Mud Shrimp to Sandpipers
(Quoted from FreshAir Adventure's Interpretative Handbook)

The mud flats between Alma and Moncton may look barren and worthless, but hidden within them is a food source that accounts for one of the most fantastic migration in nature - the yearly arrival of the sandpiper. It was no coincidence that Acadian history and salt marshes are linked. In their homeland, they were familiar with Two factors contribute to this migration; the Bay lies half-way between their northern breeding grounds and their southern destination and the populations of mud shrimp peak in late July and early August just in time for the arrival of tens of thousands of sandpipers. Mud shrimp (corophium volutator) is an animal about 0.5 centimeters long and can reach populations of 63 000 per square meter in optimal conditions. An average of 10 000 per square meter is not unusual. During the winter, populations are decimated by the harsh conditions, but come mid-July, the populations have recovered in time for the arrival of the sandpipers from their far north breeding grounds. During the peak arrival times between mid-July and August, there may be as many as 10 000 birds feeding on the mud flats at one time. They stay for 10 to 14 days - during which time they increase their body mass from 20 g to 40 g.

Leaving on a northwest wind they are first carried out into the Atlantic before catching the Trade Winds that will carry them to South America. This is a journey of 4000 km. During the trip - which is non-stop - they fly at average heights of 2 kilometres (detected as high as 6.65 kilometres) at 60 km/h. This migration takes 40 to 60 hours. This amazing migration is totally dependent on the food source of the Bay of Fundy's mud flats. No-where else in North America is the mud shrimp found and the loss of this food source would be disastrous to the millions of birds that use the Bay as a stopover. In mid-Judy, bird watchers can visit Mary's Point, and the bird sanctuary there, to view the sandpipers. When on the wing, their white under sides flash in unison as the birds swoop and dive in flight. How individual birds know which way the flock is turning is a mystery. The best time to view this phenomenon is on the rising tide when the birds are forced to take flight and perform their intricate ballet. If you want to learn more about the sandpipers and their links to the mud shrimp of the Bay read the following excellent article: Keystone Corophium.