Bird watching with Nature Explorers Anguilla

I share many traits with my mother, including a deep and abiding love of chocolate, an unfortunate level of klutziness, and enthusiasm for spotting interesting birds.

So I was excited about my birdwatching / photo trip while in Anguilla, with Jackie of Nature Explorers Anguilla.  I signed up for a morning session on a day when D was heading to scuba.

Jackie picked me up promptly at 7:15, making for an early start – definitely worth it though!  She knows all the best spots and has a real eye for birding.  I was surprised at how many unusual birds we saw at salt ponds I’ve passed dozens of times without a second glance.

For example, I had no idea that there are green herons on Anguilla!  But we saw quite a few in various spots, patiently waiting for a chance at a meal.

I’d seen some of these birds on prior trips, like the black-necked stilts, but never with their chicks.  With Jackie leading the way, we found some baby birds with comically large feet toddling around the marshes.

At one point, a couple of the chicks decided that they’d had enough of the misty rain and took shelter under their mother, eventually climbing up under her wings until only their legs dangled down – quite a funny sight!

It was wonderful to spend a morning traipsing around the island, scouring the water and the sky for all kinds of birds.

Thanks to Jackie for showing me a different side of Anguilla!