Shorebird Counter and Educator Report for Friday, September 11, 2026 as part of the Shorebird Conservation and Education Project, located at Irving Nature Park in Saint John, NB.
Conditions:
Start: 10:45 AM
Weather: 15°C, Partly Cloudy, Wind 20 NW
High Tide: 12:45 PM
End: 03:45 PM
Weather: 24°C, Partly Cloudy, Wind 5 SE
Beach Engagement & Observations:
People Engaged 5
Total People on Beach 13
Dogs Leashed 1
Anglers 1
Monarchs 3
Other Peregrine, Merlin, and Northern Harrier were aggressive to peeps
Birds Observed:
Boardwalk
Notes / Comments:
Boardwalk was not surveyed today
East Beach
Notes / Comments:
East Beach was not surveyed today
Main Beach
Time 12:45 PM
eBird Checklist Link https://ebird.org/checklist/S391916227
# Species Observed 8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 Semipalmated Plover 5 Least Sandpiper 185 Semipalmated Sandpiper 876 peep sp. 45 Ring-billed Gull 25 American Herring Gull 3 Double-crested Cormorant 1 Merlin 1
Notes / Comments:
The Merlin was aggressive on the beach today, but there was a significant number of peeps close to the water in the cobble.
Marsh
Time 11:08 AM
eBird Checklist Link https://ebird.org/checklist/S391915358
# Species Observed 26
Canada Goose 25 Mallard 5 American Black Duck 17 Northern Pintail 2 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 Semipalmated Plover 15 Lesser Yellowlegs 2 Greater Yellowlegs 1 Sanderling 1 Dunlin 15 Least Sandpiper 14 Semipalmated Sandpiper 31 peep sp. 33 shorebird sp. 4 Ring-billed Gull 54 American Herring Gull 56 Double-crested Cormorant 12 Great Egret 3 Great Blue Heron 9 Turkey Vulture 5 Northern Harrier 2 Merlin 1 Peregrine Falcon 2 American Crow 5 Common Raven 1 American Pipit 2 Savannah Sparrow 5 Song Sparrow 1
Notes / Comments:
The Tide was 7.95 today, therefore the marsh was worth spending more time in to see what species would come out to the sandy area as a large part of the grass section was flooded. The Peregrines and Northern Harriers were aggressive in the marsh today.
Mudflats
Time 02:08 PM
eBird Checklist Link https://ebird.org/checklist/S391917980
# Species Observed 19
Common Eider 11 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 Semipalmated Plover 30 Hudsonian Whimbrel 1 Sanderling 1 Dunlin 1 Least Sandpiper 9 Semipalmated Sandpiper 224 peep sp. 1235 Ring-billed Gull 312 American Herring Gull 120 Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 gull sp. 220 Double-crested Cormorant 28 Great Blue Heron 6 Turkey Vulture 2 Northern Harrier 2 Bald Eagle 1 Merlin 1 Peregrine Falcon 3 American Crow 6
Notes / Comments (Mudflats):
The Peregrines were extremely aggressive on the tidal flats, there was 3 separate Peregrines , at one point we witnessed all 3 birds together. I’m guessing 2 adults and a juvenile.
Photo Description Semipalmated Sandpipers, Dunlin along shoreline, Hudsonian Whimbrel on tidal flats at a distance, Peregrine Falcons high up over tidal flats
Overall Report Comments or Notes:
There was a single fisherman on the beach today, but was not close to where the birds were active, I did witness a couple of people walking through the area of birds and engaged them of the importance of giving the birds space, they took my advice and gave the birds space.
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.