| IBA |
Gaatsguusd ad Nee Kun McIntyre Bay, North Beach & Rose Spit
Masset, British Columbia |
| Site Summary |
| BC161 |
Latitude
Longitude |
54.155° N
131.710° W |
Elevation
Size |
0 m
364.92 km² |
Habitats:
salt marshes/brackish marshes, mud or sand flats (saline), coastal sand dunes & beaches, open sea
|
Land Use:
Tourism/recreation
|
Potential or ongoing Threats:
Interactions with native species/disease, Oil slicks, Recreation/tourism
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| IBA Criteria: Globally Significant: Congregatory Species, Continentally Significant: Congregatory Species, Shorebird Concentrations |
| Conservation status: Ecological Reserve (provincial), Provincial Park (including Marine) |
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Site Description
Rose Spit is a land divide between Dixon Entrance and Hecate Strait. The site includes the beaches of McIntyre Bay and the rocky points of Tow Hill, Yakan Point and Skonun Point and the offshore bars at Rose Spit and Entry Point. The major habitats are sandy beaches (backed by coniferous forest), saltwater bays, estuaries, open saltwater and marine.
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Birds
This is one of the most important feeding areas for wintering marine birds on Haida Gwaii. Marine birds are the predominant users of this IBA, including important concentrations of Black-legged Kittiwakes, Sooty Shearwaters, Pacific Loon and White-winged Scoter. All migrants go through here twice a year. Globally important numbers of Black Brant occur during spring migration. The beaches support important numbers of migrant shorebirds including Sanderling and Semi-palmated Plover. Black Oystercatchers nest on the rocky areas and Sandhill Cranes, which nest in Naikoon Park, feed in the dunes.
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IBA Criteria |
| Species↓ T | A | I |
Links |
Date |
Season |
Number |
G |
C |
N |
| Ancient Murrelet |
|
1994 |
WI |
4,650 |
|
|
|
| Brant |
|
1985 |
SP |
5,200 |
|
✔ |
|
| Pelagic Cormorant |
|
2013 |
FA |
1,250 |
✔ |
✔ |
|
| Pelagic Cormorant |
|
2001 |
WI |
2,759 |
✔ |
✔ |
|
| Sanderling |
|
2013 |
SU |
3,000 |
|
✔ |
|
| Semipalmated Plover |
|
1983 |
SP |
2,100 |
✔ |
✔ |
|
| Sooty Shearwater |
|
1985 |
OT |
8,000 - 15,000 |
|
✔ |
|
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Note: species shown in bold indicate that the maximum number exceeds at least one of the IBA thresholds (sub-regional, regional or global). The site may still not qualify for that level of IBA if the maximum number reflects an exceptional or historical occurrence.
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Conservation Issues
A wind farm proposal for the offshore area of this IBA is under review. Oil spills also have the potential to affect bird populations and their habitat. Some of the IBA is partially protected within the eco reserves (Rose Spit, Tow Hill) and a provincial park.
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