Birding on Anguilla in the Caribbean

A natural drainage area for the surrounding hills, supplemented by eight springs along the southwest shoreline. In addition, a well has been dug at the western end (uncertain whether this is still in use). The pond is up to a metre deep, though almost completely dries out during dry weather. It is surrounded on all sides by scrub on weathered limestone. The southern shore was shallow and muddy, providing feeding areas for waders, but the northern and western shores were rocky and steeper. Although the main road from The Valley to Island Harbour runs to the south, the pond appeared to be infrequently visited. A track runs along the eastern edge, which is used to access several new homes to the north. Hurricane Luis (1995) severely damaged the stand of red mangroves along the west and southwest shore, but they are recovering. Access is along a rough track north from The Valley-Island Harbour road (turn left on the brow of the hill and drive 200 metres until parallel with the east shore of the pond)

Species Numbers counted (date) – peak count in bold
brown pelican 1 (15, 27 Jan, 9 Feb)
great blue heron 1 (15, 20 Jan)
snowy egret 2 (15 Jan)
green heron 1 (20, 27 Jan)
yellow crowned night heron 1 immature (20 Jan)
green winged teal 1 (27 Jan)
white-cheeked pintail 8 (15 Jan), 14 (20 Jan), 26 (27 Jan), 11 (3 Feb), 14 (9 Feb). Five broods, of 15, 9, 6, 5, 4 (9 Feb)
blue winged teal 52 (20 Jan), 23 (27 Jan)
merlin 1 (9 Feb)
sora rail 1 (20 Jan)
moorhen 2 (20 Jan, 9 Feb), 1 (27 Jan)
semi-palmated plover 3 (3 Feb), 1 (9 Feb)
killdeer 1 (15 Jan), 3 (20 Jan), 1 (27 Jan), 4 (3 Feb)
black necked stilt 34 (20 Jan), 6 (27 Jan), 25 (9 Feb)
greater yellowlegs 2 (20 Jan)
lesser yellowlegs 3 (15 Jan), 1 (20 Jan), 4 (27 Jan), 12 (9 Feb)
spotted sandpiper 2 (27 Jan)
laughing gull 1 (15 Jan)
zenaida dove 1 (20 Jan)
bank swallow 2 (15 Jan)
pearly-eyed thrasher 1 (27 Jan)

A seasonal pond, but one which proved to hold the largest flocks of some wader species during January/ February 2000. It is close to sea level, with its southern shore extending to within 20 metres of high water mark, and it appears to have been breached during previous hurricanes. The shoreline is sandy (though the east shore is limestone), with a narrow - but dense - band of scrub (particularly buttonwood and sea-grape) around the perimeter, save for gaps along the west shore. The remains of extensive mangroves are apparent across the northern 30% of the pond, but appear mostly to be dead (previous hurricane damage?). The water is shallow and receded by at least 20% during the four weeks of the visit. From the salt deposits on the shoreline, salinity levels appeared to be high. Access is by vehicle from the ferry terminal car park (through the gap in the fence in the southwest corner) – follow the track to a sandy ‘turning area’ on the southern shore and walk through the scrub to view north (take care not to disturb waders on the shoreline).

Species Numbers counted (date) – peak count in bold
great blue heron 1 (6 Feb)
great egret 1 (25 Jan, 3 Feb), 2 (30 Jan)
snowy egret 1 (25, 30 Jan, 3 Feb)
white-cheeked pintail 2 (3 Feb)
black-bellied plover 8 (3 Feb), 2 (6 Feb)
semi-palmated plover 8 (3 Feb)
greater yellowlegs 4 (24 Jan), 5 (25 Jan), 2 (30 Jan), 1 (3 Feb), 3 (6 Feb)
lesser yellowlegs 32 (24 Jan), 30 (25 Jan), 33 (30 Jan), 25 (3 Feb), 24 (6 Feb)
spotted sandpiper 1 (24 Jan, 3 Feb), 2-3 (25 Jan), 4 (30 Jan, 6 Feb)
whimbrel 1 (25 Jan, 3 Feb)
ruddy turnstone 10 (24 Jan), 4 (25 Jan), 1 (30 Jan), 18 (3 Feb)
semi-palmated sandpiper 3 (3 Feb)
least sandpiper 2 (30 Jan), 50 (3 Feb)
white-rumped sandpiper 25 (3 Feb)
stilt sandpiper 29 (24 Jan), 71 (25 Jan), 73 (30 Jan), 260 (3 Feb), 372 (6 Feb)
short-billed dowitcher 1 (30 Jan), 6 (3 Feb), 10 (6 Feb)
belted kingfisher 2 (24 Jan), 1 (25, 30 Jan, 3 Feb)
zenaida dove several on each visit
mangrove cuckoo 1 (3 Feb)
barn swallow 11 (24 Jan), 40 (25 Jan), 20 (30 Jan), 3 (3 Feb), 15 (6 Feb)
bananaquit several on each visit

Blowing Point harbour
brown booby 2 (30 Jan, roosting on harbour lamp)
brown pelican 1 (25 Jan)
black-bellied plover 43 (30 Jan)
American oystercatcher 3 (25 Jan), 2 (30 Jan)
semi-palmated plover 3+ (30 Jan)
ruddy turnstone 1 (25 Jan), 6 (30 Jan)
royal tern 5 (25 Jan), 11 (30 Jan)

The northwest of Anguilla is currently the least developed part of the island (mains electricity was only introduced to Shoal Bay in the early 1980s). As a result, the scrub remains among the most intact (with the exception of the quarried and surface-stripped areas) anywhere on the island. The sea cliffs are relatively steep for Anguilla, the land rising sharply to 50 feet except at Limestone Bay, and access to the shore is difficult. Sheltered bays may hold good turtle populations because of the lack of visitors –Bob Conridge reports that they breed at Blackgarden Bay. The area is covered in dense scrub, opened up only by a few rough tracks and a large quarry. The Fountain, highest point on the island, is earmarked as a National Park, and discussions are currently underway about its future protection and management. The designation will largely be for geological and historical reasons, since the caves hold important fossil remains. Natural history interest at The Fountain is minimal, but taken as a whole the area contained the highest number of passerines (including lesser Antillean bullfinch) on the island, albeit at low density.

