Hi,

There are some interesting differences between the molt strategies of American
and Pacific Golden-Plovers. Per O'Brien et al. (2006), "spring migrant
(Americans) hold mostly nonbreeding plumage until late April, then molt quickly
to breeding plumage." By contrast, the molt for Pacifics begins on the wintering
grounds in "late Jan or Feb and is completed during migration by early May."
However, note that the molt of first-year birds is "highly variable." One key
difference, though, is that Pacifics "never molt primaries during their first
winter," with first-spring birds sporting primaries that are "noticeably more
worn than those of the adults" (Jaramillo 2004). Using this criterion alone (not
recommended), this would appear to be an American.

Jim Pike
HB

--- In [email protected], "jacksnipe1990"
wrote:
>
> The putative American Golden-Plover was present Sunday 4-28-13 at 6:30a when I
arrived, and was present when I left at 7:15a in the same spot as previously
described by Tom.
>
> The bird has a very strong/bold supercilium and seems to have a very long
primary projection, both good field marks for American vs. Pacific.
>
> The bird spent the majority of it's time foraging and chasing kelp flies on
the upper part of the beach. A few Semipalmated Plovers were also in the area.
It did fly over to the rocky intertidal area when I first arrived, but flew back
to the original spot a few minutes later. Two Wandering Tattlers were also
present in the rocky intertidal area.
>
> Flickr pics of the plover:
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/47862125@N03/8688809489/in/photostream/
>
> Robert McNab
> Laguna Niguel
>
> --- In [email protected], Thomasabenson@ wrote:
> >
> > This morning (Apr 27) Chet McGaugh found and photographed a possible
American Golden-Plover at Crystal Cove State Park. This evening the bird was
refound by Tom Ford-Hutchinson and seen also by myself. Based on the very long
primary projection, this bird does appear to be an American Golden-Plover. The
bird is still primarily in basic plumage but starting to molt into alternate
plumage.
> >
> > Directions: enter CCSP at Newport Coast Drive, pay the fee at the booth,
turn right at the T-section, the left into the first parking lot. Take the
wooden path toward the beach, then take the beach access path that forks down to
the left. The bird was between the bottom of the beach access path and lifeguard
station 12 to the north. It was still present at sunset.
> >
> > Tom Benson
> > San Bernardino, CA
> >
> >
> >