As Abaco starts to rebuild from the unimagined severity of its destruction, it’s not a great moment for discursive writing about the astonishing richness of wildlife there, both above and below the sea. So here’s a photo of a Harbour Seal that I took this afternoon. If it gives you something to smile about, I’d be very glad. RH
Smooth-billed Anis, Abaco – Gerlinde Taurer
In times of trouble, of grief and of despair, humans have an instinct to rally round for the greater good. Right now, I am very conscious that on Abaco – and indeed Grand Bahama – there is little or no time or mental space for overmuch concern about the wildlife. I am safely distanced from the tragedies and dire misfortunes of the countless individuals, families and communities affected by Hurricane Dorian. In this post I simply offer some images of birds – all photographed on Abaco – that are bonded together as adults or adult and chick, as symbolic of the huge combined human efforts on Abaco to comfort, restore, and rebuild a shattered island.
Northern Bobwhites, Abaco backcountry – Tom Sheley
Piping Plover, Delphi Beach Abaco – Keith Salvesen
Abaco Parrots – Peter Mantle
Neotropic Cormorants, Treasure Cay, Abaco – Bruce Hallett
Common Gallinule adult & chick, Abaco – Tom Sheley
Wilson’s Plover adult & chick, Abaco Bahamas – Sandy Walker
American Oystercatchers, Abaco Bahamas – Tom Sheley
CREDITS: Gerlinde Taurer (1); Tom Sheley (2, 6, 8); Keith Salvesen (3, 8); Peter Mantle (4); Bruce Hallett (5); Sandy Walker (7)
Sanderlings, Delphi Beach, Abaco Bahamas – Keith Salvesen
ABACO, BAHAMAS has been all but destroyed by Hurricane Dorian. The horrendous scale of the disaster in human terms alone is only now becoming clear as the days pass and new tragedies are revealed. Many established relief funds – international, national and local – are being very generously supported for the benefit of those who have suffered so grievously. I am adding to the number through my specific link to Abaco and its wildlife.
For obvious reasons, the GFM page (in edited form here) has a rather more formal , explicatory tone than I would usually use.
Sally and I were founder members of the Delphi Club, Abaco and retain strong connections with the island and the community. I run a conservation program for rare migratory plovers that overwinter on Abaco; and I am involved with BMMRO & its marine mammal research.
‘THE BIRDS OF ABACO’, of which I am the author, was published in 2014. The book was designed by Sally and published by Peter Mantle / The Delphi club. By the end of last year the edition had sold out, and all planned educational donations to schools, libraries and relevant organisations had been completed.Â
However, I have a couple of dozen books left in the UK. Through this fundraiser, I am offering a copy of the book in exchange for a donation of $150 (or the equivalent). The resulting fund (minus the cost of fulfilment from the UK) will be added to the funds achieved by the Delphi Club through their DORIAN RELIEF FUND .
A higher donation is of course encouraged; and please note, it is not compulsory to receive a bird book. Smaller donations are extremely welcome too, and for those of $50+ I will offer the donors a high-res PDF of a bird of their choice from a selection of several significant species found on Abaco; or a PDF of the complete bird species checklist for Abaco. That’s voluntary too.
The original price of this large photographic book was $145. It showcases the wonderful birds of Abaco with contributions from 30 photographers. Almost all are either residents of Abaco, or have strong connections with – and affection for – the island and its cays.Â
The books can be sent to Bahamas, USA, Canada and Europe. For any other destination, please contact me before you make a donation. Books will not be dispatched before October.
Please note that the Delphi Club does not have a stock of books and is not directly involved with this fundraiser. Please contact me with any inquiries, even though the Club details are shown on the pre-publication flyer below.
