Corbin Island (11208)
Canada, North America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2008
National site name: Corbin Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: 46.9710, Longitude: -55.2193
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 70
Area of KBA (km2): 5.24625
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Corbin Island is located at the southeast corner of Newfoundland's Burin Peninsula. It is a small island, about 20 hectares in size, and situated only about 1 km from the mainland. Although little descriptive information is available, the shores are likely rocky, with the surface of the island being characterized by grasses and low shrubs. The village of Corbin is located approximately 3 km to the southwest.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: Although no recent surveys have been completed, it is likely that Corbin Island supports a globally significant colony of Leachs Storm-Petrels. In 1974, a total of 100,000 pairs was estimated at this site. This represents about 2% of the estimated Western Atlantic Leachs Storm-Petrel population. In addition to storm-petrels, a large colony of Herring Gulls was also recorded (5,000 pairs), which represents close to 3.5% of the estimated North American population. Other nesting species included Black-legged Kittiwakes (50 pairs), Great Black-backed Gulls (25 pairs), and Black Guillemots.
Delineation rationale: Type 1 marine IBA: suitable for the seaward extension approach.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 100 |