Doug, Amazing find. Please drop a pin or provide GPS coordinates for this bird.

Thomas Geza Miko
Claremont, LA County
909.241.3300
"You don't need to understand anything that is happening here, because it doesn't make sense."--John Oliver
   
    
     
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I was at Bolsa Chica this morning looking at the Long-tailed Duck when I spotted what I thought was a Black-bellied Plover in full breeding plumage. It was a little ways out to the west on a mud flat at low tide, viewed from the observation point close to the walk bridge. When I looked at my photos later, it appears to be an American Golden-Plover. There was light drizzle so my photos weren't sharp but good enough to see the field marks well. Still waiting on confirmation of ID from higher sources. Photos in eBird checklist - https://ebird.org/checklist/S138376452

Doug Lithgow
Huntington Beach

I spent a couple hours this morning at Westminster Memorial Park, looking unsuccessfully for the Tennessee Warbler that was reported there on yesterday's CBC. This makes at least four Tennessee Warblers I have chased and missed this year, making it one of my biggest misses of the year, along with Scarlet Tanager (chased and missed three, two by a day and one by an hour) and White-winged Dove (chased and missed at least four, with many additional hours spent trying to find one on my own). At the other end of the spectrum, my avian highlights during the year included Manx Shearwater, Red-billed Tropicbird, Brown and Blue-footed Boobies, Little Blue Heron, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Sandhill Crane, American Golden-Plover, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-green Vireo, Pygmy Nuthatch, Sage Thrasher, and Bell's Sparrow. As of today I have 324 species (318 NIB) in Orange County this year, falling a little short of Jim Pike's record of 322 (NIB) in 1999 and a few birds behind Tom-Ford Hutchinson, who was also doing a big year this year. I would like to thank all those who helped me reach this number, whether by providing information, accompanying me on my birding outings, helping me locate birds, reporting rarities in a timely manner so that I was able to chase them, or through your words of encouragement. Your help was greatly appreciated.





Tom Benson



San Bernardino, CA

Doug,

I think your suggestion that it might be the same bird that was seen at Crystal
Cove is correct. Comparing the right side of the bird in Chris's photos with the
same side of the Crystal Cove bird in one of Tom Benson's photos, there appears
to be a good match in regard to the same crisp, contrasty row of fresh, darker
median coverts and the row of 'hash marks' below the auriculars.

Jim Pike
HB

--- In [email protected], "Willick, Doug"
wrote:
>
> Although it's hard to see some of the details, this looks to me like another
American Golden-Plover! I think Black-bellied can be eliminated based on
several features (smaller and more "dainty" size and proportions, relative small
bill size, etc.). The very bold, white-looking supercilium, and long wings look
to me for American Golden-Plover. With as rare as they are on the coast in
spring (or anywhere in California for that matter), if the bird isn't being seen
any more at Crystal Cove State Park, I'd wonder if it's the same individual.
This was seen then, Chris, up at the north (or northwest I guess it is) end of
Bolsa A real nice find (assuming I'm not jumping to conclusions on the ID).
>
> Doug Willick
> Orange, CA
>
> From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of chris_morrison1
> Sent: Monday, April 29, 2013 2:14 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Re: Photos of weekend birds
>
>
>
> I was birding Bolsa Chica today and captured the following image from a long
way out near the interpretive center. I was actually looking for Red Knots,
which I found, but in the same binocular FOV, I see this bird and snapped a
photo. At first I identified it as a Pacific Golden-Plover, but after seeing
Tom's photos of the American, I am now perplexed. Can someone take a look and
offer an opinion I blew up the bird and inserted it in the upper right. It's
certainly beyond my level of expertise here.
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/n2dpsky/8694263960/in/photostream
>
> Chris Morrison
>
> --- In
[email protected], Thomasabenson@ wrote:
> >
> > I have posted some photos of birds from the weekend (pelagic birds, American
Golden-Plover, Indigo Bunting) on my Flickr page for anyone that is interested.
> >
> > Tom Benson
> > San Bernardino, CA
> >
> > http://www.flickr.com/photos/40928097@N07/
> >
> >
> >

Here is the only other alternate view I could manage of the possible American
Golden-Plover. I don't know if this helps or not. The wings are slighting
lifted.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/n2dpsky/8693407469/in/photostream