Keith Salvesen
Rolling Harbour Abaco
Photo Credits: Melissa Maura – Abaco Parrot (1); Alex Hughes – Black-necked Stilt (2); Sally Salvesen – book jacket (3); Tom Sheley – Olive-capped Warbler (4); Keith Salvesen – Cuban Pewee; Reddish Egret in breeding plumage (5, 6)
Design based on an amazing photo taken a couple of months ago by Abaco resident Brian Lockwood
SEP 6 UPDATE Since my original post focussing mainly on the rapidly increasing numbers of donation sites and their links, the true extent of the Hurricane Dorian catastrophe on central Abaco and outlying cays is gradually becoming clearer. Reports of localised looting are coming in. The situation is truly desperate and no one reading this will be unaware of the unfolding tragedy. Our thoughts must be with the bereaved and the injured; the missing; their families and friends; the frightened evacuees; those that have lost their homes, possessions, livelihoods; the courageous local people and relief teams.
This is a time when information is valuable, in particular as to the resources available, the urgent needs of the island and its cays, and the ways in which outsiders can help with this dire situation and with funding the recovery. Here are a few suggestions that I hope will be useful, and which will be further updated as the need arises.
The main resources are local / community Facebook groups, or more general Abaco-wide groups. All of them contain local reports and updates, photos, videos and requests for news of family, friends & communities. Events and news are fast-moving, so if you find a group you like, keep checking for up-to-date news, requests for advice or help etc. Simply entering a settlement name in FB search may take you direct to a community group.
ABACO BAHAMAS – LIVING ON ISLAND TIME
LITTLE HOUSE BY THE FERRY Amanda Diedrick’s oustanding blog has a wealth of info & advice
THE ABACONIANÂ – Website
THE ABACONIAN – FB page
TRIBUNE242 – Website (also links to FB, T etc)
Radio link selection given below
I’ll review and edit this page daily. I’ll look out for additional fundraisers, but please contact me with any others that you would like to see included, giving the link to it. You can do this by commenting here; via DM on my Rolling Harbour FB page; or email for those that have it.
NB I am not making personal recommendations here, except in the case of the Delphi Relief Fund and Caroline’s parrot fundraiser, where I have personal connections and concerns. Please check these pages for yourself before you decide to donate
✚ SEP 6 
CLICK LOGO FOR CAUTION NEEDED WHEN YOU CHOOSE YOUR DONATION FUND
HEADKNOWLES An organization formed in 2015 by Bahamians Lia Head-Rigby and Gina Knowles to provide hurricane relief to the residents of the south and central Bahamas after the devastation of Hurricane Joaquin. Since then, Headknowles provided relief after Hurricanes Matthew and Irma.
You can find out more about the invaluable work of this organization via this link to Amanda Diedrick’s website LITTLE HOUSE BY THE FERRY You will also find there regularly updated information about the present crisis.
DONATIONS Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â HeadKnowles GO FUND ME page
UPDATES & INFO Â Â Â Â Â Facebook group page
Bahamas Red CrossThe Bahamas branch of the International Red Cross is requesting help with its Dorian-relief program. Specifically, it’s looking for donations of nonperishable goods, water, toiletries, baby products, radios, batteries, candles, bedding, generators, and building supplies (NT)
DONATIONSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BAHAMAS RED CROSS
DONATIONSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â ONE ELEUTHERA FOUNDATION
DONATIONSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â PERC, Inc.
PERC, Inc. is a not-for-profit U.S. corporation created in 1998 to support the philanthropic work of charitable and community organizations in Abaco, Bahamas (specifically, Hope Town, Man O’ War and Marsh Harbour), and to enable U.S. tax payers make tax deductible contributions to their preferred Abaco charities.
LAZY LOCATIONS Excellent list of Hurricane Dorian Relief Efforts including supplies-provision and similar aid in the Abacos, some of which are not yet listed belowÂ
COLDWELL BANKER / LIGHTBOURNE on F/B: Helpful advice, donation links and relief needs (see end of post for list). Their main office on NP is open to accept donations of supplies. For US donors, here are 6 drop-off centres in the States
(GoFundMe unless otherwise stated – PLEASE CHECK VALIDATION)
NEW YORK TIMES BAHAMAS RELIEF ADVICE / LINKS
==============================
THE DELPHI CLUB ABACO RELIEF FUND Fundraiser by Robert Ford & Club Members (& my own connection)
HURRICANE RELIEF FOR ELBOW CAY Fundraiser by Matt Winslow.
