April 8, 2020
Cocagne - Shorebirds face many challenges and there are simple tips to better protect them according to the inventory conducted in 2019 by Denise Maillet, coordinator of the SENB Piping Plover Project at Birds Canada.
Denise Maillet has been conducting shorebird surveys at the Bouctouche dune for 23 years and at the Cormierville marsh in Cocagne for ten years. These two places are among many important places in New Brunswick used by migratory birds. They arrive or return from sites where most of them nest in the Canadian Far North. A shorebird is defined as a bird that lives, feeds or nests on the shore.
In Canada, these birds are among the migrants who travel the longest distances. For example, once the Whimbrel stops on our beaches to fill up, it must have enough energy to make a nonstop flight of 4000 km over the Atlantic Ocean to reach the east coast of the 'South America. They are sensitive to loss of habitat on their migratory routes and in wintering habitats, as well as on breeding sites. Loss of habitat is the greatest threat to Canadian species.
The year 2019 brought us very interesting data on shore birds and their challenges. Here is some information that has been provided to us by quite alarming reports and articles:
These results demonstrate the urgency to avoid the continued loss of biodiversity and the potential loss of continental bird life. This significant drop in population indicates to us that the modified lands (intensification of agriculture, urbanization, etc.) have lost the capacity to be able to support the survival of our birds. “And that is an indicator of a coming collapse of the continental avifauna” (bird life).
To better protect, for example, the fragile habitat of Piping Plovers, you can:
* Keep your dog on a leash and do not let it chase shorebirds. Some shorebirds travel 27,000 km per year and like you, they enjoy picnics at the beach.
* Pick up trash at the beach
* Leave the dunes intact and walk in the sand, preferably on the wet sand on beaches where Piping Plover are nesting.
* Use your ATV only on designated trails and not at the beach, instead, use a boat for remote locations
* Learn more about these beautiful shorebirds and how to recognise them
Here you will find the shorebird survey report for the Bouctouche dune and the Cormierville marsh in 2019 (in French).
You can send your comments and / or questions to Denise Maillet, Shorebird project coordinator This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
We thank the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund for their continued financial support.
