Grand Codroy Estuary
Encyclopedia
The Grand Codroy Estuary is a 925 hectare wetland
on the southwestern coast of the island of Newfoundland in Canada
, approximately 30 km north of Port aux Basques. It is "[one] of the most productive of Newfoundland's few estuarine wetland sites", and is "the province's most important wetland". It is a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention
, receiving this designation on May 27, 1987. To the south is a globally significant Important Bird Area
.
As a result of the provincial Order in Council named the Hunting Prohibition Order, hunting
has not been permitted on the estuary since 1974.
consists of adjoining marine and intertidal habitats with an elevation no more than one metre. Four island
s are located within the estuary, and the intertidal sandbar
s give way to mudflat
s "supporting rich growths of Zostera
". The site is surrounded by cultivated grassland
s.
The marine area is shallow, at most two metres deep in intertidal areas, and somewhat deeper in the river channel.
It is bounded by privately-owned land, the Codroy Valley Provincial Park, and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence
. Nearby are the Grand Codroy and Little Codroy rivers, which are popular fishing destinations.
The abundant Zostera and protective grasslands provide an ideal environment for the fall staging
of various bird species. Moderate Canada Goose
populations, up to 3000 during migration, use the estuary annually. Other bird species include the Great Blue Heron, American Black Duck, American Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Blue-winged Teal, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Greater Scaup, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Red-breasted Merganser, and the Ring-necked Duck.
, photographers
, and naturalists
. A seasonal visitor's centre is available for information.
Wetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
on the southwestern coast of the island of Newfoundland in 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...
, approximately 30 km north of Port aux Basques. It is "[one] of the most productive of Newfoundland's few estuarine wetland sites", and is "the province's most important wetland". It is a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention
Ramsar Convention
The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands, i.e., to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural,...
, receiving this designation on May 27, 1987. To the south is a globally significant Important Bird Area
Important 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...
.
As a result of the provincial Order in Council named the Hunting Prohibition Order, hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
has not been permitted on the estuary since 1974.
Geography
The estuaryEstuary
An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea....
consists of adjoining marine and intertidal habitats with an elevation no more than one metre. Four island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
s are located within the estuary, and the intertidal sandbar
Shoal
Shoal, shoals or shoaling may mean:* Shoal, a sandbank or reef creating shallow water, especially where it forms a hazard to shipping* Shoal draught , of a boat with shallow draught which can pass over some shoals: see Draft...
s give way to mudflat
Mudflat
Mudflats or mud flats, also known as tidal flats, are coastal wetlands that form when mud is deposited by tides or rivers. They are found in sheltered areas such as bays, bayous, lagoons, and estuaries. Mudflats may be viewed geologically as exposed layers of bay mud, resulting from deposition of...
s "supporting rich growths of Zostera
Zostera
Zostera is a small genus of widely distributed seagrass, commonly called marine eelgrass or simply eelgrass . The genus Zostera contains sixteen species.-Ecology:Zostera is found on sandy substrates or in estuaries submerged or partially floating...
". The site is surrounded by cultivated grassland
Grassland
Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants . However, sedge and rush families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica...
s.
The marine area is shallow, at most two metres deep in intertidal areas, and somewhat deeper in the river channel.
It is bounded by privately-owned land, the Codroy Valley Provincial Park, and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence
Gulf of Saint Lawrence
The Gulf of Saint Lawrence , the world's largest estuary, is the outlet of North America's Great Lakes via the Saint Lawrence River into the Atlantic Ocean...
. Nearby are the Grand Codroy and Little Codroy rivers, which are popular fishing destinations.
Fauna
Staging
Staging may refer to:* Staging , a chef works briefly and without pay in another chef's kitchen to learn to new techniques and cuisines* Staging , the use of multiple engines and propellant to launch a rocket...
of various bird species. Moderate Canada Goose
Canada Goose
The Canada Goose is a wild goose belonging to the genus Branta, which is native to arctic and temperate regions of North America, having a black head and neck, white patches on the face, and a brownish-gray body....
populations, up to 3000 during migration, use the estuary annually. Other bird species include the Great Blue Heron, American Black Duck, American Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Blue-winged Teal, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Greater Scaup, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Red-breasted Merganser, and the Ring-necked Duck.
Tourism
The wetland is actively promoted as a tourist destination, especially targeting birdwatchersBirdwatching
Birdwatching or birding is the observation of birds as a recreational activity. It can be done with the naked eye, through a visual enhancement device like binoculars and telescopes, or by listening for bird sounds. Birding often involves a significant auditory component, as many bird species are...
, photographers
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
, and naturalists
Natural history
Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
. A seasonal visitor's centre is available for information.