For the Birds

In this hustle and bustle world, it's always wonderful to step off the fast track and step into nature. We're surrounded by the finest kind of it here in the Municipality of Chester. With such a tremendous diversity of landscape - seaside shores, hilltops, thick forests - you name it. With that gloriously diverse nature comes an equally diverse group of natural residents: some that flock to this corner of the world at certain times of the year and those that make a nest here in every season.

So if you've come to the Municipality of Chester as a Birder - we welcome you with open wing and a lovely list of what's in store.

Be sure to go to Graves Island Provincial Park as it's a superb spot for spotting coastal species like Bufflehead and species of Loon, Golden Eye and Merganser (especially in early Spring), Eider, Long Tailed Duck, and the usual Black Duck and Mallard, to name just a few.

The majestic and Great Blue Heron are very common here as well, claiming spring through fall as their favourite seasons.

If you are a birder from your car, any of our Coastal roads are also perfect for spotting the coastal species listed above. Be sure to keep a pair of binoculars and a bird book in the car and take a spin along the Aspotogan Peninsula, Borgels Point Road, Martins River roads, and through Western Shore. You're sure to see plenty, plus there are lots of safe pull-off locations to ensure you're clear of traffic.

If you prefer to do your birding by foot - then best hit the trails. Many eagles have been spotted soaring over Gold River, so the bridge makes the perfect place to take in all the action.

If you are looking for owls then head to Card Lake Provincial Park where you're sure to find plenty - mostly Barred Owls who love the mature forest of softwood trees to support their nesting. A note of caution: while you can find owls there year-round, please don't try to call them during mating season (February - June).

The trail at Card Lake is a great spot to see the Spring Warbler, especially along the edges of the lake and high in the forest crown. While you're there you'll also find a great spot for a picnic and a sweet beach for a quick swim or canoe ride around the lake.

When it comes to the wealth of Warblers here in the Municipality of Chester, any of our areas that are characterized by “edges” or “fringes” between field and forest are typically rich with them. Sweet spots to see them include Windsor Road and New Ross areas where active and retired farmland provide these terrific habitats.

At last count, the province of Nova Scotia was home to more than 475 different species of birds. The good folks at the Nova Scotia Bird Society have created a great checklist which you can find under attachments on this page.