FIRST NORTH AMERICAN RECORD OF A KENTISH PLOVER (ANARHYNCHUS ALEXANDRINUS)

Abstract

 On 29 May 2023, Pohlen discovered an adult male Kentish Plover (Anarhynchus alexandrinus) at Eareckson Air Station, Shemya Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska—a first record for North America. Features identifying the bird as a Kentish Plover and distinguishing it from the similar Snowy Plover (A. nivosus) include the rufous or tawny tinge to the crown, solidly black lores, and limited black auricular patch. The weather patterns leading up to the discovery were conducive to drift vagrancy from Asia.