Shorebird Counter and Educator Report for Thursday, August 27, 2026 as part of the Shorebird Conservation and Education Project, located at Irving Nature Park in Saint John, NB.
Conditions:
Start: 09:45 AM
Weather: 18°C, Foggy, Wind 10 SSW
High Tide: 12:15 PM
End: 03:00 PM
Weather: 22°C, Partly Cloudy, Wind 13 SSW
Beach Engagement & Observations:
People Engaged 27
Total People on Beach 30
Dogs Leashed 3
Dogs Unleashed 1
Monarchs 1
Other Dog owner with dogs on leash charged through 5000 Semipalmated Sandpipers, was rude to us as we tried politely to engage. Children throwing rocks at birds, once talked to kids and parent, positive outcome with interest towards the shorebird migration.
Birds Observed:
Boardwalk
Time 01:37 PM
eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S387464628
# Species Observed 21
Notes / Comments:
We did the boardwalk as the tide was falling, birds were moving towards mudflats. Fog was beginning to clear off.
East Beach
Notes / Comments:
East beach not done as time required was not met.
Main Beach
Time 12:15 PM
eBird Checklist Link https://ebird.org/checklist/S387463466
# Species Observed 7
Notes / Comments:
The fog was out by Magawagonish Island, sitting just off the beach. We saw a seal in close to shore and an immature Bald Eagle flying low over the beach.
Marsh
Time 11:07 AM
eBird Checklist Link https://ebird.org/checklist/S387462936
# Species Observed 12
Notes / Comments:
There wasn’t much seen on the marsh, but I did have a large group with me from The Maritime Forestry School of Technology. Likely to much movement for birds to stick around, plus thick fog.
Mudflats
Time 03:12 PM
eBird Checklist Link https://ebird.org/checklist/S387465330
# Species Observed 12
Notes / Comments (Mudflats):
Due to slow start with the students, teaching basic bird id of shorebirds likely to be seen our start on the mudflats wasn’t productive as my focus was split, but it was a very positive day with the students. I decided to go back and do a good quality count of the mudflats, which worked out well as there was over 6000 peeps on the mudflats.
Overall Report Comments or Notes:
The Maritime Forest School of Technology 2nd half of class joined me today. We had a good session where I taught how to count bird species, did some teaching of identifying sandpiper and plover species likely to be seen. We had Todd Watts meet up with us at the board walk and Todd shared about the Hawk Watch.
Very productive day for teaching, both with students and some children on the beach. Though there were a few negative issues today, overall we are witnessing a change in peoples approach towards the birds, and the importance of giving them space at high tide.
Submitted by Counter/Educator: Paul Martin
The Shorebird Conservation and Education Project is supported by our funders at the NB Wildlife Trust Fund, the NB Environmental Trust Fund.