Enewsletter

Important Bird Area Wins Protection in Nova Scotia

Two narrow strips of land will make a world of difference to Canadian seabirds.

In April, Nova Scotia designated Hertford and Ciboux Islands, collectively known as Bird Islands off the north-east shore of Cape Breton, as a provincial wildlife management area. Covering just 2.25 square kilometres, these islands house the largest colony of Great Cormorants in North America, approximately 9% of the population found along the North American Atlantic coast. Nova Scotia's largest populations of Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills and Black-legged Kittiwakes are also found on their shores. The new designation will provide legal protection for this vital habitat. Among the protective measures, a provincial permit will be required to visit the islands, reducing the threat from human disturbance.

Bird Islands are recognized, nationally and globally, as an Important Bird Area (IBA). IBAs are essential habitat for breeding, migrating and wintering bird populations across the country. Monitoring and conservation of these high biodiversity sites helps in recovering endangered species while ensuring the abundance of common ones.

Nature Canada, in partnership with Bird Studies Canada, delivers BirdLife International's IBA program in Canada. BirdLife partners in 178 countries identify, monitor and protect a global network of IBAs for the conservation of the world's birds and other biodiversity. Nearly 600 IBAs, including Bird Islands, have been identified in Canada.

Since the start of the IBA program, Nature Canada has helped more than 100 grassroots IBA site support groups, supported more than 150 on-site projects, developed 150 conservation plans, and cultivated a nation-wide voluntary stewardship network. Thousands of volunteers have cared for IBAs by surveying bird populations, building nest boxes, erecting signs, removing invasive species, planting native grasses, and promoting awareness about the value of wildlife.

Identification of critical habitat remains a key step in science-based conservation. The IBA program fills this role and supports on-the-ground work to further conservation goals. Supported by federal, provincial and territorial legislation, conservation in IBAs will have benefits for nature beyond the borders of these sites and our country. What may seem like a small area to us can be the world for our bird populations.