This scientific journal published in the Canadian Field Naturalist highlights the patterns of seasonal abundance and diversity of seabirds and coastal waterfowl in Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, Canada using quantitative, shore-based point surveys from mid-March to late August and mid-October to December from 2010 to 2012.
Minas Passage is occupied throughout the year by various seabird, waterfowl, wader, and shorebird species. From 2010 to 2012, FORCE undertook a series of 19, 6 h/day shore-based, spring-to-late summer, and late-fall to early-winter surveys at the Minas Passage site. Forty-six species of seabirds, waterfowl, and shorebirds occurred at the study site. With reference to tidal energy development, the information has been used to assess potential impacts and to develop monitoring strategies for seabirds as well as other organisms (e.g., marine mammals and fish) in relation to tidal device installations.
Of the 46 species observed, resident breeders such as Herring Gull, Great Black-backed gull, Common Eider, Black Guillemot, and Double-crested Cormorant were most abundant in spring to early summer during breeding season.
Authors: Patrick L. Stewart, Fulton L. Lavender, and Heather A. Levy of Envirosphere Consulting. Limited.
This resource can also be found on page 124 of The Canadian Field-Naturalist Vol. 135