Hudsonian Whimbrel (Numenius hudsonicus) is in the Sandpipers and Allies family (Scolopacidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 21,093 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: spring and fall migrant. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Hudsonian Whimbrel: observations by month (U.S.)
About Hudsonian Whimbrel
The Hudsonian whimbrel or Hudsonian curlew (Numenius hudsonicus) is a wader in the large family Scolopacidae. It is one of the most widespread of the curlews, breeding across much of subarctic North America. This species and the Eurasian whimbrel have recently been split, based on genetic and noticeable morphological differences.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Hudsonian Whimbrel by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 16,469 | April | Jul–May |
| Oregon | 845 | May | Apr–May |
| Texas | 714 | April | Apr–May |
| Washington | 423 | May | Apr–May |
| Florida | 416 | April | Apr–May |
| New Jersey | 279 | May | Apr–May |
| Massachusetts | 232 | September | Jul–Sep |
| Alaska | 218 | May | May–Jun |
| South Carolina | 212 | May | Apr–May |
| North Carolina | 154 | May | May–May |
| Louisiana | 108 | April | Apr–May |
| New York | 108 | September | Jul–Sep |
| Virginia | 103 | May | Apr–May |
| Michigan | 94 | May | May–May |
| Georgia | 67 | May | Apr–May |
| Maryland | 57 | May | Apr–May |
| Maine | 54 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Ohio | 53 | May | May–May |
| Alabama | 51 | April | Apr–May |
| Illinois | 51 | May | May–May |
| Colorado | 44 | May | Apr–May |
| Connecticut | 32 | August | Aug–Oct |
| Mississippi | 30 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Pennsylvania | 30 | July | May–Jul |
| Arizona | 27 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Rhode Island | 25 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Minnesota | 24 | May | May–May |
| Utah | 23 | May | May–May |
| Oklahoma | 22 | May | Apr–May |
| New Mexico | 21 | May | Apr–May |
| Kansas | 19 | May | May–May |
| Missouri | 15 | May | May–May |
| Wisconsin | 11 | May | May–May |
| Indiana | 9 | September | Sep–Sep |
| Delaware | 8 | July | Jul–Jul |
| South Dakota | 7 | May | May–May |
| Nebraska | 6 | April | Apr–May |
| Tennessee | 6 | May | May–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Sandpipers and Allies)
Willet
Sanderling
Least Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Ruddy Turnstone
Marbled Godwit
Long-billed Curlew
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Hudsonian Whimbrel?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to May.
Where is Hudsonian Whimbrel most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Oregon, Texas.