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BB003
Graeme Hall Swamp
Location Barbados, Christ Church
Central coordinates 59o 34.70' West  13o 4.38' North
IBA criteria A2, A4i
Area 33 ha
Altitude 6 - 13m
Year of IBA assessment 2007





Ornithological information GHS is the only documented nesting location for Little Egret in the Western Hemisphere. The mangroves and environs of the swamp harbour the highest density of Golden Warbler on the island. Three other restricted range Antillean species also occur. As permanent wetland, crucial to resident waterbirds and haven for migrants and vagrants. (See checklist).

Site description Graeme Hall Swamp N 13 degrees 04' 18.13' W 59 degrees 34' 36.42" (site centre from Google Earth) is 33 hectares in extent.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Little Egret Egretta garzetta resident  2007  24 individuals  good  A4i  Least Concern 
Green-throated Carib Eulampis holosericeus resident  2007  present [units unknown]  -  A2  Least Concern 
Antillean Crested Hummingbird Orthorhyncus cristatus resident  2007  present [units unknown]  -  A2  Least Concern 
Caribbean Elaenia Elaenia martinica resident  2007  present [units unknown]  -  A2  Least Concern 
Barbados Bullfinch Loxigilla barbadensis resident  2006  present [units unknown]  -  A2  Least Concern 

Protected areas

Protected area Designation Area (ha) Relationship with IBA Overlap with IBA (ha)  
Graeme Hall Swamp Reserve Other Area 20 is identical to site 0  

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Wetlands (inland)   major

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
urban/industrial/transport major
Notes: Residential and commercial land uses at the boundaries of the wetland.
agriculture major
Notes: In the boundaries of the wetland.
nature conservation and research -
tourism/recreation -

Other biodiversity Not applicable.

Management considerations While a greater level of protection is required for GHS, the proposed plan for GHNP will severely reduce habitat now available for wetland birds and priortises human recreational use over the needs of nesting and feeding birds. The introduction of exotic species of flora or fauna is always a threat. In addition, any further manipulation or modification of this already heavily modified wetland must be careful not to disrupt or disturb its attractiveness for birds in favour of human recreational use. Increasing noise and light pollution from events at GHNS is a concern for nesting Egrettas.

Protection status Ramsar designated wetland.

Conservation response The Friends of Graeme Hall Committee has recently presented a plan to the Barbados Government for a Graeme Hall National Park that will encompass the entire wetland.

Further web sources of information 

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

References Ramsar Site No. 1591 Wetland International Site Rference No. 6BB001 www.graemehallnationalpark.org Stuart Heaslet (sole author of the GHNP plan) (GHNS) heaslet@heaslet.com Dr. Lorna Inniss@coastal.gov.bb

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Graeme Hall Swamp. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 24/05/2013

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife