HAMILTON MARSH WILDLIFE VALUES

Major Brood Marsh: The Canadian Wildlife Service conducted a breeding waterfowl survey of lakes and marshes on Vancouver Island. Of the 32 marshes studied in the central Vancouver Island area, Hamilton Marsh was the most productive waterfowl breeding marsh.

Fish: Hamilton Marsh has resident Cutthroat, Coho Salmon, and Three Spine Stickleback. The concerns on habitat sensitivity are factors such as waterflow, temperature and nutrients. Modification to the watershed that causes reduced flow, increased temperature or more sediment can negatively and significantly impact this ecosystem.

Amphibians: Red-legged Frogs, Tree Frogs, Salamanders - Longtoe, Clouded, Northwest Redback and others are also at risk to ecosystem modification.
Source for fish & amphibians: David Clough, Biologist

RED & BLUE LISTED SPECIES:

How are species ranked in BC?

There are a number of red and blue-listed species that have been recorded using the marsh and surrounds including: See list: click here

• American Bittern (blue),
• Western Screech-owl (COSEWIC & SARA Special Concern; blue),
• Northern Pygmy Owl (blue),
• Band-tailed Pigeon (blue),
• Great Blue Heron (blue),
• Roosevelt Elk (blue),
• Common Water Shrew (red-listed).

The marsh and surrounds are also important for Black Bears, all the species of owls in this area, early migrant swallows, migrant shorebirds, and is used as a roosting area for shorebirds during high tides along the coast. The Grey Wolf has also been seen in the area.
Source for Red & Blue listed species: Neil Dawe, R.P. Bio.,
Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service,

Birds: Over 120 species (conservative number) have been recorded at Hamilton Marsh. See list: click here. Source: Guy Monty - Renown local birder; Sandra Grey - Arrowsmith Naturalists

NOTE ON HABITAT LOSS IN THIS AREA: Hamilton Marsh is part of the Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory (see below). In 2005 a fresh report on the state of the Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory was completed for Canadian Wildlife Service by AXYS Environmental Consulting Ltd. . The statistics indicate significant habitat loss -- however, much more has been lost since then.

Sandhill Cranes in Flight. Photo by Henry Wong

• 9/30/05
  "At about 10:00 this morning there were over 100 Sandhill Cranes at Hamilton Marsh! I counted three times and came up with about 106 individuals. They were moving around quite a bit, so not positive exactly how many, but certainly over 100. They were still there when I left around 11:00.
  
  The sound was magnificent!"
  
  Guy L. Monty
  Parksville, BC