NCC’s Shorebird Reserve and Interpretive Centre
Semipalmated Sandpipers (Photo by Jordan Myles/ NCC staff)
Every summer, Johnson’s Mills becomes the stage for one of nature’s great migrations. Massive flocks of shorebirds journey through the Bay of Fundy, which serves as a temporary stopover on their flight from the Canadian Arctic to South America. Come watch up to a quarter of a million individual birds as they rest on the beach and feast on tiny invertebrates in the mud flats. Over just a few weeks, these birds will double their weight before flying nearly 4,000-kilometres non-stop to South America.
You can observe the birds from a safe distance on the observation deck outside the interpretive centre. Shorebird interpreters will be there to answer your questions, and informative signs around the centre provide information about the birds’ miraculous journey.
About the interpretive centre
The interpretative centre is open daily in July and August. Visitors can call the centre at 506-379-6347 to enquire about high tide times and bird migration numbers.
The interpretive centre and observation deck are both accessible by ramp. A composting toilet is available on-site.
Reminders
Please stay off the beach for two hours before and two hours after high tide, as it is imperative that the birds are able to feed and rest undisturbed. Shorebirds can't swim, which makes them vulnerable at high tide when they need to rest on the beach.
Please also speak quietly and leave your pets at home. Shorebirds are easily startled and something as simple as a passerby can scare them into flight, depleting the critical fat stores they need for their long flight south.
Directions
From Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island:
From the Trans-Canada Highway, take exit 506 and follow route 106 toward Dorchester for 16 kilometres. Turn onto Dorchester route 935 and drive 8 kilometres to the interpretive centre.
From New Brunswick:
From the Trans-Canada Highway, take exit 488 and follow route 106 toward Dorchester for 15 kilometres. Turn onto Dorchester route 935 and drive 8 kilometres to the interpretive centre.
Donations
NCC’s Shorebird Reserve and Interpretive Centre is supported by nature enthusiasts like you. Your donation today will have a direct impact on research conducted at the interpretive centre and will help provide opportunities for interns.