Chris Morrison

--- In [email protected], "chris_morrison1"
wrote:
>
> This was seen from the interpretive center trail that leads from the parking
lot to the bluff (not over the bridge). He was on the mud flat on the northern
most part of the channel. His coloration was more striking in binos, which was
what drew my eye.
>
> Below are the estimated coordinates where I observed the bird standing. He
was observed just before 10am.
>
> 33.710582, -118.060097‎
>
> +33° 42' 38.10", -118° 3' 36.35"
>
> Chris Morrison
>
>
>
> --- In [email protected], "Willick, Doug"
wrote:
> >
> > Although it's hard to see some of the details, this looks to me like another
American Golden-Plover! I think Black-bellied can be eliminated based on
several features (smaller and more "dainty" size and proportions, relative small
bill size, etc.). The very bold, white-looking supercilium, and long wings look
to me for American Golden-Plover. With as rare as they are on the coast in
spring (or anywhere in California for that matter), if the bird isn't being seen
any more at Crystal Cove State Park, I'd wonder if it's the same individual.
This was seen then, Chris, up at the north (or northwest I guess it is) end of
Bolsa A real nice find (assuming I'm not jumping to conclusions on the ID).
> >
> > Doug Willick
> > Orange, CA
> >
> > From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of chris_morrison1
> > Sent: Monday, April 29, 2013 2:14 PM
> > To: [email protected]
> > Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Re: Photos of weekend birds
> >
> >
> >
> > I was birding Bolsa Chica today and captured the following image from a long
way out near the interpretive center. I was actually looking for Red Knots,
which I found, but in the same binocular FOV, I see this bird and snapped a
photo. At first I identified it as a Pacific Golden-Plover, but after seeing
Tom's photos of the American, I am now perplexed. Can someone take a look and
offer an opinion I blew up the bird and inserted it in the upper right. It's
certainly beyond my level of expertise here.
> >
> > http://www.flickr.com/photos/n2dpsky/8694263960/in/photostream
> >
> > Chris Morrison
> >
> > --- In
[email protected], Thomasabenson@ wrote:
> > >
> > > I have posted some photos of birds from the weekend (pelagic birds,
American Golden-Plover, Indigo Bunting) on my Flickr page for anyone that is
interested.
> > >
> > > Tom Benson
> > > San Bernardino, CA
> > >
> > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/40928097@N07/
> > >
> > >
> > >

This was seen from the interpretive center trail that leads from the parking lot
to the bluff (not over the bridge). He was on the mud flat on the northern most
part of the channel. His coloration was more striking in binos, which was what
drew my eye.

Below are the estimated coordinates where I observed the bird standing. He was
observed just before 10am.

33.710582, -118.060097‎

+33° 42' 38.10", -118° 3' 36.35"

Chris Morrison

--- In [email protected], "Willick, Doug"
wrote:
>
> Although it's hard to see some of the details, this looks to me like another
American Golden-Plover! I think Black-bellied can be eliminated based on
several features (smaller and more "dainty" size and proportions, relative small
bill size, etc.). The very bold, white-looking supercilium, and long wings look
to me for American Golden-Plover. With as rare as they are on the coast in
spring (or anywhere in California for that matter), if the bird isn't being seen
any more at Crystal Cove State Park, I'd wonder if it's the same individual.
This was seen then, Chris, up at the north (or northwest I guess it is) end of
Bolsa A real nice find (assuming I'm not jumping to conclusions on the ID).
>
> Doug Willick
> Orange, CA
>
> From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of chris_morrison1
> Sent: Monday, April 29, 2013 2:14 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Re: Photos of weekend birds
>
>
>
> I was birding Bolsa Chica today and captured the following image from a long
way out near the interpretive center. I was actually looking for Red Knots,
which I found, but in the same binocular FOV, I see this bird and snapped a
photo. At first I identified it as a Pacific Golden-Plover, but after seeing
Tom's photos of the American, I am now perplexed. Can someone take a look and
offer an opinion I blew up the bird and inserted it in the upper right. It's
certainly beyond my level of expertise here.
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/n2dpsky/8694263960/in/photostream
>
> Chris Morrison
>
> --- In
[email protected], Thomasabenson@ wrote:
> >
> > I have posted some photos of birds from the weekend (pelagic birds, American
Golden-Plover, Indigo Bunting) on my Flickr page for anyone that is interested.
> >
> > Tom Benson
> > San Bernardino, CA
> >
> > http://www.flickr.com/photos/40928097@N07/
> >
> >
> >

Chris and Doug,

I agree that it looks like an American Golden-Plover, and looks very similar (if
not the same) as the Crystal Cove bird. The comparison of the size difference
between this Golden-Plover and the Black-bellied Plover to the left is nice to
see as well.

Robert McNab
Laguna Niguel

--- In [email protected], "Willick, Doug"
wrote:
>
> Although it's hard to see some of the details, this looks to me like another
American Golden-Plover! I think Black-bellied can be eliminated based on
several features (smaller and more "dainty" size and proportions, relative small
bill size, etc.). The very bold, white-looking supercilium, and long wings look
to me for American Golden-Plover. With as rare as they are on the coast in
spring (or anywhere in California for that matter), if the bird isn't being seen
any more at Crystal Cove State Park, I'd wonder if it's the same individual.
This was seen then, Chris, up at the north (or northwest I guess it is) end of
Bolsa A real nice find (assuming I'm not jumping to conclusions on the ID).
>
> Doug Willick
> Orange, CA
>
> From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of chris_morrison1
> Sent: Monday, April 29, 2013 2:14 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Re: Photos of weekend birds
>
>
>
> I was birding Bolsa Chica today and captured the following image from a long
way out near the interpretive center. I was actually looking for Red Knots,
which I found, but in the same binocular FOV, I see this bird and snapped a
photo. At first I identified it as a Pacific Golden-Plover, but after seeing
Tom's photos of the American, I am now perplexed. Can someone take a look and
offer an opinion I blew up the bird and inserted it in the upper right. It's
certainly beyond my level of expertise here.
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/n2dpsky/8694263960/in/photostream
>
> Chris Morrison
>
> --- In
[email protected], Thomasabenson@ wrote:
> >
> > I have posted some photos of birds from the weekend (pelagic birds, American
Golden-Plover, Indigo Bunting) on my Flickr page for anyone that is interested.
> >
> > Tom Benson
> > San Bernardino, CA
> >
> > http://www.flickr.com/photos/40928097@N07/
> >
> >
> >

Although it's hard to see some of the details, this looks to me like another
American Golden-Plover! I think Black-bellied can be eliminated based on
several features (smaller and more "dainty" size and proportions, relative small
bill size, etc.). The very bold, white-looking supercilium, and long wings look
to me for American Golden-Plover. With as rare as they are on the coast in
spring (or anywhere in California for that matter), if the bird isn't being seen
any more at Crystal Cove State Park, I'd wonder if it's the same individual.
This was seen then, Chris, up at the north (or northwest I guess it is) end of
Bolsa A real nice find (assuming I'm not jumping to conclusions on the ID).

Doug Willick
Orange, CA

From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of chris_morrison1
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2013 2:14 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Re: Photos of weekend birds

I was birding Bolsa Chica today and captured the following image from a long way
out near the interpretive center. I was actually looking for Red Knots, which I
found, but in the same binocular FOV, I see this bird and snapped a photo. At
first I identified it as a Pacific Golden-Plover, but after seeing Tom's photos
of the American, I am now perplexed. Can someone take a look and offer an
opinion I blew up the bird and inserted it in the upper right. It's certainly
beyond my level of expertise here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/n2dpsky/8694263960/in/photostream

Chris Morrison

--- In
[email protected], Thomasabenson@... wrote:
>
> I have posted some photos of birds from the weekend (pelagic birds, American
Golden-Plover, Indigo Bunting) on my Flickr page for anyone that is interested.
>
> Tom Benson
> San Bernardino, CA
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/40928097@N07/
>
>
>

Mark Chappell has kindly provided a link to his photos of this bird. The
lighting conditions allow one to easily compare worn versus fresh feathers on
the upperparts, as well as note the relatively fresh state of the primaries:

http://faculty.ucr.edu/~chappell/INW/birds2/AmgoldenploverWinter.shtml

Jim Pike
HB

--- In [email protected], "Jim" wrote:
>
> 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
> > >
> > >
> > >

