Submission No 251: Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula; Lake Connewarre, VIC. 10th January 1998.

Verdict: Not Accepted
(Accepted as Charadrius hiaticula/semipalmatus)

This submission concerns the sighting of a plover along the muddy shores of Lake Connewarre, Vic 10th January 1998. The observation was made from a boat for a period of almost two hours with conditions described as sunny and calm. The observers were able to watch the bird among Red-necked Stints using a spotting scope and binoculars from a distance estimated to be 12-15 Metres.

The description is very brief and describes a plover with bright yellow-orange legs, buff eye-brow, buff forehead, white collar and a dark-brown breast band. In flight a full length white wing-bar was apparent along with a white edged and white tipped tail. Importantly the call was also noted and this was described as pleasant "two-ee". Size was estimated to be only slightly larger than Red-capped Plover though the submission indicated that only Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis were available for comparison. A sketch has also been provided that clearly depicts the shape of the breast band.

Essentially, members agreed that the facts do suggest C. hiaticula and the description certainly eliminates Little Ringed Plover C. dubius primarily by the presence of a bold full length white wing-bar. Unfortunately, the lack of descriptive data rules out the possibility of conclusively separating Semi-palmated Plover C. semipalmatus though several members commented (and therefore accepted) that the description of the call and the shape of the breast band were enough to warrant acceptance to species level. However, the final outcome resulted in five members voting in favour of C. hiaticula /semipalmatus and three voting in favour of C. hiaticula. It is also be worth highlighting the fact that there is an unconfirmed sighting of C. semipalmatus from the Cook Island’s (Thomas & Thomas pers com).

Although other sightings have been reported, to date only one confirmed record of this species exists, that being a bird sighted at Boonaroo, Qld 13 August 1983 (BARC Case 133).

References and Bibliography:

• Cramp, S & Simmons, K.. 1983. Birds of the Western Palearctic, Vol 3 Waders to Gulls. Oxford University Press.
• Dunn, J.L. 1993. The identification of Semi-palmated and Common Ringed Plovers in alternate plumage. Birding 25: 238-243.
• Hayman, P. et al. 1986. Shorebirds: An identification guide to the Waders of the World. Croom Helm. Sydney.
• Patterson, R.M. 1996. RAOU Records Appraisal Committee: Opinions and Case Summaries 1992-1995. RAOU Report No. 44.

Tony Palliser
Chairman Birds Australia Rarities Committee (BARC)