South Shore (Roseway to Baccaro) (NS017)
Shelburne, Nova Scotia
Site Description
This site is located along the southeastern coast of southern Nova Scotia, facing the Atlantic Ocean. This stretch of shoreline that is at least 20 km long follows the shoreline from Baccaro, on the west, to Roseway on the east. It includes four Piping Plover beaches, Baccaro (Crow Neck), Red Head Beach, Roseway Beach-Round Bay, and Fox Bar, which largely back onto tidal basins, and which are dry at low tide. There are also several large and deep inlets, which are separated by rocky shores with reefs, including several long peninsulas. The climate at this site is maritime: often foggy, with little lasting snow and ice cover during the winter months. The tidal range at this site is in the 3 to 4 m range.
Birds
The South Shore - Roseway to Baccaro section supports high concentrations of nesting Piping Plovers (globally near threatened, nationally endangered). In 1996-97, 14 plovers were recorded, and prior to that in 1991, 18 birds recorded. Thus on average about 4% of the Canadian Atlantic Piping Plover population nests here.
In addition to Piping Plovers, this site is highly significant for migrating waterfowl. Thousands of birds, including scoters, eiders and American Black Ducks, pass through this site during spring and fall migration and many of these birds winter at this site as well.
Conservation Issues
Piping Plover breeding areas have been monitored at this site on occasion, most commonly during the years of the International Piping Plover Census (e.g. 1991, 1996 [every five years] ). Occasional surveys of other birds have been completed at this site as well. The accessible beaches at this site attract large crowds of people for recreation. Unfortunately, such activity can damage plover nests and prevent new pairs from establishing territories.
IBA Criteria Habitats Land Uses Potential or Ongoing Threats Conservation Status
