View source for Cas Cay

{{Short description|Island in the United States Virgin Islands}}
{{Infobox islands
| name             = Cas Cay
| native_name      =
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| image_name       = Cas Cay, 2014.jpg
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| image_caption    = Cas Cay, 2014
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| pushpin_map             = USA Virgin Islands#Caribbean
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| pushpin_map_caption     = Location in the Caribbean
| coordinates      = {{Coord|18|18|25|N|64|51|55|W|type:isle_region:US-VI_source:GNIS|display=it}}
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| location         = [[Caribbean Sea]]
| grid_reference   = <!-- UK only -->
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| area_acre        = 50
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| country         = {{USA}}<br />{{VIR}}
| country_admin_divisions_title      = Federal Department
| country_admin_divisions            = [[U.S. Department of the Interior]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_1    = Federal Agency
| country_admin_divisions_1          = [[U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]]
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| country_capital                    = [[Washington, D.C.]]
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| country_largest_city               = [[New York City]]
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| country_leader_title               = President
| country_leader_name                = [[Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.]]
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'''Cas Cay''' is a {{convert|50|acre|m2|spell=in|adj=on|lk=in|abbr=off}} undeveloped island, situated a mile south of [[Red Hook, U.S. Virgin Islands|Red Hook]] on the eastern side of [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|Saint Thomas]] in the [[United States Virgin Islands]]. It is under the protection of the [[Department of Natural Resources]].<ref>Sullivan, Lynne M. (2008). ''Adventure Guide Virgin Islands''. Hunter Publishing, Inc. Page 84. {{ISBN|9781588435811}}.</ref><ref>Colón, Christina Paulette (2011). ''Frommer's Caribbean''. John Wiley & Sons. Page 26. {{ISBN|9781118107348}}.</ref> Ferries here depart from Compass Point Marina, right east of [[Nadir, U.S. Virgin Islands|Nadir]].<ref>Greenberg, Harriet and Douglas (2006). ''The US Virgin Islands Alive!''. Hunter Publishing, Inc. Page 68. {{ISBN|9781588435842}}.</ref>
==Description==
Cas Cay is a [[tropical island]], which has a hundred feet tall hill with bird species such as the [[Red-billed tropicbird|Red-billed]]- and [[White-tailed tropicbird]]. It is also home to [[endemic]] plant species such as [[orchids]], ''[[Tabebuia]]'', [[gumbo-limbo]]s, as well as the [[Coccoloba uvifera|seagrape]], [[manchineel]] and numerous [[mangroves]]. It is home to lizards such as [[anoles]], [[ameiva]] and [[geckos]].<ref>Nellis, David W. (2000). ''Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands Wildlife Viewing Guide''. Falcon. Page 74. {{ISBN|9781560448365}}.</ref> The island has a high density of rats (''[[Rattus rattus]]'') as well.<ref>Schwartz, Albert and Robert W. Henderson (1991). ''Amphibians and Reptiles of the West Indies: Descriptions, Distributions, and Natural History''. University Press of Florida. Page 609. {{ISBN|9780813010496}}.</ref> It has a mangrove lagoon and is one of the largest mangrove areas in the Virgin Islands.<ref>Spalding, Mark (2010). ''World Atlas of Mangroves''. Routledge. Page 198. {{ISBN|9781136530968}}.</ref> Besides the mangrove ecosystem, the wildlife sanctuary, the natural [[whirlpool]] and [[Blowhole (geology)|blowhole]], many visit the island for recreational activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking and bird watching.<ref>Showker, Kay and Mary Brennan (2008). ''Caribbean Ports of Call: Eastern and Southern Regions: A Guide for Today's Cruise Passengers''. Globe Pequot. Page 73. {{ISBN|9780762745388}}.</ref> The nearby Cas Cay-Mangrove Lagoon Marine Reserve & Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the [[Jersey Bay, United States Virgin Islands|Jersey Bay]] immediately north of Cas Cay.
===Important Bird Area===
A 225&nbsp;ha area, encompassing Cas Cay, neighbouring Bovoni and Patricia Cays, along with the Mangrove Lagoon marine reserve, has been recognised as an [[Important Bird Area]] (IBA) by [[BirdLife International]] because it supports populations of [[green-throated carib]]s, [[Antillean crested hummingbird]]s, [[pearly-eyed thrasher]]s and [[Lesser Antillean bullfinch]]es.<ref name=bli>{{cite web |url=http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/mangrove-lagoon-iba-virgin-islands-(to-usa)|title= Mangrove Lagoon|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2021|website= BirdLife Data Zone|publisher= BirdLife International|access-date= 21 February 2021}}</ref>
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Islands of the United States Virgin Islands]]
[[Category:Important Bird Areas of the United States Virgin Islands]]
[[Category:East End, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands]]
{{USVirginIslands-geo-stub}}