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
> >
> >
> >

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
>
>
>

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

Hi Dany,

My name is Doug Willick and I compile bird records for Orange County. Part of my
"job" is also to prepare quarterly reports for the editors of the So Cal Region,
for the journal North American Birds. I was intrigued by your post for birds
seen at Bolsa Chica on 9 August. The California Bird Records Committee (CBRC)
reviews documentation on specific very rare species that occur in the state (I
think their threshold is any species that occurs on average less than four times
annually in the state--at least that's what I remember). American Golden-Plover
was placed on the CBRC review list after it was elevated to full species status,
being split off from Pacific Golden-Plover (mainly because they weren't real
sure of its true status in the state, being most birders didn't try to separate
the two very similar plovers, conveniently leaving the ID as "Lesser Golden
Plover"). Anyway, since American Golden-Plover is currently a CBRC review
species, if you would be agreeable to this, I'd like to ask if you might be able
to submit as complete a descripton as possible that would specifically eliminate
other similar species (especially Pacific Golden-Plover, of course). Thanks
Dany.

Doug Willick
Orange, CA

P.S. I can also be reached, if this might help at all, at 714-648-2004 (a work
number).

--- In [email protected], Dany Sloan wrote:
>
> I spent about an hour this afternoon at Bolsa Chica. Full list below,
> but the more notable birds include a single REDDISH EGRET (which I
> seem to see there a lot, so I guess it's not that notable) and a
> single juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER. The bird was off the trail
> (near where all of the Least Terns nest), perched on the rocks for a
> solid five minutes roughly 15-20 feet in front of me. The sunlight
> was perfect to reveal the conspicuous supercilium, and its primary
> projection was noticeably long.
>
> I also got a very, very quick look at what I thought MAY have been a
> WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. The size and coloration was right, but as soon
> as I focused on the bird, it flew off. Keep an eye out if you're in
> the area.
>
> Cheers,
> Dany Sloan
> Los Angeles, CA
>
> Location: Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve
> Observation date: 8/9/09
> Notes: sunny, 80s, possible White-rumped Sandpiper
> Number of species: 25
>
> Brown Pelican 25
> Double-crested Cormorant 14
> Great Blue Heron 2
> Great Egret 10
> Snowy Egret 3
> Reddish Egret 1
> Green Heron 1
> American Golden-Plover 1
> Killdeer 3
> Willet 37
> Long-billed Curlew 1
> Marbled Godwit 15
> Short-billed Dowitcher 25
> Long-billed Dowitcher 1
> Western Gull 70
> California Gull 1
> Least Tern 51
> Caspian Tern 1
> Forster's Tern 1
> Elegant Tern 2
> Black Skimmer 200
> Rock Pigeon X
> Belted Kingfisher 1
> Barn Swallow 1
> Savannah Sparrow (Belding's) 2
>
>
> --
> Dany Sloan // Management
> (LoveLikeFire / The Brothers Movement)
> http://exitfare.blogspot.com
> http://www.twitter.com/danyexitfare
>

Hi Dany,

My name is Doug Willick and I compile bird records for Orange County. Part of my
"job" is also to prepare quarterly reports for the editors of the So Cal Region,
for the journal North American Birds. I was intrigued by your post for birds
seen at Bolsa Chica on 9 August. The California Bird Records Committee (CBRC)
reviews documentation on specific very rare species that occur in the state (I
think their threshold is any species that occurs on average less than four times
annually in the state--at least that's what I remember). American Golden-Plover
was placed on the CBRC review list after it was elevated to full species status,
being split off from Pacific Golden-Plover (mainly because they weren't real
sure of its true status in the state, being most birders didn't try to separate
the two very similar plovers, conveniently leaving the ID as "Lesser Golden
Plover"). Anyway, since American Golden-Plover is currently a CBRC review
species, if you would be agreeable to this, I'd like to ask if you might be able
to submit as complete a descripton as possible that would specifically eliminate
other similar species (especially Pacific Golden-Plover, of course). Thanks
Dany.

Doug Willick
Orange, CA

P.S. I can also be reached, if this might help at all, at 714-648-2004 (a work
number).

--- In [email protected], Dany Sloan wrote:
>
> I spent about an hour this afternoon at Bolsa Chica. Full list below,
> but the more notable birds include a single REDDISH EGRET (which I
> seem to see there a lot, so I guess it's not that notable) and a
> single juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER. The bird was off the trail
> (near where all of the Least Terns nest), perched on the rocks for a
> solid five minutes roughly 15-20 feet in front of me. The sunlight
> was perfect to reveal the conspicuous supercilium, and its primary
> projection was noticeably long.
>
> I also got a very, very quick look at what I thought MAY have been a
> WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. The size and coloration was right, but as soon
> as I focused on the bird, it flew off. Keep an eye out if you're in
> the area.
>
> Cheers,
> Dany Sloan
> Los Angeles, CA
>
> Location: Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve
> Observation date: 8/9/09
> Notes: sunny, 80s, possible White-rumped Sandpiper
> Number of species: 25
>
> Brown Pelican 25
> Double-crested Cormorant 14
> Great Blue Heron 2
> Great Egret 10
> Snowy Egret 3
> Reddish Egret 1
> Green Heron 1
> American Golden-Plover 1
> Killdeer 3
> Willet 37
> Long-billed Curlew 1
> Marbled Godwit 15
> Short-billed Dowitcher 25
> Long-billed Dowitcher 1
> Western Gull 70
> California Gull 1
> Least Tern 51
> Caspian Tern 1
> Forster's Tern 1
> Elegant Tern 2
> Black Skimmer 200
> Rock Pigeon X
> Belted Kingfisher 1
> Barn Swallow 1
> Savannah Sparrow (Belding's) 2
>
>
> --
> Dany Sloan // Management
> (LoveLikeFire / The Brothers Movement)
> http://exitfare.blogspot.com
> http://www.twitter.com/danyexitfare
>

Hi Dany,

My name is Doug Willick and I compile bird records for Orange County. Part of my
"job" is also to prepare quarterly reports for the editors of the So Cal Region,
for the journal North American Birds. I was intrigued by your post for birds
seen at Bolsa Chica on 9 August. The California Bird Records Committee (CBRC)
reviews documentation on specific very rare species that occur in the state (I
think their threshold is any species that occurs on average less than four times
annually in the state--at least that's what I remember). American Golden-Plover
was placed on the CBRC review list after it was elevated to full species status,
being split off from Pacific Golden-Plover (mainly because they weren't real
sure of its true status in the state, being most birders didn't try to separate
the two very similar plovers, conveniently leaving the ID as "Lesser Golden
Plover"). Anyway, since American Golden-Plover is currently a CBRC review
species, if you would be agreeable to this, I'd like to ask if you might be able
to submit as complete a descripton as possible that would specifically eliminate
other similar species (especially Pacific Golden-Plover, of course). Thanks
Dany.

Doug Willick
Orange, CA

P.S. I can also be reached, if this might help at all, at 714-648-2004 (a work
number).

--- In [email protected], Dany Sloan wrote:
>
> I spent about an hour this afternoon at Bolsa Chica. Full list below,
> but the more notable birds include a single REDDISH EGRET (which I
> seem to see there a lot, so I guess it's not that notable) and a
> single juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER. The bird was off the trail
> (near where all of the Least Terns nest), perched on the rocks for a
> solid five minutes roughly 15-20 feet in front of me. The sunlight
> was perfect to reveal the conspicuous supercilium, and its primary
> projection was noticeably long.
>
> I also got a very, very quick look at what I thought MAY have been a
> WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. The size and coloration was right, but as soon
> as I focused on the bird, it flew off. Keep an eye out if you're in
> the area.
>
> Cheers,
> Dany Sloan
> Los Angeles, CA
>
> Location: Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve
> Observation date: 8/9/09
> Notes: sunny, 80s, possible White-rumped Sandpiper
> Number of species: 25
>
> Brown Pelican 25
> Double-crested Cormorant 14
> Great Blue Heron 2
> Great Egret 10
> Snowy Egret 3
> Reddish Egret 1
> Green Heron 1
> American Golden-Plover 1
> Killdeer 3
> Willet 37
> Long-billed Curlew 1
> Marbled Godwit 15
> Short-billed Dowitcher 25
> Long-billed Dowitcher 1
> Western Gull 70
> California Gull 1
> Least Tern 51
> Caspian Tern 1
> Forster's Tern 1
> Elegant Tern 2
> Black Skimmer 200
> Rock Pigeon X
> Belted Kingfisher 1
> Barn Swallow 1
> Savannah Sparrow (Belding's) 2
>
>
> --
> Dany Sloan // Management
> (LoveLikeFire / The Brothers Movement)
> http://exitfare.blogspot.com
> http://www.twitter.com/danyexitfare
>