Following a number of years dreaming of seeing a Kentish Plover at Crymlyn Burrows, today I finally got to see one for real. Clearly a late individual and some murmuring have entertained the idea of Snowy Plover! To be honest the reference material I have leaves me thinking this is a Kentish Plover, but I doubt that I could make a wholly convincing case to completely rule Snowy Plover out. Can it be done? The plumage seemed good for juvenile, not showing much dark in the broken collar. On some occasions, particularly at closer range, the bird didn't look very long-legged, however as the below photo shows it would often look very long-legged, which seems better feature for Kentish. Otherwise, my trusted Shorebirds suggests that Snowy Plover can often have pale legs, but this bird showed the dark legs that I was expecting to see.
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It's not the first time a Kentish Plover has been seen at Crymlyn Burrows. Dr Bryn Richards' Bird Life of Neath and District from 1952 to 1972 has a systematic list that shows ' Rare; one record only, Jersey Marine, October 1970.' This record has no observer details.
A search of the database records shows more details relating to the 1970 record -
1 - 4th October 1970 - D.M. Hanford
Two other records that year both coming from Blackpill
3 - 17th May 1970 - P.G. Lansdown et al
1 - 8th June 1970 - R.A. Hume
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5 comments:
nice find mark well done
Great find Mark well done - they have become mega rare in Glam in recent decades. It would also be a Glam tick for me if I get to see it - yet another rare event!!
good find mark,nice bird and a bit of payback for your hard patchwork
cheers bernie beck
Thanks very much of the comments lads. Paul - glad you saw it. Rich - I really hope it sticks for you, this evening's tide could offer a decent chance. Bernie - great to hear from you. Hope to catch up soon.
Another great find Mark and much relief that it stuck around for me to recover from illness to get it today...
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