July is the month that the first Golden Plovers move away from their Arctic breeding grounds. These are especially in northern Fenno-Scandinavia and North West Russia. Also in this period there is a good chance of finding Pacific Golden Plover. This species breeds further east in northern Siberia. On July 8 I found one among a group of about 40 Golden Plovers. Characteristics that stood out in the field directly, were the remarkably small size, relatively long bill and a clear dark spot on the light ear area. A few days later, on July 11 I was standing in the same place and scanned a group foraging Golden Plovers. With some surprise, I remained fixed looking for a slim and small Golden Plover spec in full summer plumage, which flew up shortly thereafter and disappeared from sight. Not much later the bird was recovered and a small group hardcore birders from Texel stood watching a magnificent male Pacific Golden Plover.

Aziatische Goudplevier / Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva, polder Zeeburg, De Cocksdorp, Texel, 08-07-2015

Aziatische Goudplevier en Goudplevier / Pacific Golden Plover and Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva and Pluvialis apricaria, adulte man zomerkleed / adult male summer, polder Zeeburg, De Cocksdorp, 11-07-2015

The Glossy Ibis, which was found later in the day at Akiab along the Zanddijk was a nice end of the day.

Zwarte Ibis / Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus, Akiab, De Cocksdorp, Texel, 11-07-2015