Every May and October of every year, hundreds of thousands of people in the Western Hemisphere celebrate International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD). IMBD exists to focus attention on the long journey that nearly 350 species of birds make twice a year as they move between their nesting habitats in North America and the non-breeding grounds of South and Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The day also serves as an opportunity to celebrate all the species of birds whose annual movements enliven Anguilla’s lands, waters, and skies. These birds are among some of the most beautiful, observable, and remarkable wildlife that share our island. They are also an important economic resource, controlling insect pests and generating billions in recreational dollars worldwide.

To celebrate IMBD in Anguilla, the Anguilla National Trust is inviting members of the public to participate in a bird watching activity at Long Salt Pond. Long Salt Pond is a 50 acre pond that is lined by mostly buttonwood and black mangroves. It is used by sandpipers, plovers, stilts, terns, and many other birds as their feeding and/or nesting grounds. During last month’s bird counts, more birds were counted at Long Salt Pond than any other pond on the island (almost 800 birds and 14 different species). This pond was also once used for salt production and, more recently, as a site for an unsuccessful shrimp farming experiment. The rock walls that are the artefacts of these past initiatives now serve as popular perches for wetland and sea birds.

Interested persons can meet at the ANT office (with their binoculars if they have them) on Saturday 24 October at 8.00am. We’ll then make our way to Long Salt Pond. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to help with bird identification. This activity is free of charge and is open to the public. While there are no limits on how many people can participate, interested persons should call the ANT office at 497 5297 to register.