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Site description (2007 baseline)
The area covers approximately 4314 ha, and stretches from the Dennery Knob westward to Mardi Gras just outside the periphery of the Forest Reserve. It then follows a north eastern direction along the Forest Reserve Boundary to Grand Anse. This area occupies a considerable portion within the tropical dry forest life zone of St. Lucia and is largely covered by scrub forest characterized by short canopy and a large number of small-diameter trees. Nature conservation and research, agriculture, rangeland/ pastureland, some areas not utilized, all these categories aid to describe the land use of the area. A major part of the area is not utilized remaining under secondary forest cover.

Key biodiversity
The species of national importance in this site include the following: St. Lucia Black Finch Melanospiza richardsoni , St. Lucia Oriole Icterus laudabilis , St. Lucia White-breasted Thrasher Ramphocinclus brachyurus, St. Lucia Pewee Contopus oberi, St. Lucia Warbler Dendroica delicata, St. Lucia Flycatcher Myiachus oberi sanctae luceae and St. Lucia Wren Troglodytes aedon sanctae luceae. Other species that inhabit the area are: Banana Quit Coereba flaveola, Lesser Antillean Bullfinch Loxigilla noctis, Black-faced Grass Quit Tiaris bicolor, Broad-Winged hawk Buteo platypterus , Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis, Green heron Butorides virescens, Grey Trembler Cinclocerthia gutturalis, Brown Trembler Cinclocerthia ruficauda, Mangrove Cuckoo Coccyzus minor, Common Ground Dove Columbina passerina, Red-Necked Pigeon Patagioenas squamosa, Caribbean Elaenia Elaenia martinica, Purple-throated Carib Eulampis jugularis, Antillean Euphonia Euphonia musica, American Kestrel Falco sparverius, Ruddy Quail Dove Geotrygon montana, Scaly-Breasted Thrasher Margarops fuscus, Antillean Crested Hummingbird Orthorhyncus cristatus, Carib Grackle Quiscalus lugubris, Lesser Antillean Saltator Saltator albicollis, Bare-eyed Thrush Turdus nudigenis, Grey Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis, Black-whispered Vireo Vireo altiloquus, Zenaida Dove Zenaida aurita. The area is important for migrant species and waterbirds. A pond at Grande Anse is the only place where Masked ducks have been recorded breeding. Many migrant ducks, warblers and waterbirds have been recorded in the area. Potentially, it may also serve as a nesting place for marine species such as the Red-billed Tropicbird that has been recorded nesting along the cliff in others parts of the St. Lucia. Furthermore, several shorebirds have been recorded foraging along the beach areas.

Non-bird biodiversity: The area is very rich in biological diversity and to a certain extent remains undeveloped. The habitat supports tremendous wildlife species, with a high occurrence of endemism. The avifaunal life is greatest, and particularly important are the St. Lucia Black Finch, the St. Lucia Oriole, the White-breasted Thrasher, Rufous Nightjar, and the St. Lucia Wren. These species are in a state population decline and require tremendous attention (ICBP 1988). It is worth noting that this habitat is the last stronghold of the Rufous Nightjar. Reptilians found there include the boa constrictor, fer-de-lance, iguana, the leatherback, hawksbill and green turtle. The Grand Anse beach is presently the most important nesting ground for the turtles. The adjacent Louvet beach is also an important nesting ground for the St. Lucia Iguana. Mammals are represented by the agouti, opossum and possibly the St. Lucia Muskrat, believed to be extinct. Floral Species of considerable importance include Tabebuia pallida, Guerttarda scabra, Coccothrinax barbadensis, which appear to be overexploited within the area

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Iyanola and Grande Anses, Esperance and Fond D'ors (St Lucia). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/iyanola-and-grande-anses-esperance-and-fond-dors-iba-st-lucia on 22/11/2024.