Ikkattuaq Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Migratory bird sanctuary in Nunavut, Canada
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ikkattuaq Migratory Bird Sanctuary formerly the Harry Gibbons Migratory Bird Sanctuary is a migratory bird sanctuary in Kivalliq Region, Nunavut, Canada.[1] It is located on the southwest coast Southampton Island in the area of the Boas River and Bay of Gods Mercy.
| Ikkattuaq Migratory Bird Sanctuary | |
|---|---|
| Harry Gibbons Migratory Bird Sanctuary | |
  Location within Nunavut  Location within Canada | |
| Location | Southampton Island, Kivalliq, Nunavut, Canada |
| Nearest town | Coral Harbor |
| Coordinates | 63°45′N 85°40′W[1] |
| Area | 143,811 ha (355,360 acres) |
| Established | 1959 |
The Sanctuary was established 1 January 1959,[2] and consisting of 149,500 hectares,.[3] Of its 1,224 km2 (473 sq mi) in overall size, 78 km2 (30 sq mi) is a marine area with marine, intertidal, and subtidal components.[2]
The sanctuary was named after Harry Gibbons Ohnainewk (c. 1900–1954), a local Inuk hunter and guide whose journals provided valuable weather data, especially on wind.[4][5]
It is one of two bird sanctuaries on the island, the other being the Qaqsauqtuuq Migratory Bird Sanctuary, situated 87 mi (140 km) to the northeast.[6]
Other designations
Along with its wetlands, the Boas River is a Canadian Important Bird Area (site #NU022). The Harry Gibbons MBS takes up the western portion of the IBA.[7]
