Shorebirds, Shepody Bay
That time of year again, when migrating shorebirds congregate on the shores of the upper Bay of Fundy. These flocks are primarily composed of semipalmated sandpipers. These photos were taken a couple of summers ago at The Nature Conservancy Canada Interpretive Centre, Johnson's Mills, New Brunswick.
Each summer, up to 80% of the world's population of Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) arrive in the upper Bay of Fundy from their breeding grounds in the Arctic. The extreme tides of the bay expose mudflats which extend for 3 or 4 Km and are the habitat of mud shrimp (Chorophium volutator). These shorebirds feed on mud shrimp at low tide and, in the 10 to 15 days spent here, they double their weight in fat reserves in order to complete a nonstop 72 hour flight to South America. At high tide, they roost at the water's edge. Other shorebird species are also found in these huge flocks.
For a fascinating account of the origin of mud shrimp in the Bay of Fundy and the Gulf of Maine, please see the following CBC Radio link:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/maritime-sea-life-li...
Shorebirds, Shepody Bay
That time of year again, when migrating shorebirds congregate on the shores of the upper Bay of Fundy. These flocks are primarily composed of semipalmated sandpipers. These photos were taken a couple of summers ago at The Nature Conservancy Canada Interpretive Centre, Johnson's Mills, New Brunswick.
Each summer, up to 80% of the world's population of Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) arrive in the upper Bay of Fundy from their breeding grounds in the Arctic. The extreme tides of the bay expose mudflats which extend for 3 or 4 Km and are the habitat of mud shrimp (Chorophium volutator). These shorebirds feed on mud shrimp at low tide and, in the 10 to 15 days spent here, they double their weight in fat reserves in order to complete a nonstop 72 hour flight to South America. At high tide, they roost at the water's edge. Other shorebird species are also found in these huge flocks.
For a fascinating account of the origin of mud shrimp in the Bay of Fundy and the Gulf of Maine, please see the following CBC Radio link:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/maritime-sea-life-li...