Species Numbers counted and site (date) – peak count in bold
red-billed tropicbird max 7, Little Bay (24 Jan)
brown pelican max 6, Little Bay (22 Jan)
white-cheeked pintail 4, Blackgarden Pond (18 Jan)
peregrine 1, flying south of Little Bay (22 Jan)
American oystercatcher 1, Black Garden Bay (28 Jan)
spotted sandpiper 1, Blackgarden Pond (18 Jan); 1, Little Bay (24 Jan)
ruddy turnstone 12, Shoal Bay (30 Jan)
zenaida dove several throughout area, but only close to houses
spotted ground dove several pairs, though sparsely distributed
mangrove cuckoo 2, Blackgarden Pond (18 Jan), 4 Blackgarden Pond (11 Feb)
green-throated carib 1, Little Bay (22 Jan)
belted kingfisher 1, Black Garden Bay (28 Jan)
Caribbean elaenia several pairs
grey kingbird 4-5, Low Ground (18, 25 Jan), 1 Shoal Bay (20 Jan)
yellow warbler many throughout area
bananaquit many throughout area
black-faced grassquit many throughout area
lesser Antillean bullfinch 5, Blackgarden Pond (18 Jan), 2 Low Ground (25 Jan)

The largest pond on the island, but also the most difficult to access – it can not be seen from any of the main roads. Springs and run-off from a relatively large catchment provide the sources of water. Dense scrub surrounds the pond, while mangroves and reeds fringe the eastern and southern shores, as well as forming islands in the western half of the pond. This provides a great deal of overhanging riparian habitat, which is absent from many of the island’s ponds. Most of the visits were made at dusk, with two egret roosts or pre-roosts located. The Anguillan government constructed a water desalination plant on the north shore in 1985, but it was abandoned in 1987 after the membranes on the equipment broke as a result of high levels of sulphide gas in the muddy water. The access road from opposite the cement works at Deep Waters provides the easiest access to the pond, though viewing from here is into the sun. Water levels following Hurricane Lenny remained very high, and this track continued to be flooded until departure in mid February, preventing access to the desalination plant and thus limiting viewing. Attempts to get to the water’s edge from the south side proved even more difficult, with no sign of the track marked on the Ordnance Survey map. It was possible to look from the edge of the grassy plateau, but this was 250 metres from the southern shore.

Species Numbers counted (date) – peak count in bold
magnificent frigatebird 1 female flying low NE (1 Feb)
great blue heron 1 (31 Jan)
great egret 2 (18, 31 Jan, 1 Feb), 1 (7 Feb)
cattle egret 4 (18 Jan), 1 (31 Jan), 10 (1 Feb), 5 (7 Feb)
snowy egret 12 (31 Jan, 7 Feb), 17 (1 Feb)
green heron 1 (18 Jan)
white-cheeked pintail 3 (15 Jan), 4 (18 Jan), 20 (31 Jan), 13 (1 Feb), 10 (7 Feb). Max one brood of 7 (18 Jan)
northern pintail 2 pairs (7 Feb)
blue winged teal 4 (31 Jan)
American wigeon 18 (31 Jan), 17 (7 Feb)
ring-necked duck 1 pair (7 Feb)
lesser scaup 20 (31 Jan), 14 (1 Feb), 22 (7 Feb)
ruddy duck 3 pairs, inc. 1 displaying (31 Jan, 1 Feb); 1 male (7 Feb)
merlin 1-2 females (31 Jan), 1 female (1 Feb)
peregrine 1 (31 Jan)
moorhen 2 (18 Jan), 1 (31 Jan)
American coot 6 (18 Jan), 9 (31 Jan), 8 (1 Feb)
black necked stilt 1 (18 Jan)
spotted sandpiper 1 (15, 18 Jan, 1, 7 Feb)
common snipe 1 (18 Jan)
belted kingfisher 1 (15, 18 Jan)
mangrove cuckoo 1 (31 Jan)
Caribbean elaenia small numbers along north shore
bananaquit present throughout area, at high density (1 per 20 metres)
black-faced grassquit small numbers along north shore
lesser Antillean bullfinch 1 (18 Jan)

The hydrology between Cove Pond and the neighbouring Gull Pond is a single unit divided by causeways built originally to bring cotton from plantations to the coast and then asphalted in 1993 to provide access to the Cap Juluca hotel. The rocky limestone north shore contrasts with the sandy southern shore, rising steeply to 60’ sand dunes. As a result of damage by recent hurricanes and road/ hotel development, there is currently little riparian vegetation around Cove Pond. This has changed the wildlife interest of the pond from being one of the richest on the island to one of the poorest. Cove Pond is clearly a pond in the early stages of recovery.

Species Numbers counted (date) – peak count in bold
magnificent frigatebird female flying over (21 Jan)
great egret 1 (31 Jan)
snowy egret 1 (29 Jan)
royal tern 1 (21 Jan)

Dog Island would appear to be the most important site in the Anguillan island group. The main seabird colony lies at the east end of the island, in a band of less than 20 metres from the top of the cliff. Brown boobies are evenly spread around this area, with the handful of masked boobies in a small enclave on the south side and the magnificent frigatebirds in rocky, vegetated hollows at the west end. The remainder of the island is covered in thick, thorny scrub and thousands of prickly pear cacti, making access from the west end very difficult. The sea-level rocks at the west end held the only red-billed tropicbirds seen during the visit. In three hours, there was not time to explore the northern part of the island, but scrub appeared to make access difficult. Only one of the two ponds was visited: Stoney Bay pond held several species in a shallow lagoon, and surrounded by broad-leaved scrub, which held small numbers of passerines.

