Nature Lovers Partner To Organize Dec. 7th Birds & Bugs Event in St. Martin

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Grand Case, Saint Martin, November 25, 2013 - Naturalists, ecologists, birdwatchers, artists, and other volunteers all over the island are working together to make the first annual Birds & Bugs event a very special day for everyone. Birds & Bugs is a free, public Wildlife Discovery Event created by Les Fruits de Mer, where St. Martin residents and visitors of all ages are invited to see, hear, celebrate, and learn about the amazing birds and bugs living in the broadleaf forest. The event will include guided birding tours, a bird education station, a bug discovery station, and local wildlife-themed art activities for children. Birds & Bugs 2013 will take place at Loterie Farm on the western slope of Pic Paradis on Saturday, December 7th from 9am to noon.

Pic Paradis is home to many migratory birds not found elsewhere on the island, such as this American Redstart. EPIC biologists collected data on this bird and released it unharmed as part of ongoing research into bird health and diversity at Loterie Farm.

Preparations for the event are well underway. A team of wildlife experts and event coordinators conducted a test run of the birding tour at Loterie Farm this past Saturday to plan the best route for the birdwatching tour, and noted a wide variety of migratory and resident birds along the route, including hummingbirds, thrashers, redstarts, and warblers.

Local artist and Les Fruits de Mer Secretary Stephen Winkel is designing special wildlife-inspired children’s art activities for the event, which will include decorating bird feeders made from calabashes.

Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) is organizing the bird education station, where event guests will learn to recognize birds by their song. Thanks to support from the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance and BirdsCaribbean, there will also be children’s activities including a Junior Birdwatcher journal and activity book as well as free bird stickers and tattoos. Bird identification cards and t-shirts will be available for a donation to support conservation efforts.

The location of the first Birds & Bugs event, Loterie Farm, is one of the most ecologically significant places on St. Martin.Pic Paradis is listed as an Important Bird Area (IBA), a designation provided to sites that support significant global or regional bird populations. The broadleaf forest on the western slope of Pic Paradis, including Loterie Farm, is a unique environment that is home to an extraordinary array of fascinating animal species. This habitat, with its large trees and full canopy, is both essential and breathtaking. EPIC Senior Biologist Adam Brown states, “Of all the habitats on St. Martin, this one has provided the most unique window into the life of migratory birds. This forest alone has been the location of at least seven first island records of bird species and played a significant role in the re-establishment of such resident forest species as Scaly-breasted Thrasher, Scaly-naped Pigeon, and Bridled Quail Dove. I can’t imagine the island without this forest.” 

“The wildlife in this forest is an important part of St. Martin’s natural heritage, and the Birds & Bugs event is the perfect opportunity to experience, celebrate, and learn about it!” said Mark Yokoyama, author of The Incomplete Guide to the Wildlife of St. Martin. Yokoyama will be hosting the bug discovery station, which will showcase a variety of live insects and other invertebrates from St. Martin, including walking sticks, katydids, caterpillars and spiders.

The Les Fruits de Mer Association is currently seeking additional volunteers to help out at the event, and sponsorship for event materials including art supplies for the kids’ activities, t-shirts, additional binoculars, and drinking water. People interested in being involved can contact info@lesfruitsdemer.org.

Birds & Bugs 2013 is a co-production of the Les Fruits de Mer Association, EPIC, and Loterie Farm.

Local bird expert and Les Fruits de Mer member Binkie van Es and President Jenn Yerkes

test-run the event’s birding tour at Loterie Farm..

EPIC was founded in 2000 with the mission to protect the Caribbean environment through research and community-based action, and has conducted long-term studies on the birds of the island while working to raise awareness of bird conservation issues. EPIC biologists have partnered with Loterie Farm for over a decade to study the health and diversity of birds in this rare habitat. 

Loterie Farm is a private nature reserve. The 54-hectare property includes broadleaf forest as well as the remains of historical buildings dating back to the 18th century. Loterie Farm safeguards the history and the environment while also sharing this unique site with the public. The Farm has hosted a great deal of biological research, including ongoing studies of birds and other animals. Loterie Farm offers hiking and zip-lining as well as a gourmet restaurant, lounge, and spring-fed swimming pool.

