The group identified approximately forty species of birds during the two days of field trips. One bird they did not see was the Bahamian parrot which nests in Abaco National Park. Mrs Angela Cleare, Director Business Development of the Ministry of Tourism was extremely pleased with the enthusiasm and commitment of the participants who included bonefish guides, eco-lodge operators, prospective nature tour guides as well as developers and government officials. Apart from the economic opportunities, Lynn Gape pointed out the environmental benefits. Birds control the spread of disease and seek out rich habitats of native flora and are an important indicator of the environmental health of a region.
Birders are generally environmentally conscious and seek out pristine destinations.
Abaco has special advantages in terms of Bahamian and West Indian species that birders want to see. The course is especially important to the Bahamas National Trust as they want the people of Abaco to benefit from the park and are hopeful that local people will be available and trained to conduct birding and other natural history tours in the park. At the lively Graduation Ceremony, Stanley White spoke on behalf of the graduates. What we always called a crow or buzzard, we now know is a turkey vulture. The group sang Island in the Sun led by Nicholas Roberts and received congratulations from MP Robert Sweeting.