Species Number counted (all 6 February)
red-billed tropicbird 3 nests
masked booby 10 occupied nests; 9 in SE of island and one farther west.
brown booby estimated 400 occupied nests; average clutch 1.85 eggs/nest, though more single egg clutches on south side than north. Average nearest neighbour distance: 6’-8’. One near fledged juvenile.
magnificent frigatebird not possible to make accurate count owing to mobility of birds. estimated 300+ birds: 10% breeding males, 25% non-breeding males, 40% females, 20% fledged immatures, 5% unfledged juveniles.
white-cheeked pintail 19
blue-winged teal 26
semi-palmated plover 14
American oystercatcher 2
sanderling 5
least sandpiper 18
ruddy turnstone 9
ring-billed gull 1 first-year immature
black-faced grassquit 12+

EAST END POND

Area: Pond when full: 5.25 hectares (13 acres)
Co-ordinates: 943 165

General description

A rectangular, shallow pond hemmed in on two sides by asphalted road, East End Pond maintains a good diversity of birds. The south shore is bare mud, mostly a result of in-filling and roadway construction, and the pond has been used as a dumping ground for household items. The northern shore is limestone pavement, covered in dense scrub which is typical of inland Anguilla. This is the only pond on the island with sizeable areas of emergent vegetation, mostly at the eastern end. There is also a considerable mat of pond weed, which moorhens and coots favour. The water comes from run-off from a reasonably large catchment, probably supplemented by natural springs.

Species Numbers counted (date) – peak count in bold
great egret 2 (20 Jan), 1 (4 Feb)
green heron 1 (20, 28 Jan)
snowy egret 1 (20 Jan)
white-cheeked pintail 6 (18 Jan), 5 (20 Jan), 10 (28 Jan), 11 (4 Feb). Max brood count: 9+14+3 (28 Jan)
blue winged teal 1 (18 Jan), 3 (20 Jan)
sora rail 1 (20 Jan)
moorhen 9 (18 Jan, 4 Feb), 10 (20 Jan), 8 (28 Jan). Max brood count: 2 (4 Feb)
American coot 2 (18, 28 Jan, 4 Feb), 1 (20 Jan)
merlin 1 female (4 Feb)
black-bellied plover 5 (4 Feb)
killdeer 3 (18 Jan, 4 Feb), 12 (20 Jan), 6 (28 Jan)
black-necked stilt 9 (18 Jan), 1 (20 Jan)
greater yellowlegs 2 (18 Jan), 5 (20 Jan)
lesser yellowlegs 6 (18 Jan), 7 (20 Jan, 4 Feb), 2 (28 Jan)
whimbrel 2 (20 Jan)
spotted sandpiper 2 (18 Jan), 1 (20 Jan)
ruddy turnstone 2 (18 Jan), 8 (20 Jan)
barn swallow 2 (18 Jan)

Mead’s Bay Pond is one of the deepest ponds (c 1 metre) on the island, dredged to produce construction sand for export during the 1980s. The dredging operations were responsible for the creation of a bund at the southern end (behind which the sand was washed). Whether it was these operations, the time of year visited or another factor, there seemed relatively little birdlife on the pond during the visit compared to the description as "important" in the Anguilla National Trust’s Wetlands Guide. The depth of the pond results in only the shoreline being of interest for birds; the majority of this is scrub on limestone pavement, but reeds form a fringe in the northeast corner and some of the southeast shore is more open, with small areas of grazing land behind. Viewing was possible only from the road, and even with a 30x telescope lens, it was difficult to see birds in the long vegetation at the northeast corner.

Species Numbers counted (date) – peak count in bold
great blue heron 1 (23, 26, 29 Jan)
green heron 2 (20 Jan), 1 (29 Jan)
white cheeked pintail 4 (20 Jan), 12 (23 Jan), 8 (26 Jan), 10 (29 Jan), 5 (5 Feb)
American kestrel 1 (5 Feb)
killdeer 1 (23 Jan)
black necked stilt 2 (20 Jan)
lesser yellowlegs 11 (20 Jan), 1 (23, 29 Jan, 5 Feb), 6 (5 Feb)
spotted sandpiper 1-2 (20 Jan), 1 (23, 29 Jan), 2 (26 Jan)
belted kingfisher 1 (20 Jan), 2 (5 Feb)
grey kingbird 1 (20, 26 Jan)

This pond, originally contiguous with Cove Pond but now separated by the road to the beach, divides into two during the dry season. The western ‘handle’ is shallow and dries out quickly to a salt-encrusted bed. The eastern ‘pan’ retains water for longer, though may also dry out during drought. The shoreline is sand and mud, with some sparse scrub along the north shore. Bird interest was low, however, with birds seen only on the first of three visits, though the reasons were not apparent. On most visits, a single royal tern fished in the harbour and several ruddy turnstones were around the jetty.

Species Numbers counted (all on 24 January)
pied billed grebe 1 (24 Jan)
lesser yellowlegs 1 (24 Jan)
spotted sandpiper 1 (24 Jan)

Mimi Bay Pond is one of the smallest wetlands in Anguilla, yet valuable for two species which occurred on every visit – black necked stilt and blue winged teal. It lies in a hollow about 200 metres from the sea and completely surrounded by mangroves and sea-grape, which form a dense cover into the water. Viewing is only possible from the grassy mound to the southwest (which houses a large hermit crab colony) and from the limestone pavement on the north side.

Species Numbers counted (date) – peak count in bold
white cheeked pintail 2 (18, 20 Jan), 3+ (31 Jan)
blue winged teal 35+ (18 Jan), 52 (20 Jan), 96 (31 Jan), 143 (7 Feb)
black-necked stilt 38+ (18 Jan), 82 (20 Jan), 59 (31 Jan)
zenaida dove several in area
bananaquit several in area

Prickly Pear East is a low, rocky island with sandy northern and eastern shores and rocky southern and western shores. The island is visited daily by yachts, and a catamaran visits from St Maarten on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Most visitors stay around the sheltered bay on the east side, close to the restaurant, where the snorkelling over the coral reef is among the best in the Anguilla group. There is minimal seabird interest, in sharp contrast to Prickly Pear West. The scrub in the south is extensive and appears to hold passerines at greater densities than on Anguilla mainland, though it is dense and feasible only to walk around the edge. There is access to the eastern shore of the pond, which held small numbers of shorebirds and which appeared to suffer minimal disturbance, even though it is directly behind the restaurant.

