Bylot Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Encyclopedia
The Bylot Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary is a migratory
bird sanctuary in Qikiqtaaluk, Nunavut
, Canada
. Located on Bylot Island
, it was federally-designated on 1 January 1965, and is classified as Category IV by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
At 1,263,500 hectares, it is Nunavut's second largest MBS after the Queen Maud Gulf Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Of its 12635 km² (4,878.4 sq mi) in overall size, 1500 km² (579.2 sq mi) is a marine area with marine, intertidal
, and subtidal components.
s: Cape Graham Moore
, Cape Hay
, and Southwest Bylot plain
.
Bird migration
Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
bird sanctuary in Qikiqtaaluk, Nunavut
Nunavut
Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Located on Bylot Island
Bylot Island
Bylot Island lies off the northern end of Baffin Island in Nunavut Territory, Canada. At it is ranked 71st largest island in the world and Canada's 17th largest island. It is also one of the largest uninhabited islands in the world. While there are no permanent settlements on this Canadian Arctic...
, it was federally-designated on 1 January 1965, and is classified as Category IV by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
At 1,263,500 hectares, it is Nunavut's second largest MBS after the Queen Maud Gulf Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Of its 12635 km² (4,878.4 sq mi) in overall size, 1500 km² (579.2 sq mi) is a marine area with marine, intertidal
Intertidal zone
The intertidal zone is the area that is above water at low tide and under water at high tide . This area can include many different types of habitats, with many types of animals like starfish, sea urchins, and some species of coral...
, and subtidal components.
Other designations
The sanctuary is a part of three Canadian Important Bird AreaImportant Bird Area
An Important Bird Area is an area recognized as being globally important habitat for the conservation of bird populations. Currently there are about 10,000 IBAs worldwide. The program was developed and sites are identified by BirdLife International...
s: Cape Graham Moore
Cape Graham Moore
thumb|right|200px|[[Kittiwake]]s at Cape Graham MooreCape Graham Moore is an uninhabited headland on Bylot Island in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, Canada. It is located at the island's southeastern tip protruding into Lancaster Sound...
, Cape Hay
Cape Hay
Cape Hay is an uninhabited headland on Bylot Island in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, Canada. It is located at the island's northwestern tip, protruding into Lancaster Sound. The Wollaston Islands are offshore....
, and Southwest Bylot plain
Plain
In geography, a plain is land with relatively low relief, that is flat or gently rolling. Prairies and steppes are types of plains, and the archetype for a plain is often thought of as a grassland, but plains in their natural state may also be covered in shrublands, woodland and forest, or...
.