News/Reports

Kerouard Islands IBA site summary

Posted January 29, 2008 | Categories : 96,Research |

From:

http://www.ibacanada.com/site.jsp?siteID=BC005&lang=EN

IBA Kerouard and St. James Islands
Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia
Site Summary
BC005 Latitude
Longitude
51.926° N
131.002° W
Elevation
Size
0 – 96 m
126.21 km²
Habitats:
coastal cliffs/rocky shores (marine)
Land Use:
Not Utilized (Natural Area)
Potential or ongoing Threats:
Introduced species, Other increased mortality, Oil slicks
IBA Criteria: Globally Significant: Congregatory Species, Colonial Waterbirds/Seabird Concentrations, Nationally Significant: Congregatory Species
Conservation status: National Park

 

 

Site Description

The Kerouard Islands are a group of rugged, treeless islets lying south of Kunghit Island at the extreme southern tip of the Queen Charlotte Islands. They consist of three main islets and several small rocks surrounding the larger islets. The two largest islets have steep grassy slopes on their eastern sides which grade to rounded grass-covered tops. The principle grass species is Calamagrostis, with Elymus on the perimeter. In some areas, the grass tussocks reach heights of 1.5 metres. The third islet of the Kerouards is deeply dissected and comprised of ledges and bluffs completely devoid of vegetation. There is a major Northern Sealion rookery occupying this islet.St. James Island is located in close proximity to the Kerouard Islands, just off the southern tip of Kunghit Island. It exhibits vegetation that is transitional between the forested islands to the north and the exposed and treeless Kerouard Islands to the south. The northern section is forested, while the southern section is grass covered and devoid of trees.

Birds

The two largest of the Kerouard Islands support a dense colony of burrow-nesting Cassin’s Auklets (4.4% of the global population). It is the second largest colony of this species in the Queen Charlotte Islands and the 4th largest of 52 island colonies along the B.C. coast. Common Murres occur in nationally significant numbers (4.6% of the western Canada population). The Kerouards are the only site in the Queen Charlotte Islands where they breed. The Islands also support about 930 Tufted Puffins, just over 1% of the national population.A breeding pair of Peregrine Falcons (ssp. pealei), also nest on the Kerouard Islands. This subspecies is considered nationally vulnerable. Additionally, the islands support breeding populations of Glaucous-winged Gulls, Pelagic Cormorants, and Pigeon Guillemots, although not at nationally significant levels.

The waters surrounding the Kerouard and St. James Islands are an important feeding area for marine birds. During surveys of the seabird colonies, continuous streams of 1000’s of Sooty Shearwaters were seen flying between the islets. Bald Eagles frequent the islets as well.

Summary of bird records available for Kerouard and St. James Islands
Click here to view all records
Species Season Number Unit Date
Cassin’s Auklet BR 78,000 G P 1985
Colonial Waterbirds/Seabirds BR 78,907 G P 1985
Common Murre (Pacific) BR 400 N I 1985
Glaucous-winged Gull BR 151 P 1985
Pelagic Cormorant BR 6 P
Peregrine Falcon (pealei) BR 1 N P 1985
Pigeon Guillemot BR 84 I 1985
Sooty Shearwater SU
Tufted Puffin BR 930 N I 1985
Note: species shown in bold indicate that their population level (as estimated by the maximum number) exceeds at least one of the IBA thresholds (national, continental or global). The site may still not qualify for that level of IBA if the maximum number reflects an exceptional or historical occurence.
Conservation Issues

The two largest of the Kerouard Islands support a dense colony of burrow-nesting Cassin’s Auklets (4.4% of the global population). It is the second largest colony of this species in the Queen Charlotte Islands and the 4th largest of 52 island colonies along the B.C. coast. Common Murres occur in nationally significant numbers (4.6% of the western Canada population). The Kerouards are the only site in the Queen Charlotte Islands where they breed. The Islands also support about 930 Tufted Puffins, just over 1% of the national population.A breeding pair of Peregrine Falcons (ssp. pealei), also nest on the Kerouard Islands. This subspecies is considered nationally vulnerable. Additionally, the islands support breeding populations of Glaucous-winged Gulls, Pelagic Cormorants, and Pigeon Guillemots, although not at nationally significant levels.

The waters surrounding the Kerouard and St. James Islands are an important feeding area for marine birds. During surveys of the seabird colonies, continuous streams of 1000’s of Sooty Shearwaters were seen flying between the islets. Bald Eagles frequent the islets as well.