Shorebird Conservation and Education Project Report for Saturday, August 22 2026, located at Irving Nature Park in Saint John, NB.
Today’s monitoring took place over two separate shifts. The morning shift ran from 7:00-9:30 AM, followed by an evening shift from 6:45-8:15 PM. We’ll cover the morning shift first, followed by the evening shift. Bird counts were conducted during the evening shift only.
Morning Shift (7:00 AM – 9:30 AM)
Leader: Tawnee Dwyer
Beach Educators: Patricia Rogers, Jenna Cowie, Marianne Dickson, Shantel McCracken, Graham Kilpatrick
Beach Engagement & Observations:
People Engaged 24
Dogs Leashed 4
Dogs Off-Leash 1
Other Observations Successful Merlin attack. Birds were quite restless due to predator presence
Evening Shift (6:45 PM – 8:15 PM)
Leader: Tawnee Dwyer
Counter: Hank Scarth
Beach Educators: Brian Comeau, Cynthia Gallagher, Bernice Bordage
Beach Engagement & Observations:
People Engaged 8
Dogs Leashed 1
Dogs Off-Leash 2 (stayed to side, left soon after shift start)
Other Family of 3 playing on beach, spooked birds, generally uninterested in SCEP goals when approached.
3 of 8 people engaged were angler fishing.
Birds Observed (Main Beach):
Semipalmated Plover 28
Least Sandpiper 380
Semipalmated Sandpiper 3700
American Herring Gull 12
Double-crested Cormorant 9
Conditions:
A daylight-restricted count; overcast with some drizzle and light rain; light breeze.
Disturbances:
Two unsuccessful attempts by a Herring Gull (“Herman”).
Observations:
Just before dusk, two large flocks were seen heading toward Manawagonish Island.
The Shorebird Conservation and Education Project is supported by our funders at the NB Wildlife Trust Fund, the NB Environmental Trust Fund.