Hawks Nest

A(i)Site contains one or more globally threatened species, A(iv)Site contains one or more range restricted endemic species that are potentially threatened, B(ii)Site contains an exceptional number of species of high conservation importance

This TIPA has a concentration of 12 species of global and national conservation importance, including regional endemic and range restricted endemic species. The area did not qualify under sub-criterion C(iii) despite having two of the BVI’s threatened habitats, i.e. Mangroves and Coastal shrubland, as there are more significant areas of these habitats in other locations in the BVI.

This TIPA is in the north eastern coast of Tortola between Little Bay and Hawks Nest beach, from sea level to 181m on the lower hills of Daley Mountain. The TIPA is mostly undeveloped, with only one paved road cutting through its centre and no houses.

Several globally threatened species are found growing in the Seasonally deciduous forests and woodlands in this TIPA. The BVI endemic Pitcairnia jareckii (EN) is only found on Tortola within this TIPA and on the islands of Great Camanoe and Guana. The only island in the BVI where the Virgin Islands endemic Pilea sanctae-crucis (EN) grows is on Tortola and this TIPA contains >5% of its national population. Also, growing at middle elevations of Balsam Ghut is the rare and globally threatened Puerto Rican Bank endemic Erythrina eggersii (EN), which is also found on Great Thatch and Jost van Dyke. South of the road, at higher elevations, the Puerto Rican Bank endemic Agave missionum (VU) has been recorded. The site also qualified under sub-criterion A(iii) for having significant national percentage of the highly Restricted Range Endemic (RRE) Tillandsia x lineatispica. This bromeliad is only found in the BVI at a few locations on Tortola, Beef Island and Virgin Gorda; it also occurs on Puerto Rico and St. John in the USVI.

Main habitats are Seasonally deciduous forest and woodland, Mangroves and Coastal shrubland.

The main threats to the TIPA are future development of the area, feral animal grazing and invasive plant species. There is evidence of feral goat grazing and illegal farming in the area. Roads have been cut and new developments proposed for the private parcels within and adjacent to the TIPA.

BVI TIPAs National Team, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands - BVI Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration