Birding n THE BAHAMAS
Conservation and research are at the forefront in this bird-diverse country
The Bahamas is one of the most bird diverse countries in The Caribbean with over 330 species of birds recorded, with at least half a dozen species found nowhere else in the world! Also, it has six types of ecosystems – wetlands, coppice forests, rocky shores, pine woodlands, sandy shores, and scrublands.
The Bahamas National Trust
The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) manages the national park system of The Bahamas, which currently consists of 32 national parks and protects both marine and terrestrial environments. The BNT encourages Bahamians and visitors in an appreciation and protection of the environment that is key to the Bahamian way of life – its tourism, fisheries, food and ground water supply all depend on it.
In the late 1950s the endeavours of two groups of conservationists inspired the government of The Bahamas to establish the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park in 1958 – the first park like it in the world – then to create the BNT the following year in 1959.
The BNT has contributed significantly to the well-being of wildlife in The Bahamas and some of their success stories include the rebound of the Caribbean Flamingo population from about 5,000 to more than 60,000 individuals with the establishment and management of the Inagua National Park, which was designated by the government in 1965, and the creation of the Abaco National Park to protect the breeding and foraging habitat of The Abacos population of the Bahama Parrot. Also, due to effective invasive species management in Abaco National Park, the Abaco Parrot population went up nearly 60% from 2008-2018 and to 8,832 birds in 2019.
The BNT has strong partnerships with the National Audubon Society, American Bird Conservancy, Birdlife International and Birds Caribbean, to name just a few organisations. The Bahamas continues to push forward with wildlife and bird conservation and research in The Bahamas.
It is assisting in research work with the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) studying the biology and ecology of the critically endangered Bahama Oriole, assisting the National Audubon Society research on the threatened and endangered Piping Plover, a migratory shorebird. Working also with the American Bird Conservancy on the post-Hurricane Dorian assessments of The Abacos and Freeport, Grand Bahama Island and Kirtland’s Warbler research on Eleuthera.
The BNT has also assisted and led bird guide trainings across The Bahamas with partners Ministry of Tourism and
Aviation, Inter-American Development Bank and National Audubon Society. Visitors are encouraged to use one of the certified Birding Guides listed on the Bahamas Ministry Of Tourism and Aviation’s website to help them explore some of the best birding spots throughout The Islands Of The Bahamas.
Many of the bird species are found throughout the archipelago while some, such as the Bahamas Oriole and Inagua Woodstar, are found on only one or two islands. The Northern Islands (The Abacos and Grand Bahama Island) have the highest bird diversity.
Scott Johnson, Science Officer for The Bahamas National Trust comments, “In fact, very recently a Black-billed Cuckoo was on Nassau (New Providence) and Wilson’s Phalarope was spotted by some of our seasoned birders on Grand Bahama Island in late August 2020. As the migration season continues there will be more opportunities to see some interesting species this year.”
Bahamas Birding Itinerary
The Bahamas has received great assistance from agencies such as the National Audubon Society. This non-profit environmental organisation has aided in the development of interesting itineraries that visit some of the key spots for birding in The Bahamas. The itineraries feature an excellent representation of The Bahamas’ birdlife including all the endemics, and some of the regional resident and migratory bird species, on Nassau, (the capital), The Abacos, Grand Bahama Island and Inagua. In addition, birders can visit other islands such as Long Island and San Salvador which offer varying birding experiences that can include a stop at the world’s second deepest blue hole or exploration of an island with five national parks most accessible from land, with many archaeological finds from the Lucayan Indian period. Each of the islands offer visitors opportunities to enjoy unique features and local hospitality through photography, swimming, or snorkelling, especially during afternoons when birding is quiet. Sample an itinerary at bit.ly/3hMmHnn
Programmes such as Birding Adventures Television, broadcast in the US and available on its social media channels such as YouTube, plus exhibitions such as the Birdfair at Rutland Water bahamas.com/ birdfair, have helped to generate a greater awareness of all the islands have to offer.
Visit the islands and immerse yourself in Bahamian culture, the environment, and our amazing birds. British Airways flies nonstop to Nassau, and numerous flights connect with the islands via North American hubs. Discover a world of possibilities from major resorts to awardwinning boutique hotels and lodges, the full-on fun of Nassau & Paradise Island to the peaceful pace of the Out Islands, all possible within a short hop by boat excursion, ferry or plane.