On Saturday 2nd February 2019, the Anguilla National Trust and Flora & Fauna International, along with volunteers and others, visited the islands of Sombrero and Prickly Pear East. The group made the one-hour journey to Sombrero to document the reptile and bird populations. The island, which is located 54 km northwest of Anguilla, and is 0.38 km wide, is home to the endemic Sombrero Ameiva (found on Sombrero Island and nowhere else in the world) and various birdlife such as masked and brown boobies.
The short visit confirmed the presence of a yet-to-be named tree lizard that is similar to the Anguilla Bank anole. This new species was first observed on the island in the late 1990s and is believed to be endemic to the island. The group also made its way to Prickly Pear for a brief stop to survey the population of Anguilla’s Lesser Antillean iguana – which was first introduced to the offshore cay in 2016 – as well as the artificial housing (igloos) which were constructed in September 2018 for the red-billed tropicbirds.
The Anguilla National Trust conducts research and conservation work year-round. Interested persons can contact the Anguilla National Trust by calling either 497 5297 or 476 2170.