Please note that this fund, now exceeding $400K of a (raised) target of $500K will have a $ for $ fund match from a private foundation
HOPE TOWN VOLUNTEER FIRE & RESCUE HURRICANE RELIEFÂ Local Paypal funding
NBÂ Sep 6 NEW LINK
MESSAGE READS “response to our fundraising efforts has been overwhelming – literally! Your generosity has overtaxed our PayPal account and we are working to find more effective and efficient ways to collect donations. Please hold off on donations through PayPal at this time. We will be providing new funding mechanisms in the next few days. Thank you all for your generosity!!’
Errol Thurston Bahamas Abaco Hurricane Relief Fund  Fundraiser by Errol ThurstonÂ
HOPE 4 HOPE TOWN – ABACO ISLANDS RELIEF FUND Fundraiser by Patrick DavisÂ
Abaco Strong Hurricane Relief Fund Fundraiser by Dave MeldeauÂ
Abaco Parrot post Dorian Food Supplementation Fundraiser by Caroline StahalaÂ
For the Love of Abaco – Hurricane Relief Fundraiser by Lou LentineÂ
Hurricane Dorian Relief Fund for Abaco Fundraiser by Al Lee
Dorian Relief Effort – Bahamas Abaco Islands TCCF Fundraiser by Omar MaissenÂ
Hurricane Dorian Relief Fund Abacos Fundraiser by Heidi Marie HillÂ
DIRECT RELIEFÂ Hurricane Dorian Relief
SEP 5: “LuÃz David Rodriguez, the programme manager for Direct Relief, an NGO, said the island’s main health clinic, near Marsh Harbour, was being overwhelmed with hundreds of people waiting to be treated”
 GlobalGiving Disaster Recovery Network Hurricane Dorian Relief Fund
RADIO GARDEN – highly recommended for online or as App – a simple world-wide resource. The link is set take you direct to Guardian Talk Radio. You’ll see other Bahamas stations listed. Every green dot represents a radio station. The globe rotates. You can pinpoint a chosen station anywhere in the world in seconds
ZNS BAHAMAS – varied news formats with rolling updates
ZNS RADIO – news and plenty of online links
TUNE IN BAHAMAS – Stream Radio – more than a dozen stations – App available
LIVE ONLINE BAHAMAS – Stream Radio – Lots of stations – can headline favourites
CREDITS
Amanda Diedrick / Little House by the Ferry for taking a big lead in collecting and spreading information and advice including the HeadKnowles information shown here
Matthew McCoy for additional suggestions
Sundry online posters of clips and snips
PHOTO CREDIT: Gerlinde Taurer – Bahama Yellowthroat (endemic to the Bahamas)
Elbow Reef Lighthouse still standing where Hurricane Dorian made landfall (NYT)
The massive extent of the devastation caused by the unprecedented violence of Hurricane Dorian to the northern Bahamas is, after 2 days, still being revealed only gradually. Overall, the cruel effects of the storm could hardly be any worse. There’s no need to chronicle the horrendous details of the crisis in terms of the people, communities, property, infrastructure, fauna, flora and even geology. Right now, bad news accumulates by the hour. Many people are still unaccounted for. Information about some of the communities is scant.
This is a time when information is valuable, in particular as to the resources available, the urgent needs of the island and its cays, and the ways in which outsiders can help with this dire situation and with funding the recovery. Here are a few suggestions that I hope will be useful.Â
The main resources are local / community Facebook groups, or more general Abaco-wide groups. All of them contain local reports and updates, photos, videos and requests for news of family, friends & communities. Events and news are fast-moving, so if you find a group you like, keep checking for up-to-date news, requests for advice or help etc
ABACO BAHAMAS – LIVING ON ISLAND TIME
(to be expanded)
I will be reviewing and editing this page daily. I’ll look out for additional fundraisers, but please contact me with any others that you would like to see included, giving the link to it. You can do this by commenting here; via DM on my Rolling Harbour FB page; or email for those that have it.
NB I am not making personal recommendations here, except in the case of the Delphi Relief Fund and Caroline’s parrot fundraiser, where I have personal connections and concerns. Please check these pages for yourself before you decide to donate
HEADKNOWLES An organization formed in 2015 by Bahamians Lia Head-Rigby and Gina Knowles to provide hurricane relief to the residents of the south and central Bahamas after the devastation of Hurricane Joaquin. Since then, Headknowles provided relief after Hurricanes Matthew and Irma.
