The single Kentish Plover studied at Old Bar on the 22.2.02 was considered
to be an adult or first prebreeding female basic (or winter) plumaged bird.
It had scattered heavy complete moult occuring in all upperwing feather
tracts. It had adult primaries not heavily worn, the outermost being rounded
not pointed.. It had two white fringed new tertials coming in on the left
wing. There was some subtle darker speckling in the crown. No sign of any
rufous or buff in cap. No black visible in forecrown, lores or side of
breast which are indicators of winter males. The long slender bill of the
Old Bar bird demonstrates clinal geographical variation towards the
subspecies dealbatus. The legs (noticeably longer than Red-capped Plover)
could be described as light grey with a pinkish tone around the tarsal
joint. Distinct complete neck collar. There was a barely discernible thin
featureless eyering. The long rounded crown was distinctive compared to
Red-capped Plover. The supercilium only just extended behind the eye. The
big call is that there are two birds, but I suspect it may be the same bird
appreciated under different light and angles. Nobody has seen two birds side
by side. These notes on the bird widely seen should make it apparent if
another plumage is found. Reference Birds of the West Palaearctic Vol 3,
153-165.
Cheers
Dion
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