The development of a STOC-EPS survey in French Guiana

As in Martinique and La Réunion, a STOC-EPS (point-count survey) scheme is being set up in French Guiana as part of the Life+ Cap DOM programme, with financial support from DEAL Guyane and technical assistance from MNHN and the LPO, under the stewardship of GEPOG, the main coordinator of the programme.

In attempting this, French Guiana finds itself faced with several problems due to the special nature of this part of Amazonia: the inaccessibility of a large part of the territory and some habitats, even those close to habitation; the enormous diversity of birdlife, with 720 potential species, many of them at very low densities and difficult to locate; the lack of clearly defined seasons so that different species have different breeding seasons, not related to each other, and spread out across the whole year; the fact that the calls of many of the species have only recently been described and that many of these calls are similar one to another within large families of birds; and overall the paucity of ornithologists suitably trained in the necessary techniques.

The first surveys were carried out at the end of 2012, and training sessions were organised for those observers who wished to participate in the project. To date, about 40 people, volunteers and professionals, are undertaking or have undertaken such training. In the field, nearly 40 sites are already up and running.