Disney Castaway Cay - 18 Apr 2024

Cloudy skies and calm seas greeted us as we approached the small island at 7 am. Forecasts called for low 70’s and a stiff breeze, but would turn mostly sunny with high humidity and light winds.

The shallow waters next to the pier were calm and shimmered aqua-blue. 

I disembarked the ship at 8:30 am and walked the island to look for birds. The walkway was roped off so my intention of wandering into the bush was discouraged; the road adjacent was being used for tram traffic. No problem though, as Bananaquits were abundant, followed by Black-faced Grassquits that appeared in the vegetation on either side of the paths.

Near the first family beach area the small community of out buildings included a number of market stalls, Cookies BBQ, and Gumbo Limbo Pavilion (a large dining pagoda). A walk behind the Tram Stop led to beach volleyball courts and sand soccer fields. Best of all, the area was surrounded by palms, mangroves and tropical vegetation. The first of many Zenaida Doves appeared walking among the picnic tables.

Bananaquits were buzzing, hummingbirds would zip through the area (at this point unidentifiable), and small flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds were calling in the shade of the buildings. 

I found a Loggerhead Kingbird in the trees nearby.

A Key West Quail-Dove with its distinctive magenta coloration and white cheek stripe waddled by and I managed a quick pic.

Curly-tailed Lizards (Leiocephalus carinatus ) scampered across the paths, and I managed to get eye-level with a couple in areas free from foot traffic.

In the palm trees overhead I spotted an American Kestrel quietly surveying the area below.

A White Ibis wandered by one of the food stalls looking for a handout.

I continued along the perimeter of the volleyball courts. I was hearing the "chick-burrio" notes of a White-eyed Vireo and was anxious to get pics. Though the bird would fly off I did see a couple of Black-faced Grassquits that cooperated nicely.

Following the foot path I came upon a bike rental booth and the the 5K Bike Path that takes one past the air strip. I walked the air strip about half its length and then backtracked to the private road that leads to the Cabanas for workers/guests. With vegetation on either side I was able to spot a pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers chasing each other in the denuded trees nearby.

My "singing" vireo reappeared and this time I was able to track it down near the maintenance yard and get pics. Thick-billed Vireo!

Without any field guides or internet access I was unable to get any idea of the hummingbird species that might be present on this little island. All I could spot were dark, long-winged pairs of birds chasing each other through the trees. It wasn't until a couple on a bike stopped me and asked about the birds here that a pair dropped down right by them! Cuban Emeralds!

They, along with Bahama Woodstars, are the only recorded hummingbirds on the island.

I'd head back to Gumbo Limbo and wait for Robin who was heading my way from the ship. As I waited I photographed a group of Bananaquits fighting over some food scraps next to the kitchen of Cookies BBQ. 

After a nice lunch and some people-watching walked back to the  ship. I stopped long enough to grab another few pics of Zenaida Dove.

 

and a pair of Common Ground Doves.

We'd be back onboard by 1 pm and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing on our balcony and waiting for the ship to leave at 4:45 pm. An Osprey would pass right by the balcony just before leaving; figures that I had the camera packed away...

Castaway Cay, South Abaco and Moore's Island, BS
Apr 18, 2024 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Disney Dream
19 species

Common Ground Dove (Columbina passerina)  2
Key West Quail-Dove (Geotrygon chrysia)  2
Zenaida Dove (Zenaida aurita)  1
Bahama Woodstar (Nesophlox evelynae)  1
Cuban Emerald (Riccordia ricordii)  3
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)  45
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)  3
Great Egret (Ardea alba)  1
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus)  2
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)  1
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)  1
Loggerhead Kingbird (Tyrannus caudifasciatus)  1
Thick-billed Vireo (Vireo crassirostris)  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  2
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  2
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  6
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  1
Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola)  12
Black-faced Grassquit (Melanospiza bicolor)  8

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S169305534

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Dinner tonight was at the Enchanted Gardens on Deck 2. Last night we were at Animator's Palate (Deck 3) and previous night at Royal Palace (Deck 4). Assigned seating (Table 72) and Dinner time (5:45 pm) allowed us guaranteed meal time with three other wonderful couples: Ginette and David Tsang, Cathy and John Hutchinson, and Diane and John Lemon. 

The Disney Dream garnered 5-stars from start to finish. Robin and I were grateful for the wonderful staff and crew of the Dream, with special acknowledgements to Marta (Guest Services), JoJo (Cabin Steward), Budi and Jez (Wait Staff), Rui (Head Waiter) and everyone else who offered smiles and directions that made our experience as wonderful as possible. We'll be back on another Disney Cruise.