Inkerman Migratory Bird Sanctuary

The Inkerman Migratory Bird Sanctuary is situated in Inkerman Parish, Gloucester County, approximately 2 kilometers northeast of the village of Inkerman, New Brunswick.

Importance of the sanctuary: migratory birds and other wildlife

The Inkerman Migratory Bird Sanctuary preserves habitat used by many great blue herons and other colonial birds. This isolated, wooded peninsula protects a breeding population of over 50 pairs of great blue herons, which is over 1% of the provincial population, as well as other colonial nesting species that require a very specific habitat. These delicate species are extremely sensitive to human disturbance and require an undisturbed habitat in which to raise their young. This habitat usually consists of offshore islands or isolated peninsulas, such as those found in this sanctuary.

Great Blue Heron
Great blue heron

Landscape

The habitat in the Inkerman Migratory Bird Sanctuary is mostly wooded swamp dominated by red spruce, red maple and white birch as well as smaller numbers of trembling aspen, balsam fir and white spruce. At one time, this site also supported the largest colony of black-crowned night-heron in the Atlantic region; however, these birds have since relocated 18 kilometres to the north.

Map of the area

Map of Inkerman Migratory Bird Sanctuary
  • Long description

    Map showing the location of the Inkerman Migratory Bird Sanctuary (MBS) in New Brunswick east of Inkerman and south of Inkerman Ferry and Highways 113 and 345. The map shows the locations of the boundaries of the refuge, which contains a terrestrial portion along the shoreline of Pokemouche Bay. The refuge is located between Inkerman Lake, Grande Anse and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The scale of the map is in kilometers. Permanent waters, intertidal zones and roads are indicated on the map. An insert on the map shows the location of the shelter in Canada.

Did you know?

Standing at an average 1-meter in height, great blue herons may look like large, bulky birds, however their average weight is still only between 4 and 5 pounds.

Access to the sanctuary

Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, such as Inkerman, are established across the country to protect migratory birds during critical periods of their life cycle. Whether these areas are used for feeding, resting or nesting, they play an important role in the survival of many species. Access to each migratory bird sanctuary varies by site and is at the discretion of the landowner and land manager. Please ensure that you are aware of how you can help protect this sanctuary and please read the restrictions, including those on firearms and hunting, which are in place to conserve the wildlife that call it home. Dogs and cats must not be allowed to run at large inside Migratory Bird Sanctuaries.

Bird nests in trees
Great blue heron and black-crowned night-heron nests at Inkerman MBS. Photo: C. MacKinnon,


If you would like further information on what is permitted in Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, please visit the Management and Activities section of the website. For more information on Inkerman Migratory Bird Sanctuary in particular, please contact our regional office.

Key facts about Inkerman Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Protected Area designation Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Province or territory New Brunswick
Latitude/longitude 47°40' N, 64°50' W
Size 15.10 hectares
Date created (Gazetted) 1998
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) management category N/A
Additional designations Part of Pointe aux Rats Musqués Heronry Important Bird Area
Main habitat type Wooded swamp dominated by red spruce, red maple, white birch and lesser amounts of trembling aspen, balsam fir and white spruce. An isolated wooded peninsula with changing actual nesting area over time.
Key bird species Great blue heron and black-crowned night-heron
Listed species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) None
Management agency Canadian Wildlife Service, Atlantic Region
Landowners Private

Related links

Inkerman Migratory Bird Sanctuary on Google Maps (Please note that the Google map is a complementary source of information that can help locate the migratory bird sanctuary and does not represent the official map or site name)

Contact information

Environment and Climate Change Canada - Atlantic Region
Canadian Wildlife Service
Protected Areas Program
17 Waterfowl Lane
Sackville NB E4L 1G6

Toll Free: 1-800-668-6767 (in Canada only)
Email: ec.enviroinfo.ec@canada.ca

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