The sandpipers have returned.
They are on their long journey from the Canadian Arctic to their wintering grounds in South America.
Hundreds of semipalmated sandpipers were spotted at Johnson’s Mills Shorebird Interpretive Centre on July 16.
Spokesperson for the Nature Conservancy of Canada Kerry-Lee Morris Cormier says that was just the first flock.
Yesterday, there were already about 10, 000 birds.
She described what it looks like, “It is like a black cloud moving over the Bay. There were so many birds together, that they were actually reflected in the mud at low tide,” she says.
The upper Bay of Fundy is a critical stopover site for the birds. The birds will spend about 3 weeks on the Bay of Fundy, before continuing on their way.
“We expect that number to grow right up to around 100, 000 by August 8th, give or take a couple of days,” Morris-Cormier says.
This coincides with Dorchester Sandpiper Festival which will be held tomorrow.
The Centre sees people from all over who come to see the sandpipers.
“At high tide we welcome a lot of people, because it is a very beautiful sight. The interpreters have spotting scopes and binoculars for use and they are very knowledgeable about the Bay of Fundy and the birds,” Morris-Cormier says.
The best time of day for viewing is during a four hour window: from two hours before the high tide to two hours after the high tide. The Centre is located at 2724 Route 935, eight kilometres from Dorchester, and admission is by donation.