Species Numbers counted on 10 February
red-billed tropicbird 2 on nests
brown booby 25 settled on rocks at north end; two nests found – one empty and one with a broken egg
brown pelican 8
sora rail 1
lesser yellowlegs 11
turnstone 14
least sandpiper 3
Caribbean elaenia 1 pair and another bird singing
yellow warbler 8+
bananaquit 2-4
black-faced grassquit 8-10

In addition, 30+ brown boobies, 11+ red-billed tropicbirds and 4 immature magnificent frigatebirds were seen flying around the east end of Prickly Pear West.

Rendezvous Bay Pond is a former salt pond, the most easterly of the group of large, open ponds along the southern coast of Anguilla. The stone dykes from salt production remain in place, but are being slowly washed away and the pond is now a single hydrological unit, at least during the winter period, when water levels remain high. The road at the west end is built on fill, placed in 1993 and destroying the sandy shore. The northern and eastern shores are limestone pavement, with dense scrub set back from the edge. Seagrape lines some of the sandy southern shore, but is of limited use as a screen from pedestrian and road traffic along the track. There was little bird interest on the pond, though the western end was showing more promise towards the end of the visit.

Species Numbers counted (date) – peak count in bold
cattle egret 1 in pasture to east (26 Jan)
white cheeked pintail 1 (26 Jan), 5 (8 Feb)
American kestrel 1 (18 Jan)
wilson’s plover 1 (8 Feb)
lesser yellowlegs 1 (18, 31 Jan, 8 Feb), 3 (26 Jan)
spotted sandpiper 2-3 (18 Jan), 1 (31 Jan), 2 (8 Feb)
ruddy turnstone 3 (26 Jan)
pearly-eyed thrasher small numbers in scrub
bananaquit small numbers in scrub
black faced grassquit small numbers in scrub

Road Salt Pond is the most obvious wetland on Anguilla to tourists, given its location next to the port and bars of the island. Much of the riparian habitat has already been lost to development, with the result that only the reeds on the eastern shore provide an idea of how this pond might once have looked. Nevertheless, it remains one of the most interesting ponds on the island for shorebirds, with a greater diversity than most of the other wetlands. Although the vegetation is less extensive than formerly (as much a result of Hurricane Luis as of development), there remain two trees in the southeast corner that hold egret roosts. The dykes from salt production (which only ceased here during the 1980s) remain mostly intact and are used for roosting (and perhaps nesting?) by shorebirds. There was almost certainly some intrusion of seawater during Hurricane Lenny. This appears to have increased the abundance of food in the brackish water, to the extent that small numbers of brown pelicans have been feeding on the pond since November 1999. On the west side, there remain several undeveloped plots, which have provided additional muddy feeding areas for small shorebirds since Lenny. A small pond, across the road from the southwest corner of the main pond, held only two white cheeked pintails during one visit and a single lesser yellowlegs on another.

Salt Pond
Species Numbers counted (date) – peak count in bold
pied billed grebe 1 (22, 30 Jan), 2 (27 Jan)
brown pelican 1 (22, 27, 30 Jan)
great blue heron 1 (20, 22, 27, 30 Jan, 5 Feb)
great egret 1 (20, 22, 27 Jan)
snowy egret 16 (20 Jan), 29 (22 Jan), 17 (27 Jan), 27 (30 Jan), 32 (5 Feb)
cattle egret 20 (20 Jan), 4 (22 Jan), 33 (27 Jan), 18 (1 Feb)
green heron 1 (20, 27 Jan)
white cheeked pintail 20 (20 Jan), 14 (22 Jan), 11 (27 Jan), 13 (30 Jan), 6 (5 Feb)
blue winged teal 4 (27 Jan), 2 (30 Jan)
lesser scaup 2 (27 Jan), 3 (30 Jan)
hooded merganser 2 (27, 30 Jan, 5 Feb)
sora rail 1 (20, 30 Jan)
moorhen 4 (20, 30 Jan), 3 (22, 27 Jan), 2 (5 Feb)
black-bellied plover 2 (27 Jan)
black necked stilt 18 (20 Jan), 37 (22 Jan), 29 (27 Jan), 40 (30 Jan), 35 (5 Feb)
semi palmated plover 6 (20 Jan, 5 Feb), 5 (22 Jan), 12 (27, 30 Jan)
lesser yellowlegs 40 (20 Jan), 14 (22 Jan), 12 (27 Jan), 28 (30 Jan), 8 (5 Feb)
spotted sandpiper 2 (22 Jan, 5 Feb), 1 (27 Jan), 4 (30 Jan)
ruddy turnstone 7 (20 Jan), 5 (22 Jan, 5 Feb), 2 (27 Jan)
sanderling 4 (20, 22 Jan), 7 (27 Jan), 6 (30 Jan), 2 (5 Feb)
semi palmated sandpiper 1 (5 Feb)
least sandpiper 7 (20 Jan), 13 (22 Jan), 5 (27 Jan), 4 (5 Feb)
white rumped sandpiper 5 (30 Jan)
zenaida dove 1 (22 Jan)
belted kingfisher 2 (27 Jan), 1 (30 Jan)
pearly-eyed thrasher 1 (20, 27 Jan)
black faced grassquit 2 (20 Jan)

Sandy Ground, seaward side
brown pelican 3 (1 Feb)
magnificent frigatebird 10 (1 Feb)
American oystercatcher 1 (1 Feb)
belted kingfisher 1 (1 Feb)
grey kingbird 2 (1 Feb)

Sombrero is about 40 miles northwest of Anguilla, a remote and rocky outcrop, visited only by fishermen, biologists and technical staff from Beal Aerospace. Access is possible by helicopter or boat (using a ladder up the steep cliff on the west side). The surface is rocky, with craters (up to 10 metres deep) formed by the phosphate mining. There is little vegetation (some sparse grass grows in the bottom of the craters), though there had been significant areas of large cacti on the island, prior to Hurricane Luis in 1995. The island is clearly in an early state of recovery. The booby colony is in the middle-third of the island, mostly north of the lighthouse, as far as the ridge on which the hexagonal powderhouse is built (marked in brown on the map). To the north of this, there was only an occasional booby nest.

