birding...

Bermuda Petrel [Cahow] Pterodroma cahow ©Andrew Dobson http://www.audubon.bm

Bermuda is situated in the mid-Atlantic, about 600 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. It is the second most isolated inhabited island in the world, but readily accessible with daily flights from gateway cities including Atlanta, Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Toronto. Five or six flights a week fly direct to London Gatwick. Bermuda has a sub-tropical climate with summer maximum temperatures reaching the high 80's (°F) and winter temperatures rarely falling below 60°F. Nearly 60 inches of rain is spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

Bermuda`s economy is based on a large international business sector and tourism. Per capita incomes are among the highest in the world and the cost of living is expensive. With over 65,000 people on 21 sq. miles, it is also one of the most densely populated countries in the world - but there are still plenty of good birding locations.

About 375 species of birds have been recorded in Bermuda. As an isolated oceanic island, it is often regarded as impoverished with only 19 resident species. In addition, the Bermuda Petrel (Cahow); White-tailed Tropicbird (Longtail) and Common Tern visit Bermuda to breed. Only the Bermuda Petrel Pterodroma cahow is truly endemic, while some ornithologists regard the Bermudian sub-species of White-eyed Vireo to be an endemic sub-species Vireo griseus bermudianus.

The vast majority of birds are migrants, with a far more obvious passage of birds in the fall months rather than the spring. Migrants do not remain for long due to the lack of suitable feeding habitat (warblers being a notable exception). Many rare birds are blown way off course during migration, especially in the fall, when birds are taking a more easterly route. About 100 species are present in the winter months including more than 20 species of wood warbler. The hot summers are the least productive bird-wise. Resident birders are able to record about 200 species in a single year.

Habitats are varied: coast and shore; ponds and marshes; parks and gardens; woods and mangroves; farmland and golf courses; urban areas and dumps. For guidance on where to go and what to expect at different times of the year, visit the Bermuda Audubon Society`s web site - There is a host of information including: an annotated bird checklist; birding locations; birding through the seasons; bird news; featured articles on the Cahow; field trips; environmental issues; links to Bermuda and foreign web sites and much, much more. Better still, come to Bermuda and see it for yourself!