Data Zone
The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2008 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('key species') at the site:| Species | Red List | Season (year/s of estimate) | Size | IBA criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brent Goose Branta bernicla | LC | passage (2000) | 5,415 individuals | A4i |
| Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis | LC | winter (1976) | 4,800 individuals | A4i |
| Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides | LC | winter (1977) | 960 individuals | A4i |
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | n/a | winter (1985) | 20,000-49,999 individuals | A4iii |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1940 | Englishman River Falls Park | A - Park (II) | 1 |
| 1966 | Arbutus Grove Park | A - Park (III) | <1 |
| 1967 | Rathtrevor Beach Park | A - Park (II) | 2 |
| 1977 | Qualicum National Wildlife Area | National Wildlife Area (Ia) | <1 |
| 1993 | Parksville-Qualicum Beach Wildlife Management Area | Wildlife Management Area (IV) | 7 |
| 2013 | Gerald Island Park | A - Park (II) | <1 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | major (>10) | |
| Marine Neritic | major (>10) |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| nature conservation and research | major (>10) |
| tourism/recreation | major (>10) |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Little Qualicum Estuary to Nanoose Bay (Canada). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/little-qualicum-estuary-to-nanoose-bay-iba-canada on 26/01/2025.