Species Numbers counted (1 February)
masked booby three pairs, each with a single chick
brown booby 300 occupied nests; average clutch size: 1.8 eggs per nest
magnificent frigatebird 30 present, including 4 juveniles
peregrine adult female
ruddy turnstone 6

From the end of the most westerly track, the final three-quarters of a mile of Anguilla is dense scrub, with access only possible via the north and south shores. The north shore is steep, sandstone and limestone cliffs, which are subject to erosion and slippage into the sea. The scrub on the cliff-top is dead, presumably from sea-spray, but it gives the appearance of having been coated in weedkiller! The south shore is gentler, with access possible along the beach and low cliff. Few birds were noted in the scrub, though it was not feasible to gain access to the centre. The east side of Anguillita could be viewed from the Point: the island is a low shelf of rock with a sandbar at the centre and longer vegetation at the southern end. There was no evidence of seabirds breeding or flying over the island, or fishing offshore.

Species Numbers counted (29 January)
brown booby 2-3 feeding in bay
brown pelican 5-6, roosting
magnificent frigatebird 1 female
royal tern 1, feeding around Anguillita
pearly-eyed thrasher 3

This former salt pond is the most westerly in the chain that runs along the southwestern shore of Anguilla. It held substantially greater numbers of shorebirds than any of the other similar large ponds in this area, though birds tended to congregate in the southwest corner, close to the road. The riparian vegetation on the neck contrast sharply with that in the main pond. Along the narrow west end, there is dense scrub on limestone pavement on the north shore and thick mangroves along the south, though this has been partially lost to hotel development. The main waterbody is open, especially on the western and southern shores, where scrub and trees were removed to build the access to the hotel. The north shore is limestone, apart from the northwest corner, where sufficient water had evaporated to expose mud. The salt-production dykes remain in place and are used by waders, though apparently not for roosting. Rainfall is the sole source of water and so both ponds can completely evaporate during dry periods. An attempt to set up a lobster farm at the site in the 1980s failed.

Species Numbers counted (date) – peak count in bold
white cheeked pintail 2 (20 Jan, 2 Feb), 3 (24 Jan), 4 (29 Jan), 5 (5, 8 Feb)
blue winged teal 4 (24 Jan, 8 Feb)
American kestrel 2 (29 Jan)
black necked stilt 3 (20 Jan)
greater yellowlegs 9 (24 Jan)
lesser yellowlegs 8 (20 Jan), 6 (24 Jan), 18 (29 Jan), 34 (5 Feb), 29 (8 Feb)
ruddy turnstone 7 (20 Jan), 12 (24 Jan), 19 (29 Jan, 5 Feb), 24 (2, 8 Feb)
sanderling 1 (20, 29, 31 Jan), 5 (2, 5 Feb), 20 (8 Feb)
semi palmated sandpiper 1 (5 Feb), 32 (8 Feb)
least sandpiper 1 (8 Feb)
white rumped sandpiper 3 (24 Jan)
stilt sandpiper 1 (24 Jan), 36 (29 Jan), 8 (5 Feb), 43 (8 Feb)

This small pond is surrounded by thick mangrove stands, with the beach to the north and dense buttonwood scrub to the south. The west end is a bank of old fishing pots, through which the vegetation has grown and formed a barrier. The pond is shallow, with emergent vegetation along the southern shore. Viewing is possible only from the west end, accessed by a track north of the dirt track into West End village. On the west side of the track is a shallow pool, flushed occasionally from the sea, and with a large area of young mangrove emerging (it is presumed that storms destroyed the mangroves in this pool, since it is listed in ‘The Wetlands Guide’ as being a good area for herons and egrets), but no birds were seen during the visits.

Species Numbers counted (date) – peak count in bold
cattle egret 1 (5 Feb)
yellow crowned night heron 1 (31 Jan, 8 Feb), 2 (5 Feb)
white cheeked pintail 2 (31 Jan, 2, 8 Feb), 1 (5 Feb)
American kestrel 2 (2 Feb)
black necked stilt 1 (31 Jan)
lesser yellowlegs 7 (2 Feb), 1 (8 Feb)
spotted sandpiper 1 (31 Jan), 2 (8 Feb)
stilt sandpiper 11 (2 Feb)
bananaquit family party with recently fledged juveniles (2 Feb)

Systematic list

Pied-billed grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Two, Grey Pond (21 Jan); two, Road Bay Salt Pond (27 Jan); two, Gull Pond (regularly); one, Merrywing Pond (24 Jan).

Red-billed tropicbird Phaethon aethereus
Regularly seen around cliffs in Little Bay (7 max, 24 Jan) and west of Katouche (11 max, 24 Jan, but none there on 4 Feb). Also, 7-15 birds flying south into strong headwind off Snake Point (25 Jan) and singles seen off Island Harbour and Sandy Cay. Three confirmed nesting almost at sea level, Dog Island (6 Feb) and two on Prickly Pear East (10 Feb).

Masked Booby Sula dactylactra
Twenty occupied nests on Sombrero, including three with well-grown, downy chicks (1 Feb); ten occupied nests on Dog Island (6 Feb).

