Data Zone
Country/territory: Sint Maarten (to Netherlands)
IBA criteria met: A1, A2 (2007)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 14 ha
Site description (2006 baseline)
Fresh Pond is an oblong pond approximately 2.5 kilometers long and 1 kilometer across. It is located within the capital city of Phillipsburg. Due to the low salinity (2-3 parts per thousand), this pond supports species which are less common in other parts of St. Maarten and the Lesser Antilles.
Key biodiversity
The Near Threatened Caribbean Coot nests at this site. Two nests have been recorded while a maximum of 53 individuals have been observed. A maximum of 29 Snowy Egrets nests have been recorded in the mangrove trees on the little islets, while 183 individuals have been observed. Five pairs of Pied-billed Grebes have been recorded nesting at Fresh Pond. Two Common Moorhen pairs have been recorded nesting. Great Egret Casmerodius albus, White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis, and Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis nest at this site as well.
Other regionally limited species found at this site include Green-throated Carib Eulampis holosericeus, Antillean Crested Hummingbird Orthorhyncus cristatus, Pearly-eyed Thrasher Margarops fuscatus, and Lesser Antillean Bullfinch Loxigilla noctis.
Non-bird biodiversity: Not applicable
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Fresh Pond, Sint Maarten (Sint Maarten (to Netherlands)). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/fresh-pond-sint-maarten-iba-sint-maarten-(to-netherlands) on 23/11/2024.