Photos & Video: Annual Children’s Nature Walk

February 18, 2015

The Bermuda National Trust hosted the Annual Children’s Nature Walk yesterday [Feb 17] at Spittal Pond, with over 160 children and 50 parents attending, and 40 volunteers donating their services.

The BNT said, “Spittal Pond Nature Reserve is owned by the Bermuda National Trust and the Bermuda Government. One of Bermuda’s most spectacular open spaces, this 64-acre reserve is part of a necklace of wetlands along the South Shore, providing a diversity of habitats and an amazing variety of birds, especially during the migration seasons.

“It is Bermuda’s largest bird sanctuary. While home to many native and endemic plants, Spittal Pond has unique features such as ‘Jeffrey’s Cave’, the hiding place of an escaped slave, ‘Portuguese Rock’, the oldest evidence of humans on the island, ‘the Checkerboard’, a geological formation of marine limestone with a distinct pattern of cracks.

“Children and parents had the opportunity to experience nature first hand on the walk, as well as see some of our cultural landmarks and heard fascinating stories from the past. They were taken along the route by the Trust’s enthusiastic guides and senior student helpers from the Bermuda College and the Home School Network, stopping at points of interest to learn about the plants and wildlife of the pond and forest from the island’s leading environmental and cultural experts.

“This year we were fortunate to have local experts that included: Alison Copeland of the Department of Conservation Services explained the pond life; Audubon Society members Janice Hetzel and Karen Border together with Neville Richardson talked about the plants and the birds at the Woodland Pond; other members of the Aubudon Society, Keith Rossiter, Eric Hetzel, and Ian Fisher shared their insight on the birds at the Pond and helped youngsters study them with binoculars; James Smith told the story of Jeffrey, the escaped slave who hid in a cave at Spittal Pond; Bermudian historian Lance Furbert discussed the cultural story and significance of Portuguese Rock; Robert Chandler explained the geography of the Checkerboard and the power of natural forces; Tommy Sinclair, Agriculture Officer, shared information about the Dairy Farm; and Anne Hyde, Director of Keep Bermuda Beautiful gave ideas for trash free lunches and picnics in the refreshment area.”

Click to enlarge photos: