The Checkerboard and Coastal Geology

The rocky coastline at the reserve's eastern end showcases the Checkerboard Formation—a striking natural grid of limestone blocks that records sea level recession from the last interglacial high stand around 120,000 years ago. The pattern is formed as marine limestone erodes along cracks, leaving raised square tiles of calcium carbonate bordered by dissolution channels. For anyone interested in geology, it is one of Bermuda's most photogenic and educational rock formations.↗↗

Along the shore you will also encounter tidal pools where Sally Lightfoot crabs flash bright orange-red on the rocks, and the critically endangered Bermuda rock skink—Bermuda's only native reptile—may dart between crevices if you are still and lucky.↗↗

Walking the Loop Trail

The reserve is designed for easy self-guided exploration. A well-marked loop trail of approximately 1.8 km (1.1 miles) can be entered from either the east or west car park. Walking the full circuit takes about two hours at a relaxed pace and passes through a remarkable range of terrain: open grassland above the pond, peat-marsh wetlands with mangrove roots, woodland trails under casuarina and restored native forest, and the exposed rocky coastal headland with sweeping ocean views.↗

The core pond area is fenced as a bird sanctuary, but the trail runs close enough to see every habitat without disturbing protected zones. Interpretive signage at key points explains the ecology of the salt marsh, the forest succession after the cedar scale disaster of the 1950s, and the geological history written in the rocks. In spring, keep an eye on the horizon from Portuguese Rock—humpback whales have been spotted passing offshore.↗↗

Birdwatching

Spittal Pond is Bermuda's premier wetland for wintering waterfowl, a distinction formally recognized by its 1999 Ramsar designation. Twenty bird species regularly spend the winter here, and a cumulative total of 200 species has been recorded at the site. Common winter visitors include American black duck, ring-necked duck, American wigeon, Eurasian teal, and blue-winged teal. Great blue, green, and tricoloured herons stalk the shallows, while cattle egrets and snowy egrets wade among the marsh grasses.↗↗

In spring, the white-tailed tropicbird—or longtail, Bermuda's national bird—nests on the coastal cliffs and wheels overhead on stiff, angular wings. The endemic Bermuda white-eyed vireo, a subspecies with shorter wings and more subdued plumage than its Caribbean relatives, can be heard in the woodland sections of the trail. Shorebirds such as shanks, dowitchers, and sandpipers pick along the exposed mudflats when the water level drops.↗↗

A Pond That Sometimes Turns Pink

Spittal Pond occasionally takes on an unusual pink hue, caused by algae and microorganisms that produce pigments in the saline conditions. This color shift, most pronounced during warmer months, adds an unexpected visual dimension to an already striking landscape. The pond's water level fluctuates by about 75 centimetres depending on rainfall and storm surges from the sea, and at low levels the exposed mudflats become prime foraging ground for shorebirds.↗

Visiting Tips

The reserve is open from dawn to dusk. There are two access points—east and west car parks—both reached from South Shore Road in Smith's Parish. The Number 1 bus from Hamilton or St. George's stops near the eastern entrance after a journey of roughly 20 minutes. Dogs are welcome but must remain on a leash; please stay on the marked trail to avoid startling wildlife. No vehicles are permitted on the paths.↗

For the best birdwatching, visit during winter months when waterfowl numbers peak. Morning hours tend to be quieter and more productive for wildlife encounters. The trail is family-friendly and good for children, making it a rewarding outing that combines fresh air, nature, and a genuine sense of place in Bermuda's landscape.↗↗