Posted by Robin Diaz on November 07, 2002 at 20:56:56:
Numbers of plovers have increased dramatically on Crandon Flats during the past 3 days. This afternoon, while doing the November Piping Plover count, I met Oregon birder John Houle. We compared notes; he had seen an American Golden-Plover on the north flats. We sorted through some plovers and Bingo! This bird was slimmer, had a slender bill and appeared long-legged next to the Black-bellied Plovers. The supercilium was wide and light. It was interesting to compare its posture with the surrounding birds.
As I moved toward the center flats, I noticed a very dark, slim plover by itself. The overall coloration appeared taupe, with heavy speckling on the upperparts. The taupe color extended down the breast (faint collar) and belly with faint streaking. Dark coloration extended to and included the undertail coverts. The bill was small, slender and black. The legs were very dark. The supercilium was wide and light, with a dark stripe in front of the eye and a dark "ear" smudge. Also very noticeable was the long primary projection past the tail.
After observation ~6 minutes, it flew a short distance. No armpits! It circled, calling a single high-pitched "kweet". I was able to see the dark tail, rump and upper body as it flew. It landed ~30 yards providing excellent views. I noticed that the Black-bellied Plovers seemed to bully this bird, so it stayed by itself. After a while, it took off, calling, and was joined by another bird, also calling. They flew in a large circle and I was able to judge from their size, shape (especially wings) and calls that they were both American Golden-Plovers. They stayed together the entire time I watched them (~90 seconds) until they were out of sight. Lighting was poor for coloration other than "dark" on upper body. Neat stuff!
I feel that the second bird was probably an immature because of the heavy speckling on upper body and dark coloration, including belly. It stands out nicely for anyone who looks for it.
Other birds of interest: ~20 Piping Plovers (4 banded), Wilson's, Semipalmated and ~70 Black-bellied Plovers, Dunlin, 27 dowwtichers, Ring-billed and Lesser Black-backed (adult) Gulls. A Peregrine Falcon stirred up the shorebirds twice.
Directions: Take Rickenbacker Causeway ($1) from Mainland to Key Biscayne. Enter for beach parking (fee) and park at the furthest south parking area. Walk directly east to beach. Low tide will be in afternoon for a few more days. Directly south of parking area is the Crandon Gardens.