Hello Whimbrel fans. I've got a lot of new stuff in my computer but my brain is the same old one so please forgive early blunders.
So here we go again, its Whimbrel migration season and we will be there to see it at Whimbrel Point in Col. Sam Smith Park. We urge you all to join us any time you like to view one of Nature's spectacular episodes . We are going to start the Watch this Thursday, May 19th at sunrise and go right through to May 31st. If the Whimbrels have not changed their migration, we should expect to see the peak occur during the early part of the day on May 24th. The peak day seldom changes so the closer you can be to May 24th the greater will be your chances of witnessing this amazing spectacle. We start the Watch at sunrise and go through the day for as long as someone is there to keep the records. Whimbrel Point is quite a bit colder than you might expect so when you come dress warmly. A lawn chair, a lunch and, of course, binoculars are all you need to bring. There will be a telescope on site for those who want to look for far-off migrants. Remember if you have been part of the Sam Smith adventure already that the Whimbrels have been successfully landing again in small numbers, and staying quite a bit longer than they used to. This is both good and bad as the birds are getting much needed rest. While they are down, however, they must be protected from dogs and overly-curious people. We made some signs which I hope will help with this but we still need a good turnout of "Whimbreleers" to man the battle stations. If all goes well, there should be a good many brand new dog-walking Whimbrel fans by the end of the season. It may sound strange but so far no-one it seems has been able to find anywhere between Cheapeake Bay and James Bay where the Whimbrels actually fly over and touch down in appreciative numbers during their annual Spring migration. Except for Whimbrel Point, Sam Smith Park, on or close to May 24th. Whimbrel Point is at the Southeast tip of Col. Sam Smith Park. Follow Kipling Avenue, which is also called 18th Street as far South as you can go. There is a bus but if you drive, park in the southernmost lot. It would be wise to leave a note on the dashboard as Parking Control is pretty hard on students from the University Campus who try to park for free. There is about a Kilometer of easy walking from the parking lot to the Whimbrel Point. There is a washroom at "Timmies" and in the University buildings but not out on the Point. Don't miss the Birding Festival on Sunday May 22nd. There will be super exhibits so you can learn all about the Nature in Sam Smith and along the Lakeshore and there will be frequent guided walks all around the Park. If you get lucky out on the Point and a flock of Whimbrels buzzes you be prepared for those little hairs that stand up on the back of your neck. After they lie back down again come and ask me or any of our other Whimbrel-eers anything you want about birds and Whimbrels in particular. I will keep you posted with short notes on this newsletter when the birding gets good at Sam Smith! Good Luck. Tim Mccarthy _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
