Sandy Point (20596)
Bahamas, Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Sandy Point
Central coordinates: Latitude: 23.9473, Longitude: -74.5620
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 18
Area of KBA (km2): 8.84116
Protected area coverage (%): 65.44
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Sandy Point site area is located at the southwestern end of the island. This site is a primary public beach area. The ruins known as Watling's Castle and the residential subdivision of Columbus Landing 4 is also part of this site.
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: Wintering migrant Black-bellied Plovers, Snowy Plovers and Wilson's Plovers and summer migrant breeding Least Terns have been seen at this site. Also, Boobies have been seen fishing offshore. Common landbirds reported in the nearby area known locally as Owl's Hole include Barn Owls, West Indian Woodpeckers, Bahama Mockingbirds, Pearly-eyed Thrashers, Thick-billed Vireos, Bananaquits, Yellow Warblers and migrant warblers. A note, this area is open and walkable but be careful of many sink holes.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Primary habitats at this site is beach and shrubland. Having a residential community in the immediate vicinity together with visiting tourist would naturally create a fair amount of recreational traffic at this site.
Land use: tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 40 | |
| Shrubland | 20 | |
| Marine Neritic | 40 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Present and future development poses a real threat to the destruction of habitat. Household pet dogs and cats and rats bring danger of predation to nesting birds.
Additional information
References: White, A.W. 1998b. A Birder's Guide to the Bahama Islands (Including Turks and Caicos). American Birding Association. Colorado Springs, CO. 302pp.