Barbuda makes up half the name of the country of Antigua and Barbuda, but it is smaller and less known than its partner island. Barbuda is a low limestone island with shallow lagoons, coral reefs and sandy beaches like reef-lined Spanish Point and North Beach. Some beaches have a slight pink hue. Barbuda was devastated by Hurricane Irma in 2017, with 95% of the buildings destroyed. All 1600 residents were evacuated to Antigua afterwards but returned to rebuild the only village on the island, Codrington.
The village was founded by two British brothers of that name who brought African slaves to the island. Many were born on the island and “exported” to Antigua. Several rebellions occurred, and secure lockups were built around the island for runaways. Freedom arrived in 1834.
The Caribbean may be known for its pirates but the most elegant and effective pirates at Barbuda are the Magnificent Frigatebirds. These large long-winged fork-tailed birds harass other flying seabirds until they regurgitate recently caught fish. The frigatebirds then snatch a free meal in an act of ‘aerial piracy’. "You can visit the nesting colony in the Magnificent Frigate Sanctuary at Codrington Lagoon, which boast the largest nesting colony (with an estimated 2500 birds) in the western hemisphere .These magnificent birds travel between the Caribbean and Galapagos islands during the varying mating seasons. You may see males on low mangroves inflating red balloon-like throat pouches to attract females"; but we were not there in mating season!!.
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Our tour started with a short 10 minute walk to Martello Tower. This 32 foot high tower and fort of 3 guns was used as a lookout along the South coast and sighting in-coming or wrecked ships. The information was signaled onward to the village of Codrington, several miles north. Next a drive through the small capital of Codrington and we boarded a motorboat to visit the famous Frigate Bird sanctuary; over 2500 of these birds exist. We were given a talk, seated in our boats, and also saw pelicans, terns, gulls and endemic critters like the tropical mocking bird.
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