Lesser Sand-Plover at Boundary Bay

[Larry Cowan]

I don't know whether Boundary Bay is classed as out of town for Fraser Valley birders but a heads up for a Lesser Sand-Plover (Mongolian PLover) which is now present for the fourth day.

It was relocated on the falling tide at about 7:00 AM. It was about 200m from the foot of 104th in the direction of 112th.

The bird is of similar size to a Semipalmated Plover in fact when it arrived on seen it came in with a SEPL.

Great looking bird in breeding plumage.

Larry Cowan
Pitt Meadows

[Gord]

Thanks for the heads up Larry! That's a great species!!! I hope to go out for a day first week of August. Maybe it will still be kicking around.

Boundary Bay is 'out of town' as defined by our checklist area, but it's not really so feel free to share what's going on in your neck of the woods!

[tmanson]

Following up on Larry's report on the Lesser Sand Plover, this is to report the bird was still there today, Monday, July 16th. It seems to be seen, for now, exclusively on the morning falling tide. Tomorrow the high tide is at 7:00 a.m. and I would suggest, that following its typical pattern, the bird will be seen about an hour later, on the exposed sand/mud flats. For photographers, at that time, the bird is very photographable, because it can be quite close to the shore, although, of course, I didn't have my camera with me!? The area around the bottom of 104th st. seems to be the place to be, and you can park there too. A great, rare bird for the Vancouver area. Cheers, Thor

Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.

[Dave]

DB Lesser Sand Plover Excursion #1 Report

I am back home, my clothes are still wet, and I do not have any experiences with a Sand Plover yet.. Interesting how the time of the receding tide concided perfectly with heavy rain....and no Sand Plover. I feel I can relate with Gord's 180 on Mount Cheam last week.

I did spend 7:00 to 9:00 this morning on the dyke with a dozen others. Rumour had it one birder thought she saw the bird but when she looked away to tell someone, she couldn't find it again. I feel that if the bird was there during the 2 hours, we would have found it...plenty of us sweeping back and forth and not that many birds to sort through. Even a Semipalmated Plover stands out of the crowd quite clearly.

Anyway, thanks for the advice Thor. Perhaps I will have the opportunity to try again.

Dave

[tmanson]

Dave: Bad luck on the plover. It seems like maybe the weather was conspiring against you, wheras yesterday, the viewing conditions were perfect.
If you read Tweeters, the Washington State birding listserve, your rumour is correct. A birder named Penney saw the bird this morning, and according to her report, she immediately gave up the scope to her husband, and then tried to alert other birders. She says she wish she had stayed with the bird, and waved her arms around instead, as no one could relocate the bird.
I guess the good news is that the plover appears to be still around. Thor

Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.

[Gord]

Im planning to spend a morning out there in early August. Maybe Ill get even more lucky from just being there to see it!

Too bad on the miss Dave and for the poor weather!