Spittal Pond Nature Reserve

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Coordinates: 32°18′43″N 64°43′33″W / 32.31194°N 64.72583°W / 32.31194; -64.72583
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Spittal Pond Nature Reserve, Bermuda
Spittal Pond in Spittal Pond Nature Reserve
LocationSpittal Pond
Nearest cityHamilton
Coordinates32°18′43″N 64°43′33″W / 32.31194°N 64.72583°W / 32.31194; -64.72583
Area60 acres (24 ha)
Established1999
VisitorsNA (in NA)
Governing bodyBermuda Government and the Bermuda National Trust
Designated11 May 1999
Reference no.(6UK005)
UK Overseas Territories Conservation ForumUK41006

Spittal Pond Nature Reserve is the largest wildlife sanctuary in

Smith's Parish. Surrounding the third largest pond in Bermuda, Spittal Pond, it covers an area of 60 acres (24 ha).[1][2] It is one of 13 parks or reserves managed by the Bermuda Department of Conservation Services which protects and conserves environmentally critical areas and habitats.[3]
The pond reserve, a wetland site, is one of the seven
ver run waterbirds and European eels.[5]
It is also home to many types of species mostly including birds.

Geography

Spittal Pond Nature Reserve is situated in the

sulphur-producing bacteria which thrive in brackish conditions. The reserve is mudflats and salt marsh in 80% of its area, with 10% comprising freshwater, 6% tidal flats, 3% salt marshes and 1% rocky shores 1%. The watershed is formed by hills surrounding which are densely forested.[5][6]

Climate in the area is subtropical with mild temperatures and humid conditions.[5] The habitat of the reserve is ideal for migratory and resident birds and also water birds.[6] Apart from the main Spittal Pond there are two other smaller ponds adjoining this Ramsar site, which were excavated in 1966 for fresh water. The fluctuation in the water is reported to be about 75 centimetres (30 in) depending on the incidence of rain and flooding from the sea during the hurricanes. During low water levels mudflats get exposed in the lake.[5][7] The dominant geological formation is limestone with fossils of palmetto stumps and fronds embedded in it.[8]

Tropical trees, plants and flowers enrich the reserve during summer months. The winter season provides one of the best vistas for visitors walking along the many small trails in the park.[1]

History

Spittal Pond National Park cliffs

The origin of the name is uncertain, although it can probably be traced to one of several places in Scotland that have Spittal as part of their names. In the past it was also known as Brackish Pond (due to its brackish water), Peniston's Pond (named after the family who owned these lands) and as Spittal Pond in 1890 (as referred to in Stark's Illustrated Bermuda Guide 1890). As the location of the pond and the land surrounding it were used as a hospital and grazing ground for cattle, the name Spittal has been used.[8]

Initially, in the early part of the 20th century, this reserve was made up of 10 blocks of private land, oriented in a north to south direction. It was not subject to development as it was a salty marsh. In 1946, Dr. Henry Wilkinson, medical doctor, historian, and the founder of the Bermuda Historical Monuments Trust, who owned part of this land (about 4.5 acres), converted his holdings into a reserve, adjoining the Spittal Pond Bird Sanctuary. Over the years, the Bermudian government bought more land in the area and established the Spittal Pond Reserve, which is owned by the government and the Trust. Spittal Pond is now reported to be the largest nature reserve and wildlife sanctuary in Bermuda.[8]

There is mention of a

plaster of Paris is displayed in the Bermuda Historical Society Museum at Hamilton.[1][9]

In view of its varied habitats and rich wildlife, particularly wintering waterfowl, the Spittal Pond and vicinity was declared a

Ramsar Site, in 1999.[6][8]

In 1987, Hurricane Emily caused extensive damage to the casuarina forest in the reserve.[5] On 5 September 2003 severe damage was caused to the reserve by Hurricane Fabian. It was the strongest hurricane to hit Bermuda since Hurricane Arlene in 1963.[10] It was both the most damaging and the first hurricane to cause a death on the island since 1926.[11] In September 2010 Hurricane Igor also caused more damage to the reserve.[8]

Wildlife

Opuntia stricta, Spittal Pond Nature Reserve, Bermuda
Bermuda cedar tree in Bermuda near Hamilton

Many of the endemic plants and trees that once lived here, especially the Bermuda cedar (

Pimenta dioica) are also reported from the area. Shrubs found here are mostly lantana, Spanish bayonet (Yucca aloifolia) and fluorescent green flopper (Kalanchoe pinnata).[8] Plans to replace the casuarina plantation with native, endemic and selected non-invasive ornamentals have been suggested.[5]

Fauna

Plestiodon longirostris
, formerly known as Eumeces longirostris).

Other wildlife found in Spittal Pond Nature Reserve include the Bermuda rock skink (

Lasionycteris noctivagans),[13] Sally Lightfoot crab and buckeye (butterfly) (Junonia coenia). Migrating humpback whales coming out from Portuguese Rock can also be seen in the spring season. Eel (Anguilla anguilla) is commonly found here.[5][6][9]

Birds

The Bermuda White-eyed Vireo is a subspecies of White-eyed Vireo, endemic to Bermuda, which is more drab and has shorter wings.[14]

The lake is a major transition area for migratory birds crossing the Atlantic Ocean, and as such is a good

dowitchers and sandpipers. Eastern mosquitofish occur in large numbers, helping with mosquito control and providing food for the herons. White-tailed tropicbirds are reported to nest on the coastal cliffs.[5]

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-1-58843-663-4
    .
  2. ISBN 978-1-58843-392-3
    .
  3. ^ "Ramsar site" (pdf). Official web site of the Department of Conservation Services. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  4. ^ "The Ramsar Convention and Ramsar Sites in Bermuda". Department of Conservation Services, Government of Bermuda. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands" (pdf). UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Spittal Pond Nature Reserve". Official web site of the Department of Conservation Services.
  7. ^ "Ramsar Sites Photo Gallery". Official web site of the Department of Conservation Services. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h "Spittal Pond The boundless beauty of Bermuda's largest nature reserve and wildlife sanctuary". Dockyard Times of The Bermudian.com. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  9. ^ a b c "Spittal Pond Nature Reserve Review". Fodors.com. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  10. ^ Jessica Blunden (17 October 2006). "Global Hazards and Significant Events September 2003". National Climatic Data Center. Archived from the original on 17 April 2010. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
  11. ^ Patrick Thiele (15 September 2003). "PartnerRe Weathers Hurricane Fabian". PartnerRE Ltd. Archived from the original on 18 January 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  12. ^ "Plestiodon longirostris". IUCN Red List. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  13. ^ "Lasionycteris noctivagans". IUCN Red List. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  14. ^ Bhattacharya, Raj. "White Eyed Vireo Bermuda". Bermuda's Attractions. Retrieved 10 November 2016.

External links

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