Shorebird Counter and Educator Report for Tuesday, September 15, 2026 as part of the Shorebird Conservation and Education Project, located at Irving Nature Park in Saint John, NB.
Conditions:
Start: 01:30 PM
Weather: 16°C, Clear / Sunny, Wind 7 SW
High Tide: 03:31 PM
End: 06:30 PM
Weather: 16°C, Mostly Clear, Wind 6 SW
Beach Engagement & Observations:
People Engaged 5
Total People on Beach 15
Dogs Leashed 2
Dogs Unleashed 0
Anglers 3
Other Bus load of seniors, west end of beach 60, but didn’t stay long
Birds Observed:
Boardwalk
Time 05:23 PM
eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S393266808
# Species Observed 15
Gadwall: 2
Mallard: 6
American Black Duck: 23
Hudsonian Godwit: 1
Lesser Yellowlegs: 2
Greater Yellowlegs: 12
Pectoral Sandpiper: 15
Semipalmated Sandpiper: 985
peep sp.: 490
Ring-billed Gull: 85
American Herring Gull: 51
Great Black-backed Gull: 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull: 1
Double-crested Cormorant: 2
Great Blue Heron: 14
American Crow: 3
Notes / Comments:
I finished the day here, large number of peeps moved through, more than was on the beach. There was approximately 300 feeding along the river before moving to tidal flats. A large number came from over the flags, this has been a constant for over a month, I believe they are utilizing other beaches towards Saint John.
Photo Description peeps flying over board walk while counting
Main Beach
Time 04:24 PM
eBird Checklist Link https://ebird.org/checklist/S393265813
# Species Observed 5
White-rumped Sandpiper: 1
Least Sandpiper: 214
Semipalmated Sandpiper: 476
American Herring Gull: 3
Double-crested Cormorant: 2
American Crow: 5
Notes / Comments:
Many of the peeps were in center area bunched in groups of 50, a good number were behind 1st crest of cobble and in seaweed (not just the Leasts but the SESA’s also.)
Photo Description Peeps on cobble center beach, there is a photo of White rumped Sandpiper
Marsh
Time 02:50 PM
eBird Checklist Link https://ebird.org/checklist/S393265171
# Species Observed 20
Canada Goose: 7
Mallard: 2
American Black Duck: 15
Green-winged Teal: 2
Black-bellied Plover: 1
Semipalmated Plover: 2
Hudsonian Godwit: 1
Spotted Sandpiper: 1
Least Sandpiper: 5
Pectoral Sandpiper: 4
Ring-billed Gull: 15
American Herring Gull: 7
Double-crested Cormorant: 3
Great Egret: 1
Great Blue Heron: 5
Turkey Vulture: 2
Northern Harrier: 1
Merlin: 1
American Crow: 2
Savannah Sparrow: 3
Notes / Comments:
Spent a considerable bit of time trying to ID Godwit.
Mudflats
Time 01:45 PM
eBird Checklist Link https://ebird.org/checklist/S393264315
# Species Observed 13
American Black Duck: 3
Green-winged Teal: 2
Common Eider: 15
Lesser Yellowlegs: 2
Greater Yellowlegs: 8
Ring-billed Gull: 58
American Herring Gull: 17
Double-crested Cormorant: 33
Great Egret: 3
Great Blue Heron: 12
Turkey Vulture: 2
Northern Harrier: 1
Peregrine Falcon: 1
Notes / Comments (Mudflats):
Started out on mudflats (tidal flats) but with a high tide today, I still missed the main feeding on incoming tide.
Photo Description Common Eider out at tidal flats incoming tide
Overall Report Comments or Notes:
There is still a considerable number of peeps at tidal flats but not as many on main beach. Noted a good quantity of Greater Yellowlegs today.
Anglers are staying off main cobble, cooperation seems to be working well.
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.