Brown Booby Sula leucogaster
c.400 apparently occupied nests on Dog Island, with an average clutch of 1.85 eggs per nest (6 Feb); c.300 apparently occupied nests on Sombrero, with an average clutch size of 1.8 eggs per nest (1 Feb). Seen frequently from northwest coast of mainland, e.g. one from Little Bay (22 Jan); two in Crocus Bay (24 Jan); two feeding off the north side of West End Point (29 Jan); two roosting on the harbour light at Blowing Point (30 Jan).

Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Common in small numbers (usually 2-3; max 5-6) around all coasts. Occasionally fish in the ponds (noted at Road Bay Salt Pond regularly, and once each at Little Harbour Ponds and Gull Pond.

Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens
300 birds at west end of Dog Island: 10% breeding males, 25% other males, 20% fledged immatures, 5% unfledged juveniles, 40% females (6 Feb): estimated to be c. 70 pairs. 30 perched on west side of Sombrero, including four juveniles (1 Feb), but no evidence of breeding. Seen regularly from mainland: e.g. five on thermals west of Little Bay (3 Feb); two, Katouche Bay (4 Feb); female, Cove Bay (21 Jan); pair, Snake Point (25 Jan); female over Junk’s Hole Pond (26 Jan); female, high over West End Point (29 Jan); ten circling over Sandy Ground bay (1 Feb); female low northwest over Caul’s Pond (1 Feb).

Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
Two at Little Harbour Ponds (3 Feb); singles at Badcox Pond, Road Bay Salt Pond, Forest Bay Ponds, Mead’s Bay Pond, Blowing Point Pond and Caul’s Pond.

Great Egret Ardea alba
Three at Forest Bay Pond (3 Feb); two at Caul’s Pond (regularly), East End Pond (20 Jan) and Blowing Point pond (30 Jan); singles at Little Harbour Ponds (21 & 24 Jan, 3 & 6 Feb), Road Bay Salt Pond (21, 22 & 27 Jan), Cove Bay Pond (31 Jan) and Gull Pond (Cap Juluca) (2 & 5 Feb).

Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Singles seen around most ponds and occasionally on beaches. Five roosts identified on the island: Road Bay Salt Pond: max 29 (22 Jan); Forest Pond (south): max 48 (29 Jan); Caul’s Pond (northeast corner): max 17 (1 Feb); Gull Pond: max 13 (8 Feb); and Little Harbour Ponds: max 11 (6 Feb).

Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
One seen regularly at Little Harbour Ponds.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Roosts regularly at Road Bay salt pond, (though numbers vary: min.4, 22 Jan; max.33, 27 Jan) and at Caul’s Pond (10, 1 Feb). One at Long Pond (west end) on 5 Feb. With cattle: three, South Hill Plaza (29 Jan); singles alongside road to Blowing Point and to Rendezvous Bay Hotel (26 Jan).

Green heron Butorides virescens
Two at Mead’s Bay Pond (20 Jan), at Gull Pond (5 Feb) and probably two at Little Harbour Pond (6 Feb); singles at Caul’s Pond (18 Jan), East End Pond (20 & 28 Jan), Badcox Pond (20 & 27 Jan) and Road Bay Salt Pond (21 & 27 Jan).

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea
Adult and immature at West End By-the-Sea Pond (5 Feb); adult at Little Harbour Ponds (3 Feb); immature at Badcox Pond (20 Jan). An adult on the beach at Mead’s Bay was reliably reported by two American tourists (29 Jan).

Green-winged Teal Anas crecca
Seven, Little Harbour Pond (23 Jan); male, Badcox Pond (27 Jan).

White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis
Location Number of adults Brood sizes Max count date
Grey Pond 56 10, 9, 8 28 Jan
Badcox Pond 26 15, 9, 6, 5, 4 9 Feb
Road Bay Pond 20 - 21 Jan
Stoney Bay Pond, Dog Island 19 - 16 Feb
Caul’s Pond 18 7, 2 1 Feb
Gull Pond 13 - 5 Feb
Mead’s Bay Pond 12 - 23 Jan
Little Harbour Pond 12 - 27 Jan
East End Pond 11 14, 9, 3 28 Jan
Forest Bay Ponds 10 10 29 Jan
Rendezvous Bay Pond 5 - 8 Feb
Long Pond 5 - 30 Jan
West End Ponds 5 - 5, 8 Feb
Black Garden Pond 4 - 18 Jan
Mimi Bay Pond 3 - 31 Jan
Long Bay Pond 3 - 5 Feb
Katouche Pond 2 - 24 Jan
Junk’s Hole Pond 2 - 26 Jan
West End By-the-Sea Ponds 2 - throughout
Blowing Point Pond 2 - 3 Feb

Northern Pintail Anas acuta
Two pairs, Grey Pond (until 28 January at least); presumed same, Caul’s Pond (7 Feb).

Blue winged Teal Anas discors
Maximum counts.
Mimi Bay Pond: 143 (7 Feb)
Badcox Pond: 52 (20 Jan)
Little Harbour Ponds: 50 (6 Feb)
Grey Pond: 35 (21 Jan)
Stoney Bay Pond, Dog Island: 26 (6 Feb).
Forest Bay Ponds: 8 (23 Jan)
West End Salt Pond: 4 (24 Jan, 8 Feb)
Long Bay Pond (west end): 4 (5 Feb)
Road Bay Salt Pond: 4 (27 Jan)
Caul’s Pond: 4 (31 Jan)
East End Pond: 3 (20 Jan)

American Wigeon Anas americana
Flock of 18, Caul’s Pond (31 Jan, 7 Feb).

Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris
One pair at Caul’s Pond (7 Feb).

Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis
22, Caul’s Pond (7 Feb); three, Road Bay Salt Pond (27 Jan-5 Feb).

Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus
Two females, Road Bay Salt Pond (27 Jan-5 Feb).

Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis
Three pairs (inc. one male displaying), Caul’s Pond (1 Feb); one male, Grey Pond (7 Feb).

Osprey Pandion haliaetus
One drifting southwest from Snake Point (25 Jan); one perched at edge of Little Harbour Ponds before flying east (27 Jan); one flying north towards Sandy Ground (2 Feb); one reported over Sandy Ground, 29 Jan.

American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Seen frequently around Anguilla, usually perched on telegraph wires. Estimated 16 pairs, though there may be more (singles or pairs were seen at 9 sites west of Lower South Hill).

Merlin Falco columbarius
Two females, Caul’s Pond (31 Jan); one seen at same site (1 Feb); female hunting over East End Pond (4 Feb); one over Badcox Pond (9 Feb).

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
One flying south over Crocus Hill (22 Jan) (one has been hunting over Road Bay Salt Pond throughout the winter). Adult male, Sombrero (1 Feb).

Sora Porzana carolina
Singles at East End Pond (20 Jan), Road Bay Salt Pond (21 & 30 Jan), Badcox Pond (20 Jan) and Prickly Pear Pond (10 Feb).

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Maximum counts. East End Pond: 10 (20 Jan) including 2 young (4 Feb), Road Bay Salt Pond: 4 (21 & 30 Jan, 5 Feb), Little Harbour Ponds: 4 (23 Jan & 6 Feb) carrying nest material (3 Feb), Caul’s Pond: 2 (18 Jan), Badcox Pond: 2 (20 Jan, 9 Feb).

American Coot Fulica americana
Maximum counts. Caul’s Pond: 9 (31 Jan), East End Pond: 2 (regularly), Little Harbour Ponds: 1 (regularly), Forest Bay Ponds: 1 (regularly).

Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Maximum counts. Long Pond: 62 (26 Jan), Blowing Point harbour groynes: 43 (30 Jan), Blowing Point Pond: 8 (3 Feb), East End Pond: 5 (4 Feb), Road Bay Salt Pond: 2 (27 Jan).

Snowy Plover Charadrius alexandrinus
Seen only at Long Pond (seaward end): max. four (4 Feb).

Wilson’s Plover Charadrius wilsonia
Seen only at Long Pond (seaward end): 22 (26 Jan) and Rendezvous Bay Pond: 1 (8 Feb).

Semi-palmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus
Seen regularly at Long Pond (seaward end): max. 35 (30 Jan); and on the south shore of Road Bay Pond: max 12 (27 Jan). Also, 14 on Stoney Bay Pond, Dog Island (6 Feb), eight at Blowing Point Pond (3 Feb), three on groynes at Blowing Point (dusk, 30 Jan), three at Badcox Pond (4 Feb).

Killdeer Charadrius vociferus
Maximum counts. East End Pond: 12 (20 Jan), Badcox Pond: 4 (4 Feb), Forest Bay Ponds: 1 (23 Jan), Mead’s Bay Pond: 1 (23 Jan), Long Pond: 1 (26 Jan), Grey’s Pond: 1 (26 & 28 Jan) and Junk’s Hole Pond: 1 (2 Feb).

American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus
Three on groynes, Blowing Point Harbour (25 Jan); two, Dog Island (6 Feb); one, Black Garden Bay (28 Jan); one, Sandy Ground (1 Feb); one, Katouche Bay (4 Feb).

Black-necked stilt Himantopus mexicanus
Maximum counts. Gull Pond: 87 (31 Jan), Forest Bay Ponds: 84 (29 Jan), Mimi’s Bay Pond: 82 (20 Jan), Road Bay Salt Pond: 40 (30 Jan), Badcox Pond: 34 (20 Jan), Little Harbour Ponds: 18 (21 Jan), East End Pond: 9 (18 Jan), Mead’s Bay Pond: 2 (20 Jan), West End By-the-Sea Ponds: 1 (31 Jan), Caul’s Pond: 1 (18 Jan).

Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
Maximum counts. West End Salt Pond: 9 (24 Jan), Mead’s Bay Pond: 6 (5 Feb), East End Pond: 5 (20 Jan), Blowing Point Pond: 5 (25 Jan), Grey Pond: 3 (28 Jan), Gull Pond: 3 (31 Jan & 2 Feb), Long Pond (seaward end): 3 (31 Jan), Badcox Pond: 2 (20 Jan), Junk’s Hole Pond: 2 (26 Jan).

Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
Maximum counts.
Grey Pond: 75 (21 Jan)
Road Bay Salt Pond: 40 (21 Jan)
West End Ponds: 34 (5 Feb)
Blowing Point Pond: 33 (30 Jan)
Gull Pond: 30 (2 Feb)
Badcox Pond: 12 (9 Feb)
Long Pond (seaward end): 13 (4 Feb)
Mead’s Bay Pond: 11 (20 Jan)
Junk’s Hole Pond: 11 (26 Jan)
Prickly Pear Pond: 11 (10 Feb)
Long Pond (west end): 9 (26 Jan)
East End Pond: 7 (20 Jan, 4 Feb)
West End By-the-Sea Ponds: 7 (2 Feb).
Forest Bay Ponds: 6 (29 Jan)
Rendezvous Bay Salt Pond: 3 (26 Jan)
Little Harbour Ponds: 2-3 (21 Jan)
Merrywing Pond: 1 (24 Jan)

Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
Maximum counts. Four at Blowing Point Pond; three at Rendezvous Bay Salt Pond; two at East End Pond, Mead’s Bay Pond, Grey Pond, Little Harbour Ponds, Road Bay Salt Pond, Badcox Pond, Long Pond (seaward end), West End By-the-Sea Ponds; singles at Caul’s Pond, Black Garden Pond, Merrywing Pond, Junk’s Hole Pond, Forest Bay Pond and Gull Pond (Firefly Lane). Also occurs on coast, e.g. Little Bay (1).

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Two, East End Pond (20 Jan); one each at Little Harbour Pond (21 Jan, 3 Feb) and Blowing Point Pond (25 Jan, 3 & 6 Feb).

