Flight pattern: A late arrival for shorebirds in New Brunswick
Every summer thousands of shorebirds stopover in Johnson's Mills, N.B. on their way south. However, spotting the birds isn't a sure thing this year.
The Nature Conversancy of Canada expects thousands will arrive by mid-July, but the organization says their behavior has been a little unpredictable this year, as only a small amount has arrived so far.
The site's manager, Jasmine Anderson says Johnson's Mills is a critical stopping place for the shorebirds on their migration. As the tide rolls in, the sandpipers huddle together on the beaches, drawing in tourists and locals eager to catch a glimpse of the small birds.
"Our expectations of when they'll arrive has been changing just because … probably the weather changing in the Arctic or different food sources. I'm not sure what has caused their behaviour to change, but something definitely is," says Anderson.
"They also come here to fuel for their migration down south, so they spend about two to three weeks here, and during that time period, they double their weight basically."
Once they grow to about the size of a large strawberry, they leave the beach, flying 72 hours straight to South America.
Though the building is still closed due to the pandemic, the Nature Conservancy is trying its best to protect the land for the shorebird's arrival.
"The signs kind of let people know that the shorebirds need our help, so they remind people to stay off the beach two hours before and two hours after high tide and that is because the birds can't swim, so they use that time to sleep and rest on the beach," says Anderson.
Though the shores may be quiet now, thousands of birds are expected to migrate within the next few weeks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.