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The smallest of all the NA at less than an acre. This island in Lake Athabasca protects a nesting site for Caspian terns.

[FP, SURPRISINGLY NOT A LOT ON THIS NA]

• Map of the Area
• Other Information
• Site Statistics
• References and Further Reading

Map of the Area

Any maps and map views are for general information only. Do not rely on them for navigation or to determine legal boundaries.

Other Information

Egg Island Ecological Reserve, located on Lake Athabasca, was established to protect a major breeding colony of Caspian terns, a “vulnerable species”; the terns are believed to have nested on this island since the early 1900’s; they usually nest near the center of the island; large numbers of California gulls also nest here. The island is nearly devoid of vegetation on the windward side; on the leeward side, raspberry gooseberry & the occasional willow, balsam poplar & aspen are found.

No access is permitted within 100 metres of the island during the bird breeding season from April 15th to August 15^th [1].

Terns of Reference. The regal Caspian Tern is the largest tern in the world, easily recognized by its brilliant red fish-knife of a bill and deep, raspy call. Found all over the world, the Caspian favors both freshwater and saltwater environments. It feeds mostly on fish, captured in nimble aerial dives. On the nesting grounds, paired Caspian Terns perform splendid displays in the air, rising up to great heights in tandem. They migrate nocturnally, and in autumn their rolling calls are sometimes heard overhead during the night [2].

Site Statistics

Site Name	Egg Island
Site Type	Ecological Reserve
Subtype	Order-in-council (OC)
Natural Region(s)	Athabasca Plain
O.C. No. (Land Ref. Manual)	612/92
PASite ID (Map Ref #)	534
Site # (Parks Website)	401
Total Area	0.36 ha. (0.89 ac.)
Steward-Status
Recreation Activities	none noted
IUCN	IA
Operated By	Parks Division
Notes and Comments

References

The following links are provided as a courtesy but are not verified or endorsed by SAPAA. Clicking on the link will cause you to leave the SAPAA website. Primary source of information is: Information & Facilities – Egg Island Ecological Area | Alberta Parks (All links accessed on 2023-01-23).

1. Egg Island Ecological Reserve | Alberta Canada (travelalberta.com).
2. Caspian Tern Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Further Reading

• Lake Athabasca – Wikipedia.

Editing, Review and Silence Procedure

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3. Review for readability and alignment to SAPAA organizational reputation.
4. Best available image
5. Review for accuracy including:
   1. Correct map and site statistics
   2. Area size is correct
   3. Standards (e.g. use of hyphens, spelling, etc.)
   4. References are accessible and and notes match
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7. TEAM: Last walk through
   1. Any final discussion or notes
   2. Remove [name] from title
   3. Add to log book for silence procedure
   4. Delete these notes.