From the Field: Atlantic

Postcards from the Field: Ombor Mitra

Shell Conservation Intern Ombor Mitra

Greetings from New Brunswick:

Every day for the last two weeks new flocks of waterfowl and shorebirds have been arriving on Chignecto Bay, at the head of the Bay of Fundy. Yesterday, I saw the biggest flock so far, probably about 50,000 birds, but that's a relatively small number compared to the flocks of birds that will be arriving in the next few weeks, or so I'm told. As the Shorebird Interpreter at the Johnson's Mills Shorebird Interpretation Centre, I'm responsible for updating the information displays, conducting flora inventories by identifying common plant species, writing daily reports and exchanging information with Mary's Point Bird Sanctuary, located directly across the Bay. Both Johnson's Mills and Mary's Point make daily observations on the numbers of birds, their roosting habits and what areas on the Bay they are favouring. Monitoring bird life allows us to record migratory habits, species loss and environmental influences. A central part of my work at Johnson's Mills involves educating the public about the shorebirds and waterfowl as well as the importance of conservation in New Brunswick. I am regularly talking with bird enthusiasts, tourists and local visitors on the observation deck as they watch the action out on the Bay through the spotting scope. The observation deck allows people to see the Bay from a safe distance without harming the birds, mud shrimp or even themselves. Don't forget that the Bay of Fundy has the highest tidal fluctuations in the world!

Semipalmated Sandpipers at Johnson's Mills

I'm also helping the Canadian Wildlife Service with their banding work here. Birds can be tracked and identified by numbered aluminum bands that are placed around their legs. These bands don't harm the birds and allow us to retrieve important information on migrating, breeding and roosting behaviour. Every year, after breeding in the Arctic, millions of shorebirds and waterfowl gather on Chignecto Bay between mid-July and mid-September to feed on mud shrimp ( Corophium volutator ) before they make a 72-hour nonstop flight to wintering grounds in South America. During their two-week stay, the birds will double their weight, only to burn it off on their long journey. Some of the shorebirds and waterfowl that visit Johnston 's Mills include: Semipalmated Sandpiper; Semipalmated Plover; Peregrine Falcon; Ruddy Turnstone and Bald Eagle.

I'm a recent Biology graduate from Mount Allison University with a minor in Psychology. At the end of my internship I would like to travel throughout Europe and Asia before finding a job in research and conservation.

Got to fly,

Ombor Mitra

More Atlantic postcards>>