Les Fruits de Mer is a non-profit association based in St. Martin whose core mission is to raise awareness about nature, culture, and sport. The organization carries out this mission through publications, an education program, and special public outreach events that entertain, inspire, and inform. The Association is currently accepting new member applications on its website, http://ass.lesfruitsdemer.org.

For more information about Birds & Bugs 2013, visit website or Facebook , and visit http://www.epicislands.org to learn more about EPIC.

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St. Maarten Carnival Offers Caribbean Music Melting Pot

Thursday, June 13, 2013

The 2013 Dutch St. Maarten Carnival experience drew countless festival fans to the North Eastern Caribbean destination.

This year’s edition was nothing short of vibrant with colourful parades, an onslaught of local cultural shows, pageants and international concerts which featured top rate entertainers from the Caribbean, North and Latin America.

This annual Carnival has been the island’s largest cultural event for the past 43 years and is organized by the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF).

The capital city of Phillipsburg, was the site of the main activity as hordes of festival newbies and Carnival veterans converged day and night in the major action hub known as the “Carnival Village”.

In addition to a wide array of local and international cuisine (representing the island’s many cultural and culinary influences) the St. Maarten Carnival Village, was the literal hotspot for all the major concerts and pageants during the Carnival period. These concerts showcased practically every musical genre inclusive of Soca, Latin, Zouk, Reggae, Dancehall, R&B and Hip-Hop.

R&B singer Miguel

Gracing this year’s St. Maarten Carnival stage were performers the likes of R&B heartthrob Miguel, rapper Busta Rhymes, Latin star Daddy Yankee, Jamaican sensations Busy Signal and Konshens, Soca stars Nadia Batson and Tallpree and Dancehall Queen Lady Saw.  

 

The most anticipated international performer for the 2013 St. Maarten Carnival season was none other than son of the legendary Bob Marley, Damian‘Junior Gong’ Marley. Marley had the entire festival village crowd in the palm of his hands as he carried the eager audience through his catalogue of hit songs e.g. ‘Affairs of the Heart’, ‘Road to Zion’, ‘Beautiful’, ‘In too Deep’ and the ever popular ‘Welcome to Jamrock’.

Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley

 

In the weeks leading up to the Carnival visitors to the village also had opportunities to enjoy other forms of entertainment such as Calypso Competitions, Youth and Teen Extravaganzas, Speech and Culture Wear Competitions and several Queen Pageants.

Also notable at this year’s St. Maarten Carnival celebrations was the well-attended J’ouvert festivities which set the pace for 2 days of exciting costumed revelry.

As per tradition, the end of St. Maarten’s Carnival is marked with the symbolic burning of King Moumou, a straw-stuffed effigy who annually presides over the whole festive affair.

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St. Maarten Heineken Regatta 2013 - Entertainment Galore!

Thursday, March 21, 2013

The sounds of Reggae, Soca, Zouk, House and Soul music filled the air on the isle of St. Maarten during the 33rd Heineken Regatta; an event which is highly recognized for its magnificent stage shows and untouchable after parties as it is for its sailing action.


The entertainment card for these regatta mega-concerts featured some of St. Maarten’s and the Caribbean’s most dynamic performers and was headlined by the incomparable Motown group ‘The Commodores’. The seasoned musicians and vocalists who are famous for hit songs

“Night Shift” and “Slippery When Wet” brought down the house at Kim Sha Beach in Simpson Bay for the grand finale of the Regatta.

Trinidadian Soca Queen Destra Garcia thrilled the Heineken Regatta
crowd with her numerous hit songs

Much to the St. Maarten audience’s delight, the group performed such classics as “Brick House”, “Easy”, “Three Times A Lady” and “Sail On” displaying true energetic ‘old school’ flair to an audience of all ages and backgrounds.

