Cove Pond: A Tranquil Birdwatcher's Paradise

Cove Pond, a 106-acre salt pond located at the southwestern end of Anguilla, presents a tranquil escape into nature. Once connected to Merrywing Pond and Gull Pond, it now exists as two distinct basins bisected by the road leading to Belmond Cap Juluca Resort. Despite damage from hurricanes, including Hurricane Irma in 2017, Cove Pond remains an important habitat for a variety of bird species. Birdwatchers will find Cove Pond to be a rewarding destination throughout the year. Plovers, including resident Killdeer, Wilson's, and Snowy Plovers, can be spotted year-round, with nesting activity peaking in the spring and summer. From April to August, Least Terns, an IBA trigger species, nest on the sandy areas. Migratory shorebirds also visit during the spring and fall. Keep an eye out for Yellow-crowned Night Herons, Ospreys (October to April), Green-throated Carib Hummingbirds, and Lesser Antillean Bullfinches. Visitors can explore the pond's perimeter on foot, taking in the calming sights and sounds of this natural haven. The Cap Juluca causeway is a particularly good spot to observe sandpipers and plovers feeding. While the pond may not always be aesthetically pleasing due to the presence of sargassum seaweed, it consistently attracts a diverse range of species. Cove Pond serves as a reminder of Anguilla's rich biodiversity, offering a refreshing contrast to the island's more commercial attractions.