Hi Dimitris
Rather a complex question. The short answer is they are almost
certainly all “Mongolian” Sandplover.
From the discussion on Lesser Sandplover in Richard Chandler’s
“Shorebirds of the Northern Hemisphere”, published last year by
Christopher Helm –
-
He recognises 5 subspecies, dividable into 2 groups, 3
western breeding forms (‘atrifrons group’ = Lesser SP) and 2
eastern breeders, mongolus and stegmanni (‘mongolus group’
= Mongolian SP).
-
These two groups are separable in breeding plumage, but only to ‘group’
level, not to subspecies.
-
In non-breeding plumage ‘atrifrons-group’
birds have clean white flanks, ‘mongolus-group’ birds are either
clean-flanked or variably marked with grey or brown. Therefore many
non-breeding birds would not be identifiable even to ‘group’ level.
-
From Andrew Geering et al ‘Shorebirds of Australia’,
Australian birds are thought to be subspecies mongolus with stegmanni
mentioned as possibly also occurring. I am not aware of any confirmed Aus
records of ‘atrifrons-group’ birds, although as they occur in
south-east Asia they are certainly potential vagrants to Aus, and I think there
have been at least some unsubstantiated reports.
The split into 2 species you mention doesn’t seem to have
very much support yet in the technical literature, although this could change
in the future.
Cheers
Steve
From: Dimitris Bertzeletos
[
Sent: Sunday, 20 June 2010 4:52 PM
To: canberra birds
Subject: [canberrabirds] South Coast Lesser Sandplovers
Hello all,
These three birds are from the 27-1-10 from the now fabled Turross estuary
(Unfortunately I only say the Broad-billed Sandpiper). I am pretty sure they
are Lesser Sandplovers, but I am wondering if the one with dark flanks is a Mongolian
Sandplover (some authorities split the two).
Photos can be seen here:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=173889
Cheers and thanks for any info in advance!
D.
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