We went to do a Piping Plover survey near high tide (6:30 PM) on 5 Aug 10 at the Milford Point Spit. Too many shorebirds were congregating in the increasingly small space for us to go very far out without disturbing these migrating birds, so we decided not to proceed. (At the beginning of the spit we found a dead Semipalmated Sandpiper--it had what looked to be at least a few puncture wounds in the chest and side.) We found only a single, suspiciously passive, Piping Plover, which we at first took to be a fledgling, but on further reflection we realized it was an adult: it had a distinct neckband, a dark forehead band, and a definite touch of orange at the base of the bill. Also, its scapulars and coverts showed wear. Therefore this is an adult, and from the paleness of its markings and lack of much orange on its bill, probably a female. But it's also possible that this is a nonbreeding bird of either sex on its southward migration. Above is a photo and below video; we suspect that it was just tired and perhaps already on its migratory flight.
No comments:
Post a Comment