Show us your lapwings, plovers and dotterels...

[Tom Kellie]

Immature Brown-chested Lapwing

Photographed at 1:36 pm on 21 January, 2013 in Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, using an EOS 1D X camera and an EF 300mm f/4L IS telephoto lens + EF 1.4x extender.

ISO 100, 1/500 sec., f/5.6, 420mm focal length, handheld Manual Exposure.

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We were driving in the general vicinity of the Mara River when this immature Vanellus superciliosus, Brown-chested Lapwing, was spotted in the grass very near the track.

It was the only time that I've ever photographed this species in Kenya. At the time we weren't certain of it's identification, but we were impressed by its large yellow eyes.

[Tom Kellie]

Vanellus spinosus

Photographed at 2:19 pm on 20 July, 2015 in Meru National Park, Kenya, using an EOS 1D X camera and an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens.

ISO 400, 1/500 sec., f/5.6, 400mm focal length, handheld Manual exposure.

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When @@offshorebirder planned a 2016 visit to Kenya, I thought of how many avian species he'd observe. Given his experience and perspicacious character, he's sure to return with a wealth of sightings.

One species I hope he'll spot is Vanellus spinosus, Spur-winged Lapwing. We encountered this bird in a secluded corner of Meru National Park, where it obligingly posed long enough for this portrait.

[offshorebirder]

American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica). This is a first-year bird during its first northbound migration; photo taken on May 5, 2012 in a drained impoundment (former ricefield) at the Yawkey Wildlife Center in coastal South Carolina.

 

American Golden-Plovers are very rare in the eastern U.S. during spring migration, yet a few individuals turn up each April and May at Yawkey, spending days or weeks fattening up for the next stage of their journey north.

 

Edited November 12, 2015 by offshorebirder

[Tom Kellie]

American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica). This is a first-year bird during its first northbound migration; photo taken on May 5, 2012 in a drained impoundment (former ricefield) at the Yawkey Wildlife Center in coastal South Carolina.

 

American Golden-Plovers are very rare in the eastern U.S. during spring migration, yet a few individuals turn up each April and May at Yawkey, spending days or weeks fattening up for the next stage of their journey north.

 

~ @@offshorebirder

 

Thank you for the Pluvialis dominica image.

You've mentioned that they're very rare in the eastern United States during the Spring migration.

Why is that?

Is it because most of their species migrate elsewhere?

Or is it because they're a highly endangered species hence rare everywhere?

Tom K.

[offshorebirder]

@@Tom Kellie - most American Golden-Plovers travel north through central North America during spring migration. Then in the fall, many more of them travel south through eastern N. America.

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie - most American Golden-Plovers travel north through central North America during spring migration. Then in the fall, many more of them travel south through eastern N. America.

 

~ @@offshorebirder

 

Aha! That makes good sense.

Hence it's nothing at all due to relative scarcity but rather seasonal migration route shifts.

Your kind reply continues Safaritalk's tradition of helping others to better understand natural phenomena.

Thank you!

Tom K.