Whimbrel Resting at Colonel Sam Smith Park in Toronto

Between 5:30 and 5:30 p.m. on 26 May 2014 at the Whimbrel Watch we counted 1471 migrating Whimbrels at Colonel Sam Smith Park. Most flocks passed by during the morning and continued north. However, in the afternoon, Whimbrel were landing on the rocks trying to rest before continuing their long migration to Hudson Bay.

They rested among the gulls, while we asked park visitors to give them space to rest. The public was very interested as we showed the Whimbrels to them in our scopes.

Two Whimbrels squabbled over a rock. The left bird has an injury.

Click to see digiscoped video of Whimbrels showing the injured individual (left bird) at Colonel Sam Smith Park on 26 May 2014.

About 100 Whimbrels were landing on the rocks. The Toronto Ornithological Club coordinates the Whimbrel Watch in conjunction with The Center for Conservation Biology in Virginia, USA. Link to satellite tagged Whimbrel: http://www.seaturtle.org/tracking/?project_id=369