We’ve been pretty successful in finding most of the expected specialty birds on this winter excursion to Florida, but one of the main target birds on this trip has proved elusive. Wilson’s Plover is one of my North American nemesis birds, and a very tough species to find in NJ, but they nest and overwinter on sandy beaches in the southern US including here in Florida. We tried to find them at two of the top locations in the area, Ft. De Soto State Park and Honeymoon Island State Park, but like a true nemesis bird, it remained evasive. This morning brother Rich and I headed out to the northernmost barrier island in the gulf coast of Florida, the Anclote Key north sand bar. This is a relatively small island just 4 miles offshore that is only ~50-100 yds wide, less than 0.5 miles long, without any trees, but serves as a haven for shorebirds, gulls, terns, pelicans, and cormorants. It was a pleasure visiting a site like this, strolling on our own private island for the next 2 hrs.
A view along the beach at the North Anclote Key sand bar.
Most shorebirds can be difficult to distinguish even in their breeding plumage, but the challenge is even more extreme at this time of the year, when most are just varying shades of gray. Identification depends on comparing the size of the bird, bill shape and length, and colors of the bill and legs. Wilson’s Plover is most noted for its large plover-shaped bill and for favoring the upper beach and wrack line rather than the water’s edge. We spotted a bird with a larger-than normal bill feeding in the wrack line, but its bill was relatively thin and thus confusing. Consultation of the field guide revealed that it was a Snowy Plover, which certainly qualifies as a good find, as I’ve only seen them once before, in Baja Mexico. Its extremely light plumage, even brighter than the nearby Piping Plovers, should have been a clue.
The larger bill of this bird had us optimistic for a while, but this is a Snowy Plover. Notice how slender its bill is in comparison to the bulkier bill of the Wilson’s Plover.
Continuing onward, another fairly large plover was spotted on the wrack line. Could it be? Darker plumage…check. Flesh-colored legs..check. Bill size..long and bulky. Check. Wilson’s Plover. Thankfully, it wasn’t shy, and allowed close approach and nice photos. Further exploration of the island revealed another group of five Wilson’s as a bonus. Its a great feeling seeing a life bird, and even better under these conditions, finding it by ourselves on our own island and distinguishing it from possibly confusing species. Another great experience in Florida.
Our target bird for the day, Wilson’s Plover, with its long and bulky bill, flesh-colored legs, and relatively dark plumage compared to the Snowy Plover.
Four Wilson’s Plovers at one time!
A happy and intrepid birder after viewing the Wilson’s Plovers.