Sites - Important Bird Areas (IBAs)

Ornithological information In 2002, the first Scaly-breasted Thrashers, previously considered visitors, were captured showing evidence of breeding. Scaly-breasted Thrashers have been captured in each subsequent year. In 2006, the first record of a Bridled Quail-dove resulted from a capture. This species was previously considered absent from St. Martin. Other regionally limited species found at this site include Purple-throated Carib Eulampis jugularis, Green-throated Carib Eulampis holosericeus, Antillean Crested Hummingbird Orthorhyncus cristatus, Pearly-eyed Thrasher Margarops fuscatus, and Lesser Antillean Bullfinch Loxigilla noctis.

Site description Pic Paradis (427 meters) is the highest mountain on the island of St. Martin. The IBA is on the forested west site drainage, from 300 meters to the summit. To the north the IBA ends at the Pic Paradis road and on the south ends at the ridgeline. The Loterie Farm ecotourism site marks the lower starting point.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Habitats

Land use

Other biodiversity The island endemic Anolis pogus is found at Pic Paradis. Six species of bats are found in the area

Management considerations Hunting would affect any population of birds, as even songbirds are shot. However, game birds, such as Bridled Quail-dove, are especially at risk. There appears to be no regulation of hunting.Introduced predators, especially mongoose and Green vervet monkeys, predate upon birds and their nests.

Protection status There are no legally protected areas within the IBA. Loterie Farm intends to preserve the forest portions of its property. Land use plans for other landowners are not known.

Conservation response EPIC has conducted bird banding studies at Pic Paradis from January through March 2001-2006 for 10 days each month (average 900 net hours per month). Point counts are conducted twice a month during the banding period. This research has provided numerous first island and regional records of species. School groups and the general public are taught about birds during visits to the study site.

Further web sources of information 

Site profile from Important Bird Areas in the Caribbean: key sites for conservation (BirdLife International 2008)

References COLLIER, N.C. and A.C. BROWN 2001-2006;Brown, A.C., Collier, N., 2003;BROWN, A.C., COLLIER, N., 2003;BROWN, A.C., COLLIER, N., 2003;BROWN, A.C., COLLIER, N., 2004;BROWN, A.C., COLLIER, N., 2004;BROWN, A.C., COLLIER, N., 2005; DANFORTH, S. T. 1930; HOOGERWERF, A. 1977;PINCHON, R. 1976;ROJER, A. 1997;VOOUS, K. H. 1954;VOOUS, K. H. 1955a;VOOUS, K. H. 1955b;VOOUS, K. H. 1983;VOOUS, K. H. AND H. J. KOELERS. 1967.

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Pic Paradis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 18/06/2013

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