Bay of Fundy: Home to Over 360 Species of Birds!
Well over 360 species of birds have been spotted across the Bay of Fundy region, including such endangered wildlife like the peregrine falcon and the piping plover. The Bay of Fundy is a preferred destination for many birdwatchers, particularly during migration season, because of its convenient location along the Atlantic Flyway. It is calculated that between two and three million birds migrate along the Atlantic Flyway each year; 75% of them stop in the Fundy region, making it the most vital stopping point along all of the Eastern seaboard.
Mary’s Point Bird Sanctuary – situated along the Fundy shores in Albert County, New Brunswick between Fundy National Park and the popular Hopewell Rocks – is one of the best spots along the Bay for viewing shorebirds, particularly the semipalmated sandpiper.
Many thousands of semipalmated sandpipers land in Fundy every summer as part of their migration from their Arctic breeding zones to their winter home of South America. Why the Bay of Fundy? Well, quite simply they come here to get fat. The birds follow the tide line as it advances and recedes. At high tide the sandpipers roost but as the Fundy tide recedes, these little birds race from one hole to the next. Using sight and their comparatively long bills, each sandpiper devours between 9600-23000 mud shrimp every single tide cycle. During their stay in the Bay of Fundy region, the sandpipers will double their weight of about 20 grams so as to increase their fat reserves to complete the remaining 4000km of their migration, non stop!
In addition to Mary’s Point, these sandpipers have shown a stong liking for Grande-Anse, Starrs Point and Evangeline Beach. The first semipalmated sandpipers generally will not arrive in Fundy till mid-July.
Another favorite bird sighting in Fundy area is the Atlantic Puffin. Spotted nearer the mouth of the Bay, Machias Seal Island is the seasonal home to not only nesting puffins but also nesting arctic and common terns and razorbills. Access to this tiny island is limited and landing is done at one’s own risk as the terrain can be quite slippery and uneven. The sanctuary is guarded by the Canadian Wildlife Service.
Now you know why the Bay of Fundy is a great area for bird watchers. And while you’re there, you also get to see the world famous Bay of Fundy tides!
