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NB Naturalist Feature: The 2023 Christmas Bird Count in New Brunswick 

NB Naturalist /

About 1000 people participated in 48 Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs) all over New Brunswick in December 2023 and early 2024. 

We spent 1750 hours (equivalent to more than two-hundred 8-hour days) covering 1100 km on foot  and 13,000 km by car in search of wintertime birds. Count Day temperatures averaged -2ºC at the  start and +1 ºC at the end so most count areas had at least some open water.  

By the end of it, we had found 126,000 birds from 139 species plus another two species during each of Count Week and Count Period for a total of 141 species. This is the lowest number of individuals since 2015, but only one less than last year’s recent high of 140 species.

A Summer with Aerial Insectivores

NB Fieldnotes /

This summer, as I was taking a break from this blog and keeping up with the busy season, I had the chance to meet some very interesting insect-eaters. Thanks to Birds Canada’s survey programs, I was able to contribute meaningfully to the conservation efforts for those species, even though the survey I did myself ended up with a total of zero sightings. Read on to learn more about my adventures (sorted by survey) and what you can do to help!

Coastal Synergy: Blending Living Shorelines with Bank Swallow Habitat

News /

In the fall of 2023, Nature NB embarked on the journey of installing a living shoreline in the Chaleur Region to combat coastal erosion, in collaboration with Birds Canada, Helping Nature Heal, Chaleur Bay Watershed, and Regen Media. However, there was a catch: Bank Swallows in the area relied on the eroding cliff face for nesting. Our Program Manager, Lauren Stead, takes us through a day of hard work on a pilot project that integrates Bank Swallow habitat preservation with living shoreline restoration techniques.

5 Questions with Justin Dutcher

Columns /

APRIL 14, 2022 — Nature NB and Aitkens Pewter collaborated to bring you a Nature NB 50th anniversary ornament! The limited ornament features a Black-capped Chickadee which has featured in Nature NB’s logo since 1989 and is a widely recognized bird across the province. The design for the ornament was based off of a photograph …

5 Questions with Justin Dutcher Read More »

NB Naturalist Feature: Nature NB and the Chickadee

NB Naturalist /

25 MARCH 2022 — In 1983, the New Brunswick legislature officially adopted the Black-capped Chickadee as the provincial bird. What was the catalyst for this decision? A contest conducted by the New Brunswick Federation of Naturalists (NBFN). The NBFN asked New Brunswickers to participate in the decision process by sending in their votes. Ballots were …

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Birds Canada and partners launch major new fund to help conserve the Chimney Swift

News /

FEBRUARY 14, 2022 (Port Rowan, Ontario) — The Canadian population of Chimney Swifts has declined by nearly 90% since 1970. Birds Canada is delighted to announce the launch of the Chimney Swift Chimney Restoration Fund, a major new initiative to help conserve important habitat for the Chimney Swift, which is listed as Threatened under Canada’s …

Birds Canada and partners launch major new fund to help conserve the Chimney Swift Read More »

Christmas Bird Count 2021

News /

DECEMBER 3, 2021 — It’s December, and avid birders across the world know what that means : The Christmas Bird Count is almost here! Once again birders in New Brunswick will be bundling up and heading out to count birds. Within each Count Circle (area measuring 24 km in diameter that stays the same each …

Christmas Bird Count 2021 Read More »

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