Eco-Travel
Birding
Birdwatching is a favorite activity on Cayman Brac. Several sites are popular for sighting some of the island's most sought-after species:
Saltwater Pond on the southwest coast, best known as the home of the West Indian whistling duck; and the Parrot Reserve, located on the Bluff. This 180-acre preserve is home to many of the endangered Cayman Brac parrot. Only 400 of the birds remain in the wild on this island. The best time to spot the emerald green parrot is July through September. They're often spotted on top of the Bluff, as well as around Stake Bay.
During the winter months, birders can look for peregrine falcons. Other top birding times are the spring and winter migrations, in February and March, and November and December. Birders are challenged by about 120 species, including the brown booby, Vitelline warbler, and the white-tailed tropicbird.
The Parrot Reserve is also a good destination for those interested in the flora and fauna of the island. Thirty-eight plant species can be seen here; a two-mile trail is open for self-guided hikes. Look for candlewood, mastic, wild banana orchid plants, and other exotic species along the trail.
EARTH WATCH: To learn more about Cayman Brac's ecology and to assist in preservation efforts, consider becoming a member of the National Trust's Cayman Brac District Committee. For information, contact Wallace Platts at
(345) 948-2390.
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