Mega in Maine - European Golden-Plover

Local hotlines have been all about reporting a transtional plumaged EUROPEAN GOLDEN-PLOVER that was seen first on Friday then again today at Scarborough Marsh in Maine.
I didn't go today, and won't be tomorrow (and I'm sure I'll be regretting it for a long time to come!)
Some info regarding this fantastic rarity:

From Peter Vickery on the Maine birding list on October 10th list:
Lysle Brinker phoned today to report that he had seen a bird that he thought was an adult European Golden-Plover at Scarborough March. It associated with 2 juv Am Golden-Plovers. I joined Lysle and we watched and photographed the birds at close range; brilliant white underwings, short wings that were essentially the same length as the tail, pot-bellied, small-headed structure, white flanks all noted and photographed, to be posted elsewhere. Lysle also heard it's softer, simpler call. This trio was seen a day or two earlier but the identity of the adult was only confirmed today.
We know this is going to cause substantial interest among the birding community.
Scarborough Marsh is owned by the state and managed by Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The area is assessable to the public and there are a good number of duck hunters doing their own type of birding on the marsh.
Given the considerable interest this bird is likely to generate as the first New England and east coast record south of Newfoundland and perhaps Nova Scotia, it's reasonable to expect hundreds of birders.
Both of us think that protecting the habitat and the use of Eastern Road/Eastern Trail by many joggers, bikers, walkers, etc ... both need to be foremost in everyone's mind.
The birds were located far out on the marsh, south of Eastern Road/ Eastern Trail (same road). The trek out to the point where we saw the birds is long with plenty of hidden pot holes, ditches, and other wet spots. I nearly lost my boots on several occasions. So, be forewarned. The birds were on the marsh during high tide and then flew off to the Scarborough River at half tide. We relocated them down river from our original point of observation. Not surprisingly, they are moving around.
The three plovers (E Gold-Pl, and 2 j Am Golden-Pl) were together on the Scarborough River and then separated as they flew from the river. They may not be together tomorrow.
Pine Point, at the mouth of Scarborough River, might be a promising viewing point from mid to low tide.

To reach Scarborough Marsh take Rt. 9 off Rt. 1 in Scarborough. Rt. 9 is southwest of the marsh. About 1+ miles from Rt.1 you will see a sign for ET on the left. Turn left onto the short dirt track and park in the small parking lot. Cross the bridge over the river. As I mentioned, the birds were seen well to the south of this dirt road looking toward the distant railroad track. It's possible that the parking lot will be full with hikers, bikers, birders. If that' the case, it's easy to park along Rt. 9, just be careful of traffic.We really want folks to honor the habitat and the many people who use the ET for their own non-ornithological purposes. Please do everything to protect habitat and honor the various uses of the marsh.

From Richard Heil on October 10th:
A transitional adult EURASIAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was discovered earlier today (10 Oct. 2008) in the Scarborough Marsh, Maine by Lyle Brinker. This constitutes the first documented record for the lower forty-eight United States! The bird is frequenting the salt marsh and associated pans to the southeast of Eastern Road, a dirt walking/bike trail through the marsh. Jeremiah Trimble and I travelled there this afternoon and were able to relocate the bird and obtain a number of close photographs. The rather brightly spangled plover is slightly larger and distinctly shorter-winged than an American Golden-Plover with a chunky rather 'pot-bellied' look at times. In flight the underwings are strikingly gleaming white. The bird called each time it took flight, a soft, plain, single syllabled "puue".

Richard's photos can be seen HERE.
Jeremiah Trimble's photos can be seen HERE.

James Smith also went up on Saturday and posted about the trip on his blog.

Many thanks go to Lysle Brinker for identifying this bird, and to Peter Vickery, then Richard Heil for getting the word out about this great find.