Reserva de la Biosfera Banco Chinchorro anco Chinchorro is a federally- owned land and marine reserve Bcreated in 1996. The Reserve consists of three cays off the southeast coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Two of the cays are heavily vegetated and suitable as stopover or wintering habitat for migratory birds. LOCATION: The Reserve is located in the Caribbean Sea, 30 km. off the southern coast of Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula’s east coast, near the Belize border. SIZE: 144,112 ha (356,714 acres) S HABITAT: N Banco TIO CU D Chinchorro is com- O R posed of three cays, C P one of which is a /KA TO IT small sand island D RY with a couple of R A coconut palms and a small T ENNESSEE L W amount of dune vegetation. The ARBLER other two cays are quite large and are composed predominately of mangrove species. However, both contain sizable beach berms on which there is a healthy mix of coconut palms and coastal deciduous woodlands. BIRDS: Almost 70 species of neotropical migrant birds have been documented using the islands. The location of the Reserve on the coast of the Yucatan makes it an important initial stopover point for neotropical migrants, most of which winter in South America. CONSERVATION: A study of habitat selection by neotropical migrant landbirds was carried out in 2004. Reforestation with native vegetation on the small island has been indicated as a priority. Since the land is federally-owned, it is critical that the Mexican government continue to protect the islands. Site Partner: Amigos de Sian Ka’an A.C./Conanp CONTACT INFORMATION: Blvd. Kukulcán Km. 4.8 Zona Hotelera Cancún, Q.Roo, C.P. 77500 México WEBSITE: www.conanp.gob.mx/anp/ pagina.php?id_anp=17 58 GULF COAST BIRD OBSERVATORY.