This is not the regular type of achievement you can find around LocalGuidesConnect.com, but given the fact that today is Earth Day, I think it is worth making the exception.
While it is far from the biggest in the world, my city has a high urban density and the traffic is chaotic, which means that we have a very limited wildlife. I live in a 4th floor in an apartment building in the center of Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic (in the same middle of the Caribbean, if you map us!) and luckily for me, my flat is surrounded by huge trees that attract birds!
Since a few months we had been trying to invite these birds into our apartment’s balconies. And while at first our attempts were unsuccessful, around day 70 we got their attention, a few more days and we had earned their trust. Now we have two species and at least 7 individuals who visit us many times a day. We include their food in our supermarket list and have started to identify their characteristics. Without further introduction, I present you my visitors:
- Zenaida auriculata, (a.k.a Tortolita)
They come to the balcony between 2-8 times a day, in some cases they stay to rest on the safety bars, some time after having eaten. At first only one of them came at a time, but once they saw that we present no danger (I assume) a couple started coming at the same time, and now there’s even a third bird visiting us. They are so known for being loyal mates that in Spanish we refer to couples as “tórtolos”.
2. Zenaida Asiatica (a.k.a. Tortola - Paloma alibanca)
This one is already a regular here at home, it comes 2-6 times a day and we have already identified 3 different individuals. One of them makes a funny noise when she arrives, kind of an announcement of her arrival.
If anyone finds it interesting I can write about their species and the behaviours I am discovering in them, since I am finding it quite fun to learn!
Ok, so… What’s my achievement?
I love life, and animals and knowing that I am helping this small ones survive is for me something special! For this reason, I consider to be achievement the fact of having successfully attracted and welcomed wildlife at home, presented it with a safe space to feed and rest while in a crowded city.
Now, I would like to know: how is it in the area were you live? Is there any wildlife around? Do you live in complex city or in a country side? Do you like animals? Do you have ay pets? I’m all eyes! 
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. Also, we want them to keep on coming so we need to show them that we provide value and serve their needs better than other spots in the area.