Cape Searle (11264)
Canada, North America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2008
National site name: Cape Searle
Central coordinates: Latitude: 67.2310, Longitude: -62.4690
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 450
Area of KBA (km2): 53.68047
Protected area coverage (%): 65.43
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Cape Searle is located on the northeastern tip of Qaqaluit, a small island off the eastern coast of Baffin Island. The Cape is comprised of two huge outcrops that rise to over 430 m above the sea. The cliffs are rugged with numerous jagged pinnacles and crevices; flatter sections are covered with tundra vegetation. Harp seals and walruses frequent the area and Polar Bears are occasionally present. The bears probably use the seaward tips of the peninsulas for maternity dens.
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: The two rock towers of Cape Searle support the largest Northern Fulmar colony in Canada. First found in the 1940's, this colony was last visited in 1981. The cliffs at the cape support approximately 100,000 pairs of nesting fulmars. This represents about 1% of the global population and 33% of the Canadian population of Northern Fulmar. Glaucous Gulls and Black Guillemots are also reported to nest in the area in small numbers. Fulmars arrive at the colonies by mid-April and leave by early October. While at the colonies they forage within an 80 km radius of the site. The birds nest at all heights on the cliffs, with the greatest density occurring near the top. Nests are also located on grassy flat areas of the summit.
Delineation rationale: Type 1 marine IBA: suitable for the seaward extension approach.
Habitats
Land use: not utilised
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 100 |