[Maine-birds] Piping Plover, Georgetown

We spent the afternoon at Half-Mile Beach (Reid State Park). Observed 1 lonely plover near the northern most "caged" area (43.773159, -69.735370) soon after we arrived around 1pm. It seemed to be finding lots to eat and frequently returned to the protection of the fencing. No bands on its legs.

 As the tide went out it was roaming further afield, not minding the many beach walkers today. After lunch and a nap, we walked to Todds Point at the south end. Saw the same? plover again a short way down. Seems like there has been a lot of erosion this past winter/spring to the dune at the point. Now a very wide flat beach at low tide.

Back in the chairs near the "cage" around 4pm the plover was feeding and hanging out about 20' from us when a 2nd PIPL came flying down the beach from the north. It appeared to make a beeline for "our" lonely bird, landing a few feet away. There was much leaping around and what I would call curtseying for a while then off they went down the beach, cavorting and hopefully starting the new breeding season.

As they were so close initially I did get a good view in the binoculars of the bands on the newcomer. If I'm getting my left and right side correct, there was an upper leg aluminum colored band on the right leg and a green flag on the upper left leg. A50, was clear on both sides of the flag. I've reported it to the fws specified address, VT.plover@gmail.com.

Great fun!

Bad cropped camera picture attached.

Steve