Orwell Bay (PE014)

Southeastern shore, Prince Edward Island

Site Description

Orwell Bay is located on the southern shore of Prince Edward Island near the town of Belfast. It is part of the much larger Hillsborough Bay to the west, which opens to the Northumberland Strait. The site is centred in the upper reaches of Orwell Bay where the Vernon and Orwell rivers flow into the ocean. The shallow rivers and three metre tides produce mud and sand tidal flats. The surrounding countryside, situated on Permian sandstone, is composed of grassy fields, cultivated croplands, and farm buildings. Although the climate is maritime, the area is not especially notable for fog or wind.

Birds

Orwell Bay is most notable for the number of Canada Geese that feed and stage in the area during both spring and fall migration. About 2,500 Canada Geese of the Labrador and Newfoundland population are seen here regularly (about 2% of the estimated population). Other waterfowl also use this area during spring and fall migration with up to 2,000 being present (mostly American Black Ducks).

Conservation Issues

Orwell Bay is not under any obvious threats, although pesticide use in the fields surrounding the bay may contaminate the waters of the bay. In the Orwell Cove section of this site a provincial conservation area was been established in the 1970s. There are also two nearby provincial parks, but their primary purpose is not wetland conservation.

IBA Criteria Habitats Land Uses Potential or Ongoing Threats Conservation Status