SAINT LUCIA - JEWEL OF THE CARIBBEAN A ONE-WEEK ONE-CENTRE TOUR BASED IN A PRIVATE VILLA

We will be based in a large private villa occupying an idyllic location surrounding by lush, tropical rainforest. With all the conveniences of a modern, fully equipped villa at our disposal we will be in a unique position to be able to explore this stunningly beautiful island as safely as possible. We have our own private pool, and our own cook to prepare wonderful, freshly prepared meals every day. This has to be a much better and safer way to embark on your first overseas birding tour following the pandemic. And what a place this is! Saint Lucia is in the Lesser Antilles and represents everything you could want from a Caribbean island, with lush rainforest, beautiful sandy beaches, great weather and a fine selection of endemic and Caribbean specialities.

But back to the birding. Our villa is in a perfect location to explore this fatastic island and with daily excursions we will target the 4 species of endemic bird, plus its 14 Lesser Antillean endemics, with species such as Antillean Crested Hummingbird, Purple-throated Carib and Lesser Antillean Bullfinch all present in the garden. The skyline is dominated by the twin peaks of Les Pitons and is St. Lucia’s most famous landmark and we will explore the forest around the base of these giants.  The hills of the Quilesse Forest Reserve, which covers thousands of acres of lush mountains and valleys, hold many of the endemic species such as St. Lucia Parrot, St. Lucia Oriole and St. Lucia Blackfinch. The nearby Des Cartiers Trail passes through rainforest, cloudforest and elfin woodland habitats where we have further opportunities to see  Saint Lucia Parrot. Other traditional birding sites include the Sulphur Springs is probably the world’s only drive-in volcano and Millet’s Rainforest Trail.  During our excursions we should easily mop up the remaining endemics: Saint Lucia Pewee and the stunning Saint Lucia Warbler. The 14 Lesser Antillean endemics can be seen at a variety of sites but we aim to find them all, along with the more widespread  Caribbean species: Ruddy Quail-Dove, Zenaida Dove, Black Swift, Lesser Antillean Swift, Green-throated Carib, Lesser Antillean Flycatcher, Caribbean Elaenia, Caribbean Martin, Grey Trembler, White-breasted Thrasher, Scaly-breasted Thrasher, Pearly-eyed Thrasher, Rufous-throated Solitaire, Bare-eyed Robin, Antillean Euphonia, Carib Grackle, Black-faced Grassquit, Lesser Antillean Saltator and Lesser Antillean Bullfinch.  We will also take a boat out to search for whales and several species of dolphin and should also see. Brown Booby, Magnificent Frigatebirds and maybe the odd tropicbird too. 

Let's go birding!