ML644143639

Media notes

Autumn vagrant in central England, UK

Observation details

After no sign initially, I picked up the continuing juvenile among 6 European Golden Plovers at the inflow to the main reservoir - this group had presumably been feeding elsewhere and returned while my attention was diverted, as until that point just a single European had been present farther up the inflow. Compared to its congeners, the American was distinctly greyer, slighter in build and a little smaller. Plumage lacked any significant golden or yellowish hues, the grey tones being relieved mainly by a darker cap, dark spot on ear coverts and prominent white supercilium. Uppermost were spangled with white, underparts a paler, more uniform dull greyish. Photographed

Additional species

• European Golden-Plover Pluvialis apricaria