Two new and one expanded WHSRN Sites in Mexico
In April 2009, the WHSRN Hemispheric Council approved two new Sites and the expansion and elevated designation of an existing Site in Mexico. A hearty welcome to our new Sites – 76 in total now – and partners!
- Sistema Lagunar Huizache-Caimanero, Site of Regional Importance
Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri)/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This 18,000-hectare (44,000-acre) lagoon system is located in the Municipalities of Rosario and Mazatlán, in the State of Sinaloa. It has been designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, an Important Bird Conservation Area (AICA, in Spanish), and a National Priority Wetland for shorebirds as well as for waterfowl. The lagoon supports more than 20,000 shorebirds representing 23 species. The most numerous species are American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) [2,917]; dowitchers (Limnodromus spp) [2,117]; Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa) [669];and Western Sandpipers(Calidris mauri)[14,980]. WHSRN Site partners include the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP) - Regional Director for Northwest and Upper Gulf [of California]; the Mayor of Rosario Municipality and President of the Aguaverde ejido community; Ducks Unlimited of Mexico; and the Autonomous National University of Mexico’s Institute of Ocean Sciences and Limnology in Mazatlán. See map above.
- Complejo San Ignacio, Site of International Importance
Mixed flock of shorebirds at El Cardón, Laguna San Ignacio/Courtesy of R. Carmona and R. Kobelkowsky Sosa
This 110,000-hectare (271,000-acre) wetland complex is located in the community of San Ignacio, Municipality of Mulegé, in the State of Baja California Sur. The complex includes the San Ignacio, El Coyote, and La Bocana lagoons. The area has been designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The San Ignacio wetland complex hosts 22 species of shorebirds, including more than 23% of the estimated world population of Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa) and 11% of the Western Snowy Plover population (Charadrius alexandrines nivosus) during the winter. Other species with regionally important populations here include American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliates) [4.7%]; Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americana) [2.2%]; Willet (Tringa semipalmata) [2.8%]; and a Red Knot subspecies (Calidris canutus roselaari) [4.7%].WHSRN Site partners include the El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve; National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP); Autonomous University of Baja California Sur; and Pronatura Noroeste. See map above.
- Complejo Lagunar Ojo de Liebre - Guerrero Negro, Site of Hemispheric Importance
Marbled Godwits (Limosa fedoa) at Guerrero Negro lagoon/© Roberto Carmona
This lagoon complex is located in the community of Guerrero Negro, Municipality of Mulegé, in the state of Baja California Sur. In September 2000, the 20,102-hectare (49,651-acre) Guerrero Negro wetland was designated a WHSRN Site of International Importance, nominated by Exportadora de Sal S.A. de C.V., a salt-extraction company with a concession in the area. Through scientific research and monitoring activities in the area since, partners discovered that the larger complex of Ojo de Liebre - Guerrero Negro (163,765 hectares [404,500 acres]) meets the criteria for a Site of Hemispheric Importance by hosting over 30% of the biogeographic population of not one but three species: Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa) [50%]; a subspecies of Red Knot (Calidris canutus roselaari) [32%]; and a subspecies of Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus cairinus) [68%]. The area supports 31 shorebird species overall, including regionally important populations (> 1%) of seven species. This complex forms part of the El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve and has been designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, as well as a World Heritage Site and Whale Sanctuary by UNESCO. WHSRN Site partners include the El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve; National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP); and Autonomous University of Baja California Sur. See map above.
