Ikkattuaq Migratory Bird Sanctuary

The Ikkattuaq Migratory Bird Sanctuary formerly the Harry Gibbons Migratory Bird Sanctuary is a migratory bird sanctuary in Kivalliq Region, Nunavut, Canada.^[1] It is located on the southwest coast Southampton Island in the area of the Boas River and Bay of Gods Mercy.

Ikkattuaq Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Harry Gibbons Migratory Bird Sanctuary
IUCN category Ib (wilderness area)
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Location	Southampton Island, Kivalliq, Nunavut, Canada
Nearest town	Coral Harbor
Coordinates	63°45′N 85°40′W[1]
Area	143,811 ha (355,360 acres)
Established	1959

The Sanctuary was established 1 January 1959,^[2] and consisting of 149,500 hectares,.^[3] Of its 1,224 km² (473 sq mi) in overall size, 78 km² (30 sq mi) is a marine area with marine, intertidal, and subtidal components.^[2]

The sanctuary was named after Harry Gibbons Ohnainewk (c. 1900–1954), a local Inuk hunter and guide whose journals provided valuable weather data, especially on wind.^[4][5]

It is one of two bird sanctuaries on the island, the other being the Qaqsauqtuuq Migratory Bird Sanctuary, situated 87 mi (140 km) to the northeast.^[6]

Other designations

Along with its wetlands, the Boas River is a Canadian Important Bird Area (site #NU022). The Harry Gibbons MBS takes up the western portion of the IBA.^[7]