World Migratory Bird Day: Spotlighting Hank Scarth's shorebird advocacy

Hank Scarth, a Project Leader for the Saint John Naturalists Club, has been at the forefront of shorebird conservation efforts. The club, in collaboration with the Irving Nature Park and Nature NB, actively engages the public on the conservation threats faced by shorebirds roosting on Saints Rest Beach, part of the Irving Nature Park in Saint John, N.B.

The initiative, which began in 2019, has rapidly gained momentum and has become a major focus for the club. Scarth, a team of 30 volunteers and an official counter/educator conduct annual outreach at Saints Rest Beach during the crucial 2.5-hour periods around high tide. They educate visitors about the importance of allowing shorebirds to rest undisturbed, as well as provide information on their life history and migration patterns.

The project aims to address the declining populations of some shorebird species, which have been steadily decreasing since the 1970s. Through education and conservation measures, the parks can continue to serve as vital stopover points for migratory birds.

“These tiny birds face significant human-related threats throughout their range, from habitat loss, hunting and the diverse impacts of climate change,” Scarth said. “However, at this crucial mid-migration stopover site, we can take comfort in knowing that the work of the volunteers and tremendously positive response from beach visitors mean that shorebirds of the Irving Nature Park have the best possible chance of completing their amazing migration to South America."

Both the Irving Nature Park and La Dune de Bouctouche hold international designations as Important Bird Areas and serve as critical rest stops for many shorebird species during their migration journeys. Notable species such as semi-palmated sandpipers, least sandpipers, piping plovers and semi-palmated plovers rely on these areas to refuel before continuing their arduous 4,000-plus-kilometre non-stop journey to wintering grounds.

Both parks also play a crucial role in preserving environmentally significant areas along the Fundy coast, underlining the importance of the conservation efforts led by the Saint John Naturalists Club and its partners.

J.D. Irving, Limited is committed to maintaining species diversity on its managed land. The company’s balanced approach to forest management means more areas like these can be set aside for conservation, while still growing the wood supply that supports jobs and a growing economy.