Bay of Fundy: Home to Over 360 Species of Birds!

Over 360 species of birds have been spotted across the Bay of Fundy region, including such endangered species as the peregrine falcon and the piping plover. The Bay of Fundy is a popular destination for many birdwatchers, particularly during migration season, due to its prime location along the Atlantic Flyway. It is estimated that between two and three million birds travel along the Atlantic Flyway each year; three-quarters of which stop in the Fundy region, making it the most significant stopping point along the Eastern seaboard.

Mary’s Point Bird Sanctuary – located along the Fundy coastline in Albert County, New Brunswick between Fundy National Park and the well-known Hopewell Rocks – is one of the best spots along the Bay for spotting shorebirds, especially the semipalmated sandpiper.

Many thousands of semipalmated sandpipers land in Fundy every summer as part of their migration from their Arctic breeding areas to their winter home of South America. Why here? Well, they come here to become fat. The birds follow the tide line as it advances and recedes. When it’s high tide the sandpipers roost but when the Fundy tide start to recede, these little birds hop from one hole to the next. Using sight and their pretty 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 regular weight of about 20 grams to build up their fat reserves to finish 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 often will not arrive in Fundy until mid-July.

Another favourite bird seen in Fundy is the Atlantic Puffin. Located nearer the mouth of the Bay, Machias Seal Island is the temporary home to not only nesting puffins but also nesting arctic and common terns and razorbills. Access to this little island is limited and landing is done at your own risk as the shore can be quite slippery and uneven. The sanctuary is protected by the Canadian Wildlife Service.

Now you know why the Bay of Fundy is a good area for bird watchers. And while you are there, you may as well check out the world famous Bay of Fundy tides!