Data Zone
Country/territory: Sint Maarten (to Netherlands)
IBA criteria met: A2 (2007)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 8 hectares (0.08 km2)
Site description (2006 baseline)
Little Bay Pond is approximately 2.5 kilometers in diameter. It is located near the capital city of Phillipsburg but remains fairly undeveloped. Due to the low salinity (4-8 parts per thousand), this pond supports species uncommon 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 22 individuals have been observed. Four pairs of Pied-billed Grebes have been recorded nesting at Fresh Pond. Four Common Moorhen pairs have been recorded nesting. White-cheeked Pintail and Ruddy Duck 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: Little Bay, Sint Maarten (Sint Maarten (to Netherlands)). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/little-bay-sint-maarten-iba-sint-maarten-(to-netherlands) on 23/12/2024.