Shorebird Counter and Educator Report for Tuesday, August 18, 2026 as part of the Shorebird Conservation and Education Project:
Conditions:
Start: 02:00 PM
Weather: 22°C, Partly Cloudy, Wind 6 E
High Tide: 04:55 PM
Weather: 19°C, Overcast, Wind 5 N
Beach Engagement & Observations:
People Engaged 23
Total People on Beach 20
Dogs Leashed 3
Dogs Unleashed 1
Anglers 1
Other Very High Humidity,
Birds Observed:
Boardwalk
Time 05:59 PM
eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S384790973
# Species Observed 15
Notes / Comments:
It started off with small numbers of Least Sandpipers coming in from the marsh and near the end there were large numbers of 100’s in Semipalmated Sandpipers coming in from over the by the beach, but they weren’t on the beach, I think they may be either on Magawagonish Island or further up the bay toward SJ. Due to the tide getting later, I’m doing the count backwards, starting at the Mudflats and ending at the boardwalk.
East Beach
Notes / Comments:
East Beach wasn’t walked, I did scope it from center main beach a couple of times looking for flying peeps but did not see any.
Main Beach
Time 03:39 PM
eBird Checklist Link https://ebird.org/checklist/S384788448
# Species Observed 6
Notes / Comments:
The beach was quite quiet, there were a small number of Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers hugging the seaweed. There was a Peregrine Falcon flying low over the beach, didn’t see any evidence of peeps flying.
Marsh
Time 04:14 PM
eBird Checklist Link https://ebird.org/checklist/S384789701
# Species Observed 11
Notes / Comments:
Least Sandpipers were the most abundant sitting in the grasses, along the rivers edge and getting kicked up by 2 Peregrine falcons
Mudflats
Time 02:08 PM
eBird Checklist Link https://ebird.org/checklist/S384787480
# Species Observed 13
Notes / Comments (Mudflats):
3000 plus Peeps over the beach with a smaller number of Black Bellied Plovers. I didn’t stay long at the mudflats, a huge number of the peeps went high and over the top of Taylor Island, another large flock flew in towards the marsh. I was expecting to see the main column of Sesa on the beach but they weren’t there. Puzzling.
Overall Report Comments or Notes:
I would like to add another view point which might be workable for volunteers on weekends or for weekdays when mudflats are not as accessible. Parking in the 2nd parking lot with car facing the mudflats and rear of the car facing the beach. I have noticed that the peeps fly directly over this location as well as you can get good vantage points of the birds moving through the marsh while sitting in your vehicle.
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.