YOUR BIRDING MONTH
The larger (non-lapwing) plovers are in the genus Pluvialis. There are just four species in the world. One is a UK breeding bird and common winterer and passage bird, one is a common coastal winterer and passage bird, while the other two are rare but annual visitors to the UK.
Grey Plover
The largest of the Pluvialis plovers is a chunky wader which is a lover of sandy, muddy coastal areas, from beaches to estuaries (though they do turn up in small numbers inland on passage). Not a UK breeder, an estimated 35,000 winter here, and about twice that number are seen during passage periods. Spectacularly spangled black and white above and jet black below in breeding plumage, in juvenile and non-breeding plumage they are toned down and appear grey from a distance. Note the large size, long, thick bill (compared to other plovers) and black axillaries (‘armpits’) unique to this plover, and whitish rump (dark on the golden plovers).
American Golden Plover
This species and the Pacific Golden Plover are so similar that they were once ‘lumped’ as Lesser Golden Plover, though now widely regarded as distinct species. Americans generally have bolder white supercilia, longer primary feathers (in the wing), very slightly shorter legs and, in breeding adults, more extensive black on the underparts (and very slightly shorter legs). As with Pacific, note the grey-brown axillaries (and underwings). Juveniles are greyer than Pacific Golden Plovers.
Golden Plover
Breeding on moors and similar upland habitats in the north and west of the country, with 30,000 to 51,000 nesting pairs, numbers swell greatly in winter, when the population tops 400,000 birds. Many of these are found well inland on rough grassland, often mixing with Lapwings. Like a smaller version of the Grey Plover, but with golden spangled upperparts. The black underparts of breeding adults are less extensive than on Grey Plovers, often restricted largely to a belly patch on more southern birds (Scandinavian breeders have more extensive black). Slightly larger than the ‘lesser’ pair, and note the distinctively white (not grey or black) axillaries.
Pacific Golden Plover
Very similar in appearance to the American Golden Plover, but longer legged, and slightly shorter winged. In flight, the feet will project slightly beyond the tail. Juveniles look like smaller versions of Golden Plover juveniles, requiring careful separation, much of which is to do with structure as well as a good look at the underparts and/or call, which resembles that of the Spotted Redshank combined with the call of the Green Sandpiper.
UK TIDES SEPTEMBER
The times below are for high tide, when waders and wildfowl will be pushed c
