Data Zone
The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2009 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:| Species | Red List | Season (year/s of estimate) | Size | IBA criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brent Goose Branta bernicla | LC | non-breeding (2004) | 17,000 birds | A4i |
| Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus | LC | breeding (2003) | 669 pairs | A4i |
| American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus | LC | breeding (2003) | 525 pairs | A4i |
| Piping Plover Charadrius melodus | NT | breeding (2005) | 151 pairs | A1, A4i |
| Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus | LC | passage (1996) | 40,000 birds | A4i |
| Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus | VU | passage (1996) | 46,000 birds | A4i |
| Black Skimmer Rynchops niger | LC | breeding (2003) | 1,679 pairs | A4i |
| Least Tern Sternula antillarum | LC | breeding (2003) | 703 pairs | A4i |
| Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri | LC | breeding (2003) | 1,521 pairs | A4i |
| Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus | LC | breeding (2003) | 2,058 pairs | A4i |
| Seaside Sparrow Ammospiza maritima | LC | breeding (2005) | 122,000 pairs | A4ii |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 | Chincoteague | National Wildlife Refuge (IV) | 7 |
| 1959 | Mockhorn | Wildlife Management Area (V) | 3 |
| 1965 | Assateague Island | National Seashore (V) | 6 |
| 1969 | Fisherman Island | National Wildlife Refuge (IV) | 1 |
| 1970 | Smith Island | Private Conservation Land (V) | 1 |
| 1970 | Hog Island | Private Conservation Land (V) | 1 |
| 1970 | Godwin Island | Private Conservation Land (V) | <1 |
| 1970 | Ship Shoal Island | Private Conservation Land (V) | <1 |
| 1970 | Myrtle Island | Private Conservation Land (V) | <1 |
| 1971 | Wallops Island | National Wildlife Refuge (IV) | 2 |
| 1972 | Mink Island | Private Conservation Land (V) | 1 |
| 1973 | Parramore Island | Private Conservation Land (V) | 2 |
| 1973 | Cobb Island | Private Conservation Land (V) | <1 |
| 1973 | Rogue Island | Private Conservation Land (V) | <1 |
| 1974 | Chincoteague | Proposed Wilderness (Ib) | 1 |
| 1974 | Revel Island | Private Conservation Land (V) | 1 |
| 1975 | Metompkin Island | Private Conservation Land (V) | <1 |
| 1978 | Brownsville Farm | Private Conservation Land (V) | <1 |
| 1979 | The Virginia Coast Reserve | UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (UA) | - |
| 1984 | Eastern Shore of Virginia | National Wildlife Refuge (IV) | 1 |
| 1986 | The Nature Conservancy | Easement (V) | <1 |
| 1989 | Little Cobb Island | Private Conservation Land (V) | <1 |
| 1990 | Fowling Point | Private Conservation Land (V) | 1 |
| 1997 | Greens Creek | Private Conservation Land (V) | <1 |
| 1998 | Cedar Island Macrosite Fee | Private Conservation (V) | <1 |
| 2001 | US-VA-62-1 | Environmental System (V) | <1 |
| 2002 | The Nature Conservancy | Easement (V) | 2 |
| 2002 | Magothy Bay Landings | Easement (V) | <1 |
| 2005 | US-VA-87-1 | Environmental System (V) | <1 |
| 2006 | Magothy Bay | State Natural Area Preserve (V) | <1 |
| 2006 | US-VA-102-1 | Environmental System (V) | <1 |
| 2006 | US-VA-86-1 | Environmental System (V) | <1 |
| 2006 | US-VA-92-1 | Environmental System (V) | <1 |
| 2006 | US-VA-103-1 | Environmental System (V) | <1 |
| 2006 | US-VA-104-1 | Environmental System (V) | <1 |
| 2008 | Cedar Island | Private Conservation (V) | <1 |
| 2008 | Phillips Creek | Environmental System (V) | <1 |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Barrier Island/Lagoon System (USA). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/barrier-island-lagoon-system-iba-usa on 23/12/2024.