Hi In North America most spring records of the European Golden-Plover, have occurred annually in Newfoundland with a high count of 350 individuals in 1988. It is suggested the European G-P were mis-oriented or blown westward from their intended summer destination of Iceland. In fall there is just a handful of records from northeastern North America and several fall records from Alaska thought to have occurred from Icelandic migrants drifting eastward following the prevailing winds in the arctic. (Rare bird of North America, Howell, Lewington, & Russell-2014).
Looking at the few pictures of a Golden Plover from north-central New Mexico, based on the ratio of the head and bill and the suggestive white showing from the underwing this bird may prove to be an European Golden-Plover. Looking at its history of vagrancy it doesn’t seem possible or does it? Could the Golden Plover arriving to North America in the spring kept traveling westward and summered somewhere in the Arctic and then in the fall headed south to be spotted in NM. Is there any update on the status and identity of the Golden Plover from NM? Bob Righter Denver CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/A0496477-2C09-4CFF-9D08-EFE462D01B49%40earthlink.net.
