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Eco-Travel
Birding
One of the most popular eco-tourism events in these islands is birding.
Approximately 200 species of birds make their home on these small islands (50
species are known to breed here), from the magnificent frigate bird, with a
seven-foot wingspan, to tiny hummingbirds and Cayman parrots.
Serious birders should consider attending a meeting of the Cayman Islands Bird
Club. The group meets monthly to discuss seasonal sightings. Call the National
Trust at (345) 949-0121 to check on meeting times.
Another good source of birding information is Rudy Powery of Rudy’s Travellers
Tours ( 345-949-3208, fax 345-949-1155). The president of the Bird Club, Powery
organizes birding tours around the island.
Each of these islands includes protected sanctuaries and good birding sites.
Little Cayman, home of the largest colony of red-footed boobies, is a favorite
with serious birders. Guided walks are available on Sundays. The island is home
to Patricia Bradley, author of Birds of the Cayman Islands (see Bibliography),
considered the best source of information on the islands’ feathered residents.
EARTH WATCH: Currently, a research study on the endangered Cayman parrots is
being conducted by the Grambling Cooperative Wildlife Project. Organized by
Grambling State University (Louisiana) and Fundacion para la Protecion de la
Flora y la Fauna, Universidad de La Habana (Cuba). The group is studying the
five populations of parrots on the islands to determine their conservation
needs. For information, contact Dr. James Wiley, (318) 274-2499.
National Trust
Much of the conservation efforts on the Cayman Islands is due to the efforts of
the National Trust. Founded 1987, the trust is charged with conservation of
lands, national features and submarine areas of beauty, historic or
environmental importance and the protection of flora and fauna. The National
Trust has committees representing each of the eight districts on Grand Cayman
and one for Little Cayman and Cayman Brac.
To meet its goals, the work of the trust includes several programs:
The Land Reserves Program sets aside nature preserves. These important
facilities are found throughout the islands and include the Mastic Reserve,
Salina Reserve, Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and the Governor Michael Gore
Bird Sanctuary on Grand Cayman; the Brac Parrot Reserve, and the Booby Pond
Nature Reserve on Little Cayman.
The Biodiversity Program, to encourage expert scientists to visit the islands
for their research and to assist in trust projects.
The Priority Species Program, to identify local wildlife in need of special
protection. These projects have included the Blue Iguana Conservation Program.
Volunteers also take a census every three years of the parrot populations on
Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac to monitor this bird. Research has also been
conducted on the West Indian whistling duck. Other projects include a bat
conservation program and an endangered plant program.
To learn more about these efforts, check out the trust’s Web site at
www.cayman.com.ky/pub/ntrust/ or write National Trust for the Cayman Islands,
P.O. Box 31116 SMB, Grand Cayman, (345) 949-0121, fax: (345) 949-7494; E-mail
-ntrust@candw.ky. While in George Town, stop by the offices on Courts Road off
Eastern Avenue.
One of the largest projects of the National Trust is the Salina Reserve, a
650-acre nature reserve on the North Coast. Although not open to the public, the
reserve is an important ecological project that combines wetlands and woodlands
and offers nesting sites for parrots, caves with bat roosts, and several acres
that are a suitable habitat for the rare blue iguana.
Another major project is the conservation of the Central Mangrove Wetland, a
long-term project to preserve the wetland that flows into the North Sound.
Fundamental to many natural processes, the wetland filters the ground waters and
provides a flow of nutrients into the sound. Those nutrients are essential for
the food chain upon which the marine life of the North Sound thrive. About 1,500
acres of this area is currently protected as an Environmental Zone under the
Marine Parks Law and now the trust is working to increase the wetland protection
with land purchases. The entire wetland spans about 8,500 acres and is still
largely undeveloped. This region also provides moisture that later falls in the
form of rain over the central and western regions of the island (a rainfall that’s
40 greater than seen on the eastern side of the island). This region is the
home of many species: West Indian whistling ducks, Grand Cayman parrots,
hickatees, agoutis, and marine life.
On Horseback
Horseback riding is an excellent opportunity both to tour some of the island’s
quieter sections and to romp along the beach. You’ll find two operators on
Grand Cayman, one offering personalized tours of the West End, the other with
rides through George Town’s quieter areas and along South Sound.
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