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SANDY CAY III    
A PROJECT TO HELP PRESERVE THE NATURAL AREA TREASURES 
OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SANDY CAY FIELD TRIPS: 
Semi-annual Report,  
July – December, 2007 
 
 
 
Prepared by 
Jean-Pierre Bacle 
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INTRODUCTION 
From July to December members of the Jost Van Dykes Preservation Society, 
Resortscapes, Inc., and Island Resources Foundation visited Sandy Cay on eight 
occasions.  All visits included the participation of David Blyden.  Susan Zaluski, 
JVDPS’ new program manager visited the island twice; once with J.P. Bacle on 
October 12th for an introductory and overview of the on-going monitoring and 
maintenance program, and on November 29th with Chris Thomas, to participate 
in the fertilization of palm trees. 
 
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POST RAT ERADICATION MONITORING  
All monitoring trips during the second half of 2007 indicated no sign of rat 
activity - in other words no evidence of rat droppings in and around the 15 bait 
stations as well as signs of gnawing on branches, twigs, or fruits.  No rodent 
trails were observed in the sea purslane ground cover in the central part of the 
islands. 
During the course of the year, we decided to test a new bait station suggested by 
a local provider (BVI Pest Control).  This new design (#902 Top Loader Bait 
Station) has thus far been quite successful at preventing hermit crabs gaining 
access to the bait (Photo 1.).  If this continues to be the case in the next few 
months, more stations of this type will be acquired as replacement for the older 
deteriorating stations becomes necessary. 
 
TRAIL CONDITION 
Trail maintenance along the trail bed and pruning along the trail corridor was 
kept to a high standard.  While working on the island, numerous visitors 
complimented us on the good appearance of the trail.  We noted however that 
the majority of walkers were bare feet and unable to walk the rocky upland 
section.   Most of them were unaware of the trail’s existence and where the trail 
led.  Perhaps once the island is under the Park System, a Sandy Cay flyer 
showing the trail, its condition and other island features should be made 
available to visitors, through local charter groups, and associations. 
 
BIRD OBSERVATIONS 
Records during the latter half of the year reveal modest bird activity except for a 
large flock of brown pelican who were foraging around the island on October 
12th (Table 1.).  The resident population of bananaquits and yellow warblers 
continue to be active and in fair numbers. 
 
Table 1.   Bird observations at Sandy Cay. 
Species 
10/12//07 
11/29/07 
Magnificent Frigatebird 
1 
 
Brown Pelican 
45 
3 
Brown Booby 
6 
 
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Laughing Gull 
2 
 
Scaly-napped Pigeon 
 
4 
Common Ground Dove 
1 
 
Zenaida Dove 
 
1 
Green-throated Carib 
2 
2 
Gray Kingbird 
1 
 
Yellow Warbler 
12 
1 
Bananaquit 
17 
24 
* nesting activity 
 
 
VISITATION 
As expected, Sandy Cay remains a popular destination for recreational users as 
indicated by the figures on Table 2.  Peak activity was during the November and 
December months when the tourist season gradually kicks in.  Clive Petrovic, an 
IRF associate also recorded anchoring data during this period from his vantage 
point on Tortola (see Table 3). 
Table 2. Visitation at Sandy Cay on selected days from July to December 2007. 
 
7/28/0
7 
8/28/0
7 
9/15/0
7 
10/12/0
7 
10/20/0
7 
11/17/0
7 
11/29/0
7 
12/18/0
7 
Anchore
d boats 
6 
1 
4 
2 
8 
11 
8 
7 
Persons 
on the 
beach 
2 
2 
8 
6 
5 
27 
31 
22 
Persons 
on the 
trail 
13 
0 
2 
6 
5 
5 
6 
25 
 
 
Table 3. Visitation at Sandy Cay (anchored boats only) reported by C. Petrovic. 
 
6/3/07 
6/10/07 
9/2/07 
11/17/07 
11/18/07 
12/30/07 
Anchored boats 
6 
7 
2 
3 
3 
16 
 
 
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OTHER OBSERVATIONS 
The wet season is about to end and Sandy Cay’s vegetation continues to show 
signs of healthy growth due primarily to regular rains.  Although coconuts 
continue to be harvested, it is reassuring to see an increasing number of seedlings 
along the ground.   We estimate that at least half a dozen seedlings are scattered 
in the western half of the island. 
During this last trip, we noticed a number of sea turtle nest pits throughout the 
western shoreline, just inside the vegetation line (Photo 2).  These pits were 
measured at around one meter in diameter and are possibly that of the hawksbill 
turtle which customarily nest during this time of the year. 
Shoreline erosion.  Evidence of shoreline erosion was apparent along the 
southern and western beaches.  Photo #3 depicts the typical erosion profile with 
beach vegetation  slumping down the bluff.  The cycle of erosion is expected to 
continue for a few more months. 
 
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Photo#1: New bait station . 
 
 
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Photo #2:  Turtle activity along the western beach, possible nest pit. 
 
 
Photo #3: Bluff erosion, 3 to 4 feet in height along the south shoreline.