Birds

American bittern

The American bittern is a wading bird in the heron family that lives and breeds in Nova Scotia’s freshwater marshes. The bird spends its winters in the southern United States, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Barred owl

The barred owl is Kejimkujik's most common owl and can frequently be heard calling in and around the Jeremy's Bay Campground. These owls nest in many woodland habitats throughout Kejimkujik.

Common loon

The common loon can be heard calling at night on many of Kejimkujik’s lakes. The nesting success of loons has been monitored for many years by the Canadian Wildlife Service and staff.

Volunteer opportunity

Volunteer with LoonWatch and count Common Loons on lakes in Southwest Nova Scotia.

Warblers

Approximately 20 species of warblers live in Kejimkujik's forests and raise their young there. Warblers help the forests by feeding on vast numbers of insects, from mosquitoes to wasps. This generally occurs during the summer months, when the birds are most numerous.

Woodpeckers

Six species of woodpecker have been known to frequent Kejimkujik. The pileated woodpecker is one of Kejimkujik’s most striking birds. Kejimkujik's mature hardwood forests and abundance of large trees is a good area for them. These habitats provide ample nesting sites and food sources for this uncommon woodpecker.

Southerly species

The southern species are generally found in Kejimkujik’s hardwood forests. These species include the scarlet tanager, great crested flycatcher, and the wood thrush. All are rare birds in Nova Scotia.

Northerly species

Kejimkujik is home to several boreal bird species. Within the dense softwood forests of Kejimkujik, inquisitive species such as the boreal chickadee, red-breasted nuthatch, spruce grouse, and gray jay may be found.

Piping plover

The piping plover is a small, lightly coloured shorebird with a single dark neckband. It nests right on the sand and cobbles of the beach. It lays four eggs that blend in perfectly with the sand and seashells.

"Species at Risk"

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has declared the piping plover "endangered." It is therefore considered a "Species at Risk." Staff and volunteers perform nesting surveys and restore the plover’s habitat.

Volunteer opportunity

Volunteer to survey and participate in research about the endangered piping plover at Kejimkujik National Park Seaside.