Story of Ajhermae White - Environment Officer at the Department of Environment in Montserrat

The Black Birders Week has entered its third year of celebrations and will be featuring some of the Caribbean's enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and hands-down Black birders anybody would ever meet.This is an annual event organized by the Black AF in STEM Collective. The theme for this year is "Soaring to Greater Heights", which emphasizes birding as a lifelong learning journey that is enjoyed by Black cultures across the diaspora.The first feature is Ajhermae White who is an Environment Officer at the Department of Environment in Montserrat. Learn all about her Caribbean birding journey below.How did you first get interested in birds? The Conserving Caribbean Shorebirds and Their Habitats International Training Workshop in 2019, hosted by BirdsCaribbean in Puerto Rico, was my first in-depth introduction to birds. Upon returning home from the workshop, a male Lesser Antillean Bullfinch was nesting at my house, which further ignited my interest in birds. I remember using a field guide I received from BirdsCaribbean to identify it. I was so happy that I found its name. After that, my knowledge of birds skyrocketed. Now in 2022, I can identify just about all resident birds and their calls on Montserrat and many migrants and vagrants. Working in the Department of Environment in Montserrat gives me the opportunity to learn about birds and work with them.Did you have anyone take you under their wing? James 'Scriber' Daley took me under his wing at the start of my birding journey. He is the best on the island, and his knowledge of birds is exceptional. I am grateful that I have been able to learn so much from him.If you've been at it for a while, have you become a mentor to someone else? Now that I have become so passionate about birds, I have gained the courage to go on public platforms to share my knowledge with the community. With the help of BirdsCaribbean and Environment of the Americas, I have been able to organize many educational events on resident and migratory birds. I'm so happy that I have been able to share my knowledge with children and adults on Montserrat.Ajhermae and the work she is doing to protect the birds on her island is worth appreciation.