Bird’s Eye View Nature & Birding Trail
A Living Classroom for Conservation, Community, and Sustainable Tourism
The Bird’s Eye View, Birding and Nature Trail is a celebration of Eleuthera’s unique biodiversity and living heritage. It is a living outdoor classroom, active conservation space, and valuable community resource, located at the CTI campus in Rock Sound, Eleuthera.
This project demonstrates OEF’s ongoing commitment to environmental preservation as one of five key focus areas guiding the organization’s sustainable development work. By showcasing how nature, culture, and people can thrive together, this project is strengthening local ecosystems and communities.
The trail was created by OEF and the Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) in conjunction with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) and American Bird Conservancy (ABC). It invites residents, students, researchers and visitors to observe and experience Eleuthera’s vibrant biodiversity firsthand.
Birds of Eleuthera
Explore this expansive listing of over 180 migratory and resident birds that can be found on the island.
Botanical Guide
Discover over 100 local plant species found on the trail and their traditional, medicinal uses.
Invasive Species
Learn more about invasive species and what can be done to combat this environmental challenge.
Citizen Science
Help us to collect valuable information about the health of this ecosystem. Your feedback matters.
About the Trail & Why It Matters
This immersive, interpretive trail winds through approximately 870 meters of Inland Limestone Coppice Forest, and one of The Bahamas’ most biodiverse terrestrial ecosystems.
Nestled throughout the trail, visitors can expect to encounter over 180 plant species, including native palms, legacy trees, flowering plants, and culturally significant medicinal plants. The trail also provides a safe habitat for migratory and resident birds, and a host of insects, pollinators, and small animals.
Rooted in OEF’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development, the trail highlights the wonders of our natural ecosystem while creating opportunities for experiential learning, research, responsible visitation and eco-tourism activities.
Photo Gallery
Photo Credits: Karyn Honor, Greg Homel, Sue Kurtz, Mark Walker, Dan Lebbin, Bryan Dunn, Greg Lavaty, Steve Roels, Sarah Bodbyl, Owen Deutsch, Frode Jacobsen, David O. Hill, Ray Hennessy, Brian E. Kushner, Jamie Jacob, Charles Skinner, Yolanda Pawar, Steffon Evans, and Agami Photo Agency.
Coppice forests are also living archives of Bahamian traditional knowledge and remain essential to the island’s ecological resilience. For generations, families have relied on the coppice for healing plants, food resources, and raw materials for crafts, shelter and boatbuilding.
Discover A Whole New World Outdoors
Today, as a model for community-centered conservation, the trail is helping to:
- Protect native coppice forest ecosystems and promote biodiversity
- Develop and expand local migratory bird habitats and ongoing research
- Preserve traditional medicinal plant knowledge
- Strengthen climate resilience through sustainable land stewardship
- Increase environmental education for youth and visitors
- Facilitate bird-and-nature-based eco-tourism opportunities
- Heighten awareness of Eleuthera’s ecological treasures and importance
- Foster citizen science participation through bird and ecosystem monitoring
Students from schools across Eleuthera and visiting university partners benefit from access to this unique natural learning environment. By connecting people to place, the trail is cultivating the next generation of island stewards.
Protecting the Kirtland’s Warbler
Each winter, the Kirtland’s Warbler, one of North America’s rarest migratory songbirds, travels approximately 1,700 miles from its breeding grounds in the young jack pine forests of Michigan to winter in The Bahamas, and specifically on Eleuthera.
Eleuthera’s coppice forests provide a critical seasonal habitat for this remarkable species. Native shrubs such as Black Torch and White Sage produce berries and support insect populations that sustain the warbler throughout the winter months. Additionally, these plants are propagated and planted at strategic locations along the trail’s outskirts.
Once reduced to fewer than 200 singing males in the wild, the Kirtland’s Warbler is now considered one of the world’s great conservation success stories. Continued protection of its winter habitat in The Bahamas remains essential to its survival.
The Bird’s Eye View, Birding and Nature Trail is a prime example of how local conservation can aid in global recovery efforts.
Strengthening Eleuthera’s Ecotourism Economy
Bird-based tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments of nature travel worldwide.
Eleuthera’s location within the Atlantic Flyway makes it an important winter destination for migratory birds and a valuable site for international birdwatchers seeking rare species such as the Kirtland’s Warbler.
The project is positioning Eleuthera as a premier Caribbean birding destination while supporting local guide training and conservation-based tourism experiences. It is improving local livelihoods, bolstering the economy, and supporting the diversification of the island’s tourism product. Every visit supports conservation programming and sustainable community development in a meaningful way.
Bird's Eye View Trail Audio Gallery
Welcome to the Bird’s Eye View Nature & Birding Trail
Inside The Coppice Forest
Plants of the Coppice Forest
Poison & The Cure
Songs of the Forest
Migratory Wonders: Winter Birds
A Bahamian Conservation Story: The Kirtland’s Warbler
Coppice Forest Eco Treasures
Invasive Plant Species: A Growing Threat
The Healing Forest
Species Spotlight: The Bahamian Boa
Living Heritage Plants
The Circle of Life: Sustainability Through Giving
Thank You for Visiting
Partners in Conservation
This initiative has been supported through contributions from:
- Environmental specialists and botanists
- Local conservation partners
- Community volunteers
- National and international supporters of conservation work
Together, these partnerships help to ensure the long-term protection of Eleuthera’s ecosystems.
Whether you are a seasoned birder, student group, photographer, or nature enthusiast, the trail offers a unique opportunity to explore Eleuthera’s ecosystems while supporting conservation in action.
Plan Your Next Visit:
To request more information or plan your upcoming visit, contact:
Trail Length: Approximately 870 meters
Difficulty Level: Easy / Moderate
Experience Options: Self-guided or guided tours available
Best Birding Season: November through April
