Jenny Lind Island (NU088)

Jenny Lind Island (NU088)

Queen Maud Gulf, Nunavut

Description du site

Jenny Lind Island is a small island, about 20 km in diameter, that is situated in the Queen Maud Gulf, southeast of Victoria Island in Nunavut. The nearest community is Cambridge Bay 120 km to the northwest. Some parts of the island consist of flat terrain, whereas other parts of the island consist of undulating terrain that is interspersed with sparsely vegetated rocky ridges. The remainder of the island contains numerous low-lying wetlands and sedge meadows. The shoreline is mostly sandy. A tiny herd of Muskoxen live on the island.

Oiseaux

Snow Geese and Ross' Geese breed on Jenny Lind Island in large numbers. This colony is unusual in that it is one of the few arctic goose colonies that is declining in size. The latest survey in 1998 indicated that about 10,500 Snow Geese were nesting on the island (1.5% of the Western Canadian Arctic population), in contrast with 50,000 in 1985, and 38,100 in 1988. Most geese nest in the central sections of the island.

In 1988, about 1,100 Ross' Geese nested on the island. If the Ross' Geese of Jenny Lind Island has declined in a similar manner to the Snow Goose, then it is estimated that about 300 Ross' Geese nested here in 1998.

In the summer of 1985, about 1,500 Canada Geese (Tall Grass Prairie population) were counted on the island. Most birds were either non-breeding birds or moulting birds. Numerous species of shorebirds also breed on Jenny Lind Island.

Enjeux de conservation

This low arctic island has no known conservation concerns. It has been recognized as a Key Migratory Bird Terrestrial Habitat site by the Canadian Wildlife Service, a designation that provides no protection.

Catégories ZICO Habitats Usages Menaces Potencielles ou Existantes Status de Protection

• Oie des neiges76 342 (max.)
• Bécasseau roussâtre25 (max.)