Sierra de Bahoruco Reserve – Dominican Republic

About

Created in 1983, Sierra de Bahoruco Reserve is located in the south-west provinces of Pedernales in the Dominican Republic. The mountain range is a part of the Massif de la Selle-Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Bi-national Corridor. This mountainous reserve covers more than 386 square miles and has a vibrant tropical ecosystem on the island of Hispaniola. In 2002, UNESCO named Sierra de Bahoruco national park as one of three key zones. Within the 100 bird species in the area, many threatened species call this forest home. An amazing, 32 out of 34 restricted-range species of the Hispaniola Endemic Bird area can be seen in the trees of the region making it an Important Bird Area. Nature photographers head to Sierra de Bahoruco to photograph the endangered Black-capped Petrel, Bay-breasted Cuckoo, and La Selle Thrush. Other native species include the Hispaniolan Parakeet and Parrot whose calls can be heard echoing through the hills.

Owen was able to capture favorites such as the Narrow-billed Tody, Stolid Flycatcher, Antillean Siskin, and American Kestrel. This region provides winter habitat for 21 migrant species including Bicknell’s Thrush. Other animals found in the area are the Rhinoceros Iguanas and the Hispaniolan solenodon. The major threats to the birds, animals, and vegetation in the area are wildfires, charcoal production, commercial agriculture, species hunting, and chick collecting and mining.

With the surrounding area being one of the poorest places in the country, the locals depend heavily on the resources found in the forest.

Owen traveled to Sierra de Bahoruco Reserve in January 2019. 

© Eric Carrasco-Nunez

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Birds found here

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  Stolid Flycatcher

  
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  Narrow-billed Tody

  
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  Bay-breasted Cuckoo

  
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  Antillean Siskin

  
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  American Kestrel