Grog Pond (19821)
Bahamas, Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Grog Pond
Central coordinates: Latitude: 23.5788, Longitude: -75.8977
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 7
Area of KBA (km2): 2.45478
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Grog Pond is located approximately 10 miles northwest of George Town, Great Exuma, bounded on the north by the Queen's Highway, on the east, south and west by Bahama Sound Development. Including immediate surrounding land the pond spans an area of approximately 1-1/2 miles by 1/2 mile. Grog Pond is an inland wetland. It has the potential to become a great asset to the community as an eco-tourism site, recreation area and a centre for students and adults to learn about the environment.
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: A wide variety of waterfowl, herons, egrets and shorebirds have been recorded at this site. Also various species of coppice dwelling birds such as doves, White-crowned Pigeons, Bahama and Northern mockingbirds, Mangrove Cuckoos, Greater Antillean Bullfinch, Thick-billed Vireos and many species of migrating warblers have been observed in the coppice surrounding the pond. Non-bird biodiversity: Bordering the pond and the beautiful marsh areas is firm land with salt-water grass flats, buttonwood, madeira, logwood, wild tamarind, pigeon plum, palmetto, pond top, gumelemi, sawgrass, airplants, ball moss and the ever present 'poison wood'. Small clams, fiddler crabs, mosquito fish, insects, and a type of 'widgeon grass' provide a rich food source for the variety of waterbirds that utilize the pond.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Grog Pond is a shallow, brackish water lake with clumps of black mangroves where ibises, herons and cormorants roost and a fair amount of shag which provides good cover for waterbirds. Presently it is surrounded by coppice that has been divided into residential plots and is privately owned. Development is imminent.
Land use: tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 50 | |
| Forest | 25 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 25 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: This area has been used as an illegal garbage dump despite 'No Dumping' signs. Hunting is also prevalent at this site. The collection of pond-stone for patios and walkways by local builders.
Additional information
References: White, A.W. 1998b. A Birder's Guide to the Bahamas Island (Including Turks and Caicos). American Birding Association. Colorado Springs, CO. 302pp.