Ornithology

The Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve protects over 25 acres of native coppice which includes an important mangrove wetland.

Natural forested areas such as the Preserve provide important foraging and nesting areas for a number of resident and migratory bird species throughout the year.

The Bahamian Coppice Forest is made up of important tree species which provide food and nesting area for birds species. The Short Leaf Fig (Ficus citrifolia) attracts many fruit eating and insect-eating birds as does the Gumelemi (Bursera simaruba) which fruits in the winter and produces clusters of red fruit eaten by mockingbirds, vireos, warblers and fly catchers which are oft en seen in the canopy of the coppice forest. The aromatic flowers of the Necklace Pod (Sophora tomentosa) and the Seven Year Apple (Casasia clusiifolia) attract the Bahama Woodstar Hummingbird, an endemic species.
 

Protected areas like the Levy Preserve act as “full service hotels” for migratory birds on their long journeys in the fall and spring they are the sites with the best habitat – plenty of nutritious food for refueling, safety from predators and adequate shelter from inclement weather.

In winter you will see many neotropical migrants in our Preserve. A long term study of their habitat needs indicated that black torch and native lantana are essential parts of their winter diet and these two plants are found in the Preserve. So keep your eyes and ears on alert you never know what you might see. Happy birding.

The Levy Preserve is a recorded "Hotspot" for bird sightings from around the world.  To date 78 species have been recorded at the site.

Levy Preserve Bird Checklist

Click HERE  to follow our recorded sightings.