Punta Chiqueros

This site has not yet been approved as an official eBird hotspot, but is included in my list of favorites because it offers an opportunity to observe birds that inhabit rocky coastline environments.  Because this point is relatively un-visited, there are often large flocks of shorebirds present.  Less regularly, shorebirds, osprey, and vulture, can be observed flying over the site.  A variety of songbirds can also be found on the beach, dunes, and coastal scrub at the back of the beach.  This site also offers a nice compliment to other sites on the east coast of the island.  

Tips for Birding this Site

Shorebirds are typically quite numerous at this site, even if you don't initially see them with binoculars from the road; they tend to blend in with the rocks and hid in the nooks and crannies.  Good viewing can often be had from behind the seawall (POI #2).  A longer trek toward POI #3 typically yields large numbers of sandpipers (including Least, White-rumped, Western, Spotted, Stilt, Sanderling), plovers (e.,g., Wilson's, Black-bellied, Semipalmated), and other shorebirds (e.g., Willet, Whimbrel, Short-billed Dowitcher, Black-necked Stilt, Snowy Egret).  Terns, Frigatebirds, Vultures, Swifts, Swallows, and Osprey are often observed flying over the site.  A return route along the dunes (back of beach) and west side of the road (POI #4) offers opportunities to observe Great-tailed Grackle, Black Catbird, Tropical Mockingbird, Palm Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Orioles, and Hummingbirds.

At this site, you can park your car where the bike path (old coastal highway) diverges from the newer highway (just north of the bend).  A less-steep descent down to the beach can be had by walking south ~100 yards, to just north of the gated gravel road.  There is no shade cover at this site, so be prepared with sun protection.  Be careful walking on the rocks at this site; the jagged edges of the weathered limestone ("Ironshore") at this site are very sharp.  There are no public facilities at this site.