Bird Watching New Brunswick: Something For the Backyard Birder And the Die-hard.
Over 370 species of birds have been sighted in New Brunswick and over half of them actually breed here. The New Brunswick Museum in Saint John houses the largest research collection of bird specimens in the Maritimes.
Bird Watching New Brunswick on or near the Saint John River:
The Saint John River provides many opportunities for bird watching New Brunswick. Each little community along the river system has some sort of nature trail and wildlife/birding opportunity.
The Hampton Marsh in Hampton New Brunswick (near Saint John) is home to a number of species of waterfowl. The shallow backwaters of the Kennebecasis River are what attract the birds too this area and you will find it just off the Centennial Rd.
Mactaquac Provincial Park has many walking trails that follow tributaries of the Saint John River, which make it a great place to view wildlife and a variety of bird species. Ask at the main office or gate to find out where to go to get the best photo opportunity.
Bird Watching New Brunswick on the Bay of Fundy side of the province:The Bay of Fundy, on the south side of the province, attracts hundreds of thousands of shorebirds with its never-ending supply of food for the never-ending flocks of birds to its shoreline. Some of the more popular areas for birding include Grand Manan Island, Machias Seal Island, Campobello Island, The Irving Nature Park, Fundy Trail, Fundy National Park, Mary’s Point, and Cape Enrage.Grand Manan Island is an extremely popular birding area with hundreds of species of birds such as shore birds, puffins, crossbills, cranes, herons, eagles and warblers. Just off Grand Manan Island is Machias Seal Island. This extremely small island, inhabited only by two lighthouse keepers, except for in the summer nesting season for thousands of Atlantic Puffins along with Arctic Terns, and Razorbills. The Island is not quite a mile long at low tide and a few hundred feet wide. There are only three boat operators allowed to visit the island with a limited number of people each day. Sea Watch Tours out of Grand Manan is the only Canadian boat registered to visit the Island. Campobello Island has been recognized internationally as a major feeding area for mass amounts of small gulls in summer, and blacklegged kittiwakes in the winter. Head Harbour Lighthouse on Campobello Island has phenomenal views and is a popular area to see whales and all species of birds. Head Harbour Light is only accessible at low tide by foot. Be sure to get the tide schedule before you arrive so that you are not disappointed.
The Irving Nature Park in Saint John New Brunswick has abundant wildlife, seabirds and seals that thrive on the mudflats and the salt-water marsh. With 11km of trails and a sandy beach it is a great place to lose track of time and just relax in Nature at it’s best. The Fundy Trail in Saint Martins just outside Saint John is another place where you could spend the entire day taking in the sights. They have all kinds of trails, lookouts, beachcombing, wildlife viewing, waterfalls and an interpretive center.
Mary’s Point, a small area between Fundy National Park and Cape Enrage, is unique since it is situated along the migration route of thirty-two bird species and attracts some of the largest numbers of shorebirds in North America. The miles and miles of mudflats are where hundreds of thousands of birds gather to fill their bellies for their long flight Across the Atlantic Ocean. The best time to view shorebirds in this area is mid-July to mid-August and at high tide. This is amazing to see! Hundreds of thousands of birds arrive all at the same time and land on the mudflats to feed at Mary's Point. It is amazing because they land and take off with such great unity, almost as if they are all attached to each other. They are so very graceful with flight it is almost as if it is just one huge bird landing in slow motion. Did you know that Mary's Point and Shepody Bay were designated as the first Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve in Canada? Birds such as the Semipalmated Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover, Black-bellied Plover, Sanderling, Ruddy Turnstone, Short-billed Dowitcher, Greater Yellowlegs and Lesser Yellowlegs, Raptors and Other Birds are common in this area. The Peregrine Falcon, and endangered species, was reintroduced to this part of the country at Fundy National Park (near point Wolfe). The Peregrine Falcon is a bird of prey for the many shorebirds in the area. I have seen this bird in flight from the observation tower and it is something that has stuck with me for many years. The interpretive panels on the platform tell the story of this beautiful endangered species and the parks attempt to re-establish it to the area. Cape Enrage, located just a short drive from Fundy National park, is another popular bird watching New Brunswick sanctuary along the fundy shoreline. Enjoy beach combing and birding all while enjoying the Best View In Canada according to Frommers Travel Guide. It is one of my all-time favorite places to visit too. Sackville is a bird watching New Brunswick hotspot along the Sackville Water Fowl Park. Stroll along the boardwalks and trails to enjoy the sights and sounds of a variety of waterfowl. Be sure to visit the Tantramar Wetlands Centre also in Sackville.
Bird Watching New Brunswick on the East (Gulf of St. Lawrence) Coast:The Gulf coast of New Brunswick has its share of popular birding spots too. In Beresford visit the Beresford Municipal Beach Park to see as many as 54 species of birds. Don’t forget to take in some of their hiking trails too.Lameque is an island on the Gulf coast that is home to many species of
an observation tower, footbridge, arboretum, and an interpretive center to help see the wildlife that inhabit this area. Guided tours are also available.
The boardwalk in Shippagan is where this photo was taken. I could have stayed here all day. There is 2-km boardwalk beside clear blue water that leads to the NB Aquarium.
The Tabusintac Lagoon and Estuary has 10,000 acres of waterfowl with a variety of species and 2km of walking trails to explore too. Kouchibouguac National Park has numerous bogs and marshlands where 230 species of birds make their home. They have numerous walking trails to explore also.
Bird Watching New Brunswick on the North side of the province:Sugarloaf Provincial Park near Campbellton New Brunswick offers a wide range of walking trails with ample birding and wildlife viewing year around. Be sure to check out the observation tower.Mount Carleton Provincial Park has 62 km of trails and offers wildlife observation and more. Mount Carleton is the highest peak in the Maritimes. Whether you are an avid bird watcher or just an amateur, there is some thing for every bird enthusiast in New Brunswick!
Birding in Canada: Other parts of Canada are popular for bird watching also. Ontario, for example, enjoys annual migrations of many species and is well-served with places to wait, watch and take photos. Birding in the USA: Exploring The Outer Banks For your next bird watching vacation you will want to come and visit the beautiful barrier islands at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Along with birding you will find some of the best kayaking on the inland waters around the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Birdingpal.org is well established global website for traveling birders that helps you find local contacts and information about bird watching. It lists many local birdwatchers around the world as well as local professional bird watching guides. A local Pal does not get paid they do this because they are fervent bird lovers. Birdingpals often say “a stranger is just a birder you haven’t met yet” and many new friendships around the world have been made birding with a local Pal. Return to Travel New Brunswick Canada Home Page From Bird Watching New Brunswick
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