Saints Rest Beach Report for Sunday, September 14, 2025
The volunteer group for the day consisted of Shantel McCracken, Signe Winters, Sarah Hirtle, Brian Comeau, and Vicky Cowan. Hank Scarth was the lead volunteer.
Photos: Brian Comeau
Forty people visited the beach and volunteers spoke with thirty-eight of them. Most conversations were positive, with visitors showing interest in learning about the birds. One individual was dismissive when approached. There was also a situation where a dog owner with their pet on-leash pointed out another owner who let their dog off-leash and actively encouraged it to run through the birds. When volunteers spoke with this person, they responded rudely.
Volunteers observed twelve dogs on the beach, with only three being off-leash.
Bird numbers were significantly lower, which strongly suggests that most have left on their southward migration. Observations included twelve Semipalmated Sandpipers, fifty-nine Least Sandpipers and forty-four unidentified “peeps.” Despite the reduced numbers, both a Peregrine Falcon and a Merlin made attacks along the shore. Good views of an Osprey and a Bald Eagle added to the volunteers’ experience.
Shift time: 16:30-19:00. Temperature 19C. Winds SW 25 kph. Mainly sunny.
Hank Scarth, Lead Volunteer