Agricultural tile drains remove excess water from the root zone to improve crop growth in regions with shallow water tables. Water draining into tiles is comprised of a mixture of sources, including shallow groundwater and preferential flow through the vadose zone. Examining the contribution of these flowpaths is relevant to water quality as tile drains can supply nutrients to receiving waters. This study characterizes spatial and temporal variability of water chemistry (phosphorus and nitrogen) in tile effluent across a set of 3 tiles within a small, headwater catchment in Southern Ontario. Continuous discharge and water table level were monitored in three drained fields and the receiving headwater stream. Water flow components were identified using tracer and digital filtering hydrograph separation techniques. In addition, water chemistry was analyzed for phosphorus, nitrogen and major ions under variable hydrologic conditions. Comparisons with hydroclimatic conditions and event characteristics are made to determine how tile response changes with time, season and contributing water sources, including groundwater. Assessing the influence of preferential flow and shallow groundwater on phosphorus and nitrogen export to tile effluent is critical for refining our understanding of nutrient transport in tile drained catchments. Characterizing the differences in nutrient transport across tiles within a catchment can offer important guidance for improving nutrient management at the catchment scale.