Management Plan - Glover's Reef Marine Reserve

migration. An interesting addition to the list of migrants
making a stopover on the island is the cedar waxwing,
with a flock of approximately 80 individuals observed
feeding on the fruit of Erythralis fruticosa, an important
food source for many of the migratory birds passing
through (Figure 31; Walker, 2007). Other migrants that
might occur on the caye but have not yet been recorded
include the American kestrel, black-necked stilt,
common tern, least tern, white-winged dove, mourning
dove, common nighthawk, olive-sided, alder and least
flycatcher, gray kingbird, and Lincoln’s sparrow (L.
Jones, pers. com.). See Appendix 3.
Reptiles of Glover’s Reef Atoll
Glovers Reef Marine Reserve – Management Plan
Figure 31: Waxwing on Middle Caye
The herpetofauna of Glover’s Reef Atoll is comprised entirely of reptile species. No amphibians
have been recorded there, as the saline conditions, absence of freshwater sources, and
distance from the mainland are the main determinants precluding their presence.
Seven reptile species have been recorded from Glover’s Reef, four terrestrial (residents of the
littoral forest), and the three marine turtles (loggerhead, green and hawksbill). The three marine
turtles are all considered to be globally threatened, the hawksbill being listed as ‘critically
endangered’, and the green and loggerhead being ‘endangered’. Additionally, the island leaftoed
gecko is rated as Near Threatened on Belize’s National List of Critical Species (Meerman,
2005). A crocodile, presumed to be the American Crocodile (C. acutus), has been observed on
the Atoll - it is believed that fishermen brought a juvenile crocodile there from Turneffe Islands
sometime during the period 1993 -1995 (M. Paz, pers. com). Recent reports suggest that it has
possibly been killed.
All three marine turtles - loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), green turtle (Chelonia mydas),
and hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) - are found in the waters of Glover’s Reef Atoll,
and nesting on the cayes. The dramatic decline in the number of turtles nesting on the cayes of
Glover’s Reef follows regional (and indeed global) trends of decreasing marine turtle
populations, is reflected in the nesting activity on the cayes of Glover’s Reef, where successful
hatchings have declined significantly - also to some extent a reflection of the relative ephemeral
nature of sandy nesting beaches on such exposed islands, and the beach clearance that is
associated with tourism development. Coral rubble washed onto beaches during storm events,
and similarly, accumulated washed up garbage, can also impair turtle nesting behaviour or
even render nesting beaches inaccessible (Smith, et. al., 1992). No successful turtle nest of
any species has been recorded during turtle monitoring activities in 2004, 2005 or 2006, though
there are anecdotal reports of eggshells and sighting of a hatchling turtle during this period
(Glover’s Reef Annual Reports, 2004, 2005 and 2006). Turtle nests have been reported,
however, for 2007 (K. Schofield, pers. com.)
The Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) is classified as endangered (IUCN, 2006). This
species occurs throughout tropical, subtropical and temperate seas around the world. It is
omnivorous, feeding on a wide range of marine invertebrates, seaweeds and turtle grass.
Loggerheads are seen mating March through May along the outer reef and subsequently nest
at Ambergris Cay, Glover's Reef, Lighthouse Reef, and at scattered locations throughout the
offshore cayes from May through August. Nesting occurs at night, and usually at high tide.
Females excavate nests on sandy beaches above high-water mark, and lay clutches of 60-200
eggs. A single female may lay several clutches during a single season. It is estimated that
fewer than 40 loggerheads nest annually in Belize now. Nesting is known to have occurred in
the past on the north beach of Northeast Caye and on the eastern and western beaches of
Wildtracks / Wildlife Conservation Society, 2007 41