 Nature's
Incredible Story...
The Arctic and sub-Arctic regions in the summer months are the
birthplace of many varieties of sandpipers and plovers. The shallow
tundra ponds there brim with insect larvae providing plenty of food
for young birds that grow and mature quickly.
But as the temperatures fall, the birds must prepare to depart
south. Migration begins in July and continues through August,
September and October depending on the particular species. The Mary's
Point Shorebirds are a part of this mass migration and several key
areas along the Bay of Fundy shores are their primary
destination. The peak viewing time is mid-July to
mid-August. Beginning late July, for week after week, they
arrive daily on the beach here - hundreds of thousands - and linger to
feed until they double their size. This additional weight will
sustain them for the remainder of their non-stop journey to Suriname,
South America.
 The
Fundy Mud Shrimp...a true delicacy
The extensive tidal flats of the Bay of Fundy may seem to be devoid
of life, but in actuality they are home to millions of tiny Corophium
volutator - better known as the Fundy Mud
Shrimp. These tiny nutritious shrimp, less than a
centimeter long, are so plentiful in the mudflats here, that they are
a sufficient dining delicacy for two to three million shorebirds that
visit this area every summer.
An
Incredible Journey...
The shorebirds leaving our area will fly non-stop over 4000 km to
their destination, often taking up to four days. In order to complete
such a long flight , they must store large reserves of fat by feasting
on these tiny inhabitants of the Bay of Fundy mudflats. It is
our privilege to witness the arrival of these marvelous aerial
acrobats, but it is our responsibility not to disturb them while they
are here.
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