2003-2004 Community Action Fund NEW BRUNSWICK SEADUCK EDUCATION VIDEO: POINT LEPREAU BIRD OBSERVATORY SAINT JOHN NATURALISTS' CLUB POINT LEPREAU / MACES BAY IBA, NEW BRUNSWICK Point Lepreau and Maces Bay are located along the northern coast of the Bay of Fundy, about 30 km southwest of Saint John. The intertidal ledges of Maces Bay are recognized as an important spring staging area for migrating Brant. In addition to this site's importance for staging geese and shorebirds, Point Lepreau functions as a stopover for thousands of migrating waterfowl travelling along the Bay’s north coast during the spring. A nuclear plant and automated lighthouse are stationed at Point Lepreau and access to the point through the nuclear station lands is restricted. This means that birds at the point are rarely disturbed. The Saint John Naturalists’ Club, established over forty years ago, is dedicated to the study, conservation, and enjoyment of nature. They are producing a Seaduck Educational Video which will focus on the Maces Bay IBA and migratory seabirds of the Bay of Fundy. Through the medium of video, peak migration in the Bay of Fundy will be visually captured to explain this migratory phenomenon and identify potential threats. This information will be used to better protect birds that concentrate in the Bay of Fundy and the production of this video in Canada’s official languages will ensure that the message reaches a greater audience. MISCOU ISLAND PIPING PLOVER PROTECTION AND AWARENESS PROGRAM ACADIAN PENINSULA NATURALIST CLUB MISCOU ISLAND IBA, NEW BRUNSWICK The Miscou and Lamèque Islands located in the Acadian Peninsula are home to a dozen Piping Plovers pairs. In 1995, Miscou Island was connected by bridge to Lamèque Island, which is linked to the mainland. In addition to opening up the island for potential peat moss extraction, the increased accessibility of the island has created the potential for higher levels of recreational beach use. Each year, off-road vehicles and beachgoers are a potential threat to plover eggs and young. Founded in 1986, the Acadian Peninsula Naturalist Club is a not-for-profit group with members from the Miscou Island area. Their Miscou Island Piping Plover Protection and Awareness Program will be the first and only intensive monitoring, surveying, and protection program north of the Acadian Peninsula. In collaboration with the Acadian Peninsula Ecological Centre, public awareness activities will be coordinated in the Miscou and Lamèque area to reduce the disturbance of nesting sites.     back to map