Golden Plover 
(Pluvialis dominica) 
Shorebird count 
: 14 
A flock of 14 Golden Plovers was first observed on l4 f August. 
These birds were using open areas in the middle of the southern part of 
the island for roosting during high tide. At low tide the plovers dis¬ 
persed over the eastern reef and foraged throughout that area. 
We believe that this flock is most likely largely composed of the 
same plovers that were present on Howland in July. All noted were in 
fall or immature plumage. 
Buddy Turnstone Estimated population -—: 5 
(Arenaria interpres)- Specimens collected-: 2 
No turnstones were recorded on the shorebird count taken on 14 August $ 
but a bird was collected in front of camp on the following day. That 
night a second turnstone was found roosting at the northwest corner of the 
island with a flock of Common Noddies. A second turnstone was collected 
in front of camp on August 16th . This turnstone may have been the 
individual seen roosting for no turnstones were found on the island on 
August 1?th. 
Both specimens were adult birds in fresh plumage with little or no 
fat presento They are quite different ffom a turnstone collected on 
Baker, 14 August. The Baker bird was in heavy molt and had a very heavy 
fat deposit. We believe that the two Howland Island birds were newly 
arriving fall migrants. Shorebird sightings in the August Southern 
grid seem to support this suggestion. 
Wan dering Tattler Shorebird count -----—-———: 6 
T 5eteroscelus incanum ) Specimens collected---——1 
Of the six tattlers observed on the 14 August shorebird count, three 
i 
were roosting at the nortwest end of the island and three were roosting 
at the southwest end. Both areas have a wide beachfront which provides 
good roosting habitat for shorebirds at high tide. During low tide the 
tattlers spread out over the reef to feed. 
All birds observed were in non-breeding plumage and may have been on 
Howland throughout the summer months. 
