Shorebird Counter and Educator Report for Wednesday, August 26, 2026 as part of the Shorebird Conservation and Education Project, located at Irving Nature Park in Saint John, NB.
Conditions:
Start: 09:20 AM
Weather: 16°C, Foggy, Wind 10 NW
High Tide: 11:22 AM
End: 02:30 PM
Weather: 22°C, Partly Cloudy, Wind 17 S
Beach Engagement & Observations:
People Engaged 12
Total People on Beach 9
Dogs Leashed 2
Dogs Unleashed 1
Anglers 4
Monarchs 1
Birds Observed:
Boardwalk
Time 09:25 AM
eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S387190073
# Species Observed 17
Notes / Comments:
Really thick Fog, Merlin hunting peeps
East Beach
Notes / Comments:
East Beach not checked, Heavy Fog
Main Beach
Time 11:18 AM
eBird Checklist Link https://ebird.org/checklist/S387195968
# Species Observed 10
Notes / Comments:
Met up with Jim Wilson, we talked about the possibility of seeing a Ringed Plover. 4 Fisherman on beach, agreed to take cut bait out with them and were stationed in one spot, commented that at times sandpipers would sit close by but they (fisherman) made an effort to not disturb the birds. One dog off leash, put back on leash once they realized about the birds, commented they would avoid the area during bird activity.
Photo Description: Flock Roosting on beach, blending in
© Paul Martin
Marsh
Time 10:15 AM
eBird Checklist Link https://ebird.org/checklist/S387191256
# Species Observed 21
Notes / Comments:
Fog was thick, couldn’t see over near dead standing trees.
2 Northern Harrier harassing peeps.
Photo Description: Least Sandpipers resting in Marsh
© Paul Martin
Mudflats
Time 01:31 PM
eBird Checklist Link https://ebird.org/checklist/S387197030
# Species Observed 18
Notes / Comments (Mudflats):
Peregrine , Bald Eagle and Northern Harrier present, NH was flying low over peeps, Peregrine hunting out over far mudflats, Bald Eagle flying overhead.
Large number of birds spread out, had a couple of birds that may be Red Knots, working on ID.
Photo Description Mystery Bird: Was smaller than Black Bellied Plovers
© Paul Martin
Overall Report Comments or Notes:
The fog was really heavy today, there were not a lot of people on the beach, though the fishermen are starting to show up.
The amount of Semipalmated Sandpipers is beginning to increase with close to 4000 on mudflats and beach.
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.