Return of nesting Filico Gull (Sternula antillarum) to El Saco Bay, Coche Island, Venezuela

Abstract

After its absence for thirty years, the presence and renesting of Sternula antillarum (Charadriiformes: Laridae) in El Saco Bay, Coche Island, Venezuela, is again described. It is pointed out as a possible cause of the resurgence of these small colonies the absence of tourist visits and local inhabitants, during the more than two years of pandemic (COVID 19), encounters that sometimes (four-wheel motorcycles, trucks and other rustic vehicles) disturbed or damaged the fragile ecological balance of this paradisiacal Caribbean island, hence it is important to listen to and involve the ecologists of the island in all tourist activities, so that there is sustainable development with minimal impact on the environment, its flora and fauna, since the birds will only nest where they feel calm and safe.