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Sandy Point Just offshore from St. George's is the small island of Sandy Point, which is an extension of the Flat Island Bar extending from Young's cove to the west. Those who have taken the short boat ride to the island call it a "jewel" or "delight." The fishing community on the spit declined as the railway bypassed it and the sea breached the bar opposite Shallop Cove. The last permanent residents left 30 years ago during a resettlement program. This has been to the benefit of nesting birds which have been studied by many people. Sandy Point is best known for its nesting pairs of Willet and Common Blackheaded Gull, both very local but increasing breeders in Newfoundland, but a summer visit will reveal many other birds. There are four main habitats on the island. The intertidal areas attract large numbers of migrating shorebirds with accounts of the Semipalmated Plover, Blackbellied Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Greater Yellowleg, Red Knot, Shortbilled Dowitcher, Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, and Sanderling birds in early Septemeber. Killdeer, Lesser Golden Plover, Pectoral and Buffbreasted Sandpipers have also been recorded on migration. The beds of small mussels are very attractive to s horebirds and may have helped retain the first visiting Willet. The grassy raised beaches and dunes are the principal breeding sites for about 250 pairs of birds. The island also contains a large number of fresh and brackish ponds which are important feeding areas for waterfowl. |