Current view: Text account
Site description (2010 baseline):
Site location and context
The north and north west coast of Ambrym comprises considerable areas of forest together with gardens around the inhabited areas. The island rises to 5 volcanic mountain peaks all around or above 1,000m asl.
The site is selected primarily for its high density of Vanuatu Megapodes, both in terms of calling birds and the presence of the only known 3 figure nesting burrow colony at Buwoma Beach. Local information indicates that numbers of birds and/or numbers of eggs in this colony have been declining in recent years.
Non-bird biodiversity: Coconut crab Birgus latro
Primarily disturbed lowland rainforest with areas of gardens around the villages. Regular volcanic activity, combined with the impact of cyclones, explains the disturbed nature of the forest. Access is difficult, either from the sea, or long walks from the villages.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Harvesting of megapode eggs continues - it is unclear whether a voluntary moratorium for 3 months per year,introduced in 2002, is still active.
volcanic activity and cyclones provide an ever present danger.
Little informatioin on the presence of alien invasives, although feral cats and pigs have previously been identified as megapode predators.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Surveys to count active burrows at Buwoma Beach have been undertaken regularly. Surveys of calling megapodes has also been undertaken at other sites around the North and West coastline. Species lists for Lake Fantang were collected in 2001.
The Ambrym Megapode Reserve was created in 1993 to provide protection for the bird on the island.
The Lake Fanteng conservation area provides good birdwatching.
Chief Jessy Saksak and the Wakon Community own the Lake Fanteng Conservation Area.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Ambrym West (Vanuatu). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/ambrym-west-iba-vanuatu on 23/12/2024.
