Kirkland Island

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the island in Tennessee also known as Kirkland Island, see Callaways Little Island.

Geography of Kirkland Island
British Columbia, Canada. It is the northernmost island of the group and lies between Richmond on Lulu Island in the north and Delta and Ladner town centre
in the south.

The island is predominantly alluvial in nature and is approximately 1.5 miles long. It is separated from

British Columbia Ministry of Environment, designated as the South Arm Marshes Wildlife Management Area
.

Since 2008, Kirkland Island has been noted for the ongoing presence of

disarticulated human feet, most recently in February 2016.[6]

In February, 2009,

Port Metro Vancouver (PMV) announced completion of an intertidal enhancement project increasing fish habitat at Rose-Kirkland Island.[7] PMV contributed $1.5 million as part of a multi-year plan to offset loss of wildlife habitat from the development of the Deltaport Third Berth Project
(DP3). The Rose-Kirkland Island project included breaching Fraser River dikes to create an intertidal environment; raising the elevation of a kilometre of dike to mitigate flooding of the fields on the island; excavating the pool area to facilitate tidal flushing; and upgrading 250 metres of rock riprap along the foreshore to protect against erosion due to waves caused by Fraser River boat traffic.

Ownership history

Kirkland Island derives its name from Ladner resident John Kirkland, who with his descendants were prominent landholders in the Surrey and Delta area.

Until 1960, Kirkland and Rose islands were privately owned by HR McMillan,[8][9] when ownership was transferred to Kirkland Island Waterfowl Society. In 1989, The Nature Trust along with the Pacific Estuary Conservation Program partners purchased the islands and subsequently leased it to the B.C. Ministry of Environment. The ministry, in turn, licensed annual agriculture management and production to the Kirkland Island Waterfowl Society to attract and support migrant waterfowl. In exchange, the society received exclusive use of the islands as a hunting club.[10]

Fauna

Many animal species, both endemic and transient, frequent Kirkland Island and the South Arm Marshes.[11] They include:

  • Loons and grebes. The South Arm Marshes are frequented by many loon and grebe species, especially during spring and fall migrations. The most easily observed are the common loon, red-throated loon, horned grebe, red-necked grebe and western grebe.
  • Great blue herons
    . Herons are easily seen throughout the year.
  • Ducks and geese. Many reside in the South Arm Marshes year-round, but the largest concentrations are observed during the spring and fall migrations. The most common species include
    Snow geese
    are present in large numbers on the west portion of the area in March and April.
  • Bald eagles
    . Bald eagles nest throughout the Fraser River estuary.
  • Hawks. Concentrations of hawks are greatest during migratory waterfowl stopovers. Hawk species include northern harrier hawk, red-tailed hawk, sharp-shinned hawk and Cooper's hawk.
  • Falcons.
    Peregrine falcons
    are often seen hunting shorebirds and waterfowl.
  • Shorebirds. During low tides, mud flats and marsh areas are frequented by shorebirds, especially during the migration periods.
  • Songbirds. Passerine species may be observed throughout the year. The greatest diversity of songbirds occurs in late spring and through the summer. Easily observed are the marsh wren, red-winged blackbird and song sparrow.
  • Mammals. The South Arm Marshes are home to both beaver and muskrat. Raccoons and mink may also be observed.
  • Seals and
    harbour seals throughout the year, and in the spring by California sea lions
    . These species are most visible during fish runs.

Flora

Rare plant elements appearing in the WMA include Hendersons Checker-mallow (Sidalcea hendersonii), Rice Cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides) and Western St. John’s Wort (Hypericum scouleri).[12]

References

  1. ^ "BCGNIS Geographical Name Details".
  2. ^ "Canadian Coast Guard, Aids to Navigation, Notices to Mariners" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-02-27. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  3. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-13. Retrieved 2009-06-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ [1] Archived 2006-12-31 at the Wayback Machine (British Columbia Wildlife Watch) South Arm Marshes Wildlife Management Area
  5. ^ [2] Archived 2008-10-11 at the Wayback Machine (British Columbia Procurement and Supply Services) Wildlife Act public access prohibition regulation
  6. ^ "Human foot found in shoe on Vancouver Island beach". Archived from the original on 2016-02-13.
  7. ^ [3] Archived 2009-08-07 at the Wayback Machine Conservation project improves Fraser River fish and intertidal habitat
  8. ^ [4] Archived 2010-12-24 at the Wayback Machine Conservation Legacy of a DU Volunteer Lives On
  9. ^ [5] Archived 2010-12-24 at the Wayback Machine Rose-Kirkland Wetland Restoration on the Fraser River
  10. ^ [6] Archived 2010-12-24 at the Wayback Machine ibid.
  11. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-12-31. Retrieved 2008-12-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. ^ [7] South Arm Marshes Wildlife Management Area
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