thebahamasweekly.com -

Eleventh Annual Grand Bahama Bird Count breaks records

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 17:25:51 EDT

Freeport, Bahamas - More than 50.000 observers in Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and the Bahamas participate each year in an all-day census of migratory and resident bird populations. The primary objective of this "Christmas Bird Count" is to monitor the status and distribution of bird populations across the Western Hemisphere.

Grand Bahama Island provided five teams for its eleventh count with a total of 34 local and visiting field observers that were assigned to five different count sections in the Freeport/Lucaya area. The event began Friday evening...

November Birding Fieldtrip overview by Grand Bahama Birding Group

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:12:44 EDT

Freeport, Bahamas - Over 20 participants set out on a recent birding field trip out east. Transportation was provided by Garden of the Groves and Kalabash Eco Adventures. The first stop was made in the pineforest off Grand Bahama Highway where everybody was excited to observe the Brown-headed Nuthatches, one of the rarest species in the Bahamas.

A "lifer" for several in the group was also the Olive-capped Warbler, a bird of the pineforest canopy that can only be found on Grand Bahama and Abaco...

New Nature Trail Established in McLean’s Town, Grand Bahama

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:11:09 EDT

A new birding trail has been established in McLean’s Town, Grand Bahama on Saturday, 26^th November, 2011 when nineteen (19) birders from Freeport, along with the principal of the All-age School in McLean’s Town, Mrs. Dorothy Lewis and a student from Grade 6, Georgette Laing joined Mr. H. Rudy Sawyer through the trail that he had developed over the previous three (3) months. Mr. Jock Hall, professional photographer, video taped the expedition. Among the birders were Mrs. Erika Gates of Grand Bahama Nature Tours and top naturalist on the island, who organized the birders and transported them to McLean’s Town from Freeport; Mr. Shamie Rolle, owner of Calabash Tours and a leading naturalist and birder on Grand Bahama; and Ms. Renamae Symonette of the Ministry of Tourism - Sustainable Tourism Division.

International Migratory Bird Day Art Competition winners announced

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:38:03 EDT

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island - The student art competition during International Migratory Bird Month at Garden of the Groves climaxed with the judging of the best paintings depicting birds migrating to Grand Bahama Island. Over 30 students presented outstanding works under the theme "Go Wild, Go Birding" and the judges had a difficult time to determine the winners. First prize was $ 100.00, second $ 50.00 and two third prizes were awarded in the amount of $ 25.00 each. All monies to be redeemed for school and educational supplies at Bellevue Gifts and Bellevue Business Depot...

Grand Bahama “tourist” tucks into tasty island treat

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:56:03 EDT

Freeport, Grand Bahama - A rare visitor to Grand Bahama – a West Indian Woodpecker – enjoys a lizard it dug out of the bark of a tree at McLean’s Town at the weekend.

The bird has not been spotted on the island since the two major hurricanes of 2004 and its return is further evidence of how nature is gradually recovering seven years later.

It was spotted by a group of 20 bird spotters who were trying out a new nature trail aimed at attracting human tourists to the east end community. The photo was taken by Christopher Baker, one of the group from the Garden of The Groves...