Pacific Golden Plover

Besor Reservoir again this morning. Lots of winter birds around. Chaffinches, Robins, Bluethroats, the first (3) Northern Lapwings of the year, Water Pipits, Spanish Sparrows, Teal, Pintail, Gadwall, Mallard and Cormorants. Four Great Egrets, a few Little Egrets, Black-crowned Night Herons, Redshank and Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, both stints, Ringed Plovers, Ruff, Stilts, a single Spoonbill, European and White-breasted Kingfishers, a Water Rail, two Citrine Wagtails, a Clamorous Reed Warbler and several Chiffchaffs. And then I saw this . . . .

One of the Golden Plovers but very leggy with a heavier bill than the European ones. I worked my way a bit closer to the bird and grabbed a few photos. Pacific Golden Plover!

Eventually it flew, giving a distinctive two syllable flight call. I didn't get to see the axillaries as the autofocus on my camera was hunting wildly - should have used binoculars instead. Anyway, a cracking bird to see here and a great start to the winter's birding!