(American) Golden Plover

Late December last year a Golden Plover was found by 2 birders on rocks near the Point Cook homestead, just outside Melbourne. It was with a flock of 20 +/- Pacific Golden Plover but did not look like them.  Unfortunately the preferred roost location for the flock was in a restricted area that requires permission to enter.

On 22/12 five of us got permission to drive in to the restricted area but our views of the bird, which was in full non-breeding plumage and very worn, were inconclusive. Since then I have walked to the roost location four times, a distance from the locked gate of just over 3.5 km return, and in the heat of a summer day with no shade, it was not easy. I did not find the flock on any of these trips.

Today however Bernie, the ranger, was kind enough to drive us down on his way in to do maintenance work on pumps and organise a crew of workers. He dropped us of at the roost site and there were 16 Golden Plover there, including the American Golden Plover.

The following is a selection of photos taken in the early morning light through a haze of smoke from the bush fires currently burning to the north of Melbourne.

Although not, I believe, 100% confirmed this is the bird considered to be an American Golden Plover.  The symmetrical pattern on the wing coverts was particularly noticeable and very different to the surrounding Pacific Golden Plovers. 

At a distance the AGP is noticeably different to the surrounding Pacific Golden Plovers

Even from the rear there is a big difference

Rear view

Profile with Pacific Golden Plover for comparison

Profile with Pacific Golden Plover for comparison

Profile with Pacific Golden Plover for comparison

Profile with Pacific Golden Plover for comparison

Series taken with the wing raised as the bird stretched

3/4 profile

Profile

AGP in alert position

All images & text © Jenny Spry