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close| Location | Bahamas, San Salvador |
| Central coordinates | 74o 28.76' West 24o 8.36' North |
| IBA criteria | B4i, B4ii |
| Area | 4,261 ha |
| Altitude | 0 - 6m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2007 |
Ornithological information There are reliable reports of several species of seabirds nesting on the afore-mentioned cays. Magnificant Frigatebirds and Brown Boobies live on Green Cay year round, Bridled Terns are reported to nest in hollows along the shoreline of the cay. White Cay is the site of Magnificant Frigatebirds nesting in the Sea Lavender bushes and Brown Boobies nesting on the ground. Brown Noddies, Bridled Terns and Sooty Terns nest on Gaulin and Cato Cays. Yellow Warblers are also found on these two cays.
Site description Graham's Harbour is located at the northern end of San Salvador with several cays scattered in its environs. which provide ideal nesting sites for various species of seabirds. A half-day boat trip into Graham's Harbour is considered the natural-history highlight of a trip to San Salvador, however, a local guide is necessary because there are numerous reefs and rocks in the bay. Green Cay located in the northwest side of the harbour, provides a challenge to find a safe landing spot but is easy walking once you have landed.White Cay is near the reef, waters are generally rougher than any other spot in the harbour, but there is a fine beach on the leeward side. Gaulin Cay and Cato Cay are closer to the mainland, there is good snorkelig on the reef off Gaulin Cay.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audubon's Shearwater Puffinus lherminieri | breeding | 2005 | 93 breeding pairs | medium | B4ii | Least Concern |
| White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus | breeding | 2007 | 20 breeding pairs | poor | B4ii | Least Concern |
| Brown Booby Sula leucogaster | breeding | 2005 | 50 breeding pairs | poor | B4ii | Least Concern |
| Royal Tern Sterna maxima | breeding | 2007 | 10 breeding pairs | poor | B4i | Least Concern |
| Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii | breeding | 2007 | 30 breeding pairs | poor | Least Concern | |
| Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus | breeding | 2005 | 30 breeding pairs | poor | Least Concern | |
| Brown Noddy Anous stolidus | breeding | 2005 | 300 breeding pairs | medium | B4i | Least Concern |
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky areas | major | |
| Coastline | major | |
| Shrubland | - | |
| Sea | major |
Land use
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| urban/industrial/transport | - |
| tourism/recreation | - |
| fisheries/aquaculture | - |
Other biodiversity There were an estimated 250 San Salvador Rock Iguanas (Cyclura carinata) approximately 50% of its population living on Green Cay in 1997.
Management considerations The pristine quality of these cays can be ruined by invasive plant species that over a period of time can crowd out native flora.The introduction of animal predators would cause the destruction of eggs and chicks of nesting birds which would be disastrous. Ecotourism, not properly managed would create destruction of habitat and disturbance to the birds.
Further web sources of information
References White, A.W. 1998b. A Birder's Guide to the Bahama Islands (Including Turks and Caicos). American Birding Association. Colorado Springs, CO. 302pp.
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Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Graham's Harbour. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013
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