Middle Lawn Island (11209)
Canada, North America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1d
Year of last assessment: 2008
National site name: Middle Lawn Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: 46.8710, Longitude: -55.6193
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 50
Area of KBA (km2): 4.16986
Protected area coverage (%): 33.53
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Middle Lawn Island is located off the southern tip of Newfoundland's Burin Peninsula, approximately 4 km south of Lord's Cove. The island measures 370 by 290 metres, and consists of rugged hills that are vegetated with grasses and ferns. The southern coast of Middle Lawn Island faces the full force of the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, ocean ice rarely forms on the south side of the island.
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: Middle Lawn Island supports the largest concentration of nesting Manx Shearwaters in North America. Although nocturnal prospecting has occurred at other islands close by, Middle Lawn is still the only location in North America where this species regularly nests. The only other North American breeding record is from Elizabeth Island on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. In the 1980s, approximately 100 pairs, plus an additional 300 non-breeding birds were estimated to occur on Middle Lawn Island. In addition, to the nesting Manx Shearwaters, over 26,000 pairs of Leachs Storm-Petrels nest on the island. Other nesting species include Herring Gull (20 pairs), Greater Black-backed Gull (6 pairs), and Black Guillemot (8 pairs).
Delineation rationale: Type 1 marine IBA: suitable for the seaward extension approach.
Habitats
Land use: not utilised
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 50 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 50 |