Monday Mystery - October 2, 2023

Photo:  American Golden Plover, Mary D’Agostino/Audubon Photography Awards

We are pleased to announce the winner of last week’s Monday Nature Mystery, Lyne Marie.

Congratulations to Lyne for identifying the American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica).

American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica). Photo: Mary D’Agostino/Audubon Photography Awards

Breeding birds are gold-spangled above, blackish below, with a white “scarf” extending from brow to breast sides. Juveniles and non-breeding birds still show some gold tones above but are dingy grayish below. According to All About Birds, adult American Golden-Plovers leave the Arctic in early summer, leaving their young behind. The juveniles (only a few months old) set off on migration in late summer or fall—finding their way to South America on their own.

Each Monday we’ll post a new mystery and identify the previous week’s winner. They’ll receive an ASNV hat or tote bag. 

Here is this week’s mystery:
Who is this?

Be sure to post your guess on our Facebook page under the latest Monday Nature Mystery post. Good Luck!

Please check our guidelines here.

Monday Nature Mystery: Who is this? Photo: Judy Gallagher