These American Golden Plover Get Around!

The American Golden Plover are uncommon in Connecticut but can be found in the right place at the right time. Rocky Hill Meadows in September is once such time and place. 

They are a touch smaller than Black-bellied Plover and prefer agricultural fields over mudflats. What I really found interesting is that they breed in the Arctic tundra, winter in South America, spend time staging in large numbers in places like Illinois, and somehow end up in Patagonia. They have one of the longest migratory routes at 25,000 miles including a non-stop flight of 2,400 miles over open ocean. 

I was a just happy to get a picture of one as I've seen them a couple of times but never had a photo to go with it.

Biking For Shorebirds At The Meadows

There is a dirt road that passes through miles of agricultural fields near the Connecticut River in Rocky Hill and Wethersfield. It can be a good spot for certain species of birds. September, especially, can be good for shorebirds after rain leaves behind some puddles and fresh sod is pulled up. I gave up on this area when they decided to lock the gates. I just didn't have the patience to walk out there every time. 

I finally invested in a bike rack and decided to bike my way out through the fields.

It was a rainy morning on Sunday but there wasn't a lot of bird activity. I did, however, enjoy some nice views of this Semipalmated Plover.