Cape Jourimain Nature Centre

Location
Exit 51, Hwy 16
(at the base of the Confederation Bridge)

The four-storey lookout tower offers the best view of the Confederation Bridge... and magnificent natural vistas. Nestled within a 675 hectare National Wildlife Area, the Cape Jourimain Nature Centre is an adventure for the whole family. Start at the NB Visitor Information Centre and the fabulous Nature Store. Explore the Centre's exhibit hall with interactive displays on ecology, history, climate change, transportation and over 170 species of birds. Relax in the restaurant and enjoy spectacular views of the ocean. Or head out for some superb birdwatching (Cape Jourimain is located on a major migratory route) and environmental exploring along the 17 km (10 miles) of trails. Put nature first on your list of things to see and do: drop in or stay the day.

Information
For information on group rates, school children and season passes:
Phone: 1-866-538-2220
(506) 538-2220
info@capejourimain.org
www.capejourimain.ca

Red-winged Blackbird
Nature Trail

Walk Through Nature
This nature area has recorded more birds per acre than any other site in New Brunswick. Trail winds around Goodwin Pond in Baie Verte, passes through alder swales, spruce forest and the upper reaches of the Baie Verte salt marsh. Commonly observed ducks include American black duck, mallard, blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, American widgeon and wood duck. Pied-billed grebe breed nearby and great blue herons visit regularly. Sora, Virginia rail and the American bittern breed in cattails around the edge of the freshwater pond. A full range of boreal forest birds can be found in wooded areas.

Facilities
Benches, picnic tables, lookouts and observation towers located along the 2 km trail route.

Location
Route 970, south of Port Elgin, in community of Baie Verte.

Information
Map and brochure available at Monro Heritage Centre (506) 538-2109.

Sandpipers of Fundy

A Wonder of Nature
Tantramar's most famous annual visitor is the semipalmated sandpiper. During late July and early August of each year, millions of these tiny black and silver birds journey from the Canadian Arctic to the shores of the Bay of Fundy. The Bay's tidal flats contain microscopic "mud shrimp" which are consumed by the sandpipers at an amazing rate. During a 10- to 20-day stopover, the birds more than double their body weight. When the winds are just right, the flock heads out over the Atlantic Ocean, travelling 4,000 km (2,500 miles) on a marathon non-stop 72-hour flight to Suriname on the northeast coast of South America.

When to See Them
Late July to mid August. Viewing is best when flocks are aloft, 2 hours before and 2 hours after high tide.

Location
Take Route 935 from the Village of Dorchester, travel 8 km to Johnson's Mills. Viewing platform and interpretative panel can be found on the side of the road above the beach. Canadian Wildlife Service interpreters are present during July-August period.

Respect & Protect the Birds
Please stay off the beach and avoid making loud sounds when the flock is roosting. The slightest disturbance will send the birds aloft, depleting their precious energy stores they need for their trip to South America.

Information
Canadian Wildlife Service, Sackville (506) 364-5044.

Murray Beach Provincial Park

Activities
A community activity campground, managed by the Department of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism as part of the New Brunswick Outdoor Network. Contains a campground, sand beach, walking trail, boat launch, change house, running water, washroom facilities, canteen, picnic tables and shelters, and a children's playground.

Location
Route 955, on the Northumberland Coast, 12 km west of the Confederation Bridge, near Murray Corner.

Season
Open mid-May until mid-September.

Fees
$4.00 vehicle entrance fee is charged for day use. No entry fee is charged to visitors entering on foot.

Trans Canada Trail

The World's Longest Recreational Trail
The 15,000 km. Trans Canada Trail travels through the Tantramar region on its way to Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Trail will be officially opened in the year 2000.

Tantramar Rail Trail
The Tantramar Rail Trail is a 33 km section of the Trans Canada Trail linking the town of Sackville with the village of Port Elgin on the Gaspereau River. The trail skirts the Tantramar Marsh, following the original right-of-way of the New Brunswick and Prince Edward Railway (also known as the "Cape Railway"). Moose, dear, fox and other woodland creatures can be observed from the trail route, as well as colourful wildflowers and a variety of songbirds, waterfowl and shorebirds. Eagles, osprey, hawks and great blue herons often can be seen feeding on the Baie Verte Marsh and along the Gaspereau River Estuary. The trail's stone dust surface is excellent for walking and cycling.

Access
Tantramar High School, Sackville Folkins Drive, Sackville Church Street, Middle Sackville Church Street, Upper Sackville Route 940, Midgic Route 970, Baie Verte Spring Street, Port Elgin Station Street, Port Elgin

Information
Sackville Visitor Information Centre
(506) 364-4967

Monro Heritage Centre
(506) 538-2109

Sackville Waterfowl Park

Nationally-recognized Conservation Area
This award-winning 22 hectares (55 acres) wetland preserve offers visitors a unique opportunity to discover the secrets of Tantramar's tidal marshes. Boardwalk route provides an intimate, up-close experience of wetland wildlife. Excellent for nature photography. More than 160 species of birds and 17 different kinds of ducks. Broods of grebes and black ducks can be observed paddling around cattail growth surrounding the boardwalk.

Facilities
More than 3 km of boardwalk and pathways. Benches, picnic areas and interpretative signage placed strategically throughout the park. Interpretative displays on wetland habitat and history of the park at nearby Canadian Wildlife Service building (Waterfowl Lane).

Tours
Tours depart Canadian Wildlife Service building Monday to Friday, May & June, and 7 days a week in July & August between 8:00am and 4pm on demand.

Location
Highway 2, Exit 504, take Main Street towards Sackville Visitor Information Centre.

Entrances
Canadian Wildlife Service Building on Waterfowl Lane Main Street at King Street (across from Sackville Visitor Information Centre) Main Street next to St. Paul's Anglican Church Weldon Street behind Dooly's

Information & Tour Booking
Maps, interpretative brochures and bird check lists can be found at the CWS building and Sackville Visitor Information Centre. (506) 364-4967.

Tantramar Marsh

Where Land & Tides Meet
This 49,000 hectare (123,000 acre) plain constitutes the largest expanse of dyked marshland in North America. Converted to farming, first by Acadian settlers and later by Yorkshire immigrants, the marsh was once called "the largest hayfield in the world". Until the First World War, it served as an important source of fodder for the British army and stables located along the Eastern Seaboard. The area is now used as pasture and hay growing for local farmers.

High Marsh Road
This dirt track bisecting the marsh originally linked Sackville with communities in Nova Scotia. Today the road crosses the Tantramar River at Wheaton Covered Bridge, ending at Point de Bute and Jolicure on Cumberland Ridge. Several of the last remaining marsh hay barns stand along the route. Images of the Marsh influenced early writings of poet Charles G.D. Roberts and continue to provide inspiration for writer, poets, landscape artists and nature photographers. Marsh landscapes and photos are displayed and sold at Sackville galleries during the summer.

A Unique Ecosystem
Tantramar Marsh contains raccoon, muskrat, beaver, mink and fox. It is considered one of the best sites in Atlantic Canada for sighting owls. The area possesses one the largest breeding populations of marsh hawks in North America. Tintamarre National Wildlife Area contains fresh water impoundments near Paunchy Lake and Goose Lake containing a variety of nesting waterfowl and marsh birds. Tintamarre NWA may be accessed via Tantramar Rail Trail and Paunchy Lake Hiking Trail.

Information
Maps, brochures and audio cassettes for self-guided auto tours available at the Sackville Visitor Information Centre. (506) 364-4967.