Idaho
Bird Records Committee Rarities Report Form
Species: Snowy Plover
Reporter: Jay Carlisle
989 W. Sherwood, Boise, ID
83706
jaycarlisle@boisestate.edu
Other Observers: Heidi Ware, Harry Krueger, Robert Mortenson,
Stephanie Coates, Jon Kauffman, and Kurt Frei
Date Report Prepared: 5-9-10
Date Sighting
Occurred: 5-8-10
Locality of Observation: Blacks Creek Reservoir, Ada County
Habitat: sandy mudflat
Conditions: clear & cool (60’s), relatively calm
Did you take notes? no
Did you consult a field
guide or other reference work? no
What guide(s) or
reference(s) did you consult?
Description: While scoping from across the reservoir, I noticed a
small, pale plover several feet from a Killdeer. When it turned I could see
black markings on the forecrown, auricular, and sides of the collar area. Upon closer inspection, we could see the
grayish legs; the short, dark bill; the pale grayish-tan back; and the white
underparts.
Behavior: The
bird was alternately resting and foraging on the sandy mudflat. It was feeding alone but was in the presence
of 2 Least Sandpipers, several Wilson’s Phalaropes, and a Killdeer. It foraged by leaning over to peck at the
ground in between short walks or runs.
How and when did you
positively identify the bird, and what clinched the identification for you? The pale
plumage combined with the black markings on the head & neck.
How did you eliminate
similar species, and what were they? Similar appearing plovers include Semipalmated and
Piping (very unexpected) – both of which have orange legs. Semipalmated is also much darker brown above
and has a complete breast band.
Killdeer are much larger and have 2 complete breast bands.
Experience with this
species (and similar species): I
have observed well over 100 Snowy Plovers, including on the wintering grounds
in California and Texas and breeding grounds in California and Oregon – and on
2 previous occasions in Idaho. I have
seen at least 50 Piping Plovers from South Dakota to Texas to Connecticut. Lastly, I have hundreds of Semipalmated
Plovers all over the US.
General birding
experience: extensive; 14+ years in
US and Latin America
Were photo(s), video,
and/or audio obtained by you? (If yes, please include or attach) Yes,
by Robert Mortenson – posted on his blog http://www.idahobirdingblog.com/2010/05/snowy-plover-rare-bird-alert-for-idaho.html
