ML304370541

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Observation details

Record published in Lanioturdus VOL.37(2) 2004American Golden Plover near Etosha NP, Namibia Richard White: 8 Tudor Gardens, Tudor Road, Gillitts, 3610, South Africa E-mail: rwhite@mweb.co.za Ph: +27 73 2543 978 Chris Hassell: P O Box 3089 ~ Broome, WA. 6725 ~ Australia E-mail: turnstone@wn.com.au Summary On the 10th November 2003, an American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica was sighted and photographed at an artesian bore situated approximately 8km east of the Andoni gate of Etosha National Park and 3 km west of the small town of Okashana in Namibia. A description of the bird is given from observations in the field and from studying digital images. Separation from Eurasian and Pacific Golden Plovers is also discussed. To our knowledge this is the first inland record for Namibia and possibly for Southern Africa of this species Introduction At 1150hrs on 10th November 2003 RW was scanning a small wetland, created by the constant flow from an artesian bore, looking for Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus. On the far bank of the main body of water he identified a Pluvialis plover. Knowing the region he realised the rarity of this and he asked CH to view the bird. CH immediately thought the bird was much bulkier and less ‘golden speckled’ than Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva, a bird which CH is very familiar to seeing due to living in north western Australia. The bird was initially viewed through telescopes and digitally photographed from a distance of 35 metres. Both observers realized closer views were necessary in particular to see the primary projection and how much the wings projected beyond the tail. Both observers agreed tentatively that it was an American Golden Plover but knowing the similarities between the 3 species of golden plover wanted to check reference books and view the digital images obtained. Fortuanately the bird was fairly approachable and views to approx 15m and additional photos were secured. Optics and conditions. Weather conditions were ideal for viewing with clear a blue cloudless sky. The sun was overhead as it was around midday. The bird was viewed with Leica trinovid 10X42BA and Swarovski SLC 10X42 binoculars and both observers had Kowa TSN 823 telescopes with 32X wide-angle eyepiece. Images were taken with a Nikon Coolpix 4500 attached to one Kowa telescope and with a Canon EOS D60 camera with 170-500mm Sigma lens mounted on a tripod. Description. This description is an amalgamation of observations in the field, brief notes taken during the sighting and from studying the digital images. First impressions Our first impressions of the bird were of a bulky golden plover with a bold, broad and long white supercilium. (See photos 1, 2 and 3) CH was struck by the bulk and broad chest of the bird and its lack of golden yellow flecking on the upperparts, (see photos 1 and 2) in comparison to the slender and well marked Pacific Golden Plovers he is used to seeing. Head and face The most obvious feature of the bird was its broad, bold and very long white eyebrow. (Photo 1,2 and 3) This started in front of the eye and continued well down the side of the neck. This gave the bird a somewhat ‘capped’ appearance. In PGP the supercilium is much shorter and is less white and more buff. The bill was in proportion with the birds head. In PGP the bill looks very fine even taking in to account that PGP is a smaller species. On Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria the bill is small on a large, deep-bodied bulky bird. Upperparts The mantle, scapulars and all wing coverts of the plover were greyish with pale edging and only the hint of golden yellow flecking. (See photo 2 and 3) In PGP the golden yellow is obvious and on brownish feathers, even when PGP is in non-breeding plumage. The wings were long; much attention was paid to this feature. The primaries projected well beyond the longest tertial and also well beyond the tail tip. (See photo 2) An attempt was made by CH to count the primaries on show beyond the longest tertial in the field. He identified that at least 4 primaries were on show but was not totally certain if it was in fact more given the views obtained. Images were no more helpful with this particular feature but this feature still does not support the bird being PGP. What was very easy to see in the field and in the images was that the wing tip is well beyond the tail of the bird. In PGP they fall level or very slightly beyond the tip of the tail. In brief flight views the primaries appeared all dark no wing bar was easily discernable. The bird had a dark rump ruling out any confusion with Grey Plover. In flight the bird appeared, ‘bulky and long winged’ according to CH. Underparts The throat and breast of the bird were heavily marked with black and brown flecks giving way to a predominately white belly and undertail coverts. (See photo 1) A few black tipped feathers, presumably of the birds breeding plumage, remained on the belly. The throat and breast of PGP have a warm buff appearance with the black flecking. The underwing was not seen. Identification The authors believe this sighting to be of American Golden Plover due to the key identification features listed below. Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola is not discussed in detail as the bird had no white rump in flight and this is the only feature needed to rule out that species. Differences between American (AGP), Eurasian (EGP) and Pacific (PGP) Golden Plovers are discussed This plover had a bold, broad and long white eye-brow. In EGP this feature is buff and indistinct. In PGP it is yellow/buff and not as obvious. This plover was bulky with a bill that looked in proportion with the bird. In EGP the bill is noticeably small on a large bird and in PGP the bill is very fine and delicate. This plover had long wings that projected well beyond the tail tip and at least four primaries were visable beyond the longest tertial, this feature was searched for in the field and shows to some extent in the images. EGP has the wing tip level or marginally beyond the tail tip. In Shorebirds An Identification to the Waders of the World, Hayman, Marchant and Prater it is stated that the PGP has wingtip clearly longer than the tail tip. CH has not found this to be the case in PGP in NW Australia his field observations and images from that region show the wing tip is only slightly longer than the tail tip. Images from various websites also seem to support this opinion. Also in PGP primary projection beyond the longest tertial is usually two primaries (CH field observation, CH images and website images) this plover showed at least four. Conclusion Both observers believe this is the first record of American Golden Plover for inland Namibia given the discussion above. American Golden Plover has, very rarely, been recorded on the Namibian coast with records at Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. According to Hockey (Atlas of Southern African Birds – Volume 1) all the accepted Southern African records are from the coast. This would thus be the first inland record of this species in Namibia and possibly Southern Africa. References Hayman. P, Marchant. J, Prater. T. (1986), Shorebirds An identification guide to the waders of the world, Helm, A and C Black, London. Hockey, Atlas of Southern African Birds Vol 1. Marchant, S., Higgins, P.J.(eds) (1993). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol. @: Raptors to Lapwings. Oxford University Press, Melbourne Pizzey, G. & Knight, F. (1997), The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, Angus and Robertson. Rosair. D, Cottridge. D, (1995), Photographic Guide to the Waders of the World, Hamlyn. Simpson, K. and Day, N. (1999), The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, sixth edition, Penguin Books, Australia. Sinclair, I. Hockey, P & Tarboton, W. (2002), Birds of Southern Africa, Third Edition, Struik, cape Town. Various websites.

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