West End Pond (31361)
Anguilla (to UK), Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: West End Pond
Central coordinates: Latitude: 18.2745, Longitude: -63.2680
System: freshwater, marine
Elevation (m): 2 to 10
Area of KBA (km2): 0.22616
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: West End pond is one of the larger brackish ponds and is the western-most wetland of all ponds on the mainland. This pond consists of one basin split into two by a causeway. East of the causeway, the pond appears more circular while west of the causeway the pond narrows and lengthens. The first basin features a number of rock walls previously used during periods of salt harvesting in Anguilla and has mostly rocky shorelines and a marl substrate. The second basin is relatively inaccessible as it lies behind the property of Cove Castles Resort. A causeway, running through the pond provides access to the tourism developments that line the beach at Shoal Bay West. The causeway branches out into two unpaved roads going in opposite directions; both of which lead to the tourism related properties. There is a culvert through the causeway that connects both ends of the pond. The pond is surrounded by stands of buttonwood, black and white mangrove on the western shoreline of its first basin with white and buttonwood mangrove along its eastern shoreline and all along the second basin. The south-eastern side of the pond has undergone some vegetation clearing resulting in a more exposed and landscaped shoreline.
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)
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The pond is mainly visited by birdwatchers and by persons walking along the causeway for exercise. Despite limited recreational use, the pond is used to store water as it naturally is the settling point for rainwater and runoff. It protects the nearby tourism developments from damage by flooding. It collects contaminants from landscaping and within runoff before it is able to reach to the beach. The rock walls, which appear mainly in the eastern half of the pond, are perches for small shorebirds that travel along them in search for food. The open water of the water is preferred by swimming birds. The mangrove vegetation around the shorelines of the pond provides shelter for small shorebirds.
Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 95 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The pond has been filled with marl for the making of a parking lot in the middle of its southern side. The vegetation around this side of the pond is scarce and completely exposed in areas. Along the unpaved sandy road, some dumping of green waste from landscaping has also been observed. Turtles have been caught in the pond after being confused by lighting on beach from tourism related developments.
Additional information
References: ANT wetland bird count data (2007 – 2011). Lloyd C. and Mukhida, F. 2012. The state of Anguilla’s wetland birds 2007-2011. The Valley, Anguilla: Anguilla National Trust. Holliday, S.H., Hodge, K.V.D., Hughes, D.E., (2007). A guide to the birds of Anguilla. RSPB, England Subin, E, Dudley, J, Crock, J, Bryan, JAS, Thomas, R, Christian, I, Vanterpool, V & Warner, B (1998) A Field Guide to Anguilla’s Wetlands. Anguilla National Trust, The Valley, Anguilla Raffaele, H., Wiley, J.,Garrido, O., Keith, A. , Raffaele, J. (2003) Birds of the West Indies. Princeton University Press, NJ, USA