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West End Pond: An Anguillian Birdwatcher's Paradise

Discover Anguilla's natural beauty at West End Pond, a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts seeking tranquility and unique wildlife encounters.

West End Pond is a 41-acre brackish water wetland and Important Bird Area (IBA) on the western end of Anguilla. Historically used for salt production, it's now a prime location for birdwatching, attracting a variety of species that feed, nest, and bathe in its waters.

A brief summary to West End Pond

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Local tips

  • Visit in the late afternoon for the best light for photography and to see brine flies and other insects that attract a variety of birds.
  • Bring binoculars to get a closer look at the diverse birdlife, including terns, stilts, and sandpipers.
  • Walk along the causeway that divides the pond for excellent viewing opportunities of birds feeding, nesting, and bathing.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From the airport roundabout, take the main road heading west for approximately eight miles. As you enter the causeway, West End Apartments will be on the right, and the pond will be on the left. There is no specific parking area, but you can park on the shoulder of the road. This is a free location.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are readily available from most hotels and resorts in Anguilla. A taxi from the West End hotels to the pond will be a short ride. Confirm the fare before starting your journey. The cost is approximately $10-$15 USD.

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Discover more about West End Pond

West End Pond, a 19-hectare (47-acre) brackish lagoon, sits near the southwestern tip of Anguilla, offering a serene escape into nature. Once a site for salt production, the pond is now recognized as one of Anguilla's Important Bird Areas (IBAs). The pond's ecosystem features a marl substrate and a rocky shoreline, surrounded by black, white, and buttonwood mangroves. The pond is divided into two sections by a causeway, which provides access to tourism developments along Shoal Bay West. The eastern basin is roughly circular, while the western section is longer and narrower. This division creates varied habitats that attract a diverse array of bird species. BirdLife International has identified West End Pond as an IBA because it supports significant populations of royal and common terns, Caribbean elaenias, and Lesser Antillean bullfinches. Visitors can also spot American Kestrels, Gray Kingbirds, and, if lucky, hear the elusive Mangrove Cuckoo. The pond's mudflats, which dry out during periods of low rain, provide excellent habitat for plovers and sandpipers during spring and fall migrations. In the summer months, gulls are attracted to the wetland, and Least Terns breed here.

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