Kemp Cay to Pigeon Cay (30084)
Bahamas, Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2021
National site name: Kemp Cay to Pigeon Cay
Central coordinates: Latitude: 25.6652, Longitude: -77.8384
System: terrestrial, marine
Elevation (m): 0 to 7
Area of KBA (km2): 16.50228
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The KBA is located approximately 6 km south of Great Harbor Cay in the Berry Islands. The KBA extends from Kemp and Water Cay to the north, to Pigeon and Money Cay to the south. Ambergris Cay and Fanny Cay are the largest of the cays within this site. The KBA also includes the expansive sandy shoals and tidal flats associated with the cays, which provide vital foraging habitat for shorebirds during low tides. The cays are generally long a narrow. Ambergris is the longest at approximately 2.6 km in length and 0.3 km at the widest point. Pigeon Cay is approximately 1.1 km long and 0.3 km at the widest point. Fanny Cay is approximately 1.4 km in length and 0.4 km at the widest point. The other cays are considerably smaller. The cays are separated by inlets with small creeks that extend westward to the tidal flats, eventually ending on the flats. The flats are vast at low tide and cover approximately 1,500 ha. The beaches are generally narrow and made up of sand and limestone. The beaches, especially at inlets, and the small sand bars south of Ambergris Cay provide high tide roosting and resting areas for birds. Extensive shallow water in the area excludes most recreational boaters, but beaches are visited occasionally by boaters and anglers in small, shallow-draft boats.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site was originally confirmed as a KBA under the legacy criteria for the Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus). Recent data from multi-year censuses across the Bahamas confirmed that this site predictably holds wintering aggregations of Piping Plovers, meeting the threshold for KBA Criterion D1a.
Additional biodiversity: Additional to the high numbers of migrant wintering Pipin Plovers (Charadrius melodus), Kemp Cay to Pigeon Cay also supports populations of Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa), Wilson’s Plover (Charadrius melodus) and American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus). Large numbers of Sanderling (Calidris alba) and Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) have also been recorded. The tidal flats and surrounding shallow water support seagrasses and turtles, primarily turtlegrass (Thalassia testudinum) and Loggerhead Sea Turtle. The intertidal flats, adjacent wetlands, and aquatic habitats are excellent habitat for bonefish, lemon and other species of sharks, barracuda, permit, jacks, snapper, Queen conch and other important fisheries.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 25 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 25 | |
| Shrubland | 25 | |
| Marine Neritic | 25 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases |