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The Quill dormant volcano on St. Eustatius photo by Walter Hellebrand 

Top 10 Facts about Quill / Boven National Park

Quill/Boven National park comprises of two separated sections of protected land at the opposite end of the Island of Sint Eustatius in the Dutch Caribbean.Both parts of the park have been identified by BirdLife International as Important Bird Areas. 

This is because they support populations of several threatened or restricted-range bird species. The Boven IBA is a 1,016 ha peninsula of dry, rocky hills lying at the north-western end of the island. Its birds include a nesting colony of 100–200 red-billed tropicbirds, as well as resident green-throated caribs, Caribbean elaenias, pearly-eyed thrashers and lesser Antillean bullfinches.

The Quill IBA is a 470 ha site at the south-eastern end of Sint Eustatius; it is dominated by a 600 m high stratovolcano vegetated with shrubland and, within the caldera, tropical semi-evergreen forest. Additional resident birds include bridled quail-doves, purple-throated Caribs, Antillean crested hummingbirds and brown tremblers. Other animals present include lesser Antillean iguanas, red-bellied racers and several species of lizards and bats. 

Here are Top 10 Facts about Quill / Boven National Park

1. Quill National park has a dormant volcano

The Quill dormant volcano on St. Eustatius photo by Walter Hellebrand

The Quill National park is a  dormant volcano. That has been situated at the southern end of the Island of St. Eustatius. It offers hikers an opportunity to visit 8vegetation zones from the dry forest to evergreen seasonal woodland.

2.The National Park is the only place to view the Bridles Quail-dove

Bridled Quail-Dove photo by Jason Crotty

Quill National park is the perfect place on St. Eustatius where visitors can often see the Bridled Quail-dove. And also other types of doves including the scaly-napped pigeon. As well as the pearly-eyed Thrasher and its relative, the Scaly-breasted Thrasher.

Red-tailed Hawks cruise the outer slopes and above the impressive crater, not to mention three species of hummingbird, the Caribbean Elaenia and Yellow Warblers. 

3. Visitors gets a chance to visit the Pilot Hill in Quill /Boven National park

Pilot Hill has been  located along the rocky eastern coast facing the Caribbean Sea. It  is the main nesting site for Red-billed Tropicbirds. Visitors can accompany STENAPA staff during breeding season as they monitor accessible nests once a week.

This is an amazing opportunity to get close to this magnificent pelagic seabird as it incubates an egg or protects its chick. The birds will not fly away when approached and we offer an incredible and unique opportunity for those interested to learn more about the biology and reproductive success of this bird.

4. The National Park has 8 quill Hiking Trails

Hiking at Boven photo by Christine Warner Hawks

Quill National park on St Eustatius  which has a rising of 600 meter above the sea level. The volcanic cone is the island’s dormant topographic feature. And its hiking up is one of top thing to do .

There are 8 different trails thread their through this rugged landscape. Quill trail is the most popular trail. It take you up through the lush forest to the crater rim. You can take the Mazinga trail to the islands highest point. While you are the top one is recommended to stop and rest and soak up the spectacular views.

Alternatively, you can venture through the lush forest deep into the crater itself which apparently named as the Crater Trail. The shorter trails leads through the variety of tropical flora. Including the wild Orchids, ferns and fruit trees.

5.Quill/Boven National Park  was pronounced as the first official national park of the Netherlands Antilles in 1998

 It was pronounced as the  first national park of Netherlands Antilles in 1998. Hence making it a protected area. The park was created to protect the unique biodiversity found within and to ensure sustainable use by all stakeholders. The Quill National Park is 3.4 km² and consists of the dormant volcano ‘The Quill’ and ‘White Wall’, a limestone formation located on the south side of the volcano.

The park boundaries include the Quill slopes above 250m, the interior of the crater and White Wall down to sea level. Boven National Park comprises five hills in the northern hills of St Eustatius: Boven, Gilboa Hill, Signal Hill and Bergje.

6.  The National park  shelters the Fauna Vegetation

The Quill, St. Eustatius’ dormant volcano photo by Walter Hellebrand

Quill/ Boven National park provides a habitat for a number of endangered species. Most of them are protected by local laws and some by international treaties. Of particular interest is the Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima), a rare and threatened species, which varies in color from bright green to dull grey, and feeds primarily on flowers, fruits and leaves.

7. Quill /Boven National park also shelters the Red- Bellied Racer Snake

The Red-Bellied Racer (Alsophis rufiventris) is a small snake (50-100 cm) found only on Saba and Statia. This snake feeds on small reptiles and young rats. An abundant lizard population includes the Red-faced Ground Lizard (Ameiva erythrocephala) and the smaller Anolis lizards (Anolis bimaculatus and Anolis schwartzi).

8.The last eruption of the Quill dates back to around 400 AD

This strato-volcano is built up by magma that was violently ejected, blown to great heights and deposited back on earth to form layers of material, which created a perfect cone. Its last eruption date back to around 400AD and the present period of inactivity is regarded as a stage of dormancy.

A thick, white limestone formation is visible on the southern slopes of the Quill, and is known as White Wall and Sugar Loaf hill. This formation was formerly part of the sea bed that was thrust upwards during an active volcanic period of the Quill.

9. Quill/ Boven National Park has been located in a Tiny Island

It has been located in tiny island St. Eustatius. The Ilsand blooms with nature.Ringing the volcanic island are rocky coastlines lined with inky black sand beaches forming important nesting sites for endangered sea turtles.

To the south, the Quill/Boven National Park makes a haven for rare birds, including the red-billed tropicbird, and habitat to 17 types of orchids. Crowning the island is the Quill, a dormant volcano at the center of eight hiking trails, including one that treks into the forested crater.

10. View and Experience the rolling waves at Venus Bay

Venus Bay photo by Diceman

A must see is the rolling waves at Venus Bay, situated in Boven National Park. This little bay is the perfect picnic spot, where you can watch pelicans dive for their lunch. Both The Quill and Boven received legally protected status in 1997.