The shorebirds have returned to New Brunswick..and you’ll have the chance to see the more than ten thousand sandpipers at Johnson’s Mills over the next few weeks.
The semi palmated sandpipers make a stop in Johnson’s Mills, while on their 5 thousand kilometre journey from the Canadian Arctic to South America..
Spokesperson for the Nature Conservation of Canada Kerry Lee Morris- Cormier says the first large group of birds arrived last weekend, “Ten Thousand of them together, moving at the same time, resting at the same time. It’s a real spectacular sight.”
At low tide, the birds can be seen on the mud flats, because that is where they feed. This gives them enough energy to continue their migration, but Morris Cormier says high tides, is when you can see them best, “The tide pushes the bird closer because the bird cannot swim. The high tides cover up the birds food source, and the birds move closer and then rest on the beach to conserve energy.”
The sandpipers will continue arriving over the next month.
“Birds that have arrived over the last week or so are mostly female birds. The male birds and juveniles are still in the Sub-Arctic. They will start arriving in August,” Morris- Cormier notes.
Meantime, Pre-New Brunswick Day festivities will be held in Dorchester this weekend, to help recognize Canada 150.
Celebrations begin at 10am Saturday morning, and New Brunswickers will witness the 10, 000 sandpipers who are gathering at Johnson’s Mills Interpretive Centre.
There’s local entertainment and a ceremony with barbecue at 1pm..
The official New Brunswick day is August 7th, but the province has been holding pre-celebrations. Dorchester is the fourth of five communities chosen.
