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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.
In Manitoba,
the IBA
program
is being
delivered
and administered
by the Manitoba
Naturalists
Society.
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
- 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 implement
an on-the-ground
community
conservation
plan.
The
Pas—Saskatchewan
River Delta
IBA
No other
area of
Manitoba
offers wildlife
habitat
equal to
the Saskatchewan
River Delta
either is
its natural
state or
with development.
Straddling
the Manitoba-Saskatchewan
border,
it is considered
to be one
of the most
important
wetland
areas in
Manitoba.
The area
is largely
comprised
of the Tom
Lamb and
Saskeram
Wildlife
Management
areas and
the Carrot
River Triangle.
The Manitoba
portion
is bordered
to the west
by the Saskatchewan
border although
the delta
proper does
extend into
Saskatchewan.
Major rivers
in the IBA
are the
Saskatchewan,
Carrot and
Pasquia
Rivers.
River deltas
such as
the Saskatchewan
River Delta,
are among
the most
productive
life-support
ecosystems
in the world.
Significant
Bird Numbers
The
Pas - Saskatchewan
River Delta
is recognized
as a Canadian
IBA of global
significance
based upon
numbers
of waterfowl
and Canvasbacks.
Numbers
of Eared
Grebes and
Sandhill
Cranes almost
certainly
meet IBA
population
criteria
however
population
information
is lacking
for the
entire IBA.
For example,
recent observations
in June
2000, found
as many
as 700 breeding
pairs of
Eared Grebes
forming
one breeding
colony on
Reader Lake
alone. If
we include
numbers
of Eared
Grebes in
other areas
of the IBA
they would
meet IBA
congregatory
thresholds.
As many
as 2,000
Sandhill
Cranes were
observed
in the fall
of 1972
in the Pasquia
Valley.
The
wetland
areas surrounding
The Pas
are considered
to contain
the most
important
wetlands
in Manitoba
for breeding
waterfowl.
However,
the area
is such
a complex
of channels
and dense
vegetation
that it
is extremely
difficult
to estimate
the number
of some
breeding
bird species.
Species
that breed
in the IBA
include
Bonaparte's
Gull, Franklin's
Gulls and
Common Terns.
Sandhill
Cranes,
Bald Eagles
and Osprey
also nest
in the area,
along with
colonial
waterbirds
such as
Common Terns,
Black Terns,
and Franklin’s
Gulls. Several
extralimital
breeding
records
of American
Avocets
have been
documented
for the
area. White-fronted
Geese formerly
concentrated
here in
large numbers
during fall
migration,
but are
rarely seen
now due
to the artificial
flooding
of the gravel
bars and
islands
that they
used to
stage on.
This IBA
also holds
a wide variety
of southern
boreal region
breeding
birds.
Threats
Threats
to the habitat
and bird
species
include
loss of
habitat
to agriculture,
forestry,
exotic alien
species,
and chemical
pollutants.
Significant
habitat
was lost
to the Grand
Rapids hydro
project
which removed
32% of the
original
delta from
wildlife
production.
Past
Conservation
Initiatives
Areas
of the IBA
are protected
by the Tom
Lamb Wildlife
Management
Area (WMA)
and Saskeram
WMA. Manitoba
Conservation
employs
a marsh
manager
who is responsible
for both
of these
WMA's. Ducks
Unlimited
Canada has
been active
in the area
since 1937
and manages
portions
of the area
for waterfowl
and other
wildlife.
Ducks Unlimited
Canada has
been involved
in the development
and management
of The Pas
- Saskatchewan
River Delta
marshes
in co-operation
with the
Manitoba
Government
since 1939.
Conservation
Goals
Because
of the great
size of
this IBA,
conservation
efforts
will focus
on small,
achievable
initiatives.
Educational
and awareness
activities
will focus
on the development
of an IBA
birding
trail around
Grace Lake
near The
Pas. Efforts
will be
made to
compile
traditional
ecological
knowledge
as it relates
to the birds
in the area.
Efforts
will also
focus on
increasing
ecotourism
and awareness
of the unique
collection
of bird
study skins
available
at the Sam
Waller Museum
in The Pas.
The Kelsey
Conservation
District
will act
as the lead
community
contact
and champion
conservation
efforts.
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