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The Important Bird Area Program
The Canadian Important Bird Areas Program (IBA) was established by the Canadian Birdlife Partners, the Canadian Nature Federation and Bird Studies Canada, as part of an international effort to identify and conserve sites important to all bird species worldwide. Initiated in Manitoba in August 1999, the IBA program is being delivered and administered by the Manitoba Naturalists Society.
Goals of the Canadian IBA Program
The goals of the program are to identify a network of sites that conserve the natural diversity of Canadian bird species and are critical to the long-term viability of naturally occurring bird populations; to determine the type of protection or stewardship required for each site and ensure the conservation of each site through partnerships with local stakeholder groups who develop and to implement on-the-ground community conservation plans.
Netley-Libau Marsh
The Netley-Libau Marsh was officially dedicated as a Canadian Important Bird Area on October 1st, 2000. The Netley-Libau Marsh is also a candidate Heritage Marsh under the Manitoba Heritage Marsh Program. It is an area of 24,381-ha of upland and wetland habitat with 848-km of shoreline. It is located in the southern basin of Lake Winnipeg, approximately 65-km north of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The marsh is a complex of lakes and streams whose water levels are influenced by Lake Winnipeg.
Significant Bird Numbers
The Netley-Libau Marsh is a globally significant IBA based upon numbers of Forster’s Tern nests (325 nests in late 1970s) which is about 1.5% of the global population. A number of bird species in the IBA meet the Canadian IBA criteria for Congregatory Species, which identifies species that concentrate in significant numbers usually greater than 1% of their global, biogeographical, or national population. Other species meeting IBA criteria include Franklin's Gulls (4,500+ breeding pairs), Black-crowned Night-Herons (100+ breeding pairs), Yellow-headed and Red-winged Blackbirds (fall migrants >100,000), Swallows (fall migrate 10,000) and Waterfowl. Numbers of Sandhill Cranes, Canada Geese and Western Grebes come very close to meeting IBA population thresholds.
Surveys conducted in the 1980's identified 114 bird species. Gulls, terns and Western Grebes are the most common nesting species while American White Pelicans and Double-crested Cormorants are common non-nesters on the marshes (Verbiwski 1986). The Western Grebe is reported to be the most significant species (Verbiwski 1986). Waterfowl use the marsh for staging, molting and nesting. Mallards and male Wood Ducks are the most common molting species with estimates as high as 25,000 birds reported (Verbiwski 1986). Waterfowl use of the marsh has declined sharply over the years as the habitat has been degraded. A 1986 estimate for annual duck production was 635 broods with the lack of upland nesting habitat and fluctuating water levels being the major limiting factors.
Threats
Water Levels. Historically the Netley-Libau Marsh has produced and supported extremely high muskrat and waterfowl populations. Since water regulation of Lake Winnipeg by Manitoba Hydro the capability of the marshes to support wildlife has been reduced. Stabilized water levels are recognized as the principle factor affecting the marsh and its flora and fauna. Although current water management negatively impacts the Netley-Libau Marsh, solutions to water management are not addressed within this Community Conservation Plan (CCP).
Invasive Exotic Species. There are large infestations of Purple Loosestrife, Flowering Rush and Common Carp within the marsh. Purple Loosestrife and Common Carp are having deleterious impacts upon the marsh habitat. A biological weed control program is currently being delivered by the Manitoba Purple Loosestrife Project against Purple Loosestrife. Flowering Rush has invaded the marsh and can be found around the End of Main Street. Common Carp can be found throughout the marsh impacting water quality and turbidity. There are no efforts to manage carp populations. Globalization will lead to further introductions of alien species.
Conservation Actions
The IBA working group, lead by the Netley Marsh Waterfowl Foundation, has identified the following areas for conservation action. The working group received a $5,000 grant in 2000 and an additional $1,500 in 2001 from the IBA Community Conservation Fund to carry out its conservation objectives.
Bird Surveys.
Provisions of this CCP would include bird surveys of the marsh led by the Selkirk Bird Watching Club. Surveys were conducted in 2000 and will continue through 2001.
Habitat Restoration.
Artificial nesting structures for waterfowl will be constructed and placed in the marsh by the Netley Marsh Waterfowl Foundation.
Purple Loosestrife.
A biological weed control program against Purple Loosestrife will be continued and expanded.
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