Joe H
Well-known member

I took the three pictures below during July many years ago. I came across them on an old computer that’s soon to be recycled so I took pictures off the screen of the old computer rather than properly transfer the digital files. The quality of the images is not great but I’m hoping they are good enough to help nail down the species.
To me, the overall color seems more Semipalmated Plover, Charadrius semipalmatus (listed in my guides as uncommon) but the face markings look more like Common Ringed Plover, Charadrius hiaticula (listed as very rare or vagrant). The side view in #2 shows the bib when the bird is stretched out. Ebird has great pictures of both species in flight, and flared out like my #3 shot and the tail seems more like Common to me but I’m not sure. I’ve got both species on my life list so this is just an attempt to nail down a bird I can’t figure out on my own; I’d be happy for a confident ID either way.
This bird caught my attention because it was near a flock of about a dozen Semipalmated Plovers on a Rocky beach, but never joined them or intermixed with them. It hung on the outskirts of the group and caught my attention. It was slightly larger or maybe more puffed up than the other birds so I took a few pictures. These three were the best. Unfortunately, no calls were heard.
Any opinions would be extremely appreciated. Thanks in advance, Joe.
To me, the overall color seems more Semipalmated Plover, Charadrius semipalmatus (listed in my guides as uncommon) but the face markings look more like Common Ringed Plover, Charadrius hiaticula (listed as very rare or vagrant). The side view in #2 shows the bib when the bird is stretched out. Ebird has great pictures of both species in flight, and flared out like my #3 shot and the tail seems more like Common to me but I’m not sure. I’ve got both species on my life list so this is just an attempt to nail down a bird I can’t figure out on my own; I’d be happy for a confident ID either way.
This bird caught my attention because it was near a flock of about a dozen Semipalmated Plovers on a Rocky beach, but never joined them or intermixed with them. It hung on the outskirts of the group and caught my attention. It was slightly larger or maybe more puffed up than the other birds so I took a few pictures. These three were the best. Unfortunately, no calls were heard.
Any opinions would be extremely appreciated. Thanks in advance, Joe.