Shorebird Counter and Educator Report for Monday, August 31, 2026 as part of the Shorebird Conservation and Education Project, located at Irving Nature Park in Saint John, NB.
Conditions:
Start: 12:30 PM
Weather: 17°C, Clear / Sunny, Wind 18 NW
High Tide: 02:34 PM
End: 06:00 PM
Weather: 21°C, Mostly Clear, Wind 13 NW
Beach Engagement & Observations:
People Engaged 20
Total People on Beach 25
Dogs Leashed 6
Dogs Unleashed 1
Anglers 0
Monarchs 2
Birds Observed:
Boardwalk
Time 12:32 PM
eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S388726375
# Species Observed 25
Notes / Comments:
There was a high diversity of species seen today, the numbers weren’t overly huge.
Main Beach
Time 02:44 PM
eBird Checklist Link https://ebird.org/checklist/S388729005
# Species Observed 14
Notes / Comments:
A dog chased some of the peeps and then a Peregrine showed up and pushed the birds down the beach towards Taylor Island.
I believe that most of the female SESA left 2am Saturday morning as the wind was from the NW and the number of peeps seen on both the beach and mudflats Saturday were significantly lower then on Friday.
Marsh
Time 01:38 PM
eBird Checklist Link https://ebird.org/checklist/S388728381
# Species Observed 21
Notes / Comments:
There were not many peeps on the marsh.
Mudflats
Time 04:03 PM
eBird Checklist Link https://ebird.org/checklist/S388731162
# Species Observed 16
Notes / Comments (Mudflats):
The bird everyone has been looking for since it was sighted on Sunday is the Marbled Godwit, after my count was done I went down close to the river by the berm and was able to see it lift off and fly out to the tide line, it’s a lifer for me, much bigger than the Hudsonian Godwit.
Overall Report Comments or Notes:
There were a good number of dogs on the beach today which had the birds up more, plus birds of prey which also kept birds in air more.
I’ve noticed an increase in juvenile birds today.
I had my sister and brother inlaw come along with me today which was really nice. Least Sandpipers were quite abundant.
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.