Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
South Long Island is situated in the northern part of Lake Winnipegosis, close to the north Channel Island reef. Lake Winnipegosis is a large (5,403 km2), shallow (maximum depth ~55 m) freshwater lake with many small islands. South Long Island is one of the larger islands in Lake Winnipegosis. Deciduous and coniferous forests border Lake Winnipegosis, and large expanses of freshwater marsh occur along the lake. The habitats of these islands are unrecorded, but are assumed to be as noted here. Also note that the latitude and longitude have not been confirmed.
South Long Island contains globally significant numbers of nesting Double-crested Cormorants and American White Pelicans. In 1999, there were 8,032 cormorant nests, which is over 2% of this species global population. There were also 1,925 American White Pelican nests on South Long Island in 1999, which is more than 2% of the estimated global population of American White Pelicans.
South Long Island is also home to three nesting gull species. In 1999, there were 60 Herring Gull nests, 428 California Gull nests and 574 Ring-billed Gull nests. Thus, in total, over 22,000 birds nest here.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Colonial waterbirds nesting in Lake Winnipegosis face several problems. Some residents whose livelihood depends on fishing feel that the birds are eating too many fish. As a result, birds are sometimes shot, or nests are destroyed.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: South Long Island (Canada). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/south-long-island-iba-canada on 23/12/2024.
