Most Sunshine Coasters are familiar with the White Islets, the bare reef of whitish-coloured rocks about two kilometres offshore in the Strait of Georgia at the Roberts Creek/Wilson Creek border. These rocks are designated as an important bird area as they are one of the most critical bird habitats both in the Strait and within our own local area. The White Islets are closely linked with Mission Point, the estuary of Chapman Creek at the south end of Davis Bay, as there are many linkages between the birdlife of the two areas. Access to White Islets is by boat only, of course, and it is strongly advised that you do not set foot on the rocks as this is very disruptive to the birds. Many visits to the Islets are by kayak and this allows close approach in a silent and non-disruptive manner.
Habitats like the White Islets and similar locations such as Mitlenatch Island off Powell River and Christie Islet in Howe Sound are crucial to many species of birds as they provide a safe roosting and nesting area free from terrestrial predators. These predators are not only native predators such as bears, cougars, bobcats, coyotes, raccoons, squirrels, etc., but also introduced ones such as domestic cats and rats. Every night throughout the year hundreds, sometimes thousands, of birds return to the White Islets to roost after foraging far and wide for food during the daytime. A few species also nest on the White Islets, including gulls, cormorants and black oyster catchers.
The White Islets are also an important haul-out for Steller’s and California sea lions at certain times of the year.
E-bird has two reports of visits by local birders in the last week with three species of cormorants reported, many glaucous-winged gulls nesting with well grown young, a flock of surf scoters, 25 harlequin ducks, and both pigeon guillemots and rhinoceros auklet in the vicinity. Perhaps the most important species that use the Islets for both roosting and foraging are the rocky shoreline specialists: black turnstone, surfbird and rock sandpiper. These species gravitate between the Islets and Mission Point where they forage at low tide. The birds are best seen at Mission Point in the winter when there are few visitors to disturb them, but they have already returned to the White Islets from their breeding grounds.
To report your sightings or questions, contact tony@whiskeyjacknaturetours.com or 604-885-5539.