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Maximum counts. West End Pond: 24 (2, 8 Feb), Blowing Point Pond: 18 (3 Feb), Grey Pond/beach: 16 (21 Jan), Prickly Pear East Pond: 14 (11 Feb), Prickly Pear Pond: 14 (10 Feb), Shoal Bay: 12 (20 Jan), Dog Island: 9 (6 Feb), East End Pond: 8 (20 Jan), Road Bay Salt Pond: 7 (21 Jan), Long Pond (seaward end): 7 (4 Feb), Blowing Point Harbour: 6 (30 Jan), Sombrero: 6 (1 Feb), Cove Bay jetty: 4 (31 Jan), Junk’s Hole Pond: 3 (26 Jan), Rendezvous Bay Pond: 3 (26 Jan), Merrywing Pond: 2 (24 Jan), Island Harbour: 2 (18 Jan), Gull Pond: 2 (8 Feb).

Red Knot Calidris canutus
One, Long Pond (seaward end), 30 January.

Sanderling Calidris alba
Maximum counts. West End Pond: 20 (8 Feb), Road Bay Salt Pond: 7 (27 Jan), Grey’s Pond: 5-6 (21 & 28 Jan), Stoney Bay Pond, Dog Island: 5 (6 Feb), Island Harbour: 3 (28 Jan), Blowing Point Pond: 3 (24 Jan), Long Pond (seaward end): 2 (31 Jan, 4 Feb).

Semi-palmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla
Maximum counts. West End Salt Pond: 21 (8 Feb), Long Pond (seaward end): 20 (30 Jan), Blowing Point Pond: 3 (3 Feb), Grey Pond: 1 (28 Jan), Road Bay Salt Pond: 1 (5 Feb).

Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla
Maximum counts. Long Pond (seaward end): 132 (4 Feb), Blowing Point Pond: 50 (3 Feb), Stoney Bay Pond, Dog Island: 18 (6 Feb), Road Bay Salt Pond: 13 (22 Jan), Prickly Pear Pond: 3 (10 Feb), West End Salt Pond: 1 (8 Feb).

White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis
Maximum counts. Blowing Point Pond: 25 (3 Feb), Long Pond (seaward end): 7 (26 Jan), Road Bay Salt Pond: 5 (30 Jan); West End Salt Pond: 3 (24 Jan).

Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus
Maximum counts. Blowing Point Pond: 372 (6 Feb), Long Pond (seaward end): 160 (31 Jan), West End Salt Pond: 43 (8 Feb), Grey Pond: 30 (28 Jan), Gull Pond: 14 (31 Jan), West End By-the-Sea Ponds: 11 (2 Feb), Junk’s Hole Pond: 1 (26 Jan),.

Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus
Ten, Blowing Point Pond (3 Feb); four, Gull Pond (Firefly Lane) (2 Feb); two, Long Pond (seaward end) (30 Jan); one, Little Harbour Ponds (24 Jan).

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago
Maximum counts. Little Harbour Ponds: 4 (21 Jan), Caul’s Pond: 1 (18 Jan), Grey Pond: 1 (28 Jan).

Laughing Gull Larus atricilla
One, Badcox Pond (15 Jan)

Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis
One immature south over Dog Island (6 Feb).

Royal Tern Sterna maxima
Present in small numbers, particularly off southern coast: 11 roosting, Blowing Point harbour (30 Jan); singles at Cove Bay (21, 24 & 31 Jan), Rendezvous Bay (26 Jan), Island Harbour (28 Jan) and West End Point (29 Jan).

Zenaida Dove Zenaida aurita
Common throughout Anguilla, especially around human settlements.

Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
Scarce, but occurs locally in scrub throughout island - Shoal Bay to Brimigen would appear to hold the greatest concentration.

Mangrove Cuckoo Coccyzus minor
Seen at Cap Juluca nature trail (2 Feb), Blowing Point Pond (3 Feb) and Little Harbour Ponds (possibly two, 3 Feb). Also four heard around Black Garden Pond (11 Feb) and Caul’s Pond (31 Jan).

Green-throated Carib Eulampis holosericeus
One in scrub above Little Bay (22 Jan), but individuals reported in gardens in centre and east of island.

Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon
Blowing Point Pond, Road Bay Salt Pond and Mead’s Bay Pond were the only sites where two were seen together. Singles seen at Caul’s Pond, Little Harbour Ponds, Forest Bay Ponds, Black Garden Bay, Sandy Ground bay and Little Bay. Also seen at several inland locations, perched on roadside telegraph wires.

Caribbean Elaenia Elaenia martinica
Scarce, but occurs locally in scrub throughout island - Shoal Bay to Little Bay would appear to hold the greatest concentration. Also several on Prickly Pear East.

Gray Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis
Seen frequently around Anguilla, usually perched on telegraph wires. Observed singles or pairs at 22 sites over four weeks. The most seen at one place was four at Low Ground (inland from Little Bay) on 25 January.

Bank Swallow Riparia riparia
Two over Badcox Pond (15 January).

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
14 on east side of East End village (18 Jan); seen on several occasions over Blowing Point Pond, max. 40 at dusk (25 Jan).

Pearly-eyed Thrasher Margarops fuscatus
Locally common throughout Anguilla, in scrub and trees around human settlements. The north and west of the island appears to contain the highest numbers.

Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia
Few seen or heard during this trip, even though the species is generally vocal. Scrub in northwest part of Anguilla and on Prickly Pear East contained almost all of the records.

Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
The commonest passerine on the island. Found (albeit at low densities) in every part of the island (including a pair using the plants inside the Serenity restaurant at Shoal Bay!).

Black-faced Grassquit Tiaris bicolor
The second-commonest passerine on the island. Found at low densities in all parts of the island, especially where there is a mixture of scrub and open ground. Also, the only passerine noted on Dog Island: 12 (6 Feb).

Lesser Antillean Bullfinch Loxigilla noctis
Difficult to confirm at some sites owing to its mobility. The best area was scrub around Black Garden Bay. Outside this area, numbers were very low, though a very confiding bird landed on the wing mirror at Cap Juluca!

Julian Hughes
23 Edward Road, Eynesbury, St Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 2QF, UK.

e-mail: julian.hughes@ntlworld.com

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