Strolling Shoal Bay East
This week I was invited by friends Melinda Goddard and Terry Brady for an early morning stroll on Shoal Bay East. The pandemic and life seem to have taken that morning habit off my to-do list.
By day, Shoal Bay East is all hustle and bustle as residents and tourists take advantage of this pristine piece of powdery white sand dotted with savory dining experiences.
Designated a Marine Park by the Government of Anguilla, Shoal Bay East is home to colorful reef fish, making it one of the best spots for snorkeling in Anguilla.
If you don’t like to get wet, you can often see fish right from the beach.
Turtles are also seen feeding and mating in these waters.
Early in the morning, you might get lucky to see their tracks left in the sand.
This morning, my focus was on the birds. With nearby Scrub Island, a popular nesting site for a variety of tern species, seabirds are attracted to these waters. Brown Boobies and Pelicans are often seen diving for Sprats and other small bait fish.
During this walk, I marveled how once again the beach has reshaped itself. Heading West, the beach is now extended several hundred yards. To the East, the point continues to come and go with the seasons.
My eye is caught by a White-crowned Pigeon roosting in a tree just behind the beach. Just a few years ago, this would have been considered a rare occurrence. Today they are breeding residents.
Throughout the year, a variety of shorebirds dot the sands including this lazy group of Semipalmated Plovers.
Remember that these shorebirds have traveled an amazing distance to reach our shores as part of their migration. They are hungry and tired. Let’s give them lots of space and time to refuel.
Many thanks to Melinda and Terry for this much-needed break. Don’t forget to check out her novel One Way Ticket Perhaps it will inspire you to take the full-time plunge and spend your mornings walking on Shoal Bay East!
What a wonderful walk and wonderful world. So enjoyed the early morning stroll with you, Melinda and Terry. Thank you, Jackie!
Very nice, thank you Jackie.