Codroy Valley (NF040)
Doyles, Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador
Description du site
The Codroy Valley of Newfoundland is found in the extreme southwestern corner of the province. It lies just south of the Grand Codroy River estuary. The Codroy Valley IBA encompasses a large triangular parcel of land between the Little Codroy River and the Grand Codroy River. It is bounded on all sides by roads. The Trans-Canada Highway and Route 407 between Doyles and St. Andrews border the southeast side. Route 407 from St. Andrews to Searston forms the western border while the road from Searston through Upper Ferry to Doyles is the northern boundary.
The land is gently rolling and has a humid climate and rich soils which makes for relatively favourable plant growth. There are houses and some farm fields scattered along the roads, but generally the forest edge borders the road in most of the area. This forest is characterised by a rich Balsam Fir forest mixed with Yellow Birch and Mountain Maple thickets. Black Spruce is restricted to poorly drained sites.
Oiseaux
Of particular note in the Codroy Valley, are two restricted-range forest birds. The Red Crossbill (subspecies pusilla) is found in some coniferous sections of the region, while the Ovenbird (subspecies furvoir) prefers deciduous forests. Subspecies that have ranges of less than 50,000 km² are considered restricted-range subspecies on a national level. Birders know the Codroy Valley as an excellent place to see birds that are uncommon or absent in the rest of Newfoundland. Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Gray Catbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Bobolink are just some of the species belonging to this group. The valley is also quite rich in woodland warbler species for instance, Magnolia, Black-throated Green , Bay-breasted, Cape May and Blackburnian warblers are all readily found here.
Enjeux de conservation
Agricultural endeavours in much of Newfoundland are becoming less and less economical every year. Thus, expansion of agriculture is unlikely except on a very local scale.
The cutting of trees has the potential to become a more serious problem. Trees have been cut in scattered locations by private landowners for both firewood and timber. On the other hand, commercial clear-cutting is unlikely to occur here because the stands of Balsam Fir are not extensive enough to warrant it.
Catégories ZICO Habitats Usages Menaces Potencielles ou Existantes Status de Protection
