This morning was chicken oriental. We had this full summer Golden Plover sp. (pic 1) flying around with a grey underwing and
very extensive dark underparts which looked like an American Golden Plover. We texted out to other London birders that a Golden Plover sp. was on the loose. About an hour later Franko found it at the London Wetland Center where it was confirmed as an American Golden Plover. I think there may be some debate/ questions about ruling out Pacific but either way it's a mega- hope to see the photos soon from the Wetland Center. Now here: http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit-us/london/wildlife-sightings/bird-sightings-for-2nd-may-2010
very extensive dark underparts which looked like an American Golden Plover. We texted out to other London birders that a Golden Plover sp. was on the loose. About an hour later Franko found it at the London Wetland Center where it was confirmed as an American Golden Plover. I think there may be some debate/ questions about ruling out Pacific but either way it's a mega- hope to see the photos soon from the Wetland Center. Now here: http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit-us/london/wildlife-sightings/bird-sightings-for-2nd-may-2010When it rains it pours!! in more ways than one. The frontal conditions and northeast winds today enduced a major shorebird arrival- we had 9 Knot, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit (bottom pic), 4 Whimbrel, 20 Ringed Plover, 13 Dunlin, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Arctic Tern and 1 Common Tern.
6 comments:
'Chicken Oriental' I'll have to try that Peter, gave me a chuckle!
Seen the LWWT photos looks AM GP to me.
Flipping heck, cracking weekend so far Peter.
More proof that Beddington is the number one bird site in the south-east.
Shame it didn't come your way Graham. Beddington is only to get better too.
The all dark flanks does look good for AMGP- am a bit concerned about the upperparts and the primary projection- Darryl as you are the finder of the most impressively identified Pacific Goldie ever (on the Azores with AMGPs) what do you reckon?
Pete, one correction, Franko did NOT find this bird at Barnes - it was found by one of the young lady regulars there.
As you know, I believe this bird to be a breeding-plumaged PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER, based on the combination of its foot projection and long tibia and the fact that its plumage is so well advanced. The majority of features overlap with both species, so specific identification can be extremely complicated, but an excessive primary projection would favour dominica, but from what I can ascertain, is well within the range of fulva.
Cheers Lee, actually Franko did say that a lady had found it- I should have mentioned it.
I'll be happy either way American or Pacific. It would be nice to just see a photo of the critical primary/ tail tip criteria and that way we will all know for sure.
It's a great looking bird and it's a 'Lesser Golden Plover' whatever happens.
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