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GUANA
ISLAND |
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Its small mountain peaks "husband" the available moisture from the trade winds into the interior woodlands, resulting in a rich and diverse flora and fauna, including hundreds of species of insects and plants, such as orchids. Fourteen species of reptiles and amphibians find habitat here--most notably the restored Anegada rock iguana as well as the red-legged tortoise (which can be seen at Road Town's J.R.O'Neal Botanical Gardens). A network of about 20 trails are available for exploration. A birdwatcher's paradise, Guana Island has at least 50 species of birds which may be regularly seen, and is home to a number of endangered or threatened species, such as the bridled quail dove, the roseate tern and a fascinating, but elusive small raptor, the Newton’s barefoot screech owl, once believed extinct. Sitting on the veranda, many house and garden birds can be seen. Brilliant-colored bananaquits visit for fruit in any form. Thrashers might take a hike in your butter. Two hummingbirds, the green throated carib and the tiny crested doctorbird, dazzle with the spectrum scattered light of their unique feather structure, hovering to extract the nectar of the abundant flowering plants such as hibiscus and frangipani. |
On the ocean side of Tortola through the Camanoe Passage from
Trellis Bay is Guana
Island, a nature resort on a
completely private island. The whole
island is a wildlife sanctuary with one
of the richest collections of plant and
animal species in the Caribbean.
