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Post by Dave on May 6, 2010 20:23:22 GMT -8
I received a call from watchmen tonight of an AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER on Banford/Prairie Central in the field that continues to produce. I quite literally dropped my work and headed straight out there, and 15 mins after the call I was enjoying an array of shorebirds including 30 Black-bellied Plover (many in full breeding), 1 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (male, in FULL BREEDING!), 16 Dunlin, and 1 Western Sandpiper. The American Golden is a special bird, and extra special for me as I have only seen them in the duller non-breeding colours before.  In this photo, there are 4 Black-bellied Plover. The American Golden-Plover stands out as the 'golden-backed' bird on the left. Dunlin are in the foreground in stricking breeding colours as well! Awesome birds to have in Chilliwack!  Panorama of the variety in the field. I had to remind myself I was standing next to a field on Banford Road!! Chilliwack is certainly part of the shorebird migration flyway!!   Can you spot the American Golden? Note the smaller size.  Lots of 'distant' pics.  Distant picture of the Western Sandpiper nearby. Thanks watchmen for finding it! Dave Beeke |
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Post by Chris on May 6, 2010 21:53:34 GMT -8
Amazing sighting!!! I checked the site and it seems that this may be the first record of an American Golden Plover in our checklist! Shorebirds are awesome especially in breeding plumage.
Dave the pictures are great and really show the difference between the birds.
I managed to see it tonight around eight. It is a new bird for me. Such stunning birds. I wonder if they will hang around or move on tonight.
It just goes to show to check the fields with water in them because you never know what one can find.
Chris
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Post by Wetlander on May 7, 2010 8:00:47 GMT -8
Thanks for the heads-up everyone!!! A lifer for me as well...
Saw it this morning at 7am. with a number of Black-bellied Plover and Dunlin.
Also met up with Denis & Gord while there. 3 Guys standing in a field looking at a puddle... COOL!
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Post by Gord on May 7, 2010 22:13:52 GMT -8
Fantastic find! Nice pictures, Dave. Denis and Kevin, good to see you this morning. Im not one to usually chase birds, but it was garbage day and I was not about to miss the truck two weeks in a row so I got up early. (but they showed at 12:00 today...). As the field is sort of on my way to work and I had time, I dropped by. Beautiful bird. Never have seen one in breeding colours. The little Western Sandpiper was still there as well. A few American Pipits were among the shorebirds as well at one point. Amazing what a little bit of habitat like that can support. Makes one wonder of the incredible value a few such places such as that set aside would have on migrating shorebirds. Of course, some photos. Our Hero   He really sticks out next to the paler Black-bellied Plovers (who are also stunning)  Underwing pattern is always a good fieldmark. It is plain gray on the Golden-plovers. Black-bellied have a black patch in the 'armpits'. Cute little Dunlin in there as well.   Male and female Black-bellied Plover  Beautiful male.    |
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Post by Janne on May 7, 2010 23:15:03 GMT -8
Stunning photos of the Black-bellied and American Golden Plover, Gordon. Even better than at 60X through my Pentax Scope. Thanks for posting them!
The birds attracted so many of us that the local dairy farmer came over about 3PM to ask me what everyone was looking at. He accused me of being there all day. Actually I took a look about 12:30 but the bright sun made viewing through the scope difficult so I did some errands and returned on the trip home. I told him what the birds were and and also pointed out how important this wet field habitat was to these shore birds as they winter to the middle of South America and nest in the high Arctic and need to stop and fuel up on the journey.
Janne Perrin
Harrison Hot Springs
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Post by butterfly on May 8, 2010 10:53:02 GMT -8
Super photos Gord!!!! Beautiful bird (s)
It was nice to meet Jeff, Dave, Dave, Rick and Janne there watching the puddles!!!
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Post by Gord on May 8, 2010 22:19:23 GMT -8
Thanks all.
Janne, a little alarmed at the farmer's response to the birding interest. Is he leasing the field or just has one near by? That big field is Indian Reserve land which is leased to farmers. I hope the farmer leasing it is ok with the birds and the attention it gets. If duck hunting, which is regular during the winter, is ok, I hope people looking at birds from the edge of the field is ok too. Let me know if you think a little good-will visit is needed for the sake of bird watchers.
A good time to remember to make sure vehicles are parked well off the road as to not impede vehicle or farm vehicle traffic. Not suggesting anyone hasn't as Ive never seen anyone in the area blocking vehicles or otherwise acting inappropriately.
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