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Affiliated with Acadia University, the Atlantic Bird Observatory is comprised of two coastal sites: Bon Portage (Outer) Island and Seal Island. Although there have been many years of historical, intermittent banding, the Observatory has been operating on a regular basis since 1995 (in both spring and fall).
Seal and Bon Portage Islands are located off the southwest coast of Nova Scotia. Bon Portage is close to the mainland, just 3 km off the southwest tip of Nova Scotia, near Cape Sable Island. Seal Island, on the other hand, is 20 km offshore, and apart from Sable Island, it is the most isolated island in Nova Scotia. Island access is via a small outboard and a fishing boat and Observatory volunteers stay at Coast Guard facilities.
The islands have locally and nationally significant habitat for birds, with the number of species recorded being roughly equal to all the rest of Atlantic Canada. In 1999, Bon Portage Island was designated as a globally Important Bird Area . Advantageously situated along the Atlantic Flyway, these island sites offer migratory birds a last chance to "fuel-up" prior to continuing south. Both islands are also well known for the unique number of vagrants that occur during the migratory seasons..
Southern Nova Scotia is characterized by a maritime climate. The islands are under the influence of the Bay of Fundy tides. The tides moderate temperatures on the islands, creating temperatures warmer than open sea in summer, and colder in winter. This results in heavy fog and high humidity. At times, the effects of major tropical depressions hit the region with strong winds and heavy rains.
The vegetative cover of Seal Island is stunted by the adverse maritime climate, soil composition, and grazing by introduced herbivores, namely, sheep and hares. Although experiencing the same climate and soil constraints as Seal, Bon Portage has not had sheep living on it since the 1970s and so its shrub and herbaceous covers are more lush.
Bon Portage is a low lying island, with two drumlins that are connected by a gravel and marsh isthmus. The vegetation on the island is characterized by open coastal areas with inland areas of coniferous forest (mainly spruce), and small areas of saline marsh and ponds. Bon Portage Island supports the largest known Leach's Storm Petrel colony in the Maritimes. During the late 1990’s a breeding population of over 50,000 pairs was estimated. Of additional ornithological interest, is the presence of a mixed-species heronry. Great Blue Herons are most common, but a maximum of 10 pairs of nesting Black_crowned Night Herons have also been recorded.
The Atlantic Bird Observatory’s migration monitoring operations run in spring and fall. For more information about the Observatory, membership and volunteer opportunities, please contact:
Phil Taylor or Trina Fitzgerald
Department of Biology
Acadia University
Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Canada B0P 1X0
Phone: 902-585-1287 (w); 902-585-1059 (fax)
or 902-585-1313 (Trina Fitzgerald)
Email: philip.taylor@acadiau.ca or ABO@acadiau.ca
Web: http://landscape.acadiau.ca/abo/index.html
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