Foxes and gulls. Can these two coexist in a sanctuary? Welcome to the Couv\u00e9e Islands Migratory Bird Sanctuary. This sanctuary is a vital haven for migratory birds. It is located along the St. Lawrence Seaway near Montreal.
The Couv\u00e9e Islands Migratory Bird Sanctuary was established in 1986. Its primary purpose was to protect the nesting habitat of ring-billed gulls. At one time, this island was the preferred nesting site for a large colony of these gulls.
In 1994, over 30000 pairs of ring-billed gulls were recorded here. But just three years later, the number dropped to 20870 pairs. By 2006, only 9293 pairs remained. Since 2009, no ring-billed gulls have been sighted nesting in the sanctuary.
Why this drastic decline at Couv\u00e9e Islands Migratory Bird Sanctuary? It is believed that increased predation by foxes caused the breeding population to abandon the site.
Today, Couv\u00e9e Islands Migratory Bird Sanctuary supports smaller bird populations. These include red-winged blackbirds, yellow warblers, Savannah sparrows and song sparrows.
Ring-billed gulls are very familiar birds. They are comfortable around humans. You can often see them inland near freshwater. They also scavenge garbage. Each year, these birds return to their hatching place to breed. They often nest within meters of their previous nests.
This 15-hectare protected area includes \u00cele de la Couv\u00e9e and islets. These islets lie between the Champlain and Victoria bridges. The sanctuary’s sparse vegetation consists of black mustard and a few trees. Black poplars are among these trees. Shrubs like staghorn sumac and honeysuckle are also present. They cover two-thirds of the islet northwest of \u00cele de la Couv\u00e9e.
The Couv\u00e9e Islands Migratory Bird Sanctuary plays a crucial role. It protects migratory birds during critical periods. These periods include feeding, resting, and nesting.
Remember that pets are not allowed inside Migratory Bird Sanctuaries.
The Couv\u00e9e Islands Migratory Bird Sanctuary is designated as a Strict Nature Reserve.
Besides birds, other species inhabit the sanctuary. Mammals include the red fox, groundhog, and muskrat. Plant species include black mustard, black poplar, staghorn sumac, and honeysuckle.
The Samuel De Champlain Bridge Corridor project impacted the sanctuary. Work was done to create wetlands and habitats suitable for migratory birds. This was in the \u00celes de la Paix National Wildlife Area. The project compensated for the loss of natural environments. This included a portion of the migratory bird sanctuary on the \u00celes-de-la-Couv\u00e9e.
Aquatic plant marshes and shrub swamps were created. The treed swamp was improved over an area of more than 2.5 hectares. This benefited various wildlife, including migratory birds. Breakwaters were built. The northwest shore of the \u00cele-aux-Plaines was consolidated. Beach nourishment and vegetation techniques were used to protect the area from erosion.
The \u00celes de la Paix faces threats. These include erosion, human activities, and invasive species. Efforts are underway to restore and preserve eroded shores. The goal is to provide wetlands that offer safe habitats for many species.