This IBA is situated in the middle of the south coast of St. Maarten, near the capital city Philipsburg. Little Bay Pond is approximately 2.5 kilometres in diameter and has low salinity (4-8 parts per thousand). The IBA is bordered by aquatic grasses and red, black and white mangrove trees. The surrounding areas support shrubland. A hiking path encircles the pond connecting to the sea at the rocky shore of Little Bay with a small outlet running from the pond into the ocean. The Near Threatened Caribbean Coot (Caribaea fulica) population makes Little Bay Pond highly significant. About 22 have been observed in the area, including breeding pairs. The pond also thrives with all five Lesser Antilles Endemic Bird Areas (EBA) restricted-range birds. Fresh Pond [AN002] Fresh Pond is one of the five Important Bird Areas for St. Maarten under the Birdlife International protocol of important bird areas in the Caribbean.
Little Bay Pond is located before Little Bay Beach.
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The area has been designated as IBA AN002. This IBA is within the capital city of Phillipsburg comprising a large pond with a size of approximately 2.5 kilometres by one kilometer to the west of the Great Salt Pond IBA. The salinity of the pond is low (2-3 parts per thousand) and is bordered by aquatic grasses and red mangrove trees. The pond has artificial islands at each end, vegetated with mangroves and coconut trees providing Important Bird Areas – Dutch Caribbean 14 popular nesting sites for waterbirds. The pond is bisected by a busy bridge and heavy traffic and development encircle the area. The significance of the IBA is due to the population of Near Threatened Coot (Fulica caribaea). Nesting occurs in the area and over 50 coots have been recorded for the IBA. All five Lesser Antilles Endemic Bird Areas restricted-range birds occur at the site. Fresh Pond also supports populations of many waterbirds including Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps), Great Egreat (Casmerodius albus), White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis) and Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis).
Fresh Pond is located left of the Great Salt Pond.
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The Great Salt Pond is one of the five Important Bird Areas for St. Maarten under the Birdlife International protocol of important bird areas in the Caribbean. The area has been designated as IBA AN003. Located in the south-central St. Maarten on the outskirts of Philipsburg, Great Salt Pond INA is the largest pond on the island. It is bordered on all sides by busy roads with
Fresh Pond lying just to the west. This IBA is highly saline (27-38 parts per thousand) with little visible vegetation. Roadside grass and urban development comprise the borders of the pond. The pond was previously used for extraction of salt. The remnant rock walls have become important roost and nesting areas. Great Salt Pond is significant for the Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla) population. Prior to breeding season, about 5,800 gulls congregate at the IBA. About 50 pairs of Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) breeds at the site and is the only species confirmed to do so within the IBA.
Source: BirdLife International. (2008). Important Bird Areas in the Caribbean: Key sites for Conservation. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 15).
Great Salt Pond is located north of Philipsburg.
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Fort Amsterdam is one of the five Important Bird Areas for St. Maarten under the Birdlife International protocol of important bird areas in the Caribbean. The area has been designated as IBA AN004. This IBA is a 2.5-kilometre peninsula in south-east St. Maarten. Ruins of a fort are found on the top of the peninsula, which is registered as a historical site. The slopes below support two meters high thorny Acacia macracantha and A tortuosa shrubland. There is a major cruise ship port on the bay at the east side of the peninsula. A tourist resort is situated just 500 meters away to the north. Important Bird Areas – Dutch Caribbean 15 Fort Amsterdam IBA is significant for the breeding population of Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) which varies greatly between years. Up to 50 pairs breed on the western side of the point and ten pairs on the eastern side making the site a regionally important colony. Birds nest as close as ten metres from the ruins. All five Lesser Antilles Endemic Bird Areas restricted-range birds occur at this IBA. The island endemic lizard Anolis pogus may occur in the IBA.
Fort Amsterdam is located past Divi Little bay Beach resort.
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Pelican Rock is located of the coast by Pelican Key Beach.
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Reference BirdLife International. (2008). Important Bird Areas in the Caribbean: Key sites for Conservation. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 15).
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