![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0A3_89hcQDlYUUUroiqCeLJtFz6qPWaH2oiYPM2FZoM6PQqV0uBvDejq2OZyxhoMKROnaOIsp8dAoPkG3yjsho2qq8zSxM4CgC2dddVvh2Qt4C1jI4HuzDwQQVVeWsyRcFpFtow/s400/Plovers_Kapar_040411_IMG_5457.jpg)
The three species of plover present at the roost (from right to left: Grey, Greater Sand, Lesser Sand). A few Pacific Golden put in fleeting appearances but didn't linger.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDz07jgAqn2BgNpjhX5z4StatDeLfPbZKnT9iytTzgxvAzP9J859yNjWE9XylxOM3Ob2z5863ZiY2svz3i0HlDb2fYGZx7hl1_pBIktRJr_yMbRbanv5VMm8yHsdSpU6QinKHEw/s400/Greater+and+Lesser+Sand+Plover_Kapar_040411_IMG_5758.jpg)
Compared to my last visit, Lesser Sand Plovers were much more advanced in their pre-breeding moult, with a few, such as the rear bird, in more or less full breeding plumage. Compared to Greater Sand Plover (front), Lesser has fewer orange-chestnut feathers on the crown and scapulars (usually, none at all), and the breastband is broader and less defined on the lower edge.It's also a deeper, redder tone than the orange breastband of Greater, though that's not always so obvious
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEd4h_X2turTS1l_9dhcNlgJOV1Odf7pOhd7bFWZ2V1CZzhlK9Yhbe-UzwZkH8GjVjtCNctICAmErR9CF66Mjy8gcsWuxgH1o1EdreiIGfGY0yMS1-kNFVcSYmaO2XPYvYoh26g/s400/Lesser+Sand+Plover_Kapar_040411_IMG_5754.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rg8d4TGoL-N-bVPE7GNhpxM3GCN6iZL2hIjqYOc3zZ7P4ByudQhEP-bFOTwg0oD6ddEF4P8kgCq-mklrvbhxj594O2RSR_lTXgr9uuvGRz-j4wH7QMVpzXrIUqvkZr90wbuhkg/s400/Greater+Sand+Plover_Kapar_040411_IMG_5454.jpg)
One of each (Lesser above, Greater below), showing the structural differences (bill, legs, body and headshape).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hVYkEle8DZYLcxgaC6MebtjPMq59q2vqtSmSsBv4vDTuj3ng45yy57bhrxaC_cDXgRBLfAIeohTZrgTYCRL0eV9hyuiEQ2CPuFRSfzq4N7OccfCBl544i_o1AdOavrT5BZl2Rw/s400/Red+Knot_Kapar_040411_IMG_5751.jpg)
Another odd couple, Lesser far left, Great centre.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXC6rTgtZysA9AvjNYxeSzxSjDBkSUJfGaaH6XfyfLS8POvC1yCytqePn8XrZpl94vNMARHiZPqF-mMgCajag4Zj0N4Phyphenhyphen4ZuGVaLXWs4X3NohLSvj0gNlVu_2MWHWN0j8en2xuw/s400/Greater+and+Lesser+Sand+Plover_Kapar_040411_IMG_5671.jpg)
The Greater in the centre is obvious; there's also another right of centre, facing directly away from us. The long yellowish legs and slightly warmer upperpart tones distinguish it from the surrounding Lessers.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyddOxaF6UBvGGfWtw6VTGvVxfWRUlRagtX6gQM_EExDOTW_X1EPQv6d0kLjbwWgpo9Wk6hGbslDxFh_eo288QUgffdnOQBwiQO5qfskT-FkIzOnYpTsZDeiSF6TCeOq0qMTW-SA/s400/Lesser+Sand+Plover_Kapar_040411_IMG_5628.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWHW54WYUSl2cfx2f5WGGh1dTBj1hHcKEhiO00t4_MMAA_WUrdrWlno1z5DE_F1qQxu3v68Dgr0UGeIoRMRKMKbgQyAbnQLjHt7h6BSWHCv4y_jAduAiDGDQvIUCyzs2WYykGqQ/s400/Lesser+Sand+Plover_Kapar_040411_IMG_5629.jpg)
Lessers. The lower pic looks like a Photoshopped montage of one bird, but is actually one image of four birds!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2AuJmIXCarOawGJVgDBHqjtTc3MhXdH2rFzNTXnFeGhc84vyqsrACyroXZz0wn_EA1J_P6M-ciZIxWRxoLnNCPkxAKEZD_EXVIxrhzAsNzMsEHYYmIEjP9D633zI-C7WA3dd2w/s400/waders+in+flight_Kapar_040411_IMG_6483.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggm-EoPUPkWhLJpI5131l9kFYYlrcj1I__qK2OHOtSUULi962pzdzqXBoAt0sYPEheNEn93OEzbfIB9_u5MIzIa5rQ4GeojKa7TO2n2XsiwkRehnMGAn41Pmpkk94xNlgHXPQuGw/s400/waders+in+flight_Kapar_040411_IMG_6487.jpg)
Greaters (mostly!).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jT9byjrMRaG2moLF_0qrNsBnbXiFetB3AeJpIjM7VIuQm7YbOPMB9O3mFP-V0UnndONZ28-HGdkAOrKDHUTqthaipNt_dJY74DylxTuBjgaisKFB5jPTx-gWH2fWFTzVjli-dg/s400/waders_Kapar_040411_IMG_5602.jpg)
Both - I'll let you count how many of each!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiSsJu3ZY_SvS7kH8Q6dgb6-ZjBPV0eUiQvVSKOoIloLuKgfcJf-YUM1BkUeht_peYGObtWa_li-p_ERