This fall was a gorgeous and warm one to get out in nature. Luckily, our dedicated volunteers and staff were able to get out before the weather turned, to conduct our annual fall International Shorebird Surveys (ISS) within the province. These ISS surveys allow us to obtain data and track long-term global trends of shorebird populations. The fall survey period goes from July 11 until October 25 each year.

Within the province of Manitoba, we survey 4 IBAs using the ISS protocol. They include Whitewater Lake; North, East, and West Shoal Lakes; Oak Lake/Plum Lakes; and Oak Hammock Marsh. Each IBA has pre-set routes. Whitewater Lake has a total of 8 routes including 4 on the east side of the lake, 3 on the west side of the lake, as well as a stationary route. North, East and West Shoal Lakes IBA has 4 routes around the lakes, and a stationary route. Oak Lake/Plum Lakes has 5 routes, 2 of which are stationary.

We try to survey each route 3 times in the spring and 3 times in the fall, though sometimes the weather and road conditions impact how many routes can be accessed. While all species observed during the surveys can be recorded, only shorebird observations are included in this roundup.  

Whitewater Lake

Species	Total # of Individuals
American Avocet	156
American Golden Plover	150
Baird’s Sandpiper	9
Black-bellied Plover	23
Buff-breasted Sandpiper	4
Dunlin	3
Greater Yellowlegs	38
Hudsonian Godwit	1
Killdeer	103
Least Sandpiper	42
Lesser Yellowlegs	139
Long-billed Dowitcher	24
Marbled Godwit	81
Pectoral Sandpiper	15
Plover sp.	1
Semipalmated Sandpiper	1
Shorebird sp.	25
Short-billed Dowitcher	1
Short/Long-billed Dowitcher	207
Spotted Sandpiper	2
Stilt Sandpiper	41
Upland Sandpiper	6
White-rumped Sandpiper	10
Willet	31
Wilson’s Phalarope	71
Total	1184
Total # of species	25

Whitewater Lake was visited 8 times during the fall ISS period. Routes E1 and E3 were each visited only once. E2 was visited twice. Sexton’s Point was visited 3 times. W1 was visited 4 times. Lastly, W2 and W3 were visited 6 times each. The most abundant species seen at Whitewater Lake this fall were Short-billed/Long-billed Dowitchers. These species are grouped, as differences can be very difficult to distinguish. There were also abundant numbers of American Avocets, American Golden Plovers, and Lesser Yellowlegs.

A big thank you to Gillian Richards, Glennis Lewis, Carson Kearns, Bonnie Johnston, Joan Carritt, Tharina Uys, Darrell Robinson, Madelyn Robinson, Margret Robinson, Carson Kearns, Garry Budyk, John Weier, Marissa Berard and Aynsley Woods for monitoring Whitewater Lake!

North, East, and West Shoal Lakes

Species	Total # of Individuals
Dunlin	1
Greater Yellowlegs	19
Killdeer	2
Least Sandpiper	5
Lesser Yellowlegs	4
Long-billed Dowitcher	1
Pectoral Sandpiper	10
Peep sp.	1
Red-necked Phalarope	12
Semipalmated Plover	1
Short-billed Dowitcher	3
Short/Long-billed Dowitcher	6
Solitary Sandpiper	1
Spotted Sandpiper	5
Wilson’s Snipe	25
Total	96
Total # of species	15

North, East, and West Shoal Lakes were visited 4 times during the fall migration period. Each route was visited 3 times. The most numerous species seen at this IBA were Wilson’s Snipe and Greater Yellowlegs.

A big thank you to Cameron Tramley, Tim Poole, Bonnie Chartier, Gwen Armbruster, and Peter Douglas for monitoring this IBA!

Oak Lake/Plum Lakes

Species	Total # of Individuals
American Avocet	2
Baird’s Sandpiper	1
Greater Yellowlegs	11
Killdeer	10
Lesser Yellowlegs	12
Pectoral Sandpiper	19
Peep sp.	8
Semipalmated Plover	2
Semipalmated Sandpiper	1
Shorebird sp.	19
Solitary Sandpiper	2
Spotted Sandpiper	3
Willet	2
Wilson’s Snipe	3
Total	95
Total Number of species	14

Oak Lake/Plum Lakes was visited 3 times this fall. Routes 1 and 2 were visited 3 times each. Routes 3 and 4 were each visited once, while Route 5 was inaccessible due to water levels. A total of 95 shorebirds were observed here this fall, with the most frequent species observed being Pectoral Sandpipers.

A very big thank you to Gillian Richards, Matt Gasner, Aynsley Woods and Marissa Berard for surveying this IBA!

Oak Hammock Marsh

Species	Total # of Individuals
Greater Yellowlegs	16
Killdeer	71
Least Sandpiper	12
Lesser Yellowlegs	1
Pectoral Sandpiper	1
Semipalmated Sandpiper	5
Shorebird sp.	1
Solitary Sandpiper	5
Willet	1
Wilson’s Phalarope	1
Wilson’s Snipe	9
Total	123
Total # of species	11

Oak Hammock Marsh was visited 3 times over the fall migration. Routes 2 and 3 were both surveyed twice. Route 1 was surveyed 3 times. Killdeer were the most abundant species seen in the marsh.

A very big thank you to Cameron Tramley, Tim Poole, Bonnie Chartier, Peter Douglas, and Aynsley Woods!  

Based on the summaries above, unsurprisingly Whitewater Lake had the most species and individuals observed, with 1184 individuals and 25 species. Oak Lake/Plum Lakes had the least number of individuals observed (n=95). Oak Hammock Marsh had the least number of species observed, with 11 species.  

Once again, we would like to thank all our volunteers for their amazing generosity and commitment to helping us complete our work! Without them we would not be able to complete these surveys that contribute to accurately tracking shorebird populations. If you are interested in volunteering for our 2024 International Shorebird Surveys, we will be looking for volunteers. Email iba@naturemanitoba.ca for more information.

-Aynsley