You can find out more about the invaluable work of this organization via this link to Amanda Diedrick’s website LITTLE HOUSE BY THE FERRY You will also find there regularly updated information about the present crisis.
DONATIONS Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â HeadKnowles GO FUND ME page
UPDATES & INFO Â Â Â Â Â Facebook group page
Bahamas Red CrossThe Bahamas branch of the International Red Cross is requesting help with its Dorian-relief program. Specifically, it’s looking for donations of nonperishable goods, water, toiletries, baby products, radios, batteries, candles, bedding, generators, and building supplies (NT)
DONATIONSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BAHAMAS RED CROSS
DONATIONSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â PERC, Inc.
PERC, Inc. is a not-for-profit U.S. corporation created in 1998 to support the philanthropic work of charitable and community organizations in Abaco, Bahamas (specifically, Hope Town, Man O’ War and Marsh Harbour), and to enable U.S. tax payers make tax deductible contributions to their preferred Abaco charities.
LAZY LOCATIONSÂ Excellent list of Hurricane Dorian Relief Efforts including supplies-provision and similar aid in the Abacos, some of which are not yet listed belowÂ
(GoFundMe unless otherwise stated – PLEASE CHECK VALIDATION)
THE DELPHI CLUB ABACO RELIEF FUND Fundraiser by Robert Ford & Club Members (& my own connection)
HURRICANE RELIEF FOR ELBOW CAY Fundraiser by Matt WinslowÂ
HOPE TOWN VOLUNTEER FIRE & RESCUE HURRICANE RELIEFÂ Local Paypal funding
Errol Thurston Bahamas Abaco Hurricane Relief Fund  Fundraiser by Errol ThurstonÂ
HOPE 4 HOPE TOWN – ABACO ISLANDS RELIEF FUND Fundraiser by Patrick DavisÂ
Abaco Strong Hurricane Relief Fund Fundraiser by Dave MeldeauÂ
Abaco Parrot post Dorian Food Supplementation Fundraiser by Caroline StahalaÂ
For the Love of Abaco – Hurricane Relief Fundraiser by Lou LentineÂ
Hurricane Dorian Relief Fund for Abaco Fundraiser by Al Lee
Dorian Relief Effort – Bahamas Abaco Islands TCCF Fundraiser by Omar MaissenÂ
Hurricane Dorian Relief Fund Abacos Fundraiser by Heidi Marie HillÂ
NB I know nothing specific about these more widely-based organisations – it’s up to you to check them out
 GlobalGiving’s Disaster Recovery Network Hurricane Dorian Relief Fund
DIRECT RELIEFÂ Hurricane Dorian Relief
CREDITS
Amanda Diedrick / Little House by the Ferry for taking a big lead in collecting and spreading information and advice including the HeadKnowles information shown here
Matthew McCoy for additional suggestions
PHOTO CREDITÂ Melissa Groo, International Photographer with Bahamas ties. Thanks as always for use permission
Hurricane Dorian makes landfall on Abaco later today. The island has been in an unwavering direct line for several days, gaining force to Cat. 4** while slowing down as it approaches. The skies have darkened, the seas are turbulent, danger to humans, wildlife, property, landscape is imminent.
** UPDATE just before landfall today, Dorian strengthened to a rare and very dangerous Cat. 5 hurricane. This is when not just property and land is threatened, but life itself. Early reports are of flooding and structural damage. Now is not the moment to pick through the information filtering through. Better to assess the impact after the storm has passed on to the north-west, where it is currently headed via Grand Bahama.
When we first became involved with Abaco, the parrot numbers were believed to be fewer than 1000, a barely sustainable population. An intensive, continuing conservation program over several years has seen the numbers treble or more. This recovery is as much due to the resilience of the species as to human intervention.Â
The parrots will be lying low in the National Park, some in the limestone caves they nest in during the breeding season. As humans take equivalent protective measures we are watching from a thankfully safe distance. We wish the very best of luck to our friends, and to all on the island and its cays during the next 48 hours.
