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Western Sandpiper
Pacific
Distribution
Western Sandpiper
Pacific Migration
Western Sandpiper Pacific Migration Video
The Fraser River Estuary near Vancouver, British Columbia was
officially declared a
Hemisphere Reserve of the
Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network
(WHSRN) in December 2004. The reserve includes the intertidal
portions of Sturgeon Banks, Roberts Banks, the South Arm
Marshes, and all of Boundary, Mud and Semiahmoo bays.
The Fraser River Estuary Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve
encompasses beaches and marshes that support over 50 species
of shorebirds.
The Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network’s mission is
to conserve shorebird species and their habitats across the
Americas through a network of key sites. Over 55 sites across
the hemisphere are now included in the WHSRN network. The
Fraser River Estuary exceeds the minimum Hemisphere Reserve
criteria of at least 500,000 shorebirds annually or 30% of the
species flyway population based on peak counts. Only 16 other
Hemispheric Sites have been included in the Network.
Although WHSRN has no legal clout, by joining the network, the
owners have recognized the international significance for
shorebirds of their lands. The WHSRN program assists by:
·
Ensuring that the Network’s conservation
actions are the effective and appropriate application of the
best available information;
·
Implementing shorebird conservation action at
Network sites throughout the Americas;
·
Creating and maintaining informed, involved,
empowered and interconnected human communities at Network
sites.
WHSRN is an international, collaborative
project headquartered at the Manomet Center for Conservation
Sciences in Manomet, Massachusetts. It has partners that
include over 250 organizations and agencies in seven
countries. WHSRN works very closely with the Canadian Wildlife
Service in Canada.
International Travelers
In April, the last of winter storms drain their fury across
the Fraser River Estuary. But carried on the southerly winds
that lash at marshes and mudflats is a million tiny
shorebirds. Their journey to the Fraser began one month
earlier on warm beaches thousands of kilometres to the
south.
The stirring urge in the hearts and minds of three million
western sandpipers began in February and March on warm
mudflats in Mexico, Central and South America. But the strong
urge to reproduce required a journey that would end in western
Alaska only after high endurance flights across more than 70
degrees of latitude. Across desert, mountain range, along
Pacific shores flew flocks of sandpipers. Assisted by
southerly tailwinds they arrived on the Fraser River Estuary
tired and hungry.
Not a month goes by when shorebirds are not on the Fraser
River Estuary. When the western sandpiper departs for the
Alaskan tundra, killdeer, spotted sandpipers and black
oystercatchers will be settling on eggs along the shores of
the Fraser. They will be tending their young when the first
western sandpipers arrive in late June on the way south after
breeding. In August, scores of species from across the western
Arctic, the boreal forest, Yukon mountains, Siberia and the
heartland of British Columbia will slip out of the air to
spend a few days on the estuary. In autumn, the dunlin arrives
in choreographed flights in flocks that rival the exhilaration
of the jet engine roar of a passing flock of a hundred
thousand western sandpipers. Dunlins will remain on the
estuary for the winter and depart as the western sandpiper
returns in spring.
The wealth of the shorebird community on the Fraser River
Estuary is measured in its number of species and their
abundance. Sandpipers, dowitchers, plovers, yellowlegs, curlew
and others know the Fraser River Estuary. About one quarter of
the world’s 212 species have been seen on the Fraser River
estuary. More than 500,000 western sandpipers, 60,000 dunlins,
and three thousand black-bellied plovers can be seen on some
days. Other species occur in smaller numbers but many are
widespread. All shorebirds rely on the abundant food produced
in the estuary and farmlands to continue a journey to
countries throughout the western hemisphere.
Marvels of Migration
Each tiny sandpiper requires immense amounts of food to power
flights across the 12000 kilometer one way trip between
breeding grounds and winter quarters. They must also have
sensitive navigational aids on board to navigate the flight
and they must have finely tuned senses to avoid the dangers
along the way.
Migratory flights of shorebirds often include non stop
journeys of hundreds and sometimes thousands of non stop
flying at elevations of up to three kilometres above the
Earth. There the birds catch the steady flow of winds that can
double their ground speed. The flights require a great deal of
fuel. It is not uncommon for small shorebirds to carry up to
50% of their lean weight as fat stored beneath the skin to
power the journey. In the hand, the yellowish hue of the fat
glows through the birds skin. Each leg of the migratory
journey expends huge amounts of this fat and in some cases the
birds will burn muscle so that they arrive emaciated and
tired. Sleep is a priority and the birds tuck the head beneath
the wing for a few moments of rest. Then they are off along
the beach in search of food. Tiny worms, clams, small fish and
microscopic life on the mud surface are on the menu of the 50
species of shorebirds on the Fraser River estuary. Ravishingly
hungry, the birds set about pecking and probing in a frantic
search for food. The winds will be favourable soon and those
that can replenish the spent fuel in time will launch a flight
that will take them 1000 or more kilometres to the north.
While the shorebirds are busy finding food, their predators
are searching for them. Spring brings large numbers of
peregrine falcons to the estuary. Unsuspecting sandpipers are
their quarry. The peregrine begins its attack over a kilometre
from the flock of shorebirds. They gain speed and streak
across the beach often springing out from behind marshes or
the dikes. A thousand tiny screams go out as the falcon
flashes through the flock. In the whirring of wings and
cacophony of shrieks, the sandpipers instinctively bunch
together in a tight flock able to dodge most falcon attacks.
