[NatureNS] shorebirds at Evangeline Beach Aug. 6, 2006

Date: Mon, 07 Aug 2006 10:37:23 -0300
From: Jim Wolford <jimwolford@eastlink.ca>
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Aug. 6, 2006 - On this beautiful Sunny day, Pat and I walked EVANGELINE
BEACH at North Grand Pre, starting at the canteen shorebird signage and
viewing platform and walking east to the end of the trees and where the
salt-marsh starts.  We started at about noon,1.25 hours after the very
mediocre high tide.

Most of the shorebird activity, which was lots and just of peeps (small
sandpipers and plovers), was toward the east end of the beach, from the
Merksą home to the start of the salt-marsh.  We quickly noted two
concentrations of peeps just getting active at the ebbing shoreline.  Later
the peeps spread out to occupy most of the length of the beach in smaller
groups.

At one point, unfortunately just for a minute or so, most of the peeps were
in the air in several sizable flocks and doing marvelous aerobatic twists
and turns, with the Sun showing off the contrasts between the white bellies
and dark backs and unbelievably synchronized turnings like schools of fish.

We were still oohing and aahing when a PEREGRINE FALCON provided a nice
fly-by.  I wasnąt able to tell whether the peregrine was an adult or
immature.  It didnąt seem to be hunting, but its fly-over was perhaps
responsible for so many peeps being in the air at once.

I canąt give a firm number for the peeps, but Pat and I agreed there were at
least 10,000 in all, and there could easily have been 50% or even 100% more
than that.  What makes the numbers difficult to guess is the movements of
the flocks, with many flying off to the west and then the same birds or
others seen flying in the opposite direction.

When we got back to the viewing platform, with binoculars we could see
foraging groups of peeps, mainly a bit east of the canteen area.  I think it
would be a very good idea for the Dept. of Nat. Resources and Can. Wildlife
Service to provice a viewing telescope there if possible.

Cheers from Jim in Wolfville, 542-9204
---------------------
Jim (James W.) Wolford
91 Wickwire Avenue 
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
B4P 1W3
phone (902)542-9204 (home)
fax (902)585-1059 (Acadia Univ. Biology Dept.)
e-mail <jimwolford@eastlink.ca>
----------------------
łIn every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.˛  -- John
Muir
----------------------
  

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