Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary

The Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary or VHMBS is a 30 km protected area on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Canada, in the Greater Victoria metropolitan area.[1] It is located within the traditional territory of the Lekwungen People.[2] The sanctuary is federally recognized as a critical habitat for bird conservation, and is home to an estimated 270 bird species, many of which are migratory.[1][3][4] The sanctuary encompasses about 30 kilometres of coastline, an area covering approximately 1841 hectares (4549 acres) in total. Of this total, 31 hectares are terrestrial, and 1810 hectares are marine.

Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary
VHMBS
A Pacific great blue heron at Cadboro Bay beach, part of the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Location on Vancouver Island
LocationGreater Victoria, Salish Sea, British Columbia, Canada
Nearest cityVictoria, British Columbia, Canada
Coordinates48.40°N 123.33°W / 48.40; -123.33
Length30 kilometres
Area1,841 ha (7.11 sq mi)
DesignationMigratory Bird Sanctuary
EstablishedOctober 27, 1923
Governing bodyCanadian Wildlife Service
WebsiteVictoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary

History

The VHMBS was established on October 27 1923 under the Migratory Birds Convention Act in response to a significant decline in bird populations caused by over-hunting.[4] Today, it remains an important area for bird conservation. In 2023, the sanctuary celebrated its centennial anniversary.[5]

Plants and wildlife

The VHMBS contains more than 75 plants and animals that are of both federal and provincial conservation concern.[1] The sanctuary provides habitat for an estimated 270 bird species, fifteen of which are listed under the Species at Risk Act.[6][7][8][9]

Birds

Mammals

Molluscs

Plants

See also

References
  1. Canada, Environment and Climate Change (2014-11-04). "Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  2. "Lekwungen/Songhees". Native-Land.ca. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  3. Hentze, Nathan T. (2022). Dogs and migratory birds within migratory bird sanctuaries in the Greater Victoria area (PDF). Nanaimo, B.C.: Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific Region. ISBN 9780660412108. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  4. "Protecting Bird and Plant Life". Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  5. "Creating naturehood: Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary marks 100 years". Times Colonist. 2023-10-23. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  6. "BC Species & Ecosystems Explorer". a100.gov.bc.ca. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
  7. Branch, Legislative Services (2023-12-08). "Consolidated federal laws of Canada, Species at Risk Act". laws.justice.gc.ca. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
  8. Canada, Environment and Climate Change (2023-04-12). "Canadian Wildlife Species at Risk 2022". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
  9. Canada, Environment and Climate Change (2018-01-08). "Species at risk public registry". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
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