Nine times out of ten, the sandpipers escape but on the one
occasion, the falcon snatches an unsuspecting sandpiper from
the ground or a split second after take off.
At least half a dozen times, a sandpiper will stop on
migration to refuel and be pursued by falcons. Those that
successfully run the gauntlet reach the tundra breeding
grounds where parenting begins anew. In a month or more, they
will be returning south for the winter quarters and the game
of life and death plays out once more along the Pacific
shores.
Sandpipers fuel
their lives on a diet of invertebrates caught in the sand and
mud beaches, marshes and in the soil of farmlands. Most of
these tiny animals go unnoticed and carry unfamiliar names –
polychaetes, tanaids, corophium to name but a few. But these
humble abundant creatures are the critical link in the lives
of shorebirds along the Pacific Coast. The tiny animals eat
tiny decaying particles of plant leaves drifting out of the
marshes, on plankton floating in on the tides, and creatures
in soils enriched by farmers tilling the land. Up and down the
coast, the great migrations of shorebirds depend on a network
of sites with similar rich intertidal mud and marshes that
provide food for their journeys. The lives of the world’s most
travelled vertebrates are entwined in the ecology of beaches
reaching across the hemisphere.
When and Where to See Shorebirds on the Fraser
One or more species of shorebird is always present on the
Fraser River Estuary but the best time to see a variety of
species is in August. Late April and early May is the best
time to see large flocks of sandpipers. Arrive on a rising
tide so that the birds are brought closer to you. Use
binoculars and telescopes to get close views - these birds
require time to rest and feed. A local bird checklist will
help narrow your choices in a field guide. Some of the sites
along the Fraser River Estuary are regional parks or wildlife
lands that cater to people but many other areas are privately
owned lands requiring permission to use. Please consult a map
and show appropriate courtesy.
Blackie Spit
The brackish lagoon at the mouth of the Nicomekl and the broad
mudflats in Mud Bay have long been known to be among the best
places to search for shorebirds on the Estuary. Large
shorebirds such as curlews, godwits, yellowlegs and dowtichers
seem to like this area of the estuary. Many rare species have
been recorded from Blackie Spit. Watch for willet, long-billed
curlew, and marbled and hudsonian godwits.
Serpentine Fen
The grassy habitats and sloughs are a draw for golden plovers,
buff-breasted sandpiper, ruff and sharp-tailed sandpiper. In
winter, dunlin and black-bellied plover use the mudflats and
fields. Thirty-two species have been recorded fromt eh Fen.
Mud Bay
Black-bellied plover, short-billed and long-billed dowitcher,
western sandpiper and dunlin are found regularly in the Bay.
The roost at high tide between the mouths of the Nicomekl and
Serpentine rivers and along the northern shore of Mud Bay.
88th Street Pump Station
Midway along the shore dike of Boundary Bay is a pump station.
It can be reached by car along 104th or 88th
Avenues. The discharging water draws yellowlegs, dowitchers,
western and least sandpipers, and many other species.
Beach Grove Lagoon
Just of 12th Avenue in Tsawwassen is a small tidal
lagoon that next to Blackie Spit is one of the best places to
see shorebirds. Western, least semipalmated sandpipers are
freqnetly seen and a few red-necked phalaropes seem to like
this place. If lucky you might spot a sharp-tailed sandpiper,
ruddy turnstone, or a solitary sandpiper. Thirty-five species
have been recorded at the lagoon and on the nearby beaches.
Farmlands
The farmlands near 64th, 72nd and 112th
streets in Delta are used by black-bellied lpovers, golden
plovers, dunlin, buff-breasted sandpipers, whimbrels, and
western and least sandpipers. Tilled soils, newly planted
fields and pasturelands seem particularly attractive in
winter. In summer, killdeer breed along the roadways and farm
edges.
BC Ferry Terminal and Jetty
The black oystercatcher was a rare visitor to the Estuary
until about a decade ago when a pair took up residency on the
jetty. Two pairs are now present. Nesting occurs along the
west side of the jetty. Also present on the mudflats are large
flocks of dunlins in winter, western sandpipers and yellowlegs
during migration and if lucky you might spot some rare species
such as marbled godwits. Take care to park off the jetty. The
pilings of the ferry terminal is the only reliable place on
the estuary to see black turnstones and occasionally a few
surfbirds and rock sandpipers. They are best seen from the
ferry while in dock.
Brunswick Point
This area more than any other is the place to see the great
flocks of sandpipers. In late April or early May, the rising
tide brings in tens or hundreds of thousands of sandpipers
scurrying along the mud. In winter, dunlin and black-bellied
plover are seen here. Yellowlegs and dowitchers are also
present in small numbers on migration. Do not venture on to
the soft oozy mudflat.
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary
The Sanctuary is a must-see destination for budding and
advanced birders. The ponds are used by a suite of common
species – western and least sandpipers, dunlin, short-billed
and long-billed dowitchers, greater and lesser yellowlegs.
This is also the most reliable place to see sharp-tailed
sandpipers. Many rarities have shown up here and the staff of
the sanctuary can let you know what has been seen recently.
Thirty-nine species have been recorded at the Sanctuary.
Iona Beach Regional Park
The ponds and adjacent beaches have drawn large numbers of
shorebirds and birdwatchers over the years. The flocks of
western and least sandpipers, dunlin, black-bellied plovers,
yellowlegs, and dowitchers attract rare species. Many Asian
species such as spoonbill sandpiper, far estern curlew, and
curlew sandpiper have been seen here. As of 2002, 47 species
had been recorded at Iona
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