Current view: Text account
Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
Located near the west coast of Grenada, the Beausejour–Grenville Vale IBA is just inland from the north-south coastal road from Beausejour Bay. The bowl-shaped site is bordered
to the west, north and south by a slope, rising to c.500 m in elevation, and includes the east-facing side of the eastern ridge (Grenville Vale). The slopes to the west, north and east are forested. The valley bottom comprises some fruit trees, an
agricultural plot and cattle grazing. Immediately to the south is a housing development. The north-western side of this IBA is adjacent to the south-eastern border of the Perseverance IBA (GD002).
This IBA is important for the Critically Endangered Grenada Dove
Leptotila wellsi. The population was estimated at c.15 pairs in 2003/2004 (pre-Hurricane Ivan) (Rusk and Clouse 2004)but only 1–6 pairs 3–4 months after the hurricane in 2004 (Rusk 2005) (a possible under/over estimate due to a change in calling behaviour post hurricane). Seven pairs were estimated in 2007 (Rusk 2008). Five (of the seven) Lesser Antilles EBA restricted-range birds occur at this IBA.
Non-bird biodiversity: Nothing recorded.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
This site is both Crown land and under private ownership and is currently unprotected. Threats include the possible expansion of a housing development and cutting for agriculture. Rats
Rattus spp., mongoose
Herpestes auropunctatus and other predators may impact the
L. wellsi population. A fire (May 2008) burned a large portion of the IBA, though remained upslope of most known dove territories. Hurricane Ivan caused extreme changes to vegetation structure and composition on the west coast. Protection measures are being explored by Government that could result in a contiguous protected area with the Perseverance IBA.
Author: Bonnie L.Rusk
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Beausejour / Grenville Vale (Grenada). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/beausejour--grenville-vale-iba-grenada on 23/12/2024.
