Lubec: Gravel Bar, Flats, Center, and Medical Center
Lubec Gravel Bar :
Description: Lubec Gravel Bar is an exposed cobble spit with a tidal lagoon between the sandbar and West Quoddy Head. This site is a roost used by many of the shorebirds observed feeding over on Lubec flats. It may have light human disturbance. The most common species from MDIFW data are: BBPL, SESA, SEPL and numerous unidentified peeps. The gravel bar may be accessed by walking behind the house with the solarium or past the “Eastern Most Gift Shop” on the left off of West Quoddy Head Road.
Survey Method: Ground survey should be conducted at high tide for roosting birds.
Selection Bias: None.
Measurement Error: *
Measurement Bias: *
Pilot Studies: None needed.
Lubec Flats :
Description: At low tide, Lubec Flats is an extensive mud flat with a gravel bar. The flat and gravel bar are feeding sites. At high tide, this site supports a moderately sized estuarine salt marsh with salt pannes. The shoreline consists of sand/gravel beach. There are no man-made structures on or near the gravel bar, which is owned by MDIFW and a Wildlife Management Area open to the public. MDIFW has observed some human disturbance, mainly from bird watchers and people walking their dogs along the beach. There is evidence (garbage, burned debris, etc.) that there may be more disturbance at night. The most numerous species from ISS maximum count data are: BBPL (1,000), LESA (226), SAND (1,000), SEPL (1,700) and SESA (1,389).
Access to Lubec Flats is from Route 189 on Lubec Neck. Heading south from Rte 189, take South Lubec Road toward West Quoddy Head State Park. Then turn left onto a dirt road across from the “Wheel Magic” wool shop.
Survey Method: Ground surveys should be conducted at low tide.
Selection Bias: None.
Measurement Error: *
Measurement Bias: *
Pilot Studies: None needed.
Lubec Center :
Description: Lubec Center has two separate survey areas (LC Site A and LC Site B on the map). Lubec Center Site A is a sand/gravel flat that supports a small, estuarine system with salt pannes surrounded by a sandy spit. Lubec Center Site B consists of rocky, cobble shoreline just south of Woodward Point in the midsection of the entire Lubec site. LC Site B is an estuarine system that empties out at low tide. There are scattered homes within 200 feet of the entire shoreline, no boat traffic and only light human disturbance (beachgoers) was observed during a survey by MDIFW. The most common shorebird species from MDIFW data are: SESA, LESA, SEPL and numerous unidentified peeps.
Access to the Lubec Center sites is from South Lubec Road off of Route 189. LC Site A may be accessed at the small town park on the left off of South Lubec Road. Lubec Center site B is just past the bridge over the river system on South Lubec Road, on the left at the house with the pyramid structures.
Survey Method: Ground surveys should be conducted at low tide.
Selection Bias: None.
Measurement Error: *
Measurement Bias: *
Pilot Studies: None needed.
Lubec Medical Center :
Description: Lubec Medical Center also consists of two separate survey areas (LMC Site A and LMC Site B on the map). Both are primarily feeding areas and very few shorebirds have been observed roosting. Lubec Medical Center site A consists of a sand and gravel beach with some cobble just southeast of Mowry Point and the Lubec Narrows. There is light human disturbance here and no boat traffic. There is a water treatment plant nearby and a pier on the eastern edge of the survey area. The sand/gravel flat supports about 40% algae mat cover.
Lubec Medical Center site B consists of a large sandbar located further out from shore, which is exposed at mid to low tides. Numbers of roosting birds on the sandbar here increased during later fall season observations by MDIFW, perhaps because the area is protected from northern winds in September and October. The most numerous species from ISS maximum count data are: BBPL (200), LESA (100), SESA (2,000), SAND (100) and SEPL (300).
To access the survey areas at Lubec Medical Center, turn right on the street just before the International Bridge over to Campobello Island. Lubec Medical Center is at the end of the street past the waste water treatment facility. Surveys of the large sandbar at site B should be done by walking the beach with the aid of a high-powered scope.
Survey Method: Ground surveys should be conducted at low tide.
Selection Bias: None.
Measurement Error: This may be a problem when viewing and counting distant birds in so far as yellowlegs species are visible at greater distances than small “peeps.” A pilot study may be needed to establish how measurement error varies among species at this site.
Measurement Bias: *
Pilot Studies: None needed.
Local contacts: Lindsay Tudor, Biologist, Wildlife Resource Assessment Section, ME Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.