Wilson’s Plover

The Wilson’s Plover is named for early ornithologist Alexander Wilson (no relation), who collected the specimen in May, 1813 at Cape May, New Jersey, where this species is (and was) only a rare visitor.  Its summer range is along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Virginia southward to Central America.  It winters from Florida and Texas southward.  The plover’s of south Texas can be seen scurrying along the beach at South Padre Island or on the docks and seawalls of the Arroyo Colorado.