Report created by Erin Brown, Shorebird Counter and Public Educator for the Shorebird Conservation and Education Project with the Saint John Naturalists Club.
Beach Surveys
Today was spent surveying beaches west of Saint John.
Crow Harbour – Small beach that was half sand and half cobble. Observed a few Semipalmated Plovers foraging on the mud at low tide. Beach likely only used by locals – there were a few homes very close to the beach.
Seeley’s Basin Wharf – Beach comprised of some sand and some very small cobble/smooth gravel. Commercial fishing operating from the wharf. No shorebirds observed though some were heard. Would be low level disturbance due to work going on and a few houses nearby.
Seeley’s Cove – Large beach that is mostly cobble of appropriate size. Some homes nearby so likely some local usage of the beach. No shorebirds observed or heard at low tide.
New River – Main beach all sand and heavily used due to being a provincial park. There is a small beach at the trailhead with good cobble cover. No shorebirds observed.
Dipper Harbour – More than 50 Semipalmated Plovers seen foraging in the harbour at low tide. There would be little space for roosting at high tide and most of that is sand. Commercial fishing operating out of this area.
Dipper Harbour Back Cove – Small beaches with cobble that could be good roost space. Likely lightly used by locals.
Little Dipper Harbour – Semipalmated Plovers heard but not seen. The beach has areas of appropriate cobble for roosting and has marsh areas nearby of a similar composition to Saints Rest Marsh. A Greater Yellowlegs was seen in one of the ponds in this marsh.
Cranberry Head Road – Some small beaches with cobble cover. No shorebirds seen or heard. Ends at a larger beach with a marsh and stream behind it.
Tin Can Beach – Could not access the beach due to construction at the entrance.
Little River Beach – Large beach that is mostly sand with some shingle and cobble. Observed 23 Sanderlings and 10 Semipalmated Plovers foraging at the edge of the water. There is a parking area and a couple people were there with their dogs. Still, I do not believe this beach sees heavy disturbance.
Courtney Bay Mud Flats – “Peeps” observed feeding on the mud flats: 770.
This project was made possible with the support from our funders at the Environment and Climate Change Canada. We would like to thank our partners at Irving Nature Park and NatureNB.