Sparrowhawk Hill (19664)
Cayman Islands (to UK), Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Sparrowhawk Hill
Central coordinates: Latitude: 19.6833, Longitude: -80.0333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 10 to 20
Area of KBA (km2): 1.52606
Protected area coverage (%): 8.35
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site comprises 255 ha of pristine dry forest in the centre of the island, as characterised in the general introduction to this chapter. At present, there is no public road into the interior of the islands near the forest, although the owners have built survey tracks on the west and south edge. The dominant trees are Calyptranthes pallens, Sideroxylon salicifolium, Chionanthus caymanensis, Erythroxylum areolatum and Canella winterana.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: The main species of importance is the Near-threatened restricted-range Vitelline Warbler crawfordi. It is estimated that the forest covers about 3% of its range. Six taxa breed, including the Caribbean Elaenia caymanensis, Bananaquit sharpei, Zenaida Dove and the migrant White-crowned Pigeon and Black-whiskered Vireo. Atotal of 86 migrant landbirds are recorded, including Yellowbellied sapsucker, Grey Catbird, White-eyed Vireo, and the warblers: Northern Parula, Cape May Warbler, YellowthroatedWarbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart and Ovenbird. Non-bird biodiversity: Plants endemic to Little Cayman and Cayman Brac: Chionanthus caymanensis var. caymanensis, Encyclia kingsii, Myremecophila thompsoniana var. minor and Phyllanthus caymanensis. Endemic to Little Cayman: Dendropemon caymanensis. Phyllostomid bat Macrotus waterhousii minor found in caves. Endemic reptiles as KY001 plus Celestrus crusculus maculatus. Lepidoptera endemic to the Cayman Islands: Cyclargus amnon erembis and Memphis echemus danielana.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | not utilised
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The owners are anxious to sell the land as a block for US$7 million, which in the present economic climate will hopefully prove a restraint on private development. However, they may accept an offer from the National Trust to purchase 33 ha, with possible additional purchases in the future.