Cas Cay facts for kids
Cas Cay, 2014
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 Cas Cay
Location in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Cas Cay
Location in Caribbean
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Caribbean Sea |
| Coordinates | 18°18′25″N 64°51′55″W / 18.30694°N 64.86528°W |
| Area | 50 acres (20 ha) |
| Administration | |
| Federal Department | U.S. Department of the Interior |
| Federal Agency | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Capital city | Washington, D.C. |
| Largest settlement | New York City |
| President | Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. |
Cas Cay is a small, untouched island in the United States Virgin Islands. It's about fifty-acre (200,000-square-metre) big, which is like 50 football fields! You can find it a mile south of Red Hook, near Saint Thomas. This special island is protected by the Department of Natural Resources to keep its nature safe. If you want to visit, boats leave from Compass Point Marina.
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Exploring Cas Cay
Cas Cay is a beautiful tropical island with a hill about a hundred feet tall. This hill is a great spot for birdwatching. You might see amazing birds like the Red-billed and White-tailed tropicbird.
Plants and Animals
The island is home to many unique plants. Some of these plants are Tabebuia trees, gumbo-limbos, and seagrapes. You can also find beautiful orchids growing here. A very important plant on the island is the mangrove. Cas Cay has one of the largest mangrove areas in the Virgin Islands.
Besides birds and plants, the island has many lizards. Look closely and you might spot anoles, ameiva, and geckos.
Fun Activities and Natural Wonders
Cas Cay is a fantastic place for outdoor adventures. Many people visit to go snorkeling or scuba diving in the clear waters. Kayaking is another popular way to explore the island's coastline. If you love birds, it's a perfect spot for bird watching.
The island also has some cool natural features. There's a special mangrove lagoon, which is a protected area for wildlife. You can also see a natural whirlpool and a blowhole. These are formed by the ocean's waves.
Right next to Cas Cay, to the north, is the Cas Cay-Mangrove Lagoon Marine Reserve & Wildlife Sanctuary. This area in Jersey Bay is also protected.
Important Bird Area
Cas Cay, along with nearby Bovoni and Patricia Cays, is part of a very important area for birds. This 225-hectare area, including the Mangrove Lagoon marine reserve, is called an Important Bird Area (IBA). It's recognized by BirdLife International. This means it's a crucial home for many bird species. Some of the birds that live here include green-throated caribs, Antillean crested hummingbirds, pearly-eyed thrashers, and Lesser Antillean bullfinches. Protecting this area helps these birds thrive.
