[Lancey]

Dear all,
Attached below are videograbs of an odd looking juvenile Golden Plover (Eurasian?) taken on 1st of September. What attracted my attention to it was the pale grey bill with apparent black tip, upperparts uniformly washed buff and more upright stance, amongst other things.

The flock it was with flew off and returned several times and each time I could locate this bird and continue observing it.

I'd appreciate any opinions on this bird please.

Thanks,
Lancey

[Lancey]

Dear all,
Either no replies means this bird is obviously a Eurasian Golden Plover or those who have looked at this bird feel as unsure as I was about it's identity. It was present amongst a flock of 350 Golden Plovers on the East Lagoon at Oare Marshes on the 1st of September from 1-3pm at least.

Having made a point of looking at the Golden Plovers and marvelling at their variability I was unprepared for this bird to put it's head up amongst the other birds such that only it's head and neck were visible. So odd was the combination of pale grey bill with black tip, long snaky neck and small head with a large black eye that for a split second it reminded me of an Upland Sandpiper!

Getting back to reality, once the othe Golden Plovers moved aside I could tell the bird was a Golden Plover type but a richer, more uniform buffy colour - unfortunately the bright suinshine didn't help with videoing this bird. But, fortunately, there are plenty of Golden Plovers in the shots for comparison.

I noted a squarer headshape, thinner and more delicate looking body and a look quite unlike the other plovers. In fact, in my video footage ( of which there is about half an hour's worth in total) it is pursued by other Golden Plovers on several occasions.

Another photo is attached below - if it helps?

I did go to Oare on the 2nd of September and scrutinsed 500+ Golden Plovers one by one but all had typical black bills and this bird was unfortunately not present.

Lancey

[Ruby]

Hi Lancey,

Sorry, can't help you with the mysterious Plover - other than to agree that it does look very odd. Hopefully someone might have some ideas....

On the general subject of GPs and Oare..... Do you happen to know whether they usually get there in such numbers - Robinm and I were discussing this yesterday and couldn't remember any large flocks of Goldens at Oare last year.


Rgds.... Ruby

[Lancey]

Ruby,
No, I've not noted such numbers before. I've seen up to 70 on the West lagoon a few weeks ago, but not the 350 on the Wednesday or 500+ yesterday. The number of Knot is higher too than ever before, 150 on Wednesday and probably 200 yesterday. Maybe they'e preferring Oare instead of Shellness at high tide these days?

I did see a Sanderling on the East lagoon yesterday too at 2:30pm onwards (photo below).

The plover I've submitted to the forum was quite obvious and even when the birds took flight and landed again I had not trouble in picking it out. The grey bill is an easy way to pick it out. I watched it for a long time and am sure the bill colour is a genuine feature and not staining. In all the Golden Plovers I've scrutinised during the past two days, that was the only grey billed one I saw.

Best wishes,
Lancey

[Ruby]

Originally Posted by Lancey

Ruby,

I did see a Sanderling on the East lagoon yesterday too at 2:30pm onwards (photo below).


Best wishes,
Lancey

We must have crossed paths, since Robinm and I were there between about 12:30 and 4:30pm.....

Didn't spot the Sanderling or anything like as many Knot as yourself - the highlight for me was several nice Curlew Sands and quite a large number of Little Stints. Difficult to tell how many birds, but we did see 4 at one time, so at least that many, but I kinda got the feeling that the actual number may have been a few more...

Did see 2 Whinchat as well on the West 'paddock' which was nice, but only distant views.

Hope someone has some thoughts on your odd Plover.... I'm intrigued as well now!!

All the best.... Ruby

[marek_walford]

Interesting bird! However, apart from the pale bill it looks like a bog standard Goldie. There was one in Bucks a year or so ago with pale legs. Just a lack of pigment I suppose. Bizarre.