Road Salt Pond: A Birder's Paradise in Sandy Ground

Road Salt Pond, also known as Road Bay Pond, is a significant wetland located in the heart of Anguilla, adjacent to the historic village of Sandy Ground. Once the center of salt production, the pond now serves as a sanctuary for a wide variety of bird species, making it a prime destination for birdwatchers.The pond's location, separated from Road Bay by a narrow strip of land where Sandy Ground sits, creates a unique ecosystem. The hills surrounding the pond are covered with low scrub and bush, providing habitat for Yellow Warblers, Mangrove Cuckoos, and other migratory warblers. Anguilla's national bird, the Zenaida Dove, can also be seen in large numbers throughout the year. The eastern part of the pond is dotted with mangroves, which serve as nesting areas for herons and egrets from January to May. During the fall and winter months, the rock walls that remain from the salt industry's infrastructure become resting spots for various waterfowl and shorebirds.Visitors can explore the pond's perimeter, keeping an eye out for White-crowned and Scaly-naped Pigeons, which have become more common in recent years. At dusk and dawn, there's a chance to glimpse an Antillean Nighthawk. The telephone poles around the pond are also a great place to spot resident American Kestrels. Nature Explorers Anguilla offers tours to the site.