Sites - Important Bird Areas (IBAs)

Ornithological information The species of national importance in this site include the following: St. Lucia Black Finch Melanospiza richardsoni , St. Lucia Oriole Icterus laudabilis , St. Lucia White-breasted Thrasher Ramphocinclus brachyurus, St. Lucia Pewee Contopus oberi, St. Lucia Warbler Dendroica delicata, St. Lucia Flycatcher Myiachus oberi sanctae luceae and St. Lucia Wren Troglodytes aedon sanctae luceae. Other species that inhabit the area are: Banana Quit Coereba flaveola, Lesser Antillean Bullfinch Loxigilla noctis, Black-faced Grass Quit Tiaris bicolor, Broad-Winged hawk Buteo platypterus , Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis, Green heron Butorides virescens, Grey Trembler Cinclocerthia gutturalis, Brown Trembler Cinclocerthia ruficauda, Mangrove Cuckoo Coccyzus minor, Common Ground Dove Columbina passerina, Red-Necked Pigeon Patagioenas squamosa, Caribbean Elaenia Elaenia martinica, Purple-throated Carib Eulampis jugularis, Antillean Euphonia Euphonia musica, American Kestrel Falco sparverius, Ruddy Quail Dove Geotrygon montana, Scaly-Breasted Thrasher Margarops fuscus, Antillean Crested Hummingbird Orthorhyncus cristatus, Carib Grackle Quiscalus lugubris, Lesser Antillean Saltator Saltator albicollis, Bare-eyed Thrush Turdus nudigenis, Grey Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis, Black-whispered Vireo Vireo altiloquus, Zenaida Dove Zenaida aurita. The area is important for migrant species and waterbirds. A pond at Grande Anse is the only place where Masked ducks have been recorded breeding. Many migrant ducks, warblers and waterbirds have been recorded in the area. Potentially, it may also serve as a nesting place for marine species such as the Red-billed Tropicbird that has been recorded nesting along the cliff in others parts of the St. Lucia. Furthermore, several shorebirds have been recorded foraging along the beach areas.

Site description The area covers approximately 4314 ha, and stretches from the Dennery Knob westward to Mardi Gras just outside the periphery of the Forest Reserve. It then follows a north eastern direction along the Forest Reserve Boundary to Grand Anse. This area occupies a considerable portion within the tropical dry forest life zone of St. Lucia and is largely covered by scrub forest characterized by short canopy and a large number of small-diameter trees. Nature conservation and research, agriculture, rangeland/ pastureland, some areas not utilized, all these categories aid to describe the land use of the area. A major part of the area is not utilized remaining under secondary forest cover.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Protected areas

Protected area	Designation	Area (ha)	Relationship with IBA	Overlap with IBA (ha)
Cas-en-Bas Mangroves	Marine Reserve	0	protected area contained by site	0
Fond D'Or Beach	Marine Reserve	0	protected area contained by site	0
Grand Anse Beach and Mangrove	Marine Reserve	80	protected area contained by site	0
Louvet Mangroves	Marine Reserve	80	protected area contained by site	0
Marquis Mangroves	Marine Reserve	0	protected area contained by site	0

Habitats

Land use

Other biodiversity The area is very rich in biological diversity and to a certain extent remains undeveloped. The habitat supports tremendous wildlife species, with a high occurrence of endemism. The avifaunal life is greatest, and particularly important are the St. Lucia Black Finch, the St. Lucia Oriole, the White-breasted Thrasher, Rufous Nightjar, and the St. Lucia Wren. These species are in a state population decline and require tremendous attention (ICBP 1988). It is worth noting that this habitat is the last stronghold of the Rufous Nightjar. Reptilians found there include the boa constrictor, fer-de-lance, iguana, the leatherback, hawksbill and green turtle. The Grand Anse beach is presently the most important nesting ground for the turtles. The adjacent Louvet beach is also an important nesting ground for the St. Lucia Iguana. Mammals are represented by the agouti, opossum and possibly the St. Lucia Muskrat, believed to be extinct. Floral Species of considerable importance include Tabebuia pallida, Guerttarda scabra, Coccothrinax barbadensis, which appear to be overexploited within the area

Management considerations Generally several mal-practices may negatively impact the integrity of the area Non-native predators – small Indian mongoose; black, brown rats; semi feral cats and dogs Garbage – Garbage disposal is a problem Deforestation – Deforestation for agricultural purposes threatens much of the area. This causes forest fragmentation and limits nesting and roosting sites of wildlife species. Furthermore, resident species may face greater exposure to predation and competition by foreign species. Fires, usually contained within relatively small areas (few ha) are common. Sand Mining – Indiscriminate sand mining by residents of the surrounding communities destroys the beach and jeopardizes the reproductive attempts of turtles. Hotel development – Development of large hotels and golf courses may threaten the survival of many species

Protection status Marine Reserves – Marquis Mangroves, Fond D’or, Louvette Mangroves, Grand Anse Beach and Mangroves, Cas-en-Bas Mangrove. These sites were designated marine reserves in 1986, and are all contained within the overall IBA. 2 large estates (Louvet and Grand Anse) are found in this area; both potential targets for future development, but at least offering the opportunity for dealing with single landowners. Most of the area is privately owned. Government has jurisdiction on the Marine reserves and own a few parcels of crown lands. The protected areas are contained by the IBA

Conservation response The St. Lucia Iguana Project which presently is an ongoing research activity is the sole major research activity taking place within the area. The project started in 2002 with broad objectives of determining the status of the St. Lucia iguana. There are two key disjointed geographical areas of focus where most of the project work takes place. Between the two key areas, Louvet is of high significance due to the fact that the Louvet Beach is a very important nesting site for iguanas, and the area seems to be one of the few iguana strongholds in St. Lucia. A larger portion of the entire population is found within and in the immediate environment of the area. Grand Anse forms the other area of significance, holding a lesser portion of the population, and also serving as a nesting site for the iguana.

Further web sources of information 

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

References Gonzales O. J., and Z. R. Donald. 1996. Tropical dry forest of St. Lucia West Indies: Vegetation and soil properties. Biotropica 28(4b): 618-626 Hudson L., Renard Y., and Romulus G. 1992. A System of Protected Areas for St. Lucia. Castries: St. Lucia National Trust Isaac C, L. Jn. Pierre and D. Anthony. 1990. A report on plant inventory ethnobotanical study and community resource use survey from Dennery Knob to Grande Anse in St. Lucia. St. Lucia National Trust. Castries St. Lucia. St. Lucia Biodiversity Country Report of St. Lucia. Castries: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. 2000. St. Lucia Environmental Profile, 1991.

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: North-east coast. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 22/05/2013

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