Bermuda
Bermuda is a small Atlantic archipelago of low limestone islands, shaped by coral reefs, shallow coastal waters and a relatively mild oceanic climate. The islands lie well east of the North American mainland, and the nearby Gulf Stream keeps winters unusually mild for their latitude. Much of the landscape is developed, but patches of woodland, scrub, gardens, marshes and rocky coastline remain important habitats. The coastline is highly indented, with numerous bays, coves and small offshore islets. Bermuda's position in the western Atlantic gives it a distinctive mixture of subtropical island character and North American influence, while its isolated location has shaped a small but distinctive native fauna. The islands are also particularly vulnerable to hurricanes and other severe weather, which can affect both habitats and the tiny offshore islands used by breeding seabirds.
Overview
Bermuda's birding importance is dominated by one extraordinary species: the Bermuda Petrel (Cahow), an endemic seabird once considered extinct for almost 300 years. It was rediscovered in 1951 and is now the focus of an intensive recovery programme centred on the small islands of Castle Harbour and Nonsuch Island. The Cahow returns to Bermuda to breed mainly from winter through spring, spending the rest of the year at sea. It is difficult to see on land, as adults visit their underground nesting burrows mainly at night, so specialised boat trips and carefully managed conservation visits offer the best opportunities. Bermuda can also produce migrant shorebirds, warblers, herons and other North American species, particularly during migration. Its small size makes birding relatively accessible, with coastal habitats, gardens and reserves reachable without lengthy journeys.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus | 61.1% | 59.4% | 60.1% | 59.5% | 60.6% | 58.0% | 55.5% | 67.0% | 67.5% | 54.7% | 63.5% | 62.7% | 64.4% |
| European Starling Sturnus vulgaris | 58.4% | 55.7% | 58.6% | 59.3% | 61.5% | 59.2% | 52.2% | 63.1% | 62.2% | 51.8% | 59.6% | 57.6% | 59.5% |
| House Sparrow Passer domesticus | 54.0% | 48.9% | 51.3% | 52.4% | 57.0% | 55.9% | 52.0% | 65.5% | 58.6% | 47.5% | 54.3% | 51.9% | 52.8% |
| Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura | 43.8% | 33.2% | 39.5% | 43.7% | 48.5% | 47.2% | 43.4% | 54.9% | 51.2% | 41.4% | 45.5% | 40.8% | 36.0% |
| White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus | 34.4% | 32.4% | 35.9% | 35.3% | 39.3% | 31.9% | 23.5% | 32.4% | 34.9% | 35.6% | 44.5% | 32.9% | 34.0% |
| European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis | 29.9% | 31.2% | 30.8% | 29.7% | 32.6% | 29.6% | 22.4% | 30.2% | 29.9% | 26.8% | 35.8% | 30.4% | 29.7% |
| American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos | 29.0% | 27.9% | 31.1% | 35.0% | 30.5% | 26.4% | 19.7% | 27.8% | 26.4% | 27.0% | 34.2% | 33.5% | 29.0% |
| Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis | 27.7% | 24.7% | 23.6% | 23.9% | 32.3% | 29.8% | 24.0% | 32.5% | 29.3% | 23.2% | 34.6% | 28.6% | 26.2% |
| Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis | 27.5% | 24.1% | 27.4% | 32.0% | 34.3% | 31.0% | 24.6% | 32.2% | 28.3% | 23.2% | 28.0% | 22.6% | 21.9% |
| Mallard Anas platyrhynchos | 27.2% | 28.7% | 31.2% | 29.5% | 25.6% | 27.4% | 26.2% | 34.4% | 27.2% | 19.4% | 21.3% | 28.0% | 28.0% |