Flamingo Pond

Flamingo Pond is a shallow saline lake running for several kilometres through the middle of North Caicos, and it is a nature reserve holding the largest concentration of West Indian flamingos in the territory, several hundred birds at times, along with herons, egrets and shorebirds. A marked overlook on the main road gives the view across the water; the birds are usually well out and a telescope or good binoculars make the difference between pink smudges and actual flamingos. Numbers vary through the year and with water levels, and the flock moves between this and other ponds across the islands.

What you actually see

• The flamingo flock - several hundred at good times, the territory's largest.
• The overlook - a marked platform on the main road.
• Shorebirds and herons - through the winter migration.
• The salt pond system - one of several across the islands.

When to go

November to May coincides with the driest season and the northern migration, which is when bird numbers are highest. Early morning and late afternoon are best for light and activity. Numbers vary with water level and the birds move between ponds.

Honest expectations

The birds are usually a long way out and without binoculars you will see pink dots; a telescope helps enormously. Numbers vary and some days there are very few. It is a roadside stop of twenty minutes rather than a site. Heat haze off the water ruins photographs through the middle of the day.

Nearby

Wade's Green plantation is inland; Whitby and the north shore are nearby.