Grey Plover

Hi. Totally new to this. Apologies for greenness. Yesterday I saw what I think was a grey plover in the local supermarket carpark. It fell to tarmac looking a bit dazed. Seemed smallish and very grey white. No brown beige. Not seen these around here before, at this time anyway. Cognizant of gales recently. Am I way off the mark? I should add I'm down in the Channel Islans.
  • Hi Jaqi and welcome to the forum.

    What made you think it was a Grey Plover? Is it a bird you are familiar with? Your description doesn't sound much like one.

    I wouldn't describe them as "smallish" being only slightly smaller than a Lapwing. At this time of year they are a sort of speckly brown on top and pale underneath.

    Here's a link to a photo of one in winter plumage.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/124028194@N04/14006988759/

    Let us know if this fits with what you saw. Otherwise we will have to track down what else it might be.

    ____________________________________________________________________

    Regards,Tony

    My Flickr Photostream 

  • In reply to TeeJay:

    Thank you. The link didn't quite work. Roughly blackbird sized with dark straight legs. Similar to Dunlon, Knot, Sandling.

    Sandling closest re color shape beak and legs but more barring of grey white on body, fading to chest. Some black but strikingly grey barring. Run, walk but not overly darting.

  • In reply to Jaqi Y:

    Sorry that link didn't work, it does for me.

    Try this one, www.arkive.org/.../pluvialis-squatarola

    In summer plumage they have a lot more black on them but I wouldn't have thought there would be much showing at this time of year.

    ____________________________________________________________________

    Regards,Tony

    My Flickr Photostream 

  • In reply to TeeJay:

    Thank you. Agreed isa young or small grey plover.

    Many thanks for your time.