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Establishment of the Mitsubishi
Shorebird Reserve in Bahía Santa María, Mexico
Introduction: Bahía
Santa María is among the most important wetlands in western
North America for breeding, wintering, and staging for a great
variety of migratory bird species. Considered a Wetland of International
Importance by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Bahía
Santa María support an impressive array of bird species.
The bay is critical to the survival of several migratory shorebirds.
One quarter of the world population of Western
Sandpipers winters here along with thousands of Least Sandpipers,
Dunlins, Semipalmated Plovers, Black-bellied Plovers, Marbled
Godwits, Long-billed
Curlews, and American Oystercatchers. The list of breeding
birds includes high priority water birds such as Clapper
Rail, Reddish
Egret, and Least Bittern. The list of waterfowl wintering
in the area includes Greater White-fronted Goose, Northern Pintail,
Cinnamon Teal, Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Gadwall,
American Wigeon, and Northern Shoveler. Bahía Santa María
has been identified by the Mexico Committee of the North
American Bird Conservation Initiative as one of five top
priority sites for conservation action in Mexico.
Objective:
To protect the “heart” of Bahía Santa María’s
most significant bird habitat and support the restoration
of the health of currently desiccated shorebird flats.
Accomplishments:
1. Acquired 350 hectares (865 acres) in early 2007 and dedicated
the preserve.
2. Restored ecological function on an additional 3,000 hectares
(7,410 acres) on an abandoned shrimp farm through the construction
of a series of culverts and dikes that restored the natural
water flow to the area.
For more information about ABC’s
work on this project please contact
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Mission and Vision 
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