest, rain forest (above 500 m), cloud forest (600-2,300 m), and the predominant pine forest.9 La Visite includes forests of the endemic Pinus occidentalis, broadleaf cloud forest, natural savannahs, and endemic juniper forest. The park hosts three peaks above 2,150 m elevation: La Visite, Cabaio and Tete Opaque. Located at the escarpments of La Selle, La Visite is characterised by thick topsoil on a limestone matrix.6 The flora and vertebrate fauna of La Visite are well documented. The park boasts 85 species of vascular plants endemic to Hispaniola, 36 of which are endemic to the La Selle range and are thus circumscribed to its boundaries.13 The avifauna of La Visite is also impressive, with 67 species recorded, 17 of which are endemic to Hispaniola. Because there are six genera and 23 bird species endemic to Hispaniola (ranges of <50,000 sq. km) the entire island is considered an Endemic Bird Area—EBA 028—by Stattersfield et al..9 However, forest habitat in Haiti amounts to only 1.5% of the land area, and thus La Visite is a major refuge for forest-dependent species in the country.12 During a recent (2-5 January 2000) visit to the Massif de La Selle, we compiled observations of the avifauna and habitat condition at Parc National La Visite, and along the trails therefrom. We summarise here all records of birds Red Listed2,3 as endangered [EN], vulnerable [VU] or near-
threatened [NT] and of those having restricted ranges [RR] of <50,000 sq. km.9 In doing so, we aim to highlight the conservation importance of this protected site for Haiti and the rest of the world. Logistics Access to La Visite is via the mountain road from Port-au-Prince to Kenscoff and from then onwards by hiking along the route (which soon becomes a rolling, narrow trail) to Seguin, which lies at the southern boundary of La Visite. Another route to La Visite reaches Seguin by a very steep uphill trail from Marigot, a town accessible by road from the historic port of Jacmel. In both cases, the hike requires at least six hours, at good pace. The trail from Kenscoff to Seguin and then to Marigot is a major pedestrian thoroughfare, but amenities are scarce, especially before Seguin. There are no facilities in the park area, but there is a fairly expensive but pleasant bed and breakfast—the Auberge du Visite—in the outskirts of Seguin. At the time of our visit there were no permits required for visiting and camping at Parc National La Visite. On our visit, we arrived in Kenscoff in the afternoon of 2 January, explored the road from there up into the mountains that evening, and spent the night at the Hotel La Florville in the village. We left before dawn the next day and hiked to the park, arriving at 1pm and spending the afternoon birding in the forest and the night camped in the park (with a couple of hours spent night-torching, without success due to high winds). We made observations in the park until midday on the 4th, and then walked for four hours down to Seguin where we spent the night at the Auberge du Visite. The following morning we hiked down to Marigot, arriving in the mid-afternoon, before returning by road to Port-au-Prince via Jacmel. Birds of La Visite The park’s most important and interesting birds are those typical of Hispaniolan montane and pine forest. Most characteristic of these is the La Selle Thrush Turdus swalesi [VU, RR], of which we easily observed small numbers in forest glades in the early morning, along with numerous Red-legged Thrushes T. plumbeus. Turdus swalesi was initially thought to be restricted to the dense, moist thickets of Massif de La Selle where Wetmore collected the type specimen in 1927.10 It was later found to range from 1,500-2,100 m at the Sierra de Baoruco, Sierra de Neiba and the Cordillera Central in the Dominican Republic.12 However, the species seems to occur at higher densities in the Massif de La Selle than elsewhere in its range, and it is undoubtedly threatened by habitat destruction.7 A third thrush species, Rufous-throated Solitaire Myadestes genibarbis [RR], can be heard singing before dawn in the forest but is extremely elusive, as reported by Woods & Ottenwalder.12 Two other Red Listed species are easily seen in the broad-leaved montane forest. The attractive Narrow-billed Tody Todus angustirostris [NT, RR] is shy in dense thickets, especially in the sinkholes, where we recorded three birds. Its sister Hispaniolan endemic, Broad-billed Tody T. subulatus [RR], is a lower elevation species, and we recorded it in deciduous scrub and fruit trees on the lower section of the trail from Seguin to Marigot. At La Selle it ranges up to 1,700 m elevation.10 The Hispaniolan and Jamaican endemic Golden Swallow Tachycineta euchrysea [NT, RR] is not uncommon over the forest, and we recorded birds both along the barren trail from Kenscoff to La Visite and within the park. Two swifts, Collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris and Antillean Palm Swift Tachornis phoenicobia are often seen with the swallows over the forest. The broad-leaved forest hosts at least another six restricted-range Hispaniolan endemics. The colourful Hispaniolan Lizard-cuckoo Saurothera longirostris [RR] was reported to be fairly abundant at the Massif de La Selle in the spring of 1927,10 but we only saw a single bird in a dense sinkhole in the park. Green-tailed Ground Warblers Microligea palustris [RR] are common in the moist forest to which they are restricted in Haiti, although they range into dry forest habitat in the Dominican Republic.7 The other four restricted-range species are all common both in the forest and in the degraded habitats between Kenscoff and Seguin: Hispaniolan Emerald Chlorostibon swainsonii [RR]; Hispaniolan Woodpecker Melanerpes striatus [RR]; Hispaniolan Pewee Contopus hispaniolensis [RR]; and Black-crowned Palm-tanager Phaenicophilus palmarum [RR]. Four other rare endemics also occur (or once occurred) in the broadleaved forest at La Visite. Although Wetmore & Swales10 found Hispaniolan Trogons Priotelus roseigaster [NT, RR] commonly at La Selle, it had declined to become restricted to the broadleaved forest by the time of Woods & Ottenwalder’s12 survey. Of even greater concern is the status of White-winged Warbler Xenoligea montana [VU, RR]. This was reported as, according to Bond, “as common as Microligea palustris” on
Morne La Selle in 192810 but may now have become extinct in the range due to the clearance and fragmentation of its moist forest habitat.12 The secretive Chat Tanager Calyptophilus frugivorus [VU, RR] has apparently been found commonly in the massif in the past,12 but it is very shy and we failed to record them, as Wetmore and Swales had in 1931.10 The elusive Ashy-faced Owl Tyto glaucops [RR] is also occasionally heard.12 The coniferous forest, comprising the endemic pine Pinus occidentalis, has an extremely depauperate bird community with only three commonly resident species.12 The far-isolated race of White-winged Crossbill Loxia (leucoptera) megaplaga is now considered to be a full species8 and is seriously threatened.1 Its status on La Visite is unclear: Wetmore & Swales10 found it common, but it is erratic,12 and we saw a single flock of about 30 individuals. Much commoner is the endemic Antillean Siskin Carduelis dominicensis [RR] of which we observed large flocks wherever pines were standing all the way from Kenscoff to Seguin. Most abundant of all is the ubiquitous Pine Warbler Dendroica pinus, easily heard and seen in pines across the massif. The steep north-facing limestone escarpment of La Selle is also of great importance, holding what is probably the world’s largest colony of Black-capped Petrel Pterodroma hasitata [EN]. Breeding populations of the species were first found above 1,500 m on the escarpment in 1964,11 and Woods & Ottenwalder12 reported three colonies within La Visite boundaries: two at Tete Opaque, and one at Morne La Visite. They failed to record two more colonies that Wingate11 had documented, although the number of birds detected based on nocturnal vocalisations was still relatively high. Nonetheless, hunting, habitat decline, natural disasters, and introduced predators imperil its survival in south-east Haiti, which harbours the only significant breeding population of this seabird.7 A number of interesting species also persist outside of the forest. We recorded both of the Hispaniolan endemic crows in the massif: a single record of the distinctive call of a White-necked Crow Corvus leucognaphalus [VU, RR] heard near Kenscoff on 4 January; and a number of Hispaniolan Palm Crows C. palmarum [NT, RR] in large flocks throughout the massif. Garrido et al.4 grant the split between this latter species from birds on Cuba. A similar case is that of the Hispaniolan Stripeheaded Tanager Spindalis dominicensis, which Garrido et al.5 demonstrate to be a full species, in which case it would also have a range of <50,000 sq. km.9 We found the species in scrub between Kenscoff and La Visite. The endemic family comprising the Palmchat Dulus dominicus [RR] is common up to 1,800 m on La Selle.10 The two endemic parrots, Hispaniolan Parakeet Aratinga chloroptera [VU, RR] and Hispaniolan Parrot Amazona ventralis [NT, RR] were found commonly by Wetmore and Swales10 at the lower elevations around La Visite, but since those records, these have seriously declined12 and we recorded neither. Both species are heavily trapped and are now extinct across much of Haiti.7 Other West Indian endemics common in the massif include Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivacea (Black-faced T. bicolor is also abundant), Greater Antillean Bullfinch Loxigilla violacea, Greater Antillean Grackle Quiscalus niger and Black-cowled Oriole Icterus dominicensis; Scaly-naped Pigeon Columba squamosa. Additionally, Vervain Hummingbird Mellisuga minima [RR], Greater Antillean Elaenia Elaenia fallax [RR] and Antillean Euphonia Euphonia musica [RR] are uncommon at La Selle.12 Another endemic, Antillean Piculet Nesoctites micromegas has been notably absent from La Selle, even since the Wetmore expeditions. 