American Golden-Plover

American + Pacific Golden-Plover

I arrived at Boundary Bay a couple of hours before the high tide. On heading west from 104 St., things were pretty quiet.

There was one group of about two dozen Pectoral Sandpipers,

… that were busy foraging for food that I spent some time with.

As I have usually found,

… the Pectoral Sandpipers were pretty cooperative.

As the tide started coming in I made my way back towards 104 St. as that was where the Plover flock was. There have been several American and Pacific Golden-Plover seen in recent days. While I pretty much had the tidal flats to myself earlier, there were other people out now watching the plovers as well. This would make it challenging as more often than not, the Black-bellied Plovers are wary of people approaching. I made my way toward one smaller group closer in,

… and found an American Golden-Plover tucked in with the Black-bellied.

It did not take long before they started to move,

… but when it stopped there was another American Golden-Plover to the right of it. Then closer to 104 St. something else caught my attention,

… a Pacific Golden-Plover. While I could not get as close as I would have liked, it was great to see both these Golden-Plover species today.

It was back out to Boundary Bay this afternoon, only this time I arrived a couple of hours before high tide. While the sun did peek through a few times, it was overcast for the most part. On heading west along the tidal flats from 104 St. things were pretty quiet. As I approached the pilings there were signs of activity. The Plover flock was spread out between there and 96 St.

In with the Plovers were some Dowitchers foraging in close to the dyke. For the most part the Plovers were pretty wary of me and kept there distance. Well not all of them as it turned out.

Much to my delight this American Golden-Plover was in amongst the others and was a little more cooperative.

While it did not let me get too close, I did manage a few shots. This was definitely a pleasant surprise for the afternoon.

After this I spotted a group of Pectoral Sandpipers further out on the tidal flats. I made my way out there, but there was no Sharp-tailed Sandpiper with them.

On my way back in with the tide,