Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis is an island country consisting of the two islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis, both located in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands chain of the Lesser Antilles. With 261 km2 (101 square miles) of territory, and roughly 53,000 inhabitants, it is the smallest sovereign state in the Western Hemisphere, in both area and population, as well as the world’s smallest sovereign federation. The country is a Commonwealth realm, with Charles III as king and head of state. The capital city is Basseterre, located on the larger island of Saint Kitts. Basseterre is also the main port for passenger entry (via cruise ships) and cargo. The smaller island of Nevis lies approximately 3 km (2 miles) to the southeast of Saint Kitts, across a shallow channel called The Narrows.

The islands of Sint Eustatius, Saba, Saint Barthélemy, Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten and Anguilla lie to the north-northwest of the country. To the east and northeast are Antigua and Barbuda, and to the southeast is the small uninhabited island of Redonda (part of Antigua and Barbuda) and the island of Montserrat.

View from Sir Timothy’s Hill, St. Kitts – Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

Both main islands are of volcanic origin, with large central peaks covered in tropical rainforest. The majority of the population live along the flatter coastal areas. St Kitts contains several mountain ranges (the North West Range, Central Range and South-West Range) in its centre, where the highest peak of the country, Mount Liamuiga at 3,793 feet can be found. Along the east coast can be found the Canada Hills and Conaree Hills. The land narrows considerably in the south-east, forming a much flatter peninsula which contains the largest body of water, the Great Salt Pond. To the southeast, in The Narrows, lies the small isle of Booby Island. There are numerous rivers descending from the mountains of both islands, which provide fresh water to the local population. Nevis, the smaller of the two main islands and roughly circular in shape, is dominated by Nevis Peak at 3,232 feet.

St Kitts has a tropical savanna climate and Nevis has a tropical monsoon climate. Mean monthly temperatures in Basseterre varies little from 23.9 °C to 26.6 °C. Yearly rainfall is approximately 90 inches, although it has varied from as little as 53.4 inches to as much as 125.3 inches.

Birding St Kitts & Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis contains two terrestrial eco-regions: Leeward Islands moist forests and Leeward Islands dry forests. The national flower is Delonix regia. Common plants include palmetto, hibiscus, bougainvillea, and tamarind. Pinus species are common in the dense forests of islands, and are usually covered by various species of ferns.

St. Kitts and Nevis have two national parks: Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park and Central Forest Reserve National Park with only the latter being designated for its biodiversity not historical significance.

Mount Liamuiga – Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

Because of the climate, most of the birds are crepuscular – active at dawn and dusk. While over 200 species are listed (Most Hotels can supply lists); many are rare or accidental visitors and resident species, limited in food supply and range, can be difficult to find. These islands are also not as over-developed as many, so terrain may be rugged. Birders should get and give explicit instructions on where they are going, and give times when they will return. Accidents can and do happen, even to experienced birders!

The mountains and valleys (Called Ghauts, pronounced guts) provide ideal habitat for numerous mountain species. Brown Tremblers, Pearly-eyed Thrashers, Rain Forrest Pigeons, and Bridled-quail Doves are plentiful. If you are lucky and can find the flowering Heliconias, on which you may see Purple-throated Carib or Green-throated Carib Hummingbirds feeding, they sound like small jet planes. In winter, North American warblers migrate down to avoid the cold weather and lack of flying insects also swifts and Purple Martins are reasonably common too. The shores are easily accessible for birders and provide several species of tern, a few gulls, lots of Brown Pelicans, and, soaring overhead, everybody’s favourite, Magnificent Frigate Birds. There are also sanderling, plovers, and herons along the surf chasing crabs and crustaceans. The Salt Pond and inland coastal lagoons support Yellowlegs, stilts, coots, gallinules, Carib Kingfishers and different species of ducks.

Around hotels the guests love to watch Antillean Crested Hummingbirds, Bananaquits, and Lesser Antillean Bullfinches. Elanias and Grey Kingbirds are often seen scooping moths and beetles from around the roadsides, while Black-faced Grassquits play and eat the little seeds. Over eight species of Hawks have been found on Nevis, though Ospreys are seasonal.

At night, birders can look for Black-crowned and Yellow-crowned Night Herons, but try not to step on the crabs that they are eating. You can also find night swifts if you are lucky. It is best to look for these in the early morning.