Seabirds

The numerous islands of the West Indies, some little more than rocky outcrops, contain globally significant breeding sites for approximately 25 species of seabirds, many of which are endemic species, sub-species or races. The Society for Caribbean Ornithology (SCO) is identifying all known sites in the region, with estimates of the numbers of individuals they support.

Preliminary findings highlight the following:
         - seven “high priority” species with 4,000 or fewer breeding pairs;
         - six “priority” species with between 4,000-8,000 breeding pairs; and
         - in at least two cases, Roseate Tern and Magnificent Frigate bird, these small breeding populations represent a substantial percentage of their global populations.

 The final report is expected to convey the concern shared by the specialists participating in a 1997 SCO workshop, who noted that
         - global populations of most seabirds are on the decline;
         - generally, the populations of nesting seabirds tend to be fairly isolated from one another; so that
         - the deterioration or demise of nesting sites may significantly diminish the genetic pool of any given species (Dr. David Lee, North Carolina State University, pers. comm.; Dr. Betty Ann Shreiber, Ornithological Society, pers. comm.).

The most important seabird nesting sites for St. Kitts and Nevis are:
Booby Island. Eight species of seabirds nest on this 126-foot high, cone-shaped islet in the channel between St. Kitts and Nevis. During 1997, Wilson (1999a) observed 400 - 600 nesting pairs. In order of abundance, these are sooty tern, bridled tern, laughing gull, roseate tern, brown noddy.
Approximately half the roseate tern population, designated as threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, nests in the West Indies; Booby Island supported 15 pairs in 1997 and 2 pairs in 1998. The nesting season varies for each species, with most birds arriving from April to May and leaving from August to October.

Although Booby Island is not threatened by habitat degradation, there are several other conservation concerns. Disturbance by commercial and sports fishers, and by tourists who are brought by guides to dive and snorkel off the islet, can drive adults from their nests. Even short absences can lead to overheating of eggs/chicks, plus increased susceptibility to predation (in 1998, Wilson recorded nearly two-thirds mortality from combined factors). Predation by humans is also a problem, even though it is believed to have decreased from historical levels (when "buckets were filled"). But even one person can seriously impact the populations because of the accessibility of the eggs on this small islet. Fortunately, the island does not seem to have mongoose, rats or other introduced predators.

Green Point to Nags Head. This area of the Southeast Peninsula supports nesting brown pelicans and magnificent frigate birds, but neither is as abundant as it once was (Todd, circa 1920; Burden, 1920; Morris and Lemon, 1982; Arendt, 1985; Wilson, 1999a).
The factors affecting, and threatening, these species are similar to those noted for other seabirds:
         - habitat loss (colony sites are not endangered, but may be affected by the conversion of nearby lands that lost trees and shrubs to guinea grass as a result of fire and overgrazing);
         - disturbance by commercial and sports fishing boats, as well as diving and snorkeling operations;[1] and
         - predation by people, rats, mongoose, feral cats, and monkeys.

Ponds and Beaches. In addition to their importance for shorebirds, ponds and beaches support several species of seabirds, most notably the endangered least tern. Wilson (1999a) identifies several sites used by least terns for nesting, and Hilder (1989) notes that they nest at White House Bay on Nevis.

[1]  Because of the noise of tour boats, it has been recommended that they remain at least 100 - 150 meters from the colonies. Frigatebirds and pelicans are known to be very sensitive to disturbance (van Halewyn and Norton 1984; Raffaele 1998).

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