viernes, 4 de abril de 2014

Semipalmated Plover - last photos?

 Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)

The Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus), first discovered back in October 2013, was still present at the tidal pools near the airport this morning. This American vagrant has spent the entire winter on La Palma, in the company of several Palearctic waders.


Also present at the same location today: 2 x Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula), 2 x Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola), 2 x Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica), 1 x Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) and 1 x Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos). All these migrants will soon be flying north.


Just to recap on the main hallmarks of semipalmatus: there is conspicuous webbing between both inner and outer toes; a fine, but clearly-defined eye-ring can be seen; and the bill is short and conical in shape. All these details can be appreciated in the present series of images.

Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus

The last two images allow comparison with C. hiaticula: this bird lacks an eye-ring, has darker, orangey-coloured legs, a longer bill, and an overall sturdier build...and note the absence of webbing between the inner toes.

Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)

Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)

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