CC BY 4.0, CROIX, Wikimedia CommonsWildlife· Barbuda· Leeward Islands
Codrington Lagoon Frigatebird Sanctuary
17° 41.8′ N · 61° 52.0′ W
Thousands of magnificent frigatebirds nest in the mangroves at the north end of Codrington Lagoon. Wikipedia reports it as the largest colony in the world. In breeding season the males sit on the bushes inflating scarlet throat pouches like balloons and drum their bills, a sound you can hear from the boat.
Practical
Coordinate verified from Wikipedia (Codrington Lagoon Magnificent Frigate Bird Sanctuary). Access is ONLY in a Barbudan-owned, licensed boat. Taking your own dinghy or tender into the sanctuary is forbidden by the Barbuda Council, and offenders are reported to police and removed. Boats leave from the Codrington Lagoon Fisheries wharf in daylight hours. Barbudaful (undated, verify locally) lists the boat at US$60 per group of up to four plus US$15 per extra person. All visitors also pay a US$5 Council conservation fee at the Fisheries wharf before boarding; Wikipedia gives US$2 for non-citizens. The ride into the mangroves takes about 40 minutes. Stay in the boat, do not handle the birds and keep noise down. Yachts in Low Bay can use a water taxi across the barrier to the wharf, and some guides collect from Low Bay. Book a day ahead in season. Combine with a Codrington lunch and provisioning.
Best for
The one must-do on Barbuda: frigatebird courtship displays up close
Season
Breeding and courtship Sep-Apr, with December the reported peak; birds present year-round