Scouting For Col Sam Smith Park Whimbrel?

[BIGFRANK]

Is anyone keeping an eye out at Col Sam for Whimbrel? Its getting to time they could start to come. I hope it will be well reported so us from the eastern parts of Toronto know to get out there ASAP.
For those that dont know,considerably more(if I recall right) then 50% of the Hudsons Bay population of Whimbrel,go by Col Sam Smith Park. It usually happens around May 24th,and starts and finishes within about a week at the most. Peak days thousands pass through and if lucky,a few stop off.

[Kin Lau]

Last year, I believe most of the reports were coming from Ron & Jean.

[Greg Schneider]

With the weather being nice this weekend, perhaps they will come right on time.  

[Darrell74]

I've been to Sam Smith Park just about every day this week... haven't seen any thus far... but nice to know that I can keep an eye out for them

[BIGFRANK]

Thanks to Don Perks on the Ont Birds board,he sighted the first reported few flocks of Whimbrel at Col Sam this morning. He suggests that the next 2-3 days should be very good.

[Anonymous]

Heading down to the Rouge and the Bluffs - will let you know if I see anything.

Attila

[Anonymous]

Zip, Zero, nada, niente....actually, the beach was barren - amazing what a week can bring.

[Brian Bailey]

This weekend is shaping up to be ideal for Whimbrel watching, and Sam Smith is an excellent spot for it.  They don't usually land there, but the flocks often circle a few times looking for a place to land.

There's also a free CCFEW bird walk there on Saturday from 9 - 11.  You can find the details here.

BB

[BIGFRANK]

Like Tylers experience today,(Friday)I arrived at Col Sam Smith Park,to find a good group of birders,who were not very happy. Im told 2 Whimbrel took flight at around 530am...that was the only ones seen or heard of today as at about 130pm when we gave up and went to check "The Bowl". Though our search was less then thorough,we came up with Magnolia Warbler,Blackpoll Warbler,Black-throated Green Warbler,Warbling Vireo,Black-throated Blue Warbler and a Canada Warbler.
While watching for Whimbrel,we saw many Bonaparte's Gulls,several Common Loons,Cliff/Barn/Bank/Tree Swallows,several Spotted Sandpipers,6 Least Sandpiper and a Purple Martin that was really out of gas. I watched in out over the lake coming towards us. It almost flew right into us and landed right on a path. It eventually moved to a small tree,before finally moving on. It was definetly the best Ive ever seen this specie.
Tomorrow looks much better for a big movement of Whimbrel..no guarentees of course!

[martin ahermaa]

Like Tylers experience today,(Friday)I arrived at Col Sam Smith Park,to find a good group of birders,who were not very happy. Im told 2 Whimbrel took flight
 ...snip...
Tomorrow looks much better for a big movement of Whimbrel..no guarentees of course!

Sometimes, tomorrow does come!javascript:emoticon(':D')
I guess I'm the first to report [ca. 11:35] that around 08:00 27 whimbrells appeared at the SE point
of Col Sam Smith Park and did  W to E flypast before resuming in in a NW direction. According to a very nice and helpful gentleman [whose name I didn't catch] from Hamilton with a well-seasoned scope <g>, there was another group of over 55 individuals 2 hours earlier, i.e., ca. 06:00. Also, nice to meet Thomas and Brendan and chat about birds and books.
All the best,
Martin Ahermaa

[Darrell74]

Was at Sam Smith Park this morning, spotted 7 Whimbrels flying by.  They didn't land nearby... I'm told that they usually land @ Marie Curtis Park (Lakeshore & Long Branch area).

Will have to follow up on that, however...