|
What is an Important Bird Area?
An Important
Bird Area (IBA) is a site providing
essential habitat for one or more
species of breeding or non-breeding
birds. These sites may contain threatened
species, endemic species, species
representative of a biome, or highly
exceptional concentrations of birds.
The
goals of the Canadian IBA program
are to:
- identify a network of sites that conserve the natural diversity of Canadian bird species;
- ensure the conservation of sites through partnerships of local stakeholders who develop and implement appropriate on-the-ground conservation plans.
This plan helps direct habitat management, stewardship initiatives and other
conservation activities in and around the grasslands of the Skookumchuck
Prairie Important Bird Area to ensure the ongoing use of this area by
breeding Long-billed Curlews.
The
Skookumchuck Prairie IBA
Skookumchuck Prairie is located approximately 40 km north of Cranbrook,
British Columbia on benches that rise above the Kootenay River in the
southern Rocky Moutain Trench. It is comprised of grassland openings
surrounded by stands of small diameter Ponderosa Pine. Under natural
conditions, this ecosystem was fire-dependent, with frequent low-intensity
ground fires removing tree seedlings and maintaining the grasslands. After
60 years of fire suppression, however, grasslands have become increasingly
fragmented and subject to tree encroachment.
The Skookumchuck Prairie IBA supports a breeding population of 19
pairs of Long-billed Curlews (Ohanjanian 2001) on Crown land and private
land. Three territories that were occupied by breeding curlews in 1985 and
1992 were empty in 2001. This species is territorial, nesting in grasslands
with low profile vegetation. Both adults participate in incubating and
brood-rearing, and will work cooperatively with neighbouring curlews to
mob predators. There is a Min. of Forests range permit for cattle grazing
on the Crown land. Potential threats to the birds at Skookumchuck include:
habitat loss due to development and forest encroachment, agricultural
conversion, noxious weeds and human disturbance.
Current
Conservation Strategies
To date, little has been carried out to promote curlew conservation at
Skookumchuck. In 1987, 90 ha of nesting habitat was added through tree
removal. A further 300 small ponderosa pines were removed in 2001.
The Min. of Forests has recently required grazing permit holders to
conform to grazing regimes that will aid the curlews, for example, by
lowering vegetation profile in the fall so that it is attractive to the
birds during nest-site establishment in spring. The B.C. Wildlife Branch
owns a large open area which, if managed to lower residual grass heights,
may be used by at least one or two additional pairs.
Initial steps towards the formation of a working group to direct
conservation activities are being undertaken. Stakeholders in this group
include the Min. of Water, Land and Air Protection, Min. of Forests, Min.
of Agriculture, the K’tunaxa/Kinbasket Tribal Council, the Rocky Mountain
Naturalists, the Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society, the East
Kootenay Environmental Society (EKES), the East Kootenay Wildlife
Association, the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program, the
Land Conservancy, representatives of the ranching community and private land
owners. When this working group becomes active, it will be acting in
cooperation with the Grasslands Conservation Council of B.C. and the
Federation of B.C. Naturalists.
Conservation
Goals and Objectives
The main goal of this conservation plan is to preserve and enhance Long-billed Curlews and their habitat in the Skookumchuck Important Bird Area and elsewhere in the East Kootenays, and to direct conservation activities to this end by involving a broad based group of stakeholders. An active working group that understands the species’ requirements can make recommendations for local land-use practices and stewardship initiatives that will go far in conserving this conspicuous and beautiful bird. The main goals of this conservation plan are as follows:
- communicate the needs of Long-billed Curlews to a broad range of individuals and interest groups, including private land owners.
- help ensure long-term viability of the population through purchase of critical breeding areas.
- reverse forest encroachment on grasslands and prevent establishment of noxious weeds.
- prevent expansion of non-compatible agricultural activities
- work in partnership with range users to optimize Long-billed Curlew nesting habitat through appropriate cattle grazing
- create awareness of the importance of fire for grassland ecosystem restoration and maintenance in the schools and through land-owenr outreach programs
- continue research on population size and distribution of Long-billed Curlews in the Skookumchuck IBA and elsewhere in the East Kootenay.
INTRODUCTION
Birds are key components in Canada’s
ecosystems and bird populations are often used as indicators of overall
ecosystem health. The conservation of an area to benefit bird life will
also conserve other plants and animals present. The loss and fragmentation
of habitat throughout the Americas over the past 100 years has resulted in
extinctions and measurable population declines in many bird species in
Canada. The future of Canadian wildlife depends on our commitment to
provide adequate and good quality habitat throughout their ranges.
The Skookumchuck Prairie Important Bird Area (IBA) is located on
grasslands in southeastern British Columbia, approximately 40 km north of
Cranbrook. It supports Long-billed Curlews (Numenius americanus) a species
that is on the provincial government Blue-List of Vulnerable Species
(Conservation Data Centre 2001). The establishment of this area as an
IBA will help direct conservation activities and stewardship initiatives
within the IBA and elsewhere to help ensure the species persists in the
East Kootenay.
|
