Bird Walk at BNT Retreat Gardens
Beginning of The Walk
One of the most challenging things for me to do was being able to get to the site while avoiding the most traffic congested areas in Nassau by 8am. I am sure anyone who lives in Nassau Bahamas and drives would tell you that the traffic situation is absolutely ridiculous. Anyways, I got there about an hour early and reviewed birds before the walk.
Our bird guide, Giselle Dean, reached the area and it was time to get the walk going and the stream rolling. The walk was being live recorded to the Black AF in STEM Instagram’s Page.
Black AF in STEM
I should not have to spell out what the AF means in the title, but this group is geared towards supporting Black people in the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. The way they support Black in STEM is with Professional Development, career connection and community engagement. The live that was broadcasted by Giselle was all in support for Black Birder’s Week 2022.
Black Birders Week 2022 - The Start of The Trail
I have just started birding a couple months back, but this is my first-time birding with a group of people. And first-time birding with someone else other than my birding mentor, Scott Johnson. So, obviously I was pumped at the thought of what I can learn from other people who are at a similar level and beyond can teach me.
There were six (6) other people on the bird walk with me. Oh, and did I mention that this walk took place at the Retreat Gardens in Nassau? The retreat Gardens is known for having the most bird diversity on the island of Nassau. Therefore, it is a perfect place for birders alike to come.
Different Birds Seen On Trail
First of all, I was not able to capture any cool pictures of birds. However, later on in my blogging journey, I will be sure to capture amazing footage just for you, my viewers. so stay tuned!
Getting back on track, the most anticipated bird that I wanted to see on the trail was the Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola). I wanted to see this bird because it makes such interesting sounds. There is just such a wild variety of sounds i have experienced from this bird and I must say that I have learned another sound from them on this walk!
Having said that, We did get to see White Crowned Pigeons (Patagioenas leucocephala), Northern Mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos), Bahama Woodstars (Calliphlox evelynae), Caribbean Doves (Leptotila jamaicensis), Black-Whiskered vireos (Vireo altiloquus), Thick- Billed Vireos (Vireo crassirostris), Greater Antillean Bullfinchs’ (Loxigilla violacea), Red-Legged Thrushs’ (Turdus plumbeus), American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) And Eurasian- Collared Doves (Streptopelia decaocto)
More about the Retreat Gardens
The Retreat Gardens also has the largest palm tree collection in New Providence along with a rich diversity of different native trees that birds like such as the Tree of Paradise, Pigeon Plum, Sapodilla, and much more. So there, is no wonder birds love that area! The one-seeded palm fruits and even fruits that we humans eat, The Sapodilla, are a major attraction for birds.
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