The Dewey Soper Migratory Bird Sanctuary was established in 1957 and protects
the nesting grounds of over 30% of the Canadian breeding population of Lesser
Snow Geese. The sanctuary can be found on the Southern half of
Western Baffin Island. Running 250 km along the Eastern shore of Foxe
Basin, it encompasses the coastal section of the Great Plain of the Koukdjuak.
The communities of Minngait, Iqaluit and Pangnirtuuq are found
approximately 200 km to the SouthEast, 350 km to the Southwest, and 300 km to the
West respectively.
At this sanctuary in 1929 a federal biologist recorded the first eggs and nests
of blue phase Snow Geese.
The Great Plain of the Koukdjuak contains much wet and dry
tundra. Small streams criss-cross wet sedge meadows and marshy
tundra. The low lands are dotted with countless ponds and small lakes
which are muddy and shallow providing birds optimal water bird
habitat. Wide beaches border Foxe Basin, and the tidal flat can be 15 km wide
with low relief and a large tidal range.
There are 43 species of birds which have been officially
recorded at the Dewey Soper Migratory Bird Sactuary, 24 of which are known to
breed there, and another 12 probably do so. Some
areas are hard to reach so little research has been done in recent years.
At the end of breeding season, from one to two million geese may be present on
the Great Plain of the Koukdjuak, including Lesser Snow Geese, Canada Geese, and
Brant.
The world's largest Lesser Snow Geese colony is found on
the Great Plain of the Koukdjuak. Over 550,000 geese have nested in the
area in the past and over 60% were of the blue colour phase.

Blue Phase Snow Geese
Previously, the Lesser and Blue geese were classified as
separate species however, blue is now considered a colour phase of the Snow Goose.
Blue and White Snow Geese often mate and produce either blue of white goslings
and blue usually predominate. Intermediate blue and white geese have
been seen.
Many of Baffin Island's Lesser Snow Geese winter in
Louisiana and migrate through the James Bay/Mississippi valley corridor. This sanctuary is also a key area for the Atlantic
Brant. Canada Geese, Oldsquaw, Red Phalaropes, and Sabine's Gulls
also nest or migrate through the area in fair numbers.
June 26, 1929, J.D. Soper discovered the first nests and
eggs of blue geese after a six year and 50,000 km hunt. Blue Snow geese
are more common now than in the past.