No. 6

DISCOVERING THE WILDLIFE OF TANTRAMAR

Many tourists come to Tantramar to enjoy the multitude of bird watching opportunities. Encompassing a diverse range of habitats — from coastal marshes and mudflats to fresh-water marshes and wetlands — the region attracts visitors from around the world.

Baie Verte Waterfowl Village

Baie Verte village is a combination of small rivers and streams, fresh-water and salt marshes. In addition, the community has developed three large fresh-water ponds to provide nesting and resting areas for the large numbers of waterfowl and other birds that inhabit the area. The 2 km Red-winged Blackbird Trail winds along Goodwin Pond park and the upper reaches of the Baie Verte salt marshes. The trail has lookout towers and sheltered viewing sites from which visitors can see Osprey, Great Blue Herons, Kingfishers, Geese, Grebes and variety of ducks and shorebirds.

Cape Jourimain National Wildlife Area

This is an outstanding birding location off Route 955. Several trails provide access to a variety of habitat and wildlife. Plans are underway to develop more trails and an interpretation centre near the Confederation Bridge. The Nature Centre and the network of walking trails — complete with exhibits, interpretive staff and signage — will help visitors learn about the natural and cultural history of this unique property.

Chignecto National Wildlife Area

The diversity of habitats and easy accessibility through a network of woodland trails make this wildlife area one of the best birding areas in the region.

Tintamarre National Wildlife Area

This site is one of the best canoeing and bird-watching spots in the province. It also contains several rare species of orchids.

These National Wildlife Areas are managed by the Canadian Wildlife Service from its Sackville office.

Johnson's Mills

Each year, between mid-July and mid-September, tens of thousands of shorebirds flock to Johnson's Mills, just outside Dorchester. Most of the birds are Semipalmated Sandpipers, en route from their breeding grounds in the Arctic to their winter home in Suriname.

At high tide, the birds roost by the thousands on a thin strip of beach. And what appears to be a rock-covered shoreline is actually sandpipers roosting on one leg with their heads tucked into their shoulders, perfectly camouflaged.

At low tide, the sandpipers forage in the mudflats. As the tide comes in, they gather in huge flocks, weaving in and out along the water's edge in what seems like a choreographed aerial display.

This magnificent spectacle attracts naturalists and bird-watchers from around the world. The Canadian Wildlife Service has established interpretive facilities at the site where visitors are welcome.

Sackville Waterfowl Park

Nestled in the heart of Sackville, this 55-acre wetland park features three kilometers of boardwalks and trails, rest benches and picnic tables, viewing platforms and interpretive signage. The Park is located on one of North America's major migratory bird routes and offers rare exploration and photo opportunities. Since the Park's development in 1988, it has grown to become one of the most productive wetlands in the region and has received a National Environmental Achievement Award.

The Canadian Wildlife Service has developed an interpretive program and display in its Sackville office which features an interactive multimedia kiosk. Visitors can take a virtual tour of the Park and learn about the more than 200 species of birds found there.

To download a printer-friendly Adobe Acrobat version of this file — many are complete with photos and maps — visit the Touring Tantramar home page and click on the appropriate thumbnail. The Touring Tantramar Series is ©2000 The Tantramar Tourism Association TantramarTourism.com.

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