Booby Island (21993)
St Kitts and Nevis, Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Booby Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: 17.2267, Longitude: -62.6107
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 40
Area of KBA (km2): 2.97587
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Located approximately half-way between St. Kitts and Nevis, uninhabited Booby Island is a mix of dense, brushy vegetation and rocky outcroppings. The shoreline of this circular islet is composed of large rocks which almost immediately meet a steep hillside.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: Booby Island is the only recorded breeding location within the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis for a number of species. In May 2004, the following species were recorded: Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus (2 pairs), Laughing Gull Larus atricilla (125 pairs), Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii (6 pairs), Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus (60 nests), Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata (225 nests), and Brown Noddy Anous stolidus (8 pairs). No other avian surveys of the site are known. Booby Island meets the Caribbean Important Bird Area Criteria for Bridled Tern (1 % = 120) and Laughing Gull (1% = 150). Non-bird biodiversity: Nothing recorded.
Delineation rationale: Map is drawn in kml, Vero will send it to Mark (November 12, 2007).
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 50 | |
| Marine Neritic | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Booby Island is unprotected and appears to be the property of the Federation. There is no easy boat access to the island; visitors must swim onto the rocks. Fisherfolk are reported to collect seabird eggs at this site, especially those of Laughing Gulls. No mammals were recorded during the one survey of the island.