Marshy Point (11158)
Canada, North America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2008
National site name: Marshy Point
Central coordinates: Latitude: 50.5310, Longitude: -98.1003
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Area of KBA (km2): 116.67033
Protected area coverage (%): 6.06
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Marshy Point is located on the eastern shores of Lake Manitoba and is situated just southwest of Lundar and northwest of Oak Point. The terrain in this area is extremely flat, with Marshy Point being a maze of marshes and freshwater lakes that are connected by canals and extensive grassland meadows. There is a rich diversity of habitats in the area, since in addition to the marshes and open water habitats, the land to the east is an extensive expanse of prairie grassland that leads to aspen parkland.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: Marshy Point supports significant congregations of the Tall Grass Prairie population of Canada Geese, during fall migration. In excess of 50,000 geese, representing four subspecies of the Canada Goose (Tall Grass Prairie, Short Grass Prairie, Eastern Prairie and Giant), have been recorded at this site during the 1980s and 1990s. Although no firm numbers exist, it is believed that similar numbers of ducks pass through this site during the fall migration as well. Other birds found at this site in significant numbers include Western Grebe and Black-crowned Night-Heron. A total of 2,400 Western Grebe nests were recorded at this site in 1979, representing approximately 2% of the estimated Canadian population of this species. Similarly, as many as 250 Black-crowned Night-Heron nests were recorded here during the same year, representing about 5% of the estimated Canadian population. It should be noted, however, that more recent surveys have not been conducted and the numbers of both these species could be lower. Other species nesting at this site include Great Blue Heron (20 nests), Franklin's Gull (100 nests), Marbled Godwit and Short-eared Owl (nationally vulnerable).
Delineation rationale: 2011-06-06 (BL Secretariat): site area updated from 0 ha to 12000 ha, following GIS analysis of site polygon by Bird Studies Canada (J. Moore & S. Marquez in litt. 2009).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | hunting | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 33 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 33 | |
| Forest | 33 |