Merrywing Pond System (31489)
Anguilla (to UK), Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2013
National site name: Merrywing Pond System
Central coordinates: Latitude: 18.1767, Longitude: -63.1267
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 2 to 16
Area of KBA (km2): 0.05371
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Merrywing Pond system, located on the Cuisinart Golf Course, consists of five main basins within its greens. Two of the basins are artificial wetlands while the remaining three are natural. The basin’s edges have been lined with rock walls to blend in with the landscaping designs of the golf course. The two artificial basins are lined with plastic while the other three have a marl substrate. Due to basin distribution and the land surrounding the basins that slopes gently downward, the basins of Merrywing-North and Merrywing-South are elevated higher than those of Merrywing-Savannah and Merrywing-Villas and all basins are of a higher elevation than Merrywing-Merrywing. Within the property and overlooking Merrywing-Savannah is the golf course’s Club House and restaurant. Construction is underway on a number of villas and a 60-room hotel complex south of the Merrywing-Villas basin and stretching to the eastern side of Merrywing-Merrywing basin. One main road that runs through the golf course branches out into small golf cart paths. While some are paved, most connect to the lawn. There is also a reverse osmosis plant present on the property. Vegetation around the golf course is a combination of both native and ornamental plants. Many native plants that had been removed from the land during clearing for construction had been replanted. Hydrological value: The artificial basins are freshwater holding areas for irrigation that are connected to each other via pipes. They are sourced with water from the operations of the reverse osmosis plant present on the property. Merrywing-Savannah and Merrywing-Villas are connected to each other by a series of culverts and pipes. These two basins are brackish and are sourced with fresh water from rainfall and runoff. Their salt content is attributed to their close proximity to Merrywing Bay. Merrywing - Merrywing is located closest to Cove Bay. This basin is brackish, sourced with fresh water by rainfall and runoff and salt water from Cove Bay. Currently, monitoring of salinity, phosphates, nitrates, phosphates, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and other gasses does not occur.
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: Overview of bird interests: Bird numbers have gradually declined at the Merrywing Pond System since their peak annual average of 139 birds in 2008. An average of 45 different species of wetland bird was observed throughout the study period, the highest recorded diversity of all ponds across the island. While there are no official counts of terrestrial birds have been conducted within the golf course, Ground doves and Turtle doves can regularly be seen, along with Green-throated carib hummingbirds, Black faced grassquits, Lesser Antillean bullfinch and Grey kingbirds. Interesting species of wetland birds observed within the System include American golden plover, Gull-billed tern, Long-billed dowitcher, Long-tailed duck, Merlin, Snow goose, Solitary sandpiper, and Tri-coloured heron. Overview of botanical interests: During the clearing of the property for the construction of the golf course, native plants were removed and placed into a nursery for later use in the landscaping of the property. The use of ornamental plants is primarily limited to the entrance to the property. One native plant of interest is the culturally-significant thatch palm which grows mainly in the western end of the island. These palms have been integrated into the landscaping of the main passageway through the golf course. Within the water of the pond, an aquatic plant - wigeongass (ruppia maratima) - is also present. Overview of other biodiversity interests: Additional studies required.
Other site values: Private. None
Delineation rationale: Maps needed.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Main habitat types: The main habitat types present around the property are the grassy lawn which provides resting area for birds. The rocky lining at each of the basins is also used for this purpose. While vegetation is scarce directly adjacent to the ponds, the remains of stands of mangrove within Merrywing-Savannah provide perches for resting and roosting birds. The northern shore of Merrywing-Merrywing pond is lined by a relatively narrow stand of buttonwood mangrove. Current usage: The ponds are used mainly for aesthetics and water obstacles within the golf course. It is believed that some birdwatching occurs, however, very small scale. It is included in wetlands education material used to educate individuals and groups about Anguilla’s wetlands. The pond also provides habitat for the Least tern, a species considered to be an endangered in the countries along its migration route. The pond is used for research into the population trends of this bird as well as all others observed during the Anguilla National Trust’s Monthly Bird Monitoring Programme. Results of monitoring activities are published in biennial status reports. The ponds, especially the two artificial ones, are used for water storage for irrigation while the remaining three are also possibly used, to help to prevent flooding of the lower areas. Excess water from sprinkler activity and other irrigation systems is believed to drain into all basins.
Land use: energy production and mining | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 48 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 48 | |
| Forest | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: One issue that raises some concern is the use of fertilizers and pesticides in the landscaping and maintenance of the property. Water quality testing becomes very important to ensure the water is safe both for the users of the golf course and the life in and around the water. Increased levels of these pesticides can cause increased sludge and algal growth which may be detrimental to the health of humans, bird life, and marine life.
Additional information
References: Anguilla National Trust. ANT wetland bird count data (2007 – 2011). Unpublished. Daniels, Edsel B. 2011. Anguilla Wetlands Mapping Project Report: A component of the UK DFID/OTEP funded “Building a Foundation for Anguilla’s Wetland Future” Project. Unpublished Report. Holliday, S.H.; Hodge, K.V.D.; Hughes, D.E. 2007. A guide to the birds of Anguilla. Bedfordshire, England; Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Lloyd C. and Mukhida, F. 2012. The state of Anguilla’s wetland birds 2007-2011. The Valley, Anguilla: Anguilla National Trust. Raffaele, H.; Wiley, J.;Garrido, O.; Keith, A. ; Raffaele, J. (2003) Birds of the West Indies. New Jersey, USA: Princeton University Press. 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