Spittal Pond Nature Reserve
Spittal Pond Nature Reserve is the largest and most easily reached nature reserve in Bermuda. Covering 64 acres, it is owned by both the Bermuda National Trust and the Bermuda Government. The reserve hugs the south shore and at its centre is the 8-acre Spittal Pond, without doubt the best birdwatching location in Bermuda.
In the fall and winter months the reserve becomes the temporary home of a multitude of migratory shorebirds and waterfowl. Permanent residents include kiskadee and white-eyed vireo. During your visit you may also see a solitary flamingo named Flo. It took advantage of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Emily in 1987 and made a daring Steve McQueen-style escape from the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo. It resided here until being recaptured in 2001, but amazingly it escaped again during Hurricane Fabian in 2003. Flo now prefers the salubrious surroundings of the Mid Ocean Club but may possibly return to its former hideout.
There are two entrances to the reserve, both on South Road. Most visitors prefer to enter at the western side. If you come from Hamilton it’s just a little further from where Knapton Hill Road meets South Road. If you have arrived by scooter you can leave it in the small parking lot at the entrance. Despite the size of the Spittal Pond it’s difficult to get lost here as a well-defined trail has been constructed to lead you through its delights.
From the parking lot follow the trail through the woods. Here you will find endemic Bermuda cedar and prickly pear cacti. After emerging from the wooded area you see Spittal Pond on the left. The water is tidal but approximately 6 hours behind the ocean flows due to the delay caused by rock filtration. The pond itself is a wildlife sanctuary, off-limits to the general public and protected by a fence. However most of the birdlife can be observed from the path. Common sights include mallard ducks, moorhens, northern cardinals, herons, kisadees and white-eyed vireos.
Here you will also see the Checkerboard, an unusual geological formation on the coastline. It is a large, flat slab of limestone with weathered grooves that divide it into clearly defined squares. Further up the path is Spanish Rock, the earliest sign of humans in Bermuda. The initials 'RP' and date '1543' were inscribed here and it was originally thought to be the work of a Spaniard. However, most historians now believe it to be the work of shipwrecked Portuguese sailors. The original rock was destroyed by weathering and vandalism and a bronze cast now marks the spot.
Reviews / Comments / Additional Information
I have been there more than 100 times.
I agree from pictures it should be treated with respect!