10 Finally, the whole region is of considerable interest for overwintering migrant species. For example, we recorded Merlin Falco columbarius, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius, Northern Parula Parula americana, Magnolia Dendroica magnolia, Cape May D. tigrina, Black-throated Blue D. caerulescens, Yellow-rumped D. coronata, Yellow-throated D. dominica, Prairie D. discolor, Palm D. palmarum and Black-and-white Mniotilta varia and Worm-eating Warblers Helmitheros vermivorus, American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla, Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapillus and Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas, mostly in good numbers and often in degraded habitat. Discussion In total, no less than 11 Red Listed species and 24 with restricted-range species have been recorded from La Selle and these totals will rise with ongoing taxonomic revisions. The massif is particularly important globally for Turdus swalesi, which is easily seen here, and for its breeding colonies of Pterodroma hasitata. On a national scale the Parc National La Visite is of critical importance, being
one of only two protected sites across Haiti for all of the montane broadleaved and pine forest species.12 Detailed management and research plans for the natural parks of Haiti have been proposed, and specific projects are in place with support of the World Bank and endorsement from the Haitian government13 (see also http://www.secid.org/LAC.html). Nevertheless, during our short stay, we found evidence of repeated burning in the pine stands within the park, and observed how local shepherds graze their goats and sheep into the lush grass that grows in the fire-cleared spots. This local practice, reported within park boundaries as early as 1983, threatens to further fragment what little habitat remains in the park and throughout La Selle.6 At La Visite there is a clear opportunity to preserve a unique and endangered avifauna. By presenting details on the logistics to potential visitors, we hope to increase international awareness about conservation issues in Haiti. For example, ornithologists can go a long way toward aiding the enforcement of the protected status of this park by making opportunistic observations and supporting conservation efforts from established agencies at La Visite. Acknowledgements Winnie Athié at the Auberge du Visite provided insightful discussion, and Paul Paryski, Herb Raffaele and David Wege provided important information on conservation in Haiti. We thank Alice Cibois for her excellent French summary. Literature Cited 1. Benkman, C.W. (1994) Comments on the ecology and status of the Hispaniolan Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera megaplaga), with recommendations for its conservation. Caribbean Journal of Science 30: 250–254. 2. Collar, N.J., Gonzaga, L.P., Krabbe, N., Madroño-Nieto, A., Naranjo, L.G., Parker III, T.A. and Wege, D.C. (1992) Threatened Birds of the Americas: the ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge, UK. 3. Collar, N.J., Crosby, M.J. and Stattersfield, A.J. (1994) Birds to Watch 2. The World List of Threatened Birds. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 4. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK. 4. Garrido, O.H., Reynard, G.B. and Kirkconnell, A. (1997a) Is the Palm Crow, Corvus palmarum (Aves: Corvidae), a monotypic species? Ornitologia Neotropical 8: 15–21. 5. Garrido, O.H., Parkes, K.C., Reynard, G.B. and Sutton, R. (1997) Taxonomy of the Stripe-headed Tanager, genus Spindalis (Aves: Thraupidae) of the West Indies. Wilson Bulletin 109: 561–594. 6. Paryski, P., C.A. Woods, & F. Sergile. (1989) Conservation strategies and the preservation of biological diversity in Haiti. Pp. 855–878. In Biogeography of the West Indies: past, present, and future. C.A. Woods (ed.). Sandhill Crane Press: Gainesville. 7. Raffaele, H., Wiley, J., Garrido, O., Keith, A. and Raffaele, J. (1998) A Guide to the Birds of the West Indies. Princeton University Press, Princeton, USA. 8. Smith, P.W. (1997) The history and taxonomic status of the Hispaniolan Crossbill Loxia megaplaga. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 117: 264–271. 9. Stattersfield, A.J., Crosby, M.J., Wege, D.C. and Long, A.J. (1998) Endemic Bird Areas of the World. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 7. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK. 10. Wetmore, A. and Swales, B.H. (1931) The birds of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Bulletin of the United States National Museum 155: 1–483. 11. Wingate, D.B. (1964) Discovery of breeding Black-capped Petrels on Hispaniola. Auk 81: 147–159.
12. Woods, C.A. & Ottenwalder, J.A. (1992) The natural history of Southern Haiti. Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville. 13. Woods, C.A., F.E. Sergile, & J.A. Ottenwalder. (1992) Stewardship plan for the national parks and natural areas of Haiti. Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville.
