Bay of Fundy Shorebirds

Each summer, for a 4-6 week period beginning in mid-July, 1-2.5 million shorebirds (up to 75% of the world's population of the Semipalmated Sandpiper) congregate in waves at several key locations in the upper reaches of the bay. The Bay of Fundy is their only stopover on a 4,000 km migration south.

One of the best locations to see the shorebirds is the Hopewell Rocks. Visitors who come during the shorebird migration will be treated to mesmerizing aerobatic displays. Plan to visit at high tide when large flocks of the birds are flying close to shore or resting on the pebble beaches.

During the shorebird migration, beach roosting areas at the Hopewell Rocks are protected and observers are requested to keep their distance, allowing the birds to rest undisturbed. Each time the flocks take to flight during their Bay of Fundy stopover, they deplete the crucial stores of energy needed to successfully complete their migration to South America.

The sheer distance and physical ordeal of this journey re-emphasizes the importance of allowing these birds to feed and rest without disturbance.

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