In 13.5 hours of observations by Tim McCartney and I and a host of
other birders including Lynn Pady and Ross Harris, 2264 Whimbrels were
tallied in 21 flocks. Many of the flocks were enormous: two with 250,
two with 200, one with 160 and two with 150. The first flock at 6:15
am and last at 5:30 pm. The majority of the largest flocks moved back
and forth around the park for up to 2+ hours and the flocks were
spread out fairly evenly through the day which we have never
encountered in the previous three years of the Whimbrel watch.
This also the largest day count so far since the TOC began this
project 4 years ago (previous high: 1814 on 24 May 2009). The
preliminary total counted after 8 days of surveys is 4,351.
The Red Knots were flushed from the rocky shoreline on the east side
of Whimbrel Point with 17 Ruddy Turnstones at 5:20 am.. Relative few
other flock of migratory shorebirds were seen today: 1 Dunlin and 16
Semipalmated Sandpipers and a possible Western Sandpiper. Ten Common
Loons were counted.
The count continues until 30 May.
Location: The park is located at the end of Kipling and south of
Lakeshore Boulevard. The parking lot is located at the end of Colonel
Samuel Smith Park Drive. If that parking lot is full, free parking is
allowed on 13th street which runs along the east side of the park.
Wayne Renaud (289-828-0043)
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ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
