March 1998

Government of Canada
Environment Canada
Canadian Wildlife Service
New Conservation Areas and Areas Under Study

Foxe Basin Islands

For many years Prince Charles, Air Force, and Foley Islands had been identified as very important habitats for shorebirds, brant geese, and Sabine's gulls, but this information was based on only a few, general aerial surveys. For CWS to properly assess the priority of the islands for protected status, more detailed surveys were required. In July 1997, CWS completed a two-year study of the distribution and abundance of birds on these islands. Preliminary results indicate large populations of red phalaropes, white-rumped sandpipers, Sabine gulls, Atlantic brant, and lesser snow geese. In 1996/97, 42 species of birds were observed. The final report will include recommendations regarding future protected status of the islands.

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