Last Saturday Ian and I managed to see the American Golden Plover at Warsash, but the conditions were awful, a strong westerly wind and overcast and with drizzle and mist. I was back today and hoping I could find the bird, once again. It was reported late on the previous day, so I was hopeful. How we found the bird was reported on in the previous blog post.
I wanted to give the appropriate time to this county rarity. I wrote about its status in Saturday's post and the identification details. Today it was about getting some better photographs and I think today were a lot better.
It was feeding along the tideline just after low tide on its own.
Looks like it managed to pull out a lugworm.
You can clearly see the features on the head, with the dark cap and dark mark between the eye and bill and the light spot at the base of the bill. The ear coverts are also looking a little dusky.
As it moved up the river it came a little close to me on the sea wall. It was also possible to get down on to the foreshore where it wasn't too muddy.
These two are for me my best shots.
It was constantly feeding as it moved, pecking at the mud in the slow plover manner.
The reflections of the yachts in the harbour in the river water provided an interesting background.
It then flew and called with a similar call as the Golden Plover and went a little further along the shore.
After spending some time with the other birds around and not being able to find the Spotted Redshank walking back the plover was still showing well.
And just before I left the plover treated me to a wing stretch.
So it was a case of job done this morning and I have managed to do justice to the American Golden Plover.
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