From Tim Mccarthy <[email protected]>
Today was one of those days that really makes a sunburnt nose
worthwhile. Wayne was the first guy out at around 5:15 this morning and
was surprised to find 85 Whimbrel resting on the stone pier just north
of Whimbrel Point. They were surprised to see him also and promptly flew
off. If only there weren't any dogs the birds would have rested there
longer. If one of us was the first person in the Park each day would we
find grounded birds every time? Are they stopping to rest more often
these days? Is it because they are not in such good shape as they were
in the past? How many miss the count by flying at night?
Today's total came to 819 birds - an astonishing number for early in the
migration window. 2/3 of these came early, before 7 am. the last flock
we saw was just after 3, reported to Wayne by a reliable watcher who
came on the scene late. The day is too long for anybody who comes out at
5 am to stay until 7. Is there anyone out there willing to come out to
the point and count Whimbrels from, say, 2 pm until 7 pm? Whimbrels were
seldom seen in late afternoon before they changed their behaviour and
began to stop in places for a rest. Now the Watch requires someone to be
there all day as considerable numbers are being seen late in the day.
Please, we need your help just for a few days.
The grand total for the whole count stands at 1572 already and remember,
tomorrow and Wednesday are the traditionally peak Whimbrel days.
Also seen were 230 Dunlin, 51 Blackbellied Plover, 10 Ruddy Turnstones,
1Semipalmated Plover, 8 Sanderlings, 20 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 8
Unidentified Peeps, 60 Whitewinged Scoters, 1 Great Egret, 2 Great Blue
Herons, 8 Black-Crowned Night Herons, several Brant and an Osprey.
Good luck, see you tomorrow
Tim
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Mark Cranford
Ontbirds Coordinator
Toronto ON
[email protected]
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