Scrub Island is located off the northeastern corner of
Anguilla, with a wide channel dividing the two. The largest of Anguilla offshore islands, with a total area of . The habitat on the island is mostly scrubland, changing to fractured limestone and cliffs towards the shore. There is a complex of ponds and lagoons on the eastern side of the island, as well as one large pond on the western coast and four sandy beaches that intersperse the otherwise rocky shore. There are no permanent inhabitants of the island. An abandoned, unmetalled airstrip exists in the centre of the island, where it is slowly being overtaken by shrubs. The eastern side has some abandoned tourist buildings and the island is still occasionally the subject of proposals for resorts, although none are currently active. The island is privately owned.
Fauna The island has been identified as an
Important Bird Area by
BirdLife International, mainly because of its nesting
seabirds. These are
laughing gulls as well as
royal,
roseate, and
least terns. Resident landbirds include
Caribbean elaenias and
pearly-eyed thrashers. The island's five species of reptiles comprise the
Anguilla Bank ameiva,
Anolis gingivinus,
little dwarf gecko,
island dwarf gecko and the
endangered leeward island racer.
Green and
leatherback turtles have been recorded. The island is home to both
feral goats and rats. ==References==