Emergency Golden Plover Posting - re CSM Plover

A hasty post after word reach the masses this afternoon about a golden plover in high breeding plumage seen at Cape St. Mary's, Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland on 16 July 2015 by a tour group lead by David Trently. A day or two later a Cape St. Mary's guide (Kyran) got the photos below of the bird. These photo surfaced today.

The white line running from neck and along flanks to undertail is a sign of Pacific and European Golden Plover.  The hint of fairly dark undertail coverts and suggestions of dark flecking in the white flanking are indications of Pacific Golden Plover.  There have been no records of European Golden Plover during July in Newfoundland but two for Pacific Golden Plover (July 2007 and July 2011)

Separating PGPL from EUGP is a lot easier when you see them in life and get a feel for the slimmer more American GP like actions of the Pacific GP.  European Golden Plovers are dumpier slightly less dainty birds.  Excellent photos of the Cape St. Mary's bird might show more details of the undertail coverts and flanks. Brown under wing coverts would eliminate EUGP.

I am on a ship and duty calls in ten minutes. Internet is sporadic and slow. I will post some photos of Newfoundland Pacific and European Golden Plovers now and hopefully later tonight add some captions.

EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVERS

(spring 2014 Avalon Peninsula)

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Pacific Golden Plover

(July 15, 2007 - Trepassey, Avalon Pen, NF)

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Pacific Golden Plover

(June 5, 2010 - Cape Race, Avalon Pen, NF)