Golden Plover at WTP

Hi all,

While at WTP today I found a plover at the north-west corner of 35 E 9, the western Conservation Pond. The bird moved from the small muddy puddle on the left as one rounds the n-w corner, across the road into the n-w corner of the Conservation Pond. It was a single bird by itself and showed no inclination to leave the area. I watched the bird from approx 1200 to 1245.

At first sight I put it down as a Pacific Golden Plover. As I watched I became less sure but as I have seen very few Pacific Golden Plover in transitional plumage I took many photos and sent them to Mike Carter.

I have since spoken to Mike and there is a possibility that the bird is an American Golden Plover. I don’t want to string anyone with this report as diagnosing AGP against PGP is very difficult and some more flight photos and study will be needed. Mike’s comment in an email is:

This bird seems a classic American to me. Seen around midday today on a pond beside the Conservation Ponds at WTP. Other opinions please. What worries me is that these potential American’s are always seen at this time of year and then morph into Pacific’s.

Any further sightings and photos would be helpful. Even if the result is that it is a Pacific Golden Plover it is still in about 50% breeding plumage and well worth seeing

cheers

Jen ===============================

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