Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
117
The Booby, the Parrot, the Frigate
Bird, et al.
About 200 species of bir ds make their home in the C ay-
mans, and some 50 species ar e known to breed here, rang-
ing from the famous Cayman parrots to the elegant frigate
birds with their 7-foot wingspan. This magnificent bird with
its forked tail has the ability to glide on its wings.
The islands ar e also home t o the West Indian whistling
duck, called the world's most endangered duck.
Sailors named a r ed-footed bir d “booby,” Spanish f or
“fool,” because it was so easy to catch. Mostly this bird nests
on Little Cayman.
You can also spot two species of woodpecker, along with
tangers, ibis , mock ingbirds, and sev eral species of eg rets
and herons.
The C ayman parr ot is , in fac t, the national bir d of the
islands. Cayman Brac is the best island for parrot viewing, as
a large reserve is pr otected for these c olorful birds, which
are mostly green with a red throat, cheeks, and neck.
On Grand C ayman, bird-watchers flock t o Queen Eliza-
beth II Botanic Park, the Meagre Bay Pond, and the Michael
Gore Bird Sanctuary, among other sights, to see these birds
in all their glor y. The M ichael Gor e sanc tuary lies on 3
1
/
2
acres of pristine wetland in the Spotts Newlands area.
5
A final course, the 9-hole
Blue Tip,
West Bay Road (
&
345/815-
6500
), is reserved for guests of the Ritz-Carlton, charging greens fees
of US$200 per player. Designed by Greg Norman, Blue Tip also has
the best pro shop on island.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Horse B ack in P aradise with N icki
(
&
345/945-5839;
www .
caymanhorseriding.com) collects riders anywher e in the vicinity of
Seven Mile Beach and takes them on early-morning or late-afternoon
beach rides, with some inland trail riding. N icole “Nicki” Eldemire
has a wealth of information about life in G rand Cayman, and is full
of anecdotes about island life, flora, and fauna. You're in the saddle
for 75 minutes for US$100 per person. S
unset rides can also be
arranged for a minimum of six riders.
