PROJECT BIRD WATCH TOWER
Creating the first birdwatching facilities at Tortola’s best birding pond. Launching in January 2025
Josiahs Bay pond is the best birding pond on Tortola and attracts a wide diversity of wetland species, including Caribbean flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber), Blue winged teals (Spatula discors), Caribbean coots (Fulica americana), Lesser scaups (Aythya affinis) and Ruddy ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis) but viewing the pond is very difficult at present due to limited access as the pond is surrounded by private property.
Josiahs Bay pond is the best birding pond on Tortola and attracts a wide diversity of wetland species, including Caribbean flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber), Blue winged teals (Spatula discors), Caribbean coots (Fulica americana), Lesser scaups (Aythya affinis) and Ruddy ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis) but viewing the pond is very difficult at present due to limited access as the pond is surrounded by private property.
|
The BVI Humane Society was successful in getting a UK Darwin Plus grant for a project entitled, "Creating the first birdwatching facilities at Tortola’s best birding pond". This six month project will build a small lookout platform that is in-keeping with the habitat and will not disturb the wetland birds. We hope that this birdwatching lookout platform will attract tourists and residents to the site, and help us to raise awareness of the BVI’s biodiversity, whilst bringing people to the Animal Shelter, exposing them to what we do, teach them about the impacts that pet cats and dogs can cause to birdlife and what they can do to mitigate this.
|
|
|
|
|
What We’re Building
|
|
SOME OF THE BIRD SPECIES IN THE SALT POND
|
|
Caribbean Flamingo
|
Why It’s Needed
Josiah’s Bay Pond spans approximately 10 hectares and is Tortola’s premier birdwatching site. However, the pond is currently surrounded by private property, making access difficult. The Bird Watch Tower will solve this issue by providing unobstructed public access for birding enthusiasts, scientists, and students.
Josiah’s Bay Pond spans approximately 10 hectares and is Tortola’s premier birdwatching site. However, the pond is currently surrounded by private property, making access difficult. The Bird Watch Tower will solve this issue by providing unobstructed public access for birding enthusiasts, scientists, and students.
Educational and Conservation Goals
This initiative, supported by the UK Darwin Plus Fund, will achieve the following:
Bridging Conservation and Community
The Bird Watch Tower is part of our broader mission to connect the community with the natural environment. Situated within the grounds of the new Animal Shelter, the platform will expose visitors to the impacts of domestic pets on biodiversity, fostering a deeper appreciation for conservation.
By March 2025, the Bird Watch Tower will be open to the public, complete with educational resources and facilities. This project will not only enhance the visitor experience at Josiah’s Bay but also strengthen the role of the BVI Humane Society as a hub for education, conservation, and community engagement.
Stay tuned for updates as we bring this exciting project to life!
This initiative, supported by the UK Darwin Plus Fund, will achieve the following:
- Raise Awareness: Educate visitors about the importance of mangrove wetlands as critical biodiversity habitats.
- Promote Community Engagement: Offer bird watching tours, opportunities for schools and tour operators, and citizen science activities like bird monitoring.
- Support Scientific Research: Enable the National Parks Trust and its partners to conduct more accurate bird surveys, contributing to conservation efforts.
Bridging Conservation and Community
The Bird Watch Tower is part of our broader mission to connect the community with the natural environment. Situated within the grounds of the new Animal Shelter, the platform will expose visitors to the impacts of domestic pets on biodiversity, fostering a deeper appreciation for conservation.
By March 2025, the Bird Watch Tower will be open to the public, complete with educational resources and facilities. This project will not only enhance the visitor experience at Josiah’s Bay but also strengthen the role of the BVI Humane Society as a hub for education, conservation, and community engagement.
Stay tuned for updates as we bring this exciting project to life!
