Welcome to Lover's Lake Nature Reserve!
Located at the eastern end of Bermuda, this nature reserve is contained within Ferry Point Park. Only accessible by walking along the Railway Trail that traces the north coast of St. George's Island, this 5 acre nature reserve has several short walking trails that weave through the forested area, at the heart of which is a 2 meter (6.5ft) deep saltwater pond, fringed with predominantly Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans).
Lover's Lake is tidal, still connected to the ocean through subterranean channels, and therefore can also be called a marine pond or Anchialine pond. It is considered a very important habitat because Anchialine ponds are a relatively rare habitat type worldwide, as they are only found on coasts with limestone or volcanic rock.
Saltwater ponds are important as they support a high diversity of marine and brackish water species. The environmental conditions between one saltwater pond and another can be very different because the degree of water exchange between each pond and open ocean depends on the size of the connection and its distance to the ocean. Bermuda's ponds have a range of temperature, salinity, light, sediment in the water and inputs of plankton and plant material. Also the depth of the pond, steepness of the sides and what type of material is on the bottom of the pond all influence what species are using the pond as habitat.
Lover's Lake is an important habitat for Bermuda's endemic Killifish, of which Bermuda has two species, Bermuda Killifish (Fundulus bermudae) and Lover's Lake Killifish (Fundulus relictus). Once described as abundant and widespread in Bermuda's wetlands during the 19th century, they are now only found in nine small, isolated ponds. Lover's Lake being one of them. Loss of suitable habitat, predation, competition pressures and pollution are all threats to Bermuda's Killifish. They are listed under the Protected Species Act 2003.
Outlining steps to be taken to ensure the recovery of both species, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources released the Recovery Plan for Bermuda's Killifish in November 2012.
Recognizing its importance as a wetland habitat, Lover's Lake Nature Reserve has been listed as a Ramsar site, part of the Convention on Wetlands, which is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use wetlands and their resources. It is the only global environmental treaty that deals with a particular ecosystem.
Some other species that are in and around Lover's Lake include Yellow-crowned Night Herons, Up-side-down jellyfish, Sea cumbers and Kingfishers.
Public Transport:
No buses go right down to Ferry Point Park.
Buses 1,3,6,10 or 11 will get you to the closest bus stop but then you have to walk 0.5 mile along the road before you can pick up the railway trail. It's then another 0.5mile along the trail to this geocache.
Disclaimer
- This geocache has approval to be placed at this location on property managed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Parks.
- The following items may not be placed in the geocache: food, illegal substances, medications, personal hygiene products, pornographic materials, hazardous materials, or weapons of any type.
- By searching for the cache, visitors agree that they are responsible for their own actions, and acknowledge that neither the Bermuda Government nor the cache owner is responsible for any loss or injury that may occur in relation to such search.
- Report any incident, problem, or violation to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
