| IBA |
Goose Brook
Hamilton Inlet, Labrador |
| Site Summary |
| LB011 |
Latitude
Longitude |
54.340° N
58.146° W |
Elevation
Size |
0 - 10 m
220.62 km² |
Habitats:
alpine grassland, rivers/streams, tidal rivers/estuaries, mud or sand flats (saline), open sea
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Land Use:
Fisheries/aquaculture, Hunting
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Potential or ongoing Threats:
Oil slicks
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| IBA Criteria: Continentally Significant: Congregatory Species |
| Conservation status: |
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Site Description
Goose Brook empties into the Labrador Sea at the junction of Lake Melville and Hamilton Inlet, in southern Labrador. The coastal community of Rigolet is situated approximately 20 km to the southwest. The small bay at the mouth of Goose Brook contains extensive mud and sand flats, which become exposed at low tide. This area is completely sheltered from the wave action of the ocean, which is mainly frozen from November to May. The current and shallow water, cause the inner part of the tidal flats to open earlier than the surrounding saltwater. This provides early feeding access for geese during spring migration. The land bordering the bay consists of flat peat and grasslands.
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Birds
Aptly named, Goose Bay supports globally significant concentrations of staging Canada Geese in the spring and fall. In October of 1987, the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) recorded over 6,100 Canada Geese, representing approximately 5% of the estimated North Atlantic population (thought to be a separate population from the Atlantic population). This survey identified Goose Bay as the most important staging area for Canada Geese in Labrador. CWS completed other surveys in Goose Bay; 2,371 birds were recorded in August and 158 in September of 1987, and 555 geese were counted in May of 1988 and 704 in May of 1989.
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IBA Criteria |
| Species↓ T | A | I |
Links |
Date |
Season |
Number |
G |
C |
N |
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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
Local hunters likely take some geese at Goose Brook. However, the area is so vast and open that the geese can see approaching hunters well in advance and so it is unlikely that large numbers are shot. All ships entering Lake Melville between June and November pass within 10 km of Goose Brook. Thus, the threat of oil spills or related marine disasters is always present.
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