Sand-Plover Staunton VA, Sept. 2009
As of 9-8-09 I understand this visitor to a Staunton, Virginia farm pond may be a Greater Sand-Plover. These photos were taken 9/8/09 (#1-16 under clouds around noon) and 9/7 (#17-20, sunny, in early evening); they're posted for ID purposes, showing size perspective with other species along with a few flight photos. Newly added photos include an underside view (#19.) I believe the bird's ID is still up for discussion, and welcome all comments!
**NOTES: Photographer's position was elevated above the pond - a possible consideration when evaluating leg length and other characteristics (ground position approximately 15' above and 160' away from the pond, based on Staunton City G.I.S. data.)
VIDEO -- posted 9/13/09, filmed 9/8/09, between 11:00-12:00 noon under clouds. The quality is not useful for studying details but shows behaviors and movement with other birds. Shot with a Panasonic SDR-H18 camcorder, hand-held. This camera is standard-definition, and most footage was shot at around 30x (optical) with occasional use of digital zoom for closer views. I believe the other birds shown are one Semipalmated Sandpiper (often close to the Sand-Plover), one Semipalmated Plover and multiple Least Sandpipers.
Read More**NOTES: Photographer's position was elevated above the pond - a possible consideration when evaluating leg length and other characteristics (ground position approximately 15' above and 160' away from the pond, based on Staunton City G.I.S. data.)
VIDEO -- posted 9/13/09, filmed 9/8/09, between 11:00-12:00 noon under clouds. The quality is not useful for studying details but shows behaviors and movement with other birds. Shot with a Panasonic SDR-H18 camcorder, hand-held. This camera is standard-definition, and most footage was shot at around 30x (optical) with occasional use of digital zoom for closer views. I believe the other birds shown are one Semipalmated Sandpiper (often close to the Sand-Plover), one Semipalmated Plover and multiple Least Sandpipers.
Image from Staunton City GIS website, with 5' elevation contours. Viewing site was at tree line off the end of the rectangular object (a semitrailer.) Bird moved between a mud-flat just out from the pond's near edge and another about 1/4(?) way out. (Elevation change looks like about 15', distance to bird roughly 160-180'.)
Website: http://gis1.ci.staunton.va.us:8086/freeance/Client/PublicAccess1/index.html?appconfig=MasterPublicAccess
Location: SW side of Interstate 81 / Woodrow Wilson Parkway intersection, access via Bells Ln from Woodrow Wilson Pkwy
