My birdwatching journey begins when a local guide meets me at East Winds, one of St. Lucia's oldest resorts. It is also a hummingbird haven. Enchanting beauties like the antillean crested hummingbird, and the purple and green throated carib can be spotted flitting from flower to flower.

On a whim, I gravitated to the Eastern Caribbean Island of St. Lucia, in search of the free spirit I’d lost. It is there that my love of birdwatching is born. These feathered friends provide a pathway back to freedom, connecting me with nature, nurturing a sense of wonder and mindfulness. St. Lucia is home to five endemic species of birds that can only be found on this vibrant island: the St. Lucia parrot, black finch, warbler, oriole and pee wee.
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A sanctuary in the trees

As my guide and I make our way to the first stop on my birding adventure, past banana trees and mongoose scurrying across the road, the sweet smell of hibiscus fills the air. Millet Bird Sanctuary Trail is the perfect spot to start the day.

My guide surveys the trees while listening intently to the various tweets. Within what seems like seconds, a male black finch lands on a nearby coconut. Thrilled, I grab my camera to get a clear shot of my first sighting.

We carry on into the rainforest in search of the other four endemic birds. Many tourists visiting St. Lucia spend time basking in the sun, yet few explore the dense rainforest, which is home to the St. Lucian parrot. Locals proudly refer to it as “Jacquot” – the country’s national bird. At one time, this rare beauty almost became extinct due to deforestation; now, thanks to an effective conservation program, it is thriving.

as I delve deeper into the world of birding I understand how absorbing it can become.

Spotting a St. Lucian parrot is a dream of mine — perhaps it's how elusive they are that draws me in — challenging me to be more mindful and present. Birdwatching has that effect, and as I delve deeper into the world of birding I understand how absorbing it can become.

‍A moment of anticipation

We climb deeper into the forest as the rain starts to fall. I hear the loud squawking of parrots in the dense vegetation, and I am filled with anticipation. We carry on hiking uphill to the lookout point on the Des Cartier Trail.

The lookout is awe-inspiring in its natural beauty: an open expanse of verdant rainforest. The clouds seem to linger over the mountainous range. It is a favourite spot for the parrots to pass by. Within minutes the squawks reverberate across the sky and two parrots fly overhead, their green wings spread in flight. 

My excitement is palpable, I am in awe of how they navigate the sky, soaring and gliding almost effortlessly, a powerful symbol of freedom.

My excitement is palpable, I am in awe of how they navigate the sky, soaring and gliding almost effortlessly, a powerful symbol of freedom. As I wait with my guide, hoping a parrot might perch nearby for a fruity feast, we are left with only a glimpse and the sound of stillness in the air. As any avid birder knows, the key to birding is patience. 

The next day I head out on another birding adventure with local friends from the island. We drive along the winding roads until we stop the car by the side of the road; we’re near a forested area that a fellow bird lover was kind enough to share with me. 

I can hear many varied tweets. I quietly make my way closer to the rustling trees. Right there at my peripheral is one of the birds I adore. The St. Lucian pewee, a rusty orange coloured bird, with the cutest animated face, is staring right at me. Perched on another low branch is the St. Lucian oriole, sporting his black and orange feathered belly.

I am still determined to get a better look at the St. Lucian parrot, as I can't shake how close I came to seeing one the day before.  
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‍A birdwatcher’s patience

The following day on the Des Cartier Trail, the hot sun is beating through the verdant rainforest; a land crab scuttles beneath my feet. I make it back to the lookout point, and instantly spot what appears to be green feathers in a tree. 

I am transfixed as I zoom in with my camera to see its colourful blue face and red breast more closely. At this moment, it truly hits  me—Saint Lucia is the only place in the world to see these incredible birds. There is something about this that feels so rare, fleeting, and so deeply rooted in place. Here, in this moment, I feel a sense of deep emotion and gratitude. 
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Birdwatching is a constant  journey of self discovery, inviting you to slow down and observe the natural world. Moments like these are grounding, fostering a sense of peace in me that I find harder to attain in midlife, as I am met with more challenges. The restlessness in me subsides and a sense of curiosity and wonder is reignited.

Their effortless movement and the melodic sound of bird song inspires me to be more spontaneous and adventurous, with a renewed sense of vitality.

Connecting to myself at this juncture in my life is paramount; perhaps that’s why I’m so drawn to birdwatching. Their effortless movement and the melodic sound of bird song inspires me to be more spontaneous and adventurous, with a renewed sense of vitality. And today, I am here, feeling the weight of it—the rarity, the beauty, the patience, the quiet glorious freedom of this place and time. What a magical birding adventure it has been.