The Caribbean Bird Program established Woodbourne shorebird refuge on Barbados In 2009, With funding an support from the US Fish and Wildlife service and Canadian Wildlife service.

Originally a 8 ha wetland "swamp" managed specifically for shorebird hunting,Woodbourne was abandoned and fell In disrepair until Bird Barbados restored It as a "no-shoting" refuge for migratory shorebirds and resident waterbirds a move that has been actively supported by the BARBADOS WILDFOWLERS ASSOCIATION.




The result Is that In just over two years,an astonishing 24 species of shorebirds have found sage haven at Woodbourne.
2011 has been a difficult year for wetland management In Barbados,above average rainfall In 2010 ,culminating In full flood conditions after hurricane "Tomas" at the end of October 2010 meant that Woodboure started the 2011 autumn migration season with plenty of water.

Further rains this autumn led to early flooding and very limited shallow water and shoreline habitat for shorebirds to alight on.
For example,on one day at the end of August more than 270 Lesser Yellowlegs passed through Woodbourne Shorebird refuge without finding a place to stop.



While shorebird habitat was limited,woodbourne did prove to be attractive to other waterbird species,and on 10 September,two west Indian Whisting duck turned up,associating with the resident Black bellied Whisting duck.

Whimbrel and indeed many other waterbird species are not target by the hunters on the privately owned and managed swamps.
however,a number of migratory shorebird species are hunted and the Barbados Wildfowlers Association Is working closely with Birdlife towards objective regulation of the hunting based on sound science.