| IBA |
Washington Point, Baillie-Hamilton Island
Near Cornwallis Island, Nunavut |
| Site Summary |
| NU051 |
Latitude
Longitude |
75.764° N
94.331° W |
Elevation
Size |
0 - 215 m
62.84 km² |
Habitats:
coastal cliffs/rocky shores (marine)
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Land Use:
Not Utilized (Natural Area)
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Potential or ongoing Threats:
Disturbance, Oil slicks
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| IBA Criteria: Continentally Significant: Congregatory Species |
| Conservation status: |
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Site Description
Washington Point is located on the southeast corner of Baillie-Hamilton Island, which is situated approximately 15 kilometres north of Cornwallis Island. Baillie-Hamilton Island is flat-topped and surrounded by steep coastal cliffs that reach up to 215 metres above the sea below. The Washington Point cliffs are composed of Lower Devonian limestone. A polynya develops north of the island in January and continues until ice breakup.
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Birds
During the 1970s, a large colony of Black-legged Kittiwakes was present on the cliffs of Washington Point. Surveys showed that approximately 3,000 pairs were present, which is over 1% of the Atlantic population and of continentally significance. This colony is one of the most northern breeding sites for this species in the eastern Canadian arctic. The birds typically arrive at the cliffs around mid-May and have departed by early October. No recent surveys have been conducted to see ascertain the present status of the colony. Glaucous Gulls and Black Guillemots also breed on the cliffs.
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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
The nesting kittiwakes are prone to disturbance and could also be adversely affected by pollution of their marine foraging areas. However, given the remoteness of this site, there are no threats to the area at present. The site has been designated an International Biological Programme site.
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