Little Waihi/Maketu - American Golden Plover

[kaimaikid]

Anyone heading out there tomorrow (Sunday) ?

[Tim Barnard]

Hi
Back in the Bay so checked out the American golden plover at Little Waihi with Gary and Loretta - eventually found it in the usual roost after a bit of hide and seek. The birds were very skittish and not easily approached - hard to get to within 50m. Eventually we managed to get some photos but it was incredibly hot out there too so difficult to cope with the heat haze and brightness!

Appears to have three primaries passed the longest tertial now - though that was whilst it was sat down. Quite dramatic rate of growth since 19th Jan when there were none ... check Ian's photo ...

Cheers
Tim

ps also present

Bar-tailed godwit c.520
Knot 23
PGP 27
Banded dotterel 70
Wrybill 7
Red-necked stint 4

and a skink!

[kaimaikid]

Was a great day, finally got to meet Tim and get to see some awesome birds.

[Tim Barnard]

Hi
Still present with 29 Pacific golden plovers last night - for the first time there appear to be four primaries passed the longest tertial - but only just ... ...
Cheers
Tim

[Tim Barnard]

Just some more photos from last week ...

[Tim Barnard]

Hi
Still present but very elusive. Led Ian Southey, Paddy Latham and me on a frustrating waltz around Little Waihi and Pukehina roosts yesterday...
Cheers
Tim

[Tim Barnard]

Hi
Much more obliging on Sunday at Little Waihi and still very distinctive (and grey) amongst the PGPs. The longest primary seems to have stretched out a little more ...

The bird was calling quite stridently at times on the ground. Not used to hearing PGPs unless in flight overhead or on take-off.

also present:
Pacific golden plover 24
Knot 32
Bar-tailed godwit 467
Wrybill 6
Red-necked stint 4
Banded dotterel 76
NZ dotterel 3
VOc
SIPO

Tim

[Tim Barnard]

A few more shots ...

[philbattley]

And only 150 more views until you overtake the Semipalmated Plover topic for popularity!

[Tim Barnard]

Hahaha - too right! This one has certainly been a slow burner ... had more episodes than Coronation Street ...