Lee Stocking Island: Important Bird Area (IBA)

Located in the southern Exuma chain of islands, the Lee Stocking Island IBA supports various habitats, including sandy beaches, rocky areas, tidal flats, wetlands, coral reefs, and shrubland.

This IBA hosts a marine research center.

Access Considerations and Directions

The cay can be accessed by boat from mainland Exuma; it might not be suitable for persons who are physically handicapped or in wheelchairs, because of the small boats used to get there.

There are no roads on the island.

Best Times and Seasons for Viewing

Species can be seen throughout the day. However, higher concentrations of bird species can be seen during morning hours or late afternoon.

Primary Species Commonly Experienced Here

This IBA supports a population of the Vulnerable West Indian Whistling-duck Dendrocygna arborea (which frequent the airstrip ponds), and the Near Threatened White-crowned Pigeon Patagioenas leucocephala. The restricted-range Bahama Mockingbird Mimus gundlachii and Thick-billed Vireo Vireo crassirostris occur, along with other characteristic birds, including Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia, Greater Antillean Bullfinch Loxigilla violacea, and a range of waterbirds.