A Valentine’s story in the tundra: How two whimbrels reunite each year in Arctic Alaska to mate

By: Daniel Ruthrauff

Outlets: Alaska Beacon

Published: February 12, 2026

Words: 442

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

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It may be the most enduring love story in the shorebird world, two birds coming together from different parts of the hemisphere. Hudsonian Whimbrels are famously faithful, often mating for life and returning each May and June to the same stretch of Arctic tundra to breed.

Their courtships begin in the air. Males launch into high-altitude flight displays, circling and gliding over the tundra while singing a musical call to win a mate and …

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