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Site description (2012 baseline):

Kemp Cay to Pigeon Cay IBA. The IBA is located approximately 6 km south of Great Harbor Cay in the Berry Islands. The IBA extends from Kemp and Water Cay to the north, to Pigeon and Money Cay to the south. Ambergris Cay and Fanny Cay are the largest of the cays within the IBA. The IBA also includes the expansive sandy shoals and tidal flats associated with the cays, which provide vital foraging habitat for shorebirds during low tides. The cays are generally long a narrow. Ambergris is the longest at approximately 2.6km in length and 0.3km at the widest point. Pigeon Cay is approximately 1.1 km long and 0.3km at the widest point. Fanny Cay is approximately 1.4 km in length and 0.4km at the widest point. The other cays are considerably smaller. The cays are separated by inlets with small creeks that extend westward to the tidal flats, eventually ending on the flats. The flats are vast at low tide and cover approximately 1,500 ha. The beaches are generally narrow and made up of sand and limestone. The beaches, especially at inlets, and the small sand bars south of Ambergris Cay provide high tide roosting and resting areas for birds. Extensive shallow water in the area excludes most recreational boaters, but beaches are visited occasionally by boaters and anglers in small, shallow-draft boats.

This IBA is significant for the high numbers of migrant wintering Piping Plover Charadrius melodus and other species of shorebirds recorded at the site during surveys in 2011 and 2012. This site being newly discovered in 2011 has no historical data for comparison, except that it is relatively near to north central Andros where about 85 Piping Plover were recorded during winter 2010. It will be considered a key site by U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan and Council - August 2004 standards due to the presence of globally ‘highly imperiled’ Piping Plover and North American populations of Red Knot together with ‘high concern’ North American populations of Wilson’s Plover Charadrius wilsonia and American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliates. Large numbers of Sanderling Calidris alba and Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus were also recorded although not significant in terms of conservation they are significant in numbers present.

Non-bird biodiversity: Bonefish Lemon Shark Green Sea Turtle Loggerhead Sea Turtle Queen Conch

Ambergris and the other cays within this IBA appear uninhabited and do not appear to have supported permanent settlements in the past. The upland areas support predominantly shrub-scrub vegetation with mixed Australian pine (Cassurina equisitifolia). They are fringed on the western side by mangroves (spp.) that extend onto intertidal sand and mud flats. The tidal flats and surrounding shallow water support seagrass, primarily turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum). While the vegetation of the cays and the mangroves undoubtedly support birds year round, there is little published information on birds outside of the larger, developed cays in the Berry Islands. Likewise, there are few published records of shore and waterbirds from the area. Nevertheless, birds are abundant and utilize all habitats within the area. The intertidal flats, adjacent wetlands, and aquatic habitats are excellent habitat for bonefish, lemon and other species of sharks, barracuda, permit, jacks, snapper, Queen conch and other important fisheries. The flats are frequented by local fishing guides and recreational anglers seeking bonefish and other sportfish, which are very important to the local economy.

Sea level rise, invasive plants

International Piping Plover Winter Census 2011 – Bahamas National Trust, United States Geological Survey, United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Bird Studies Canada. Shorebird Census in 2012 - National Audubon Society, Bahamas National Trust, and United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Bird Studies Canada support. 2011 - Primary focus of this 2-day survey effort was Piping Plover as part of the International Plover Census. 2012 - Shorebird Survey of the Berry Islands - 4 day expedition counting all shorebirds, waterbirds and other notable species.

Not currently protected

Compilers: Matt Jeffery and Walker Golder (National Audubon Society), Predensa Moore (Bahamas National Trust), Caleb Spiegel (US Fish and Wildlife Service) and Sue Abbott (Bird Studies Canada).

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Kemp Cay to Pigeon Cay (Bahamas). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/kemp-cay-to-pigeon-cay-iba-bahamas on 24/11/2024.