Photos by Roger Browne (1-2 taken at Beddington), Andrew Moon (3-4 at Barnes) and I lifted the last one off the Barnes website (sorry don't know who took it but link here: http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit-us/london/wildlife-sightings/bird-sightings-for-2nd-may-2010 
.jpg)
.jpg)
Hopefully will get to the bottom of this i.d but at the moment conflicting stories and information.
More of Rogers photos here: http://dodge007.blogspot.com/
and discussion thread here: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/londonbirders/
7 comments:
In the opinion of a dummy, based on the photos, it looks like an American to me. Here in Alaska, we get both Americans, and Pacifics at this time of year in full breeding plummage. If I saw this bird in Alaska, I would call it an American Golden Plover without a second thought. I am no expert.
Hi John,
Can you confirm that you get American and Pacific Golden Plovers in full breeding plumage this time of year (April/May) in Alsaka.
Cheers John
Peter
I am assuming that, when it was flying around the farm, nobody heard it call(?). If someone was holding a 'splurge gun' to my head (a la Bugsy Malone) I would go for a dark Pacific. I'll drop you a line.
It gave a call that was muffled by the commotion in the hide. It did not sound like a Spot Red.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this Darryl- opinion seems to be divided at the moment - perhaps slightly leaning towards Pacific.
Just looked at Andrew Moon's and Chris Turner's photos on LondonBirders. I think they add to the case for a dark Pacific. It's not just the apparent relative lack of primary extension, the bird looks short in the body too, add the foot projection and a hint of a slightly heavier bill and it all adds up to a pretty good structural argument for Pacific. Plumagewise I guess the currently available photos are inconclusive but I'd still favour Pacific on the upperparts. I think the underparts on this bird are just one of those curveballs we get every now and again, an eye-catching, dominant feature that draws attention away from the overall picture.
Peter, sorry for taking so long to get back to you with confirmation about the two Golden Plovers. There are two shorebird festivals held here at this time every year. The one I have attended is the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival. Google it, or go to http://www.xyz.net/~hilda/index.html. There is loads of info on the net about bird sightings there. The Golden Plovers are listed as uncommon migrants. Many local experts see both species in their alternate plummage.
Thanks a lot John, will check that out.
Post a Comment