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.
