Cayman's three islands are geographically close and geologically similar. Yet Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman each have their own character, and in some cases, their own unique plants and animals. Cayman Islands Parrots, for example, are two distinct subspecies of the Cuban Parrot, both of which are in need of protection.

The Cayman Brac Parrot (Amazona leucocephala hesterna) is slightly smaller than the Grand Cayman Parrot (Amazona leucocephala caymanensis), although its colouring is very similar. Both have iridescent green feathers over the body, a white eye ring, red cheeks, black ear patches and brilliant blue wing feathers which are only obvious when the bird is in flight. The tail has blue outer edges, with some red and yellowish green underneath. The Cayman Brac Parrot also has a pure white forehead, and a large maroon area on its abdomen.

Although now found only on the Brac, the Cayman Brac Parrot used to inhabit Little Cayman. It was apparently wiped out there in the great storm of 1932, which may have destroyed all the large trees with good nesting cavities.

The range of the Cayman Brac Parrot is so small - the smallest of any Amazon Parrot - that there is no scope for the population to reach a secure level. Censuses prior to Hurricane Paloma in 1998 indicated that the  parrot population was fairly stable at about 400-500 birds.

The hurricane caused significant mortality, and a survey in March 2009, revealed a population of around 300. Another survey conducted in 2010 suggests that the numbers are starting to recover. The long term future of the parrots, however, depends critically on the conservation of enough old growth forest areas on the Brac to support this inherently endangered species.

In 1991, the Trust was fortunate to acquire a 100-acre parcel of land on Cayman Brac's Bluff. Mr. Donald Pennie, a US citizen, had made a charitable donation of the land to The Nature Conservancy in the USA. As the area was old growth dry forest with nesting parrots, The Nature Conservancy agreed that the property be transferred to the Trust, to form the nucleus for the newly created Brac Parrot Reserve. In 1994, an anonymous donation of 80 acres of nearby land was received, and in 1998 an additional donation by Mr. Pennie brought the total protected area to 197 acres.

In 2005, the Trust completed the purchase of an additional 84.5 acres of land, connecting the existing parcels. This was possible in part to a grant of US$250,000 from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, under the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act. The grant proposal was written by the Department of the Environment in Cayman, who also facilitated the donation of almost $500,000 towards this purchase from the Cayman Islands Government. The Reserve now encompasses over 280 acres of contiguous protected land.

The Brac Parrot Reserve is dominated by pristine, ancient dry forest on a very rough and rocky terrain. A great diversity of native trees, including species not present on Grand Cayman or Little Cayman, support breeding forest birds such as the Red-legged Thrush, White-crowned Pigeon ("Bald Pate") and Black-whiskered Vireo. In the winter months, the Reserve is filled with neotropical migrant songbirds, escaping cold northern climates.

The Trust's Cayman Brac District Committee has established a nature trail through part of the Reserve. With the assistance of the local Public Works Department, a small car park was built on Major Donald Drive (the main Bluff road which leads to the Bluff lighthouse), and a ramp was installed to ease walkers' access from the road on to the trail. The trail forms a loop, which passes through several different types of terrain, from old farm land now under grass, past mango trees on red soil, and through diverse thickets, into mature forest.

One of the most striking aspects of the Reserve's forest is the mixture of hardwoods and cacti. Usually these plants are found in very distinct areas, but in the Reserve sizable cacti (Pilosocereus sp.) reach up through the branches of broad-leafed trees. Air plants (Tillandsia species) and orchids ( Myrmecophila thomsoniana var. minor) which abound, also seem content to use cacti as host plants. At one point it is possible, in season (April-May), to stand by a 12 foot high cactus and see 15 orchids flowering and three different types of air plants close by. Further along the trail, 8-10 Century plants (Agave sobolifera) grow in the dappled shade.

Part of the trail is very old, passing along the Bight Road. This was a track used by Brackers to cross from one side of the Bluff to the other to reach their provision grounds on the south shore, or to gather coconuts, which were once a major export crop for Cayman Brac. The surface on the Bight Road has been partly smoothed by the passage of many feet over the years, but no part of the terrain is particularly easy. Walkers are recommended to wear sturdy shoes for protection against the uneven dolomite rock.

The nature trail, which is approximately one mile long, was opened on 1st July, 1996. It takes about 45 minutes to complete the loop, and an extra ten minutes to follow the Bight Road to the cliffs on the southern edge of the Bluff. Signs and information boards are placed at strategic points, and a brochure has been produced to help guide visitors. Parrots are often seen and heard around the Reserve, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. They nest secretively in tree cavities, and feed on the fruits and seeds of the forest. When resting quietly in the heat of the day, they are almost perfectly camouflaged among the leaves of the trees. It is this behaviour that has earned the Cayman Brac Parrot the nickname "Stealth Parrot".

Remember it is an offence to litter or take any plant or animal from Trust property. The Trust accepts no responsibility for injuries sustained on the trail.

Last Updated: 26 Jun 2012