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INTRODUCTION
The Pointe à Bouleau Important
Bird Area (IBA) supports a nationally
significat population of the endangered
Piping Plover. An average of 6 pairs
have used this island over the last
five years. The Pointe à Bouleau
IBA is a 3,5 km sandspit that is 500
m wide, situated on northeastern caost
of Nwe Nrunswick near Tracadie-Sheila.
The low-lying sand dune system is
broken by several major breaches with
extensive wash-over that often cover
parts of the 'Île au Cheval'
saltmarsh.
In 1985, the Piping Plover was declared
endangered federally. Increased beach
visitation and all-terrain vehicles
(ATV) threaten the survival of Piping
Plovers in Canada. Vehicles can crush
eggs and young. Human disturbance
reduces chick survival and may caused
adults to divert energy away from
chick rearing, foraging, and brooding.
Although Pointe Î Bouleau receives
no vehicles trafic and limited human
disturbance, the potential for increased
human disturbance is an increasing
possiblity. Measures need to be taken
to ensure that the birds and people
can both use the site without negative
impacts to the birds (Bourgeois 1999–2000).