Stealing the show on the French Side of the island was dynamic St. Maarten band Youth Waves which gave the crowd in Marigot a mixed set comprising of all musical genres. The Youth Waves band shared the stage with Trinidadian Soca Queen Destra Garcia who thrilled her fans with her hits “Bonnie and Clyde”, “Call My Name”, “It’s Carnival” and “Fly”.

A group of Swedish pose with members of St. Maarten’s Reggae-Rock fusion band Orange Grove
which performed at one of the Regatta parties

 

Rounding off the entertainment highlights were the performances by St. Maarten’s Reggae-Rock fusion band Orange Grove (which rocked the Phillipsburg Boardwalk), Zouk artiste Patrick Grayham and Dutch DJ duo Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano.

Throughout the years the St. MaartenHeineken Regatta has featured top regional and international music acts such as Shaggy, Wyclef Jean, The Black Eyed Peas and the Marley Brothers. After this year’s successful events the promoters and organizers are already in the planning stages for a high-powered 34th edition.

 

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HGTV "House Hunters on Vacation" Heads to St Maarten

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

House Hunters on Vacation a hit show on HGTV, recently shot an episode in St Maarten, to be aired on Sunday, September 16, 2012 at 3:30 PM.

The episode in which host Taniya Nayak, follows two couples, Nashville musicians Krystal and Jared Ribble, and Leif and Jaimee Shires who were surprised with a vacation to St. Maarten . Filming was done at three amazing properties; the Penthouse with the media room and spa privileges, the hilltop oasis with the infinity pool, and the deluxe Hacienda with private bungalow and French Chef. Both family will ultimately choose their favorite property out of the three to enjoy for one week .

Filming of "House Hunters on Vacation" took place on both the Dutch and French sides of the island, including Maho Beach, Pic du Paradis, Mullet Bay, Front Street, Rue de Republique and the Grand Case area.

Augusto Priest acting director of tourism for the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau said "We're thrilled that our beautiful island will be featured on HGTV.”

 

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St. Maarten sizzles with multi-cultural Carnival

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Known by many as the best Carnival experience in the North Eastern Caribbean, the 2012 festival season on the Dutch side of St. Maarten proved to be a pleasant collision of cultures. This year’s edition offered nothing short of vibrant, colourful parades, the very best of local cultural shows and pageants, highly entertaining international concerts and a perfect opportunity for locals and foreigners to mix with each other and explore new cultures.


This annual occurrence has been the island’s largest cultural event for the past 42 years and is organized by the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF).



The Divi Little Bay Resort and surrounding Phillipsburg accommodations served the as relaxation points for many of the festival’s newbie aficionados as well as seasoned Carnival connoisseurs. However, all observers and participants alike converged day and night in the main centre of action also known as the “Carnival Village” for a one of a kind cultural buffet.


The St. Maarten Carnival Village, which is transformed into the region's largest restaurant, features booths with samplings of cuisine from each of the near 80 nationalities that call St. Maarten home and is also the literal hotspot for all the major concerts and pageants. Over this year’s 2 week Carnival period, visitors to the village enjoyed several forms of entertainment which included Calypso Competitions, Youth and Teen Extravaganzas, Speech and Culture Wear Competitions, a Ms. Mature Queen Pageant and world class concerts which showcased top Soca, Latin and Zouk performers.  

Ms. Mature Queen Pageant 2012 winner

Much like several other regional Carnival celebrations, the Jouvert revelry set the pace and built excitement for the main costumed parades. However, it must be noted than unlike some regional and international Carnivals, St. Maarten’s parade had a smooth flow of mas bands (before and after judging points) and each mas band boasted music trucks with full live brass bands which performed a variety of genres.


Also, it is evident that a high level of order was present as even though the costumed bands were not roped off from the public, non-masqueraders chose to remain on the sidelines as opposed to invading the ‘costumed zones’.

Additionally, every band had a choreographed routine which they executed seamlessly at each judging point.

The festive 2012 Carnival brought out the creativity in many

The End of St. Maarten’s Carnival is marked with the symbolic burning of King Moumou, a straw-stuffed effigy who annually presides over the whole festive affair

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