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Site description (2007 baseline):
Site location and context
Point Des Fous is located between the villages of GrandBay and Scotts Head in the south Atlantic coast and serves as one of the most important sites for seabird on Dominica. The area is in close proximity to Petite Coulibri Estate and Morne Fous Estate. Due to the steep nature of its terrain, human activity has been restricted to a large extent. Human settlements are approximately 2km north and south of the site.
Point des Foux supports several seabirds including Magnificent Frigatebird (
Fregata magnificens, Brown Booby (
Sula leucogaster), Brown Noddy (
Anous stolidus), Sooty Terns (
Sterna fuscata), Bridled Tern (
Sterna anaethetus) and the White-tailed Tropicbird (
Phaethon lepturus).
Some of the other species of interest found at that site are Yellow-crowned Night Heron (
Nycticorax violaceus), Zenaida Dove (
Zenaida aurita), Lesser Antillean Saltator (
Saltator albicollis), Scaly–Breasted Thrasher (
Allenia fusca), Bananaquit (
Coereba flaveola), Broad-winged Hawk (
Buteo platypterus), Antillean Crested Hummingbird (
Orthorhyncus cristatus), Grey Kingbird (
Tyrannus dominicensis), Lesser Antillean Flycatcher (
Myiarchus oberi), Caribbean Elaenia (Elaenia martinica), Antillean Euphonia (Euphonia musica), Lesser Antillean Bullfinch (Loxigilla noctis), Plumbeus Warbler (Dendroica plumbea), and Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia).
Non-bird biodiversity: Other flora include includes Lang Bef (Agave sp), Organ Pipe Cactus (Cephalocerus royenii), Climbing Cactus (Hylocereus trigonus), Figier (Ficus obtusifolia), Zanana Falez (Pitcairnia angustifolia), Wild Anthurium (Anthurium giganterum) and Eye-lash Orchid (Epidendrum ciliare).
Fauna species include several species of Bats, Black Crab (Gecarcinus ruricola), Hermit Crab (Coenobita cylpeatus), Zagaya Lamè (Grapsus grapsus), Boa constrictor (Constrictor constrictor), Kouwès nwè (Alsophis antillensis sibonius), Kouwès jenga (Liophis juliae juliae), Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima), Tree Lizard (Anolis oculatus), and Ground Lizard (Ameiva fuscata).
The vegetation type is xeric and the dominant tree species are Savonèt (
Lonchocarpus pentaphyllus), White Cedar (
Tabebuia pallida), Naked Indian (
Bursera simaruba), Latannyé (
Coccothrinax barbadensis), and Mapou (
Pisonia fragrans).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Hurricanes - Dominica like the other Eastern Caribbean Islands lie in the hurricane belt and as a result are vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storm strikes annually. In the case of an intensive storm, the surge in swells and high winds will impact on the bird’s ability to continue to utilize this site.
Hunting - Illegal hunting for some bird species and their eggs is also a major concern.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Currently there is no research activity or monitoring programs in place for that site. In 2000, Adam Brown of Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) commenced a study to research the possibility of the Black capped Petrel nesting at that site, but that program had to be discontinued shortly afterward.
Point des Foux is approximately 3km east of the Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve (SSMR). The SSMR was established by an SRO of 1994. The marine reserve is managed by a Local Area Management Authority (LAMA), and revenue made from user fees goes back to management and improvement of the reserve.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Point Des Foux (Dominica). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/point-des-foux-iba-dominica on 23/11/2024.
