| IBA |
Grand Colombier Island
St. Pierre, Newfoundland |
| Site Summary |
| NF036 |
Latitude
Longitude |
46.825° N
56.168° W |
Elevation
Size |
0 - 149 m
7.19 km² |
Habitats:
sedge/grass meadows, coastal cliffs/rocky shores (marine), rocky flats & barrens
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Land Use:
Nature conservation and research, Tourism/recreation
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Potential or ongoing Threats:
Oil slicks, Recreation/tourism
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| IBA Criteria: Globally Significant: Congregatory Species, Colonial Waterbirds/Seabird Concentrations |
| Conservation status: IBA Conservation Plan written/being written |
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Site Description
Grand Colombier Island is located 500 meters north of the island of St. Pierre in the French archipelago St. Pierre and Miquelon. The island is treeless with steep sides, rocky outcrops and a gently rolling top. Grasses and ferns are the dominant vegetation type on the steep slopes, whereas the top of the island is dominated by crowberry. Although this site is in French territory, we have included it in the Canadian IBA program because the St. Pierre and Miquelon islands are very close to Canadian territory and are not covered by any other IBA program (including the European program).
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Birds
Large numbers of Leachs Storm-Petrels nest on Grand Colombier Island. In 1989 when the storm-petrels were last surveyed, there were 100,000 breeding pairs, making the island a globally significant site for Leachs Storm-Petrels. A minimum of 800 pairs of Atlantic Puffin bred on the island in 2000. In June of that year, about 3,000 puffins were estimated to be flying around the island. Other species nesting on the island include Black-legged Kittiwake (200 pairs in 1989), Herring Gull (113 pairs), Great Cormorant (22 pairs), and Great Black-backed Gull (5 pairs). In 2000 these four species were still nesting in similar numbers. Breeding Razorbills were first recorded on the island in 1990, and by the year 2000 about 30 or 40 pairs were present. Manx Shearwaters have been found in burrows on the island at night, but breeding has not been confirmed. Also, Northern Fulmars have been seen prospecting around the island, but have not nested.
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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
Oil pollution is a potential threat because Grand Colombier Island is close to regular oil tanker traffic heading to nearby Come By Chance oil refinery. During the summer, people pick berries on the island, but this is likely only a minor source of disturbance.
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