Voting Comments
Record #: 94-B-07
Pacific Golden Plover
1st Round: 1-6
2nd Round: 1-6
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1st Round |
2nd Round |
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05-20-2008. chuck trost -- Accept Breeding plumage field marks seen and described well. |
02-08-2009.
I hate to be the lone ranger, but whether he knew the sex of theis bird seems irrelevant. The white going down the flanks, under the wings and under the tail eliminates AM. golden Plover in my book. Earl is a careful observer, but if he missed the primary extension, big deal. This is a fine point that you realize after looking in the book. |
| Carlisle 5-16-08.
VOTE: Reject, specific identification not established COMMENTS: I know Earl to be a very good birder & Pacific is likely what he saw BUT I am uncomfortable accepting this record without discussion of the structural differences between American and Pacific (especially b/c there seems to be quite a plumage gradient possible among molting adults). |
02-19-2009.
Same comments as before ... emphasizing that the ID is likely correct but structural detail needed |
| Darren Clark 05/04/2008.
VOTE: Reject, specific identification not established COMMENTS: There is no mention of wing, tail, or tertial length. Also a female alternate plumage American Golden-Plover can have white under the tail. Given the information in the report I'm not confident accepting this record. |
02-19-2009.
Same comments as previous |
| Hardy 10 May 2008.
VOTE: Reject, specific identification not established COMMENTS: Here we have an experienced, reliable observer, but an unsatisfying description of the bird. I would like to see first how this bird was determined to be a male golden-plover and not a female. The description of white down the side and along the flanks could also apply to a female American. |
15 February 2009.
Same comments as first round. |
| Sturts 05-03-2008.
VOTE: Reject, specific identification not established COMMENTS: The narrower white stripe on the head/neck, and the white on the side extending into the tail, do point toward the Pacific Golden-Plover. However, nothing was said about the primary projection, a key difference between the Pacific and American. Earl Chapin is an excellent birder and is familiar with both species. This could very likely be the Pacific but I feel there is a need for discussion due to the rarity of the sighting and the close similarity between he two species. |
02-13-2009.
I'm staying with my first round vote for the same reasons. |
| Dave Trochlell 05-17-2008.
VOTE: Reject, specific identification not established COMMENTS: Although the report claims to describe a breeding male, we now know that both golden-plover species begin their pre-basic molt before even leaving their Arctic breeding grounds. That makes it somewhat unlikely that this southbound migrant was in full alternate plumage, as claimed. Unfortunately, the description doesn't compete this bird with an adult female American Golden-Plover, which can appear similar to a male Pacific Golden-Plover. In any case, the differentia of these two species should always include structure information, specifically primary tip exposure and primary projection. Finally, a careful description of the undertail area would've also been helpful. |
02-06-2009.
See comments in first vote. |
| Cliff Weisse 5/7/08.
VOTE: Reject, specific identification not established COMMENTS: The description contains no details of structure that I feel are necessary to separate American and Pacific Golden Plover. Because both American and Pacific Golden Plovers begin pre-basic molt before leaving the breeding grounds the plumage details included in the description do not eliminate the possibility of a molting male American Golden Plover. |
2/6/2009.
No change. Golden Plovers cannot be aged or sexed reliably during migration because they are typically in molt. Wing tip/tertial/tail ratio is necessary to separate American Golden-Plover from Pacific Golden-Plover. |