I was out birding at a wetland, doing what I usually do walking slowly, scanning the water, and listening carefully.
That day, I was also using the Merlin Bird ID app to identify bird calls around me. It’s something I’ve started relying on, especially when I’m not sure what I’m hearing.
Suddenly, I heard a call that felt different.
I checked Merlin, and a new name popped up — Pacific Golden Plover.
That was enough to get me alert.
I immediately started scanning the water, trying to locate it. But that’s where things got tricky. As someone still new to birding, I hadn’t yet learned how to properly differentiate between shanks, sandpipers, and plovers. To me, they all looked very similar at a distance.
And distance was the problem.
They weren’t very close, and with just a 300mm lens, identifying small details became even harder. Add to that my own eyesight limitations, and it became a bit of a challenge.
So I did the only thing I could do.
I waited.
I stayed there for quite some time, trying not to disturb them, hoping they would move closer on their own. Slowly, they did. Not dramatically, but just enough to give me a better look.
Still, I wasn’t fully confident.
And then, one bird moved slightly closer towards a patch near a tree where the light was better.
That’s when I noticed it.
It looked just a little brighter than the others. The tones were warmer, more golden compared to the rest. Subtle, but enough to stand out once you focused on it.
I locked focus and started clicking.
And this time, everything worked.
The bird stayed just long enough. The light was right. The focus held. I didn’t miss the shot.
That was my Pacific Golden Plover.
It wasn’t a dramatic chase. It wasn’t a perfect setup. But it was a moment where patience paid off, and that made it special.
About the Pacific Golden Plover
The Pacific Golden Plover is a migratory bird, often seen in wetlands and coastal areas. During the season, it is considered uncommon in Goa, but outside of that, sightings can be quite rare.
It is known for its subtle golden tones on the back, which can be easy to miss if you’re not paying close attention. Birds like these teach you an important lesson in birding — sometimes the difference isn’t obvious, you have to slow down and really observe.
This sighting was a reminder that birding isn’t always about knowing everything instantly.
Sometimes, it’s about not knowing, staying patient, and figuring things out one moment at a time.
And when it finally comes together, it feels worth it.
If you enjoy bird photography, you can follow more of these moments on my Instagram.
More stories coming soon.