Disturbances to Birds in the
Migratory Birds Sanctuary (MBS)
The Esquimalt Lagoon is one of seven Federal Migratory Bird Sanctuaries (MBS) in British Columbia and is one of very few across Canada that includes a 300ft (91m) terrestrial buffer surrounding the water body. Both the land and water portions of the Esquimalt Lagoon MBS are high use recreation areas. Aquatic activities includes private and commercial motorized and non-motorized watercraft. Land activities include a road classified as a ‘commuter route’, high volumes of pedestrian traffic including many dog-walkers. Recreational use of the MBS is expected to rise sharply with the growth of high density development directly adjacent to the lagoon and the popularity of the area with residents and visitors from the surrounding region.
In 2006-07 an alarming number of local residents expressed their concerns to ELSI regarding disturbances to birds created by the increasing recreational activities occuring within the MBS. The Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) of Environment Canada, the federal body that oversees Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, met with ELSI to discuss concerns with disturbances to birds. CWS agreed to fund a study examining the impact of the disturbances to the birds.
In 2008 ELSI contracted James Clowater, a local marine bird biologist, to conduct a study Disturbance to Bird on Esquimalt Lagoon Migratory Bird Sanctuary looking at recreational boating as a disturbance to birds, especially to migrating birds in the Esquimalt Lagoon MBS. Based on the results of this study and previous bird distribution surveys at the lagoon, ELSI supported CWS in their decision to establish Wildlife Refuge Areas in the high bird use areas of the lagoon.
Wildlife Refuge Areas
After consulting with the ELSI, the boating community and other stakeholders at the lagoon, Canadian Wildlife Service has established four Wildlife Refuge Areas within Esquimalt Lagoon. Stakeholders met with CWS representatives in Sept. 2009, and a public information meeting was held in December 2009 to let people know about CWS plans for putting up signs and buoys at the lagoon.
The map below shows the Wildlife Refuge Areas as well as the dog on-leash and off-leash areas in the Esquimalt Lagoon Migratory Bird Sanctuary.
At ELSI's urging the City of Colwood enacted a dog on-leash bylaw in July 2008 to ensure that federal regulations regarding pet control are upheld within the MBS. Colwood installed signs at the lagoon in the fall of 2009, and municipal bylaw officers monitor compliance.