LOSING a large part of the Botanical Gardens to a new hospital would be an "environmental nightmare", according to bird expert Andrew Dobson.

Mr. Dobson, past president of the Bermuda Audubon Society, said the gardens provided a haven for birdlife in an otherwise densely populated part of Bermuda.

And now Mr. Dobson, who is president of the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds, is trying to garner support from international conservation organisations to oppose the plan to build on ten acres of the national park.

"The thought of any country losing part of its Botanical Gardens could only be considered an environmental nightmare," Mr. Dobson, author of A Birdwatching Guide to Bermuda, said.

"Bermuda, or any other country, would be viewed very poorly by the rest of the world if construction development took place in a national botanical garden.

"The diverse habitat of lawns, formal gardens, woodland and thicket supports endemic, native and introduced flora. This variety of habitat and plant life supports a great many species of birds.

"Resident species such as the bluebird, white-eyed vireo and cardinal are seen throughout the year. It is during the fall that the greatest variety of bird species is recorded.

"Migrant birds are heading south from North to South America. As many as 20 species of wood warbler might be recorded in any fall season, as well as sapsuckers, vireos, waxwings, tanagers, grosbeaks and orioles.

"The Botanical Gardens provide a stop-over, a re-fuelling opportunity, before the birds continue their journey."