Herring gull movements and migratons from the Bay of Fundy

A project of Grand Manan Whale and Seabird Research Station in conjunction with the partners and sponsors detailed below.

Subscribe to receive daily project updates

Click on an animal's name for maps and more information.

Introduction

Herring gulls are among the most abundant seabirds in Atlantic Canada, yet we know surprisingly little about their movements and migrations. Populations of Herring Gulls were on the rise for much of the 20th century once they were protected under the Migratory Bird Act. Yet in recent decades, population declines have been observed throughout much of the Maritimes, reasons for which are unknown.

We are studying the diets and movements of Herring Gulls in the lower Bay of Fundy. This can increase our understanding of current decreasing population trends. Moreover, seabirds are also important indicators of marine fish stocks, therefore understanding changes in bird populations can help identify problems in the marine environment.

Satellite tags were deployed on 3 Herring Gulls nesting on Kent Island. These 18 gram tags are solar powered and can track birds for 2 to 3 years if the tags stay attached. By tracking gulls we can:

1) identify critical foraging habitats in the Bay of Fundy

2) track unknown migration routes

3) investigate how much time gulls spend foraging inland vs. at sea

Stay tuned for daily updates!

Project Partners

Grand Manan Whale and Seabird Research Station

Dalhousie University

Bowdoin Scientific Station (Kent Island)

Project Sponsors

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Ocean Fund

Environmental Damages Fund (Environment Canada)

New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund

Killam Trusts (Dalhousie University)