The Quill, Sint Eustatius (19924)
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (to Netherlands), Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: The Quill, Sint Eustatius
Central coordinates: Latitude: 17.4790, Longitude: -62.9610
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 601
Area of KBA (km2): 4.70281
Protected area coverage (%): 45.39
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Quill is the highest point on St. Eustatius (601 m) and forms the southeast part of the island. There is no human settlement above 250 meters elevation, which is designated as the Quill National Park. The park includes the vegetated caldera within this volcanic mountain. Goats are sometimes found grazing in the area, despite regulations against such activity.
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: Limited-range species which occur at the Quill include Bridled Quail Dove Geotrygon mystacea, Purple-throated Carib Eulampis jugularis, Green-throated Carib Eulampis holosericeus, Antillean Crested Hummingbird Orthorhyncus cristatus, BrownTrembler Cinclocerthia ruficauda pavida, Scaly-breasted Thrasher Margarops fuscus, Pearly-eyed Thrasher Margarops fuscatus, and Lesser Atillean Bullfinch Loxigilla noctis. One Scaly-breasted Thrasher was observed at the Quill in 2003, the last recorded sighting being in 1927. Breeding needs to be confirmed for this species. There is little data on migrant birds which use the Quill, but it would not be expected to be a significant overwintering or stopover area due to its small area. Non-bird biodiversity: The restricted-range species Antillean Iguana Iguana delicatissima and Red-bellied Racer Alsophis rufiventris and the endemic Statia Morning Glory Ipomoea sphenophylla are present within the Quill Park
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The slopes of the Quill are thorn scrub while the caldera area is evergreen seasonal and elfin forest.
Land use: nature conservation and research | rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 50 | |
| Forest | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Grazing by untended goats has been problematic in the past. However, enforcement of an animal registry program has begun, which will decrease the incidence of grazing within the park.
Additional information
References: Collier N.C. and A.C. Brown. 2003; Hoogerwerf, A. 1977; Raffaele, H., J. Wiley, O. Garrido, A. Keith, and J. Raffaele. 1998; Rojer, A. 1997b; Stuffers, A.L. 1956; Voous, K. H. 1955; Voous, K. H. 1983