Johnson's Mills shorebird reserve sees sharp drop in birds

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

Some flocks of shorebirds that normally visit the reserve, which is nearDorchester 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 onlythe 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.

• Tiny shore birds celebrated in annual festival
• Google camera maps Johnson's Mills Shorebird Reserve
• Nature Conservancy of Canada and Lincoln Elementary build trail

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

Sightings of the rareblack-bellied plover have plummetedand that's after taking into account the small numbers that have stopped to feed on the mud flatsin 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 atJohnson'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 eatthe food of choice is mud shrimpand rest at the reserve. The birds will usuallydouble their original weight.

They then continue the journeyto 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, butHolland 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 the100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty between Canada and the United States, which wasthe first international agreement to protect wildbirds.