Eastern Whip-poor-will Critical Habitat Protection

Summary#

Environment and Climate Change Canada is applying protection rules under the Species at Risk Act to the breeding habitat of the Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus) inside several federally protected areas. The protection will take effect 90 days after this notice (published June 25, 2022).

What it does#

• It puts the critical habitat areas for the Eastern Whip-poor-will that are described in the species’ recovery strategy on the Species at Risk Public Registry under the legal protection named in subsection 58(1) of the Species at Risk Act.
• The protection covers habitat found within these federally managed sites:
  • Big Creek National Wildlife Area
  • Long Point National Wildlife Area
  • Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area
  • Rideau Bird Sanctuary
• The protections described in the recovery strategy and posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry will apply starting 90 days after the notice’s publication.
• Environment and Climate Change Canada invited people to email for clarification about locations, habitat features and protections, but warned that some details may be withheld to avoid harming the species or its habitat.

Who's affected#

• The managers and staff of the named national wildlife areas and bird sanctuary, including the Canadian Wildlife Service.
• Anyone planning activities, projects, research, or development inside the listed protected areas.
• Others with interests in those areas (contractors, permit applicants, or organizations working there) who may need to check whether planned activities interact with the species’ critical habitat.
• If anything is unclear from the notice, the source says interested parties can contact Environment and Climate Change Canada for more information.

Why it matters#

• Applying subsection 58(1) means the critical habitat gets formal federal protection, so activities that could harm the habitat may be restricted or require review.
• The change is intended to help recovery of a bird listed as threatened in Canada by protecting places it needs to breed and feed.
• Because some location details may be withheld, people who work near or in these protected areas should confirm boundaries and rules before starting projects or access that land.