"B-95," the shorebird superstar, is seen again in Canada at age 15

Red Knot "B-95," in winter plumage, recaptured for the fourth time in Rio Grande, Argentina, in Nov. 2007. Photo courtesy of Patricia Gonzalez

We are thrilled to share with you the VERY good news from our colleague Dr. Allan Baker at the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada that the male shorebird affectionately known as "B-95" (its banding number) was seen again in August at the Mingan Archipelago, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Quebec, Canada. B-95 was one of the 500 Red Knots (Calidris canutus) that Dr. Baker and his team originally banded at the Atlantic Coast Reserve in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, in February 1995. It was estimated then that B-95 was born in at least 1993, which means he has since survived the rigors of migrating between the Canadian Artic and tip of South America — flying some 9,300 miles, each way, twice a year for 15 years. Against the somber reality that the Red Knot rufa subspecies’s population has declined from 100,000 birds to just 14,800 in his lifetime, B-95’s continued survival becomes all the more important and inspiring to science, and for our spirits.

Red Knot "B-95" shows off his now famous yellow leg band. Photo courtesy of Patricia Gonzalez

Over the years, B-95 has been seen or recaptured in banding efforts several precious times — his celebrity status increasing with every encounter. In November 2001 and 2003, he was recaptured in Rio Grande, Argentina; in May 2005 and 2006, seen in Delaware Bay, USA; in July 2006 and August 2007, seen at Mingan Archipelago; in November 2007, recaptured (for 4th time!) in Rio Grande; and most recently seen again in August 2008 at Mingan Archipelago. Wow!