ML255455451

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Rare* First Pennsylvania record. Continuing bird first reported the day before as an American Golden Plover. I looked at the photos from the first night and thought the bird looked interesting and could possibly be something better. When I saw it was reported again, l decided I better go see it. Before I heard that it was still present the next day, I realized that I forgot my tripod at home. After getting there I had to used my scope by leaning on the posts at the location. This didn’t make it easy to study the bird. The bird looked big bill, long legged, short winged and had pale flanks. I thought it could possibly be a Pacific Golden Plover but it seemed to have limited golden spots on it’s back which made me start to doubt my thoughts. After looking at photos on line I found a photo of a transitioning American Golden Plover that had similar overall coloration which also added to the doubt. At this point I talked myself out of this possibility. Upon first seeing the bird, I talked with Dan Keener about the possibility of it being something better. I watched the bird for awhile trying to decide it’s identity. After watching it for awhile Dan asked me what I decided it was. At this point I had started to doubt my first impression and told him the I guess it was just an early American Golden Plover. You should always follow your gut feelings. Unfortunately I did not and did not get others excited about the bird. Your first impression is usually the correct one. Later that night I could not stop looking at all of the photos that where taken of this bird. I was not too surprised when it was determined to be a Pacific Golden Plover.

Technical information

Dimensions

4032 pixels x 3024 pixels

Original file size

2.22 MB