SAINT LUCIA
Does it get any better than birding in the Caribbean? With a variety of habitats, you’re guaranteed sun, sea and sensational wildlife!
Does it get any better than birding in the Caribbean? Guaranteed sun, sea and sensational wildlife!
Saint Lucia: white sandy beaches, dense emerald rainforest and world-class resorts. But the island, measuring just 14 miles wide by 27 miles long, is much more than the sum of Caribbean clichés. Dramatic volcanic peaks like the twin Pitons, perched precariously on the west coast, rise sharply out of the ocean, while coves with gently sloping beaches alternate with small, brightly-coloured fishing villages. Saint Lucians are proud of their island’s history: from the mid 17th to mid 18th centuries, sovereignty of the island changed hands 14 times between the British and the French.
The British eventually won, but reminders of the French influence are evident in all aspects of life, particularly in place names: Soufrière, Marigot Bay, Vieux Fort. And Pigeon Island, connected to the mainland by a causeway since 1972, is a significant archaeological site, with ruins of a naval outpost, now protected by the St Lucia National Trust. The vibrant blend of French, British, Carib and African cultures blend seamlessly into day to day life in the island’s larger towns of Castries and Rodney Bay, where there is a wide range of accommodation and restaurants suitable for all budgets. Natural attractions abound on Saint Lucia, with miles of rainforest trails to follow, if you want to track down species such as Red-rumped Agouti (a rodent) or endemics such as the threatened Saint Lucia Amazon (a parrot) and the critically endangered Saint Lucia Whiptail (a lizard).
Scrub forest
The north-east coast covers about 10,660 acres and stretches from the Dennery Knob westward to Mardi Gras, just outside the periphery of the Forest Reserve. It then follows a north-eastern direction along the Forest Reserve Boundary to Grand Anse. This area occupies a considerable portion within the tropical dry forest life zone of Saint Lucia and is largely covered by scrub forest characterized by short canopy and many small trees. The main land uses include nature conservation and research, agriculture and pasture. The area is very rich in biological diversity and to a major extent is still undeveloped, remaining under secondary forest cover.
The habitat supports numerous species, with a high occurrence of endemism. Species of national importance include Lesser Antillean Pewee, Lesser Antillean Flycatcher, House Wren, White-breasted Thrasher, Saint Lucia Oriole, Saint Lucia Warbler and Saint Lucia Black Finch. All are in decline and require urgent attention.
This area is the last stronghold of Rufous Nightjar. Other species include
Scaly-naped Pigeon, Common Grounddove, Ruddy Quail-dove, Zenaida Dove, Mangrove Cuckoo, Purple-throated Carib, Antillean Crested Hummingbird, Royal Tern, Cattle Egret, Green Heron, Broad-winged Hawk, American Kestrel, Caribbean Elaenia, Grey Kingbird, Blackwhiskered Vireo, Spectacled Thrush, Scaly-breasted Thrasher, Brown and Grey Tremblers, Antillean Euphonia, Carib Grackle, Bananaquit, Black-faced Grassquit, Lesser Antillean Bullfinch and Lesser Antillean Saltator. A pond at Grande Anse is the only place where Masked Ducks have been recorded breeding. Many migrant water birds and warblers have been recorded in the area. Potentially, it may also serve as a nesting place for marine species such as the Red-billed Tropicbird, that has been recorded nesting along cliffs in other parts of Saint Lucia.
Furthermore, several waders have been recorded foraging along the beach areas. Reptiles found include Green, Hawksbill and Leatherback Turtles, as well as the Saint Lucian race of Green Iguana, the endemic subspecies of Boa Constrictor and Saint Lucia Lancehead. The Grand Anse beach is presently the most important nesting ground for the turtles, while the adjacent Louvet beach is an important nesting site for Green Iguana. Mammals include Red-rumped Agouti (naturalised) and Common Opossum.
Important flora includes Tabebuia pallida, Guerttarda scabra and Coccothrinax barbadensis, which appear to be overexploited within the area.
The Mandele Dry Forest is located on the eastern part of Saint Lucia, encompassed by Ravine Pascal to the north, Ravine Bourge to the south and on the north-west by the Dennery Water Works Forest Reserve. It is about 2,040 acres and has much to offer in terms of wildlife and its significance cannot be overestimated particularly with its association with endemic species.
In addition to the White-breasted Thrasher, other important species include Bridled Quaildove, Purple-throated and Green-throated Caribs, Antillean Crested Hummingbird, Royal Tern, Caribbean Elaenia, Lesser Antillean Peewee, Lesser Antillean Flycatcher, Scaly-breasted and Pearlyeyed Thrashers, Grey Trembler, Antillean Euphonia, Saint Lucia Oriole, Saint Lucia Black Finch and possibly Rufous Nightjar.
At certain times of the year, Saint Lucia Amazon forage at this site, too, mainly in the upper elevations. Furthermore, migratory birds nest and roost in different locations in the area including Magnificent Frigatebird. Red-rumped Agouti is found in the area, as are Boa Constrictor and Saint Lucia Lancehead. Among plants, the area is a critical site for the endangered Latanier Palm.
The Government Forest Reserve comprises 18,013 acres of tropical moist forest that straddle the central mountain massif running from north to south of the island. The reserve is divided into five ranges for management purposes – Northern, Dennery, Millet, Soufrière and Quilesse – and there are no human settlements within it. The area is wholly forested with high canopy forest sustaining a myriad of species.
Key birds include Saint Lucia Amazon, Lesser Antillean Pewee, Lesser Antillean Flycatcher, Saint Lucia Oriole, Semper’s (possibly extinct) and Saint Lucia Warblers, as well as Saint Lucia Black Finch. Other species include Scaly-naped Pigeon, Common Ground Dove, Ruddy and Bridled Quail-doves, Zenaida Dove, Mangrove Cuckoo, Lesser Antillean Swift, Purplethroated and Green-throated Caribs,
Antillean Crested Hummingbird, Green Heron, Broad-winged Hawk, American Kestrel, Caribbean Elaenia, Grey Kingbird, Black-whiskered Vireo, Rufous-throated Solitaire, Spectacled and Forest Thrushes, Scaly-breasted and Pearly-eyed Thrashers, Brown and Grey Tremblers, Antillean Euphonia, Carib Grackle, Bananaquit, Black-faced Grassquit, Lesser Antillean Bullfinch and Lesser Antillean Saltator.
This IBA is important for many migrants including warblers. Other endemics include Little-scaled Least Gecko, Saint Lucia Anole, Boa Constrictor and Saint Lucia Lancehead. Mammals include Redrumped Agouti, as well as Jamaican Fruit, Antillean Fruit-eating, Insular Single Leaf and Tree Bats (last three are regional endemics). Endemic flora includes Acalypha elizabethae, Bernardia laurentii, Beilschmieda pendula, Chrysochlamys caribaea, Daphnopsis macrocarpa, Miconia luciana, Miconia secunda, Siparuna sanctae-luciae and Lobelia sanctae luciae.
The Pitons, located on the southwest coast of Saint Lucia near the coastal town of Soufrière, provide an area of outstanding natural beauty, spectacular geological features and highly productive biological ecosystems. The Pitons Management Area is a World Heritage Site comprising of two majestic volcanic spires that rise from the sea to 777 metres and 730 metres respectively.
The Gros Piton and Petit Piton are volcanic plugs that are part of Saint Lucia’s national and international identity. The area comprises 3,580 acres. Key species include Lesser Antillean Pewee, Lesser Antillean Flycatcher, House Wren, Saint Lucia Oriole, Saint Lucia Warbler and Saint Lucia Black Finch.
Other species include those of the northeast coast. Other species include Littlescaled Least Gecko, Saint Lucia Anole, Boa Constrictor and Saint Lucia Lancehead, as well as a newly described mollusc. The Pitons also have a very high floral diversity, including many endemics to Saint Lucia.
Point Sables is approximately 1,912 acres in size and located along the south to south-east coast. Terrestrially, it comprises a narrow coastal strip and the Moule à Chique peninsula. The terrain is low to undulating, with the highest point being at Moule à Chique (223 metres) at the southern tip of Saint Lucia.
The marine area is proportionately larger, consisting of long sandy beaches, the Savannes Bay and Mankòtè Mangroves, Scorpion Island, the Maria Islands, as well as several coral reefs and nearshore islands. The vegetation is varied with a predominance of tropical dry forest.
The area also includes several historical sites, including old forts, a lighthouse and a World War II radar tracking station. At least 32 species have been recorded here. Several residents include Royal Tern and Red-billed Tropicbird, as well as one endemic – Saint Lucia Black Finch. Several were also recorded nesting among the mangroves and other ground vegetation, including Sooty, Bridled and Roseate Terns, as well as Green and Yellowcrowned Night Herons.
Many migrants have also been recorded, such as ducks, waders, herons, egrets, kingfishers and warblers. The extreme northern end encompasses a swamp, occupying an area of approximately six acres, that is almost always flooded with water of slightly brackish nature partially fed by the ocean tides.