Area: 181.09 km2
Latitude: 51.882 N
Longitude: 100.039 W
This IBA, comprised of Sagemace Bay, Coleman Bay, and Coleman Island, along with a number of other smaller island, is located in the southern basin of Lake Winnipegosis just north of the community of Winnipegosis. The Sagemace & Coleman Bay Islands IBA encompasses diverse habitat including open freshwater lake, cattail marshes, and coniferous and deciduous forests.
Nationally significant numbers of wading birds congregate in this IBA. This IBA is also a known molting and staging area for diving duck species including Redheads and Canvasbacks. Great Blue Herons have long nested in high numbers on Sugar Island (300 nests and 1% of the Canadian population recorded in 1986) and large Double-crested Cormorant colonies are also found in Coleman Bay and Sagemace Bay. As in other areas of the province, waterbirds (particularly cormorants) breeding in the Sagemace & Coleman Bay Islands IBA risk being shot or having their nests destroyed due to the perception that they consume large quantities of fish that could be harvested by surrounding communities.
This area of the province is rich with wildlife. You are likely to see Black Bears, Moose, Grey Wolves, Coyotes, White-tailed Deer, Porcupines, and/or Weasels while traveling in the IBA.
See below for maps on where to find birds, stories relating to Sagemace & Coleman Bay Islands IBA, and priorities for monitoring.
Where to bird:
- Provincial HWY 20 west of Lake Winnipegosis
- Follow Beach Rd east from Camperville or PR 272 north of Pine Creek for views of birds on the lake
Much of this IBA is difficult to access by car or on foot but there are still many areas to bird along the shoreline of Lake Winnipegosis.
