Escuminac Beaches (NB042)
Escuminac, New Brunswick
Site Description
The Escuminac beaches are located on the eastern coast of New Brunswick, between Miramichi Bay and Kouchibouguac National Park. This 11-kilometre stretch of coastline consists of sandy beaches and a few coastal lagoons backed by low-lying areas.
Birds
The Escuminac beaches support a nationally significant portion of Atlantic Canadas breeding Piping Plover (globally threatened, nationally endangered) population. Throughout the 1990s through to 2000, two to four Piping Plover pairs were observed breeding on these beaches, with additional singles sometimes present. The five-bird average represent about 1% of the Canadian Atlantic coast Piping Plover population. The peak count was in 1994 when 4 pairs were recorded. During the latest survey in 2000, 2 pairs nested with one sccessfully fledging young.
Conservation Issues
As with many other Piping Plover beaches in the Maritimes, one of the most significant conservation issues is recreational beach use. Recreational use by ATVs on the Escuminac beaches is heavy, and is possibly the worst in southeastern New Brunswick.
Surveys of nesting Piping Plovers in recent years have been carried out with support from the Irving Eco-Centre, the Canadian Wildlife Service and the New Brunswick Environmental/Wildlife Trust Fund.
IBA Criteria Habitats Land Uses Potential or Ongoing Threats Conservation Status
