Whimbrel Watch Report by Peter Sproule 2026

The watch for 2026 obtained totals closer to past watches, and much better than 2025. Weather played an important part for the higher totals (no big storm system sitting off the east coast this year) with favourable winds on a couple of days, and some headwinds made a few whimbrels land for a rest near Whimbrel Point and West Point (and likely at the new Jim Tovey Conservation Area adjacent to Marie Curtis). Rain on Saturday and Sunday didn't result in the hoped-for rush of whimbrels to the breeding grounds through the remainder of the watch. There were a few days when a winter coat was needed with the windchill (in May!) making the temperature feel like single digits.

Thanks to all that came out for a visit, and many thanks to the regulars for showing up before dawn to start counting (Jessica Blaine Smith, Erik Sein, Jean Iron) - the support was greatly appreciated). A shoutout to the TRCA for pausing deliveries during the watch and allowing access to the point; they are planning to allow access to the point in 2027, knowing the watch will be during the same time period. The following were observed during the watch - whimbrel (2902), dunlin (263), ruddy turnstone (48), semipalmated sandpiper (325), least sandpiper (22), black-bellied plover (25), red knot (3), sanderling (3), white-rumped sandpiper (3), shorebird sp. (250) and peep sp. (402). Non-shorebird species included a sandhill crane, Iceland gull and a first-cycle little gull).

See you in 2027!

Peter Sproule

Peter Sproule

pbsproule@rogers.com

Whimbrels at Whimbrel Point--PIC nNaNCY barrett

Whimbrels inflight