From Tim Mccarthy via ontbirds <[email protected]>
Whimbrel Point today was really cold with extremely high Northeast winds. So much for the bad part.
Whimbrels seen today between 6 am and 1 pm totalled a slightly amazing 477. Most of the flocks were really high and were seen only as specks and smudges so who knows how many we missed. Good that there were plenty of young eyes and sharp wits with us today.
A few came down low and circled, appearing to want to land for a rest. Their favourite landing rocks are largely under water this year plus it being Saturday, there were many dog walkers which kept the birds away. In case you wonder about that, Whimbrels' main threat up in the breeding grounds is the Arctic Fox (thanks Wayne Renaud) so it is believed that they may be hard-wired to be afraid of dogs. This many birds so early in their migration window is unusual. Whether it was due to the weather or some other cause is anybody's guess. If anyone has opinions about this or anything else Whimbrel-oriented we would love to hear from you and there is no better place to sound off than Whimbrel Point early in the morning, sometime between tomorrow and the end of May. It looks like rain is coming and the birds may stay in their staging areas (Delmarva marshes) if it looks like a really big chunk of weather is going to hit them. May 24 is usually the big day for Whimbrels over Sam Smith Park but maybe this year we can get them to wait until the upcoming Bird Festival, Saturday, May 27. The weather forecast for the next few days looks like more high winds with moderate and unpredictable rainfall. Its about the most uncomfortable weather you can get out there on Whimbrel Point so bundle up and come on out and keep us company.
Other Shorebird sightings were scarce (as were the reported Passerines in the Park), a Blackbellied Plover early on, and two Ruddy Turnstones.
Sam Smith Park is at the end of Kipling Ave. (18th St.) South of Lakeshore Blvd. On weekends you can park in the Southern most Parking lot for free.
See you tomorrow Tim -- --- Mark Cranford Ontbirds Coordinator Toronto ON [email protected] _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
