Each year, in partnership with the Center for Conservation Biology, The Nature Conservancy conducts “Whimbrel Watch” in Northampton County. Over a period of several days at the end of May, TNC staff and volunteers gather to count migrating shorebirds called Whimbrel as they journey north after their rest along the seaside of Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

This year, we will offer two public Open House nights (5/21 & 5/25 6:00-8:00 pm) where folks can drop by to learn about this and other TNC projects in the area. Visitors are welcome to bring a pair of binoculars and join in the count or simply take in the seaside air while chatting with our staff.

Open House nights are free and open to the public, but registration is required. For more information or to register, please contact Virginia Coast Reserve outreach & education coordinator, Margaret Van Clief at mvanclief@tnc.org or (757) 414-9227. (We are also currently seeking volunteers for Whimbrel Watch 5/27-5/28, 5:30-8:30 pm.)

Virginia’s Eastern Shore is a critical stopover area where Whimbrel traveling from wintering grounds in Central and South America stop to rest and refuel before completing their migratory journey to breeding grounds in Canada and Alaska. Evening counts of Whimbrel flying past a key observation point on the seaside during their peak time of departure provide an index for the number of Whimbrel using the area. You will be able to view the passing whimbrels (with the naked eye or binoculars), as well as talk to our scientists and volunteers as they count numbers and flocks. It is an amazing site and an amazing journey for these Whimbrel.