Saints Rest Beach Report for Monday, September 1, 2025
On Labour Day evening, volunteers John Pickle, Brian Comeau, and Jenna Cowie joined lead volunteer Hank Scarth at Saints Rest Beach. Their mission was to connect with visitors and share the remarkable migration story of sandpipers roosting on the beach, while emphasizing the importance of minimizing disturbances to these birds.
Out of approximately 25 beachgoers present, conversations regarding bird conservation were held with 16 individuals. Notably, a recently settled Chinese family expressed delight at living near such vibrant nature and were amazed by scope views of the many hundreds of birds present. Similarly, a Ukrainian couple new to the area enjoyed learning about and seeing the roosting birds.
For the first time in the SCEP’s history, a fat-bike rider cycled along the beach, inadvertently disturbing all the roosting birds. Evidently, the rider was unaware of the birds’ need for undisturbed rest, highlighting a new concern for the volunteer team to address. Additionally, a jogger was receptive to the volunteers’ information and chose to return using the road instead of the beach.
Six dogs were observed during the shift, with all but one being leashed.
The evening’s bird activity was, once again, impressive. Volunteers counted 185 Least Sandpipers, 2,150 Semipalmated Sandpipers, two White-rumped Sandpipers, one Baird’s Sandpiper, and a Black-bellied Plover. In addition, approximately 165 Ring-billed Gulls were seen feeding on insects near the beach road, and a Peregrine Falcon was spotted on the marsh. View full eBird Report.
Shift time: 18:15-19:45. Clear skies. Temperature 22C. Very light SSW wind.
Hank Scarth, Lead Volunteer