McFadden Creek Heronry Salt Spring Island Appeal

I am writing to request that you submit a letter or fax of concern to the
Islands Trust as a concerned birder . The McFadden Creek Heronry ,
North American IBA site # 14 Salt Spring Island BC is being disturbed by
a Clam and Oyster lease issued on the outflow estuary. This site has been
identified as an Important Bird Area due to the prescence of a large Great
Blue Heron(ssp. fannini) colony. The McFadden Creek Heronry contains
approximately 2.4% of the global population and 5% of the Canadian
population. In Canada, the fannini ssp. of the Great Blue Heron has also
been designated as nationally vulnerable(1997).Concerns from birders
and visitors to the Gulf Islands will greatly help our local attempts to
protect this site.

Please Fax Islands Trust Attention Dave Bowerman and Bev Byron Trustees
Ganges 250-537-9116
Also Fax Islands Trust Attention Chairman Dave Essig Victoria 250-405-5155

This is the letter sent from Dr Maureen Bendick President of the Salt Spring
Island Conservancy:
June 13/00
Dear Trustees;
We are concerned about a clam and oyster seeding and harvesting lease
issued to Limberis Shell Fish Co. on the estuary near the Mcfadden Creek
Heronry. This is the feeding ground for the adult and young herons between
May and September. This feeding area is essential to the survival of the
fledglings who cannot fly to a further feeding area.
Any human disturbance of this estuary during this critical period can
result in serious deterioration of the heron population as the fledglings
cannot forage beyond the estuary until they mature. The herons, if
disturbed, will disperse and the young will not survive.
After September, harvesting can take place without damage to the heron
population. The community has shown great financial support for this heronry
and, we believe, is deeply concerned about its sustainability. The lease
holder should be given guidelines and restricted to October to April in clam
and oyster farming on this feeding ground.

Please submit faxes to help us protect this IBA site.

From: Heather Neville
IBA Internet Contact for the Waterbird Watch Collective and Salt
Spring Island Land Conservancy , Member Vancouver Natural
History Society,
Bird Studies Canada Member
songbird at saltspring.com