At the extreme southwest of the province, where the Bay of Fundy’s dramatic tidal range meets the open Atlantic Ocean, there are numerous coastal islands recognized as being globally significant for the conservation and recovery of a variety of bird life. The Tusket Islands fall within Kespukwitk, meaning ‘lands’ end’ and one of the seven traditional districts of Mi’kma’ki.

In this focus area the Nature Trust protects over 790 acres of island habitats, including the renowned Seal Island, the Bald Island group, Spectacle Island, Peases Island, Green Island, and the Sheep Island trio.

These islands are in a strategic location along the Atlantic Flyway migration route, where many birds can rest and replenish before their long and arduous journeys across the Bay of Fundy or Gulf of Maine. Colonial nesting seabirds of conservation concern like Leach’s Storm-Petrel, Common and Arctic Tern, Black Guillemot, and even federally endangered Roseate Tern rely on these remote islands to nest and raise their young. In the colder months, numerous other species of conservation concern like Purple Sandpiper and endangered Harlequin Duck also use the islands.

Migratory bird populations require safe habitat spanning their often vast migration routes; at the same time, many bird populations overall are shifting their locations in response to climate change. Our approach of protecting assemblages of islands, like the Tusket Island focus area, is especially critical to ensuring current and future habitat for these species.