This bird is an extremely rare visitor to the UK each year.
From spring, look out for the beautiful, speckled gold-and-black breeding plumage of the American Golden plover.
‘Golden plover’ Scientific name: Pluvialis apricaria The Wildlife Trusts. [ii]
It can be found in its upland moorland breeding grounds from May to September, moving to lowland farmland and fields in winter.
It nests on open ground among heather and grass, and the female lays about 4 eggs.
Both parents care for the chicks.”
It is a first class navigator:
Many people can remember certain evolutionary ‘facts’ but have they ever looked at it in detail, because most of it is not factual.
Some scientists seem to want to choose any theory provided it does not include God.
There are scientists who believe in the creation as described in Genesis.
The American Golden-Plover has a long migration route.
‘American Golden-Plover’ All About Birds, The Cornell Lab [i]
In the fall, many fly offshore from the East Coast and don’t land until they reach South America.
In spring, most pass through the middle of North America to reach the Arctic.
With so much distance to cover, golden-plovers fly fast—studies using geolocators found the birds averaged 30+ mph and sometimes achieved ground speeds of over 80 mph during their long over-ocean flights.
Like many shorebirds, 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.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, colloquial names for the American Golden-Plover included bullhead, field plover, greenback, muddy-belly, and prairie pigeon.
The oldest American Golden-Plover was at least 13 years old when it was recaptured and released during a banding operation in Alaska.”
The American golden plover eats flying insects, worms, spiders, berries, and seeds.
‘American Golden Plover – Pluvialis dominica’ Wildlife Journal Junior [iii]
It probes with its bill for food and also chases its prey…
The American golden plover migrates in a circle!
In the late summer, the American golden plover migrates up to 2,500 miles from the Arctic to South America, flying over the Atlantic Ocean.
In the spring, it returns to the Arctic, but instead of flying back over the Atlantic, it flies over the Great Plains!”
Designed, or trial and error?
I would suggest that the American Golden Plover has been given the navigational skills by God the great Designer.
See these other articles on amazing creatures:
Were dragons real? the Grunion fish, spider webs, the Tailor bird, Bees and Robber crabs.
Also see the fascinating relationship of obligate mutualism.
Learn about Big Bang and other theories.
References:
[i] ‘American Golden-Plover’ All About Birds, The Cornell Lab
[ii] ‘Golden plover’ Scientific name: Pluvialis apricaria The Wildlife Trusts.
[iii] ‘American Golden Plover – Pluvialis dominica’ Wildlife Journal Junior
[iv] ‘American Golden Plover’ – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
I started on my Faith Journey in 1976 whilst on my sandwich year from college.
Since then I’ve not been restrained to any one denomination – believing that local Church is always important. Through career moves and life changes this has enabled me to play a part in the Assembly of God Church, Elim, various New Church Groupings, Brethren, Anglican and Baptist Churches.
I am married to Jackie and we live in Cambridgeshire in the UK.