Pacific (?!) Golden-Plover - Larimer

[John Shenot]

I was chasing an eBird report of a Black-bellied Plover this evening that turned up, instead, what I believe to be a Pacific Golden-Plover. It was at the north end of "Bartels Reservoir", actually a farm pond on Giddings Rd north of Douglas Road in Larimer County. Anyone inclined to chase should know that this is private property, viewed from the road, but there are no truly good places to pull off on this 50mph busy road.

The bird: larger than adjacent killdeer, black throat, breast and flanks, some white mixed in on flanks, speckled tan/golden back and wings, dull tan cap, white belly and undertail. Photographs to be added within an hour to my eBird report.

It looks like this would be the first Larimer County record in eBird, so I will not be offended or embarrassed if (when?) someone offers a different ID for this bird! But for goodness sakes, whatever it is, if you chase it, BE SAFE!

Happy birding,

John Shenot

Fort Collins, CO

[John Shenot]

Link to eBird report here: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39041491

[John Shenot]

Uh-oh.  I'm leaning now toward adult female Black-bellied Plover, as originally reported by another birder. I'd appreciate opinions from better birders than me who are willing to look at the eBird report. Sorry about the multiple posts and likely false alarm.

John Shenot

Fort Collins

On Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at 7:10:04 PM UTC-6, John Shenot wrote:

[Susan Wise]

I enjoy the multiple posts and general alarm!

Luke Pheneger and I were texting a couple weeks ago that this would be the time to carefully look at each and every Black-bellied Plover as an American Golden-Plover could be migrating through. I'm thinking your bird may be a Black-bellied based on that bulldog-like crouching posture. See how it looks like it doesn't have a neck? Golden-Plovers are more upright with a beanier looking head, more along the lines of a Mountain Plover. But I could be wrong as I'm looking at this on my phone.

It's a great reminder to enjoy looking at each and every bird. I hadn't even considered a Pacific! With the hurricanes lately, anything could turn up. Poor birdies.

[Joe Roller]

Thanks for the photos, John. 

Relatively thick bill suggests Black-bellied Plover.

Joe Roller, Denver

 

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