Johnson's Mills shorebird reserve sees sharp drop in birds

At a time when the bird population should be peaking, the Johnson's Mills Shorebird Reserve has seen a sharp decline in numbers, according to the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

Some flocks of shorebirds that normally visit the reserve, which is near Dorchester in southeastern New Brunswick, are down by half.

"This time of year we typically see flocks of 140,000 birds, 100,000 at least. [Tuesday] there was 70,000," said Andrew Holland, the national spokesperson for the Nature Conservancy of Canada.  

It's not only the number of birds that have been reduced at the reserve this year, it's also the variety of birds. Holland said he finds this troubling.

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"Obviously all these birds are integral to the ecosystem and they all have important roles for population levels around the world," said Holland

Sightings of the rare black-bellied plover have plummeted and that's after taking into account the small numbers that have stopped to feed on the mud flats in recent years.

"This time of year we usually see about 30 of those, so far it's only been half a dozen," said Holland

The birds that stop to rest and feed at Johnson's Mills are generally flying from the Arctic.

When they arrive at the reserve their weight is equivalent to half a chocolate bar. They will eat — the food of choice is mud shrimp — and rest at the reserve. The birds will usually double their original weight.

They then continue the journey to South America, where they spend the winter.

Birds aren't resting

This year is different in another way, the birds aren't resting as long as they have been in previous years. This can be partially attributed to new neighbours.

"One of the irritants for them has been a family of four peregrine falcons that have been nesting in the area," said Holland.

He said the falcons have been chasing the other birds.

It's unclear why fewer shorebirds are coming to Johnson's Mills this summer, but Holland said there are a few possibilities.

"Birds have been in decline since 1973. There could be a variety of factors. Whether it's climate change, coastal erosion or [difficulties] arriving here from the Arctic," said Holland.

Tuesday marked the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty between Canada and the United States, which was the first international agreement to protect wild birds.