Greater Antillean Bullfinch is one of the widespread residents in the Bahamas. Photo: Rebecca Hamilton
Lying just off the coast of Florida, the Bahamas float in the imagination as a place of sun, sand and raucous nightlife. The image is correct in part but the Bahamas also offer a remarkably diverse natural landscape, especially on the Out Islands (those away from Nassau and New Providence Island). There are at least three endemic birds, a number of species whose range is exclusively West Indian and a wealth of North American birds whose winter range includes the Bahamas. Andros Island is a quiet place and biologically the most interesting of the Bahamas. Good habitat exists right around our marvelous waterfront lodge and all major habitats are within an easy drive. For those who wish, fine snorkeling and world-class diving can be found just offshore and the sand beach and quiet water at our doorstep are always inviting.
The Abaco extension, also based at a fine resort, will allow us to search for several Bahamian bird species not found on Andros.
Day 1: The tour begins this evening in Fort Lauderdale. Night in Fort Lauderdale.
Days 2-6: We’ll begin the morning of Day 2 with a flight from Fort Lauderdale to Fresh Creek, North Andros Town, and settle into the wonderful Small Hope Bay Lodge. Andros offers a remarkable natural environment. In the north, soft tropical sands sweep back into pine forests. In the center of the island, thick low-lying brush opens to inland waterways and tidal flats. Along the eastern shore, coral rock splits open to underground rivers, and everywhere mangrove marshlands feed a pristine reef, the third longest in the world.
Each day will be spent in some nearby part of Andros Island. In native scrub across the road from our lodge we’ll look for Great Lizard Cuckoo, Loggerhead Kingbird and Thick-billed Vireo. In the pines and coppice we’re likely to see Cuban Emerald and Cuban Pewee. Near Stainard and Fresh Creeks we’ll search for Bahama Swallow, La Sagra’s Flycatcher and the distinctive northropi subspecies of Black-cowled Oriole, which looks and sounds quite different from other West Indian populations and has recently been proposed as a full species. We also stand at least a chance of encountering the threatened West Indian Whistling-Duck. Another delight of birding at this season in the northern Bahamas is the chance to observe a number of North American warblers on their route south or on their wintering grounds; we could possibly see 20 or more species. Finally, as delightful as the birding and weather are likely to be, a great feature of Andros must be our lodge: comfortable, informal and perched under coconut palms on the edge of its own gently sloping sand beach. Those who wish can partake of good snorkeling and superb diving; indeed, most of the lodge’s customers come for these activities. Nights at Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros Island.
Day 7: We’ll fly back to Fort Lauderdale this afternoon. Night in Ft. Lauderdale.
Abaco Extension
Days 8-12: The extension to Abaco begins with a morning flight on Day 8 to Marsh Harbor on Abaco Island.
Abaco is the second largest island in the Bahamas, and offers the visiting naturalist stands of Caribbean Pine, with a rich understory of Thatch Palms and ferns, thickly vegetated native coppices, mangrove forests and sweeping white sand beaches. Each day will be spent in some part of nearby Abaco. We’ll specifically seek out such Abaco specialties as White-cheeked Pintail, West Indian Woodpecker, Cuban Parrot, the distinctive resident race of Yellow-throated Warbler, and Olive-capped Warbler, which are difficult or impossible to find on Andros. Nights at Abaco Beach Resort on Abaco Island.
Day 11: We’ll return to Fort Lauderdale. Night in Fort Lauderdale.
Day 12: The tour concludes this morning in Fort Lauderdale.
Updated: 18 May 2007
Prices
- 2008 price about $3,800
- Single Occupancy Supplement $520
- with Abaco Extension about $6,120
- Single Occupancy Supplement $980
Notes
Maximum group size seven with one leader; 14 with two leaders