5/04 Wilson's Plover

Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary (RMBS/Riverlands) - St. Charles County, MO
My son and I were outside when he thinks he hears my cell phone ringing. Checking my phone it was Larry Beeson calling. I returned his call and he said he has an odd plover out on the mud slowly moving away. He thinks he knows what it is but would not say. I was up there in record time and we scoped it from Riverlands Way. After getting closer we concluded it to be a Wilson's Plover which is No. 333 on my list of Bird Species Photographed in Missouri. This would be a potential 2nd Missouri record.

A few of the birds seen, complete set and larger sizes in gallery.
Click here to view the gallery • • • For location of birds click here for map.

Click thumb below to popup large photo. Hover thumbs for names.
Scoping and photos from Riverlands Way did not conclusively comfirm ID as it was out there over 100 yards.
Larry and I very slowly walked out on the mudflat zig-gagging and stopping after about each 10-15 steps watching for any alertness and taking a couple photos. He "hid" behing me so not to show much profile. No alertness seen, we got within about 45-50 yards where we could get a good ID and photos. Returning to the road I started to notify everyone.

Comparison with Semiplamated Plover and Semiplamated Sandpiper.




Photos from gallery