Report created by Paul Martin, Shorebird Counter and Educator for the Shorebird Conservation and Education Project with the Saint John Naturalists Club.
Location: Irving Nature Park
Start time: 7:00 am
High tide: 9:05 am (6.4 m)
Finish time: 12:15 pm
Weather:
Start: 8°C, Fog, Wind 2 km/h North
Finish: 20°C, Sunny with Fog, Wind 19 km/h South
Boardwalk (7:12 am) – 14 species: View eBird Report
Gadwall, Mallard, American Black Duck, Greater Yellowlegs, Ring-billed Gull, American Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Peregrine Falcon, American Crow, Common Raven
Marsh (7:45 am) – 13 species: View eBird Report
Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Whimbrel, Least Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Great Blue Heron, Ring-billed Gull, American Herring Gull, Northern Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Savannah Sparrow
Main Beach (8:54 am) – 6 species: View eBird Report
Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, American Herring Gull, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin
Mudflats (10:43 am) – 12 species: View eBird Report
Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover, Red Knot, Black-bellied Plover, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Ring-billed Gull, American Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron
Disturbances to Birds:
- Both the Merlin and two Peregrine Falcons were constantly flushing peeps on the Beach. At least three Peregrine kills observed.
- One fisherman present on the Beach at high tide, and two at low tide.
- On the Marsh and Mudflats, activity was hectic with Peregrines, a Northern Harrier, and a Bald Eagle all hunting, along with aggressive gull behavior.
Engagement & Activity:
- People engaged: 7
- Total people on Beach: 5
- Dogs leashed: 2
- Dogs unleashed: 1
- Kites: 0
- Fishermen: 3
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 and Birds Canada.