Private island archipelago for sale

Wildlife

Minke whales off Bayers Islands

In the summer of 2002, I contracted with a biologist and a forester to spend a month studying the flora and fauna of Bayers Islands. To summarize what they found: There are various interesting animals on the islands (e.g. porcupine, bobcat, deer, mink, otter), and much of interest overhead, in the form of countless birds. Great Blue Herons, Eagles, Hawks, and other great aviators nest on the islands; the endangered Piping Plover nests on adjacent Martinique Beach; and thousands of Canadian Geese and Black Ducks overwinter and stage in the marshes behind the islands. Not to mention all the birds who constantly bob up and down in the ocean waves; the seasonal seals; and minke and pilot whales. The islands are teeming with life, and it's a pleasure to be in such proximity to such variety in one place.

Indeed, how many truly ecologically-significant places are still available for private ownership and stewardship? Bayers Islands is the last freehold left in an otherwise completely protected (via the Provincial Park or the Nature Conservancy) RAMSAR-designated estuary. If you are a serious birder, or merely seriously interested in protecting the natural world, then Bayers Islands is a paradise that you can own and steward as you see fit, without compromise or bureaucracy.

Reasons for RAMSAR Designation: The area is a major maritime stop for American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) and Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), and supports the largest wintering population of these two species in eastern Canada.

Noteworthy Fauna: The area supports wintering populations of 2 000-3 000 American Black Duck Anas rubripes and 4 000- 6 000 Canada Geese Branta canadensis. A variety of other waterfowl, including up to 3 000 Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca carolinensis), use the area during fall migration. Shorebirds common to the area from late July to September include: Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago, Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus, Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla, Semi-palmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla, Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca, Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes, Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia, Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squaturola, Semi-palmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus, Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres and Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima, common in winter. Occasional visitors include: Stilt Sandpiper Micropalama himantopus, Red Knot Caldris canutus, Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos, White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis, Dunlin Calidris alpina, Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica and Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus.