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The
Important Bird Area Program
The Canadian Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program 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. In Manitoba, the IBA program is being delivered and administered by the Manitoba Naturalists Society. Community conservation planning began in Manitoba in August of 1999.
Goals
of the Canadian IBA Program
The goals of the IBA 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 to ensure the conservation of each site through partnerships with local stakeholder groups who develop and implement on-the-ground community conservation planning.
Riverton
Sandy Bar
The Riverton Sandy Bar is located on the western shore of Lake Winnipeg near the community of Riverton (directly west of Hecla Island). The IBA is comprised of a long peninsula and the two sand islands between the Riverton Marsh to the west and the Hecla Sandy Point to the east. The islands are comprised of sand and gravel that has been partially colonized by grasses, willows and aspen. The closest island is located 50-m from shore and is connected to the mainland by a sandbar during very low water years.
Significant Bird Numbers
The Riverton Sandy Bar is a globally significant Canadian Important Bird Area based upon population numbers of Ring-billed Gulls and Common Terns. About 1% (or 10,000 nests) of the world's estimated Ring-billed Gull population were present in 1991. In addition, a total of 800 Common Tern nests, or about 2% of the estimated North American population were present on the Sand Islands.
Herring Gulls have nested on the sand islands with 153 nests being recorded in 1991. There are also occasional records of nesting Piping Plovers (nationally endangered and globally vulnerable) on the Riverton Sandy Bar and on the adjacent Hecla Island Sandy Point. During the 1991 International Piping Plover census, one pair of Piping Plovers was recorded at each site. During the 1996 International census, only a single pair of Piping Plovers was recorded at the Hecla Island Sand Point.
The islands are also used by several bird species during migration. The area is a major concentration site for migrating Canada Geese and Snow Geese. It has also been reported that hundreds of migrating Sanderlings use the site along with lesser numbers of Ruddy Turnstones and other shorebirds. The Hecla Sandy Point off Hecla Island is also a major roost site for American White Pelicans, gulls and terns.
Threats
Human disturbance on the peninsula and islands through ATV's and boats represent the greatest threat to the breeding birds. Nesting birds will abandon the islands if they are repeatedly disturbed. The artificially high water levels that are maintained by the provincial government has also led to reduced shoreline habitat for Piping Plovers and increased erosion.
Conservation
Goals and Objectives
The lead group in this conservation effort will be the Riverton-Bifrost Community Development Corporation. The intent of this CCP will be to increase awareness of the Riverton Sandy Bar IBA and the associated birding and ecotourism opportunities. This may best be accomplished through education, extension and promotional programs.
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