Hungry Bay Nature Reserve facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hungry Bay Nature Reserve
Hungry Bay Nature Reserve Location in Bermuda
Location	Hungry Bay Nature Reserve
Nearest city	Hamilton
Area	2.01 hectares (5.0 acres)
Established	1986, 1999 (Ramsar site)
Visitors	NA (in NA)
Governing body	Department of Conservation Services, Government of Bermuda
Ramsar Wetland
Official name: Hungry Bay Mangrove Swamp
Designated:	11 May 1999
Reference #:	987

Hungry Bay Nature Reserve is a special protected area on the east coast of Bermuda. It was created in 1986 to protect a unique natural space. This reserve is known as the best example of a coastal mangrove swamp in Bermuda. It includes the beautiful Hungry Bay area and the island's largest mangrove swamp.

The reserve is officially protected by a special order for trees. It is also a designated Nature Reserve within Bermuda's park system. The Hungry Bay Mangrove Swamp is one of seven Ramsar Sites in Bermuda. This means it's recognized as important worldwide. It's a key habitat for native crabs and a stop for birds that migrate. Most of the reserve is mangrove swamp. There's also a small saltmarsh area in the south.

History of Hungry Bay Reserve

The idea for this reserve started in 1974. It became part of Bermuda's development plan in 1983. While the mangrove trees are protected by a special order, the whole reserve was officially made a National Reserve in 1986.

Hungry Bay Mangrove Swamp Reserve became a Ramsar site on May 10, 1999. This international title shows how important it is. It's the largest mangrove swamp in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Many migratory birds visit it in winter. It's also home to many native crustacean species. These include the rare terrestrial hermit crab and the giant land crab.

In 2003, a big storm called Hurricane Fabian caused a lot of damage. About one-third of the swamp was destroyed. Rising sea levels due to global warming also harm the swamp. People living nearby have also worried about dirty water flowing into Hungry Bay.

Exploring Hungry Bay's Geography

Hungry Bay is Bermuda's largest tidal mangrove swamp. It's located in a sea bay on the east coast. The bay has a narrow opening to the sea. It's known as the most northerly mangrove swamp in the world. It's quite shallow, about 1 meter deep at high tide.

The reserve covers a small area of 2.01 hectares. About 99% of this is tidal mangrove forest. The remaining 1% is permanent brackish marshes. The soil here is a mix of clay, mud, peat, and sand. The reserve always has water. The water quality varies from slightly salty to very salty in different parts.

The climate in the reserve is subtropical. This means it has mild temperatures and high humidity. Storms and strong winds are common in winter. The reserve has thick forests of red and black mangrove trees. Many seawater channels flow through the area. These channels rise and fall with the tides. They are important homes for small fish. Crabs and other sea creatures also live here. The trees provide homes for many bird species. Snails and insects are also common in the reserve.

You can reach the reserve by road, but access is limited. You can also get there by boat through the bay. The reserve has a small dock for boats.

Plants of Hungry Bay Reserve

The main plants in the mangrove swamps are black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) and red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle). Other trees and plants found around the mangroves include buttonwood, rush, and sea purslane. You can also find sea ox-eye, sea lavender, and different types of grasses. The northern parts of the reserve have tropical mangrove swamp plants. The southern areas mostly have temperate saltmarsh plants.

Some plants that don't belong, like casuarina, are growing too much. They are harming the growth of the native mangrove swamp. This also affects the giant land crabs, hermit crabs, and native snail species. Efforts are being made to restore the habitat. This helps protect the mangroves and other native species.

Animals of Hungry Bay Reserve

Many interesting animals live in the mangrove swamp. Several types of crabs are found here. These include the giant land crab (Cardisoma guanhumi), with only two groups living in the swamp's upper areas. The terrestrial hermit crab (Coenobita clypeatus) is also present. Another crab found here is the mangrove crab (Goniopsis cruentatus).

Birds of Hungry Bay Reserve

Many important bird species visit the reserve. These include the great blue heron, yellow-crowned night heron, and snowy egret. You might also see mallard ducks, the belted kingfisher, and the northern waterthrush. These birds all spend their winters here. There are efforts to control the number of feral pigeons in the reserve. These pigeons can take over nesting spots from native birds in cliffs and ledges. Removing them helps protect the native bird species.