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Site description (2013 baseline):

West End pond is one of the larger brackish ponds and is the western-most wetland of all ponds on the mainland. This pond consists of one basin split into two by a causeway. East of the causeway, the pond appears more circular while west of the causeway the pond narrows and lengthens. The first basin features a number of rock walls previously used during periods of salt harvesting in Anguilla and has mostly rocky shorelines and a marl substrate. The second basin is relatively inaccessible as it lies behind the property of Cove Castles Resort.

A causeway, running through the pond provides access to the tourism developments that line the beach at Shoal Bay West. The causeway branches out into two unpaved roads going in opposite directions; both of which lead to the tourism related properties. There is a culvert through the causeway that connects both ends of the pond.

The pond is surrounded by stands of buttonwood, black and white mangrove on the western shoreline of its first basin with white and buttonwood mangrove along its eastern shoreline and all along the second basin. The south-eastern side of the pond has undergone some vegetation clearing resulting in a more exposed and landscaped shoreline.

The pond is mainly visited by birdwatchers and by persons walking along the causeway for exercise.

Despite limited recreational use, the pond is used to store water as it naturally is the settling point for rainwater and runoff. It protects the nearby tourism developments from damage by flooding.

It collects contaminants from landscaping and within runoff before it is able to reach to the beach.

The rock walls, which appear mainly in the eastern half of the pond, are perches for small shorebirds that travel along them in search for food. The open water of the water is preferred by swimming birds. The mangrove vegetation around the shorelines of the pond provides shelter for small shorebirds.

The pond has been filled with marl for the making of a parking lot in the middle of its southern side. The vegetation around this side of the pond is scarce and completely exposed in areas. 

Along the unpaved sandy road, some dumping of green waste from landscaping has also been observed.

Turtles have been caught in the pond after being confused by lighting on beach from tourism related developments.

Continue to undertake monthly wetland and terrestrial bird counts.

Continue to promote site in educational material used during wetlands education work.

Continue to secure funds for ensuring the future of Anguilla’s wetlands.

Monitor site for eligibly for national and international recognition and protection.

Encourage compliance and lobby for enforcement of wetlands related policies and provisions.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: West End Pond (Anguilla (to UK)). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/west-end-pond-iba-anguilla-(to-uk) on 23/12/2024.