Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
tours organ-
ized through
Nassau's BNT
office
Union
Creek
Reserve
7 sq miles; tidal creek &
marine turtle research facil-
ity
Great Inagua
Click
here
no fresh water on the island
or human habitation, with
undisturbed biodiversity
Little In-
agua
contact BNT
for access
Little Inagua
Click
here
Harrold &
Wilson
Ponds
250 acres; 100 avian species
including herons, egrets &
cormorants
hiking, bird-
watching
New Provid-
ence
here
11 acres; very large collec-
tion of palms & tropical
plants; hardwood forest sup-
ports diverse plant species &
features; BNT HQ
The
Retreat
New Provid-
ence
here
walking
Birds
Birdwatchers exalt in the Bahamas' 300 recorded species of feathered creatures. Only a
few are endemic, including the Bahama swallow, endangered Bahama parrot and the Ba-
hama woodstar hummingbird, which weighs less than a US nickel.
The West Indian (Caribbean) flamingo, which is the national bird, inhabits Crooked Is-
land, Long Cay and Great Inagua, a sanctuary with over 50,000 birds.
From September through May, the forests swarm with visitors. Vireos, flycatchers,
thrushes and plovers visit, migrating between summer and winter habitats. Birdwatchers
also can spot Bahama whistling ducks, guinea fowl, quails, snipes, coots, herons and gallin-
ules in the wetlands.
The pinelands of the northern Bahamas support a wide variety of resident summer
nesters, plus migratory songbirds in winter.
The red-tailed hawk is one of several birds of prey commonly seen soaring high over-
head, as is the jet-black turkey vulture, unmistakable with its undertaker's plumage and
bald red head. The beautiful and diminutive osprey and kestrel prefer to spy from atop tele-
graph poles.
The islands are also home to the burrowing owl and the barn owl. Both are protected
species.
