Travel Guide 2021

BIRD THE WORLD ADVERTORIAL
Take your birdwatching
off-road!
Visitors enjoy a tour in
Andros’ dense woodlands
Case study 2: Bahama Warbler
By tracking Bahama warblers, local
conservationists and bird
enthusiasts alike can learn more
about their recovery
ELIJAH SANDS
TAMBOURINE AND BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISIM
FOUND
For birds and birdwatchers alike, The Bahamas
are unique, and conservation efforts mean
things keep getting better
Pristine white sand beaches,
crystal-clear seas, palm trees
waving in a gentle breeze –
you probably already have your
own idea of The Bahamas as
an island paradise.
What you may not have known before
now is that this archipelago off the
south-eastern corner of North America is a
paradise for birds, and for birdwatchers too.
It boasts an impressively high level of
biodiversity, with the official bird list total
The wild flamingos of Inagua
coming to 380 species, including seven
endemics.
The islands’ position on a major
migration flyway means that surprises are
there to be discovered whenever you visit,
and there are 39 Important Bird Areas
(IBAs), more than 10 per cent of the
total for the whole of the Caribbean.
Like anywhere else, its wildlife has
faced threats and problems, but ongoing
conservation efforts are ensuring the
islands’ preservation as a paradise for
THE BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM & AVIATION
birds and birders.
These efforts are led by organisations
such as the Bahamas National Trust (BNT),
who have set up programmes that aim to
conserve both birds and vital habitats.
But it isn’t merely a case of NGOs
carrying out their own schemes. By
training islanders as bird guides, with the
help of the Audubon Society, in partnership
with the Bahamas National Trust and the
Inter-American Development Bank, many
of the islands’ communities are now being
Case study 1: Abaco Parrot
When Christopher Columbus made landfall
on The Bahamas in 1492, he is said to have
noted that “flocks of parrots darken the
sun”, but numbers declined drastically over
the centuries.
By 1986, it was decided to create
a national park in Abaco, to protect the
remaining 1,500 or so Abaco Parrots,
but alongside that The Bahama Parrot
Conservation Committee launched a
major effort to engage locals with the
made stakeholders in both the conservation
efforts, and their own development.
This means a huge step forward for the
protection and promotion of biodiversity
in The Bahamas, creating a virtuous circle
– local communities value the biodiversity,
and help promote it to visitors, visitors
bring new money into the communities
and conservation projects, and everyone
benefits.
Two case studies illustrate the scale
of the work that has been done.
So, The Bahamas offer a truly unique
experience. With 16 major islands, boasting
habitats that range from the dense Andros
woodlands to the rolling salt flats of Great
Inagua, it’s an unmatched destination for
birdwatching.
A sample itinerary illustrated here
conservation programme – 8,000 Bahama
Parrot Posters were distributed, 27,750
schoolchildren learned about the importance
of the species, and 6,000 people pledged
support for the conservation effort. By 1994,
the national park was a reality.
The number of parrots rose to 8,900 in
2009, and although Hurricane Dorian had an
impact, this species may have survived it better
than most, because uniquely among parrots,
they nest on the ground.
On tour with a local
birding guide
(bit.ly/3hMmHnn) shows how to make the
most of your Bahamas birding experience,
taking in all the key habitats, from dense
coppice to sandy shores.
There are now eight non-stop flights to
Nassau from London Heathrow per week,
The symbol of a resilient
Bahamas, Bahama Parrot
numbers are slowly increasing
ELIJAH SANDS
THE BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM & AVIATION
THE BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM & AVIATION
The endemic Bahama Warbler was recently
listed as endangered – for nearly two years,
nobody had seen one in Grand Bahama,
one of two islands the species is endemic to.
It had seemingly disappeared in the wake
of the devastating Hurricane Dorian in
2019, and in 2020, the BNT began
banding Bahama Warblers on Abaco to
track their movements and inform
conservation efforts.
The BNT conducted comprehensive
surveys on both Abaco and Grand
Bahama Island, and launched the
Empowering Communities for
Conservation programme to engage
Abaco residents for conservation efforts.
And so, hope remains for the Bahama
Warbler, not least because previous
conservation efforts have succeeded.
Research published earlier this year showed
that there are 10 times as many Bahama
Orioles as previously thought, meaning the
future is brighter for that particular species.
Thanks to the work done with the species,
future conservation efforts can be targeted
more effectively.
with British Airways flying six of them
starting from 2nd November, and Virgin
Atlantic starting two per week from 20th
November.
There’s never been a better time to step
out of the cold and rain and discover the
warm, sunny embrace of The Islands of
The Bahamas. Visit our website or give us
a call to discuss what’s on, what’s new,
and what’s there to look forward to in
paradise. Welcome to your next tropical
getaway. Welcome to The Islands of The
Bahamas.
More info:
l https://www.bahamas.com/plan-yourtrip/ecotourism
l https://bnt.bs/
BW
14 Bird the World 2021
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