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For the Birds
Queens County Heritage
69 Front Street
Gagetown, New Brunswick
E5M 1A4
Telephone: (506) 488-2483
E-mail: info@queenscountyheritage.com
Lakes, Rivers and Wetlands
Numerous lakes and rivers and wetlands dominate the geography of Queens County. Some of the largest include Grand Lake, Washademoak Lake, the St. John River, the Canaan River, the Salmon River and Grand Lake Meadows.
These water-based resources contribute approximately 13 % of the area of the county (53,270 ha) and provide habitat for great diversity of wildlife. The wetlands associated with the St. John River, for example, are some of the most fertile in Atlantic Canada and are extensively used by a wide variety of birds both during spring migration and in the summer period.
A testament to the significance of these habitats is demonstrated by the large numbers of bird watchers that visit this area annually, especially in spring when large migrations of birds pass along our shores and wetlands.
The rivers and lakes in the St John River system have an abundance of fish and are therefore attractive to many fish eating birds such as the common loon, belted kingfisher, double-crested cormorant and common merganser. One of our most visible bird species, that is closely tied to the fishery resource, is the osprey which often nests close to these water bodies. Wetlands, too, provide habitat for a long list of bird species. Many kinds of waterfowl use the marshes during migration and for breeding and brood rearing. The most abundant of these are; American black duck, mallard, blue and green- winged teal, common wigeon, northern shoveler, wood duck and common goldeneye. Other water birds found here include pied-billed grebe, great blue heron, sora and Virginia rail. These wetlands are also home to a variety of smaller birds such as red-winged black bird, swamp sparrow, marsh wren, Nelson's sharp-tailed sparrow and common yellowthroat. Certainly the lakes, rivers and wetlands are critical resources for the bird life of Queens County.
These habitats are a bountiful and rich resource for the birds that inhabit them, for the tourism they foster, for the occasional visitor and for all of us who wish to retain this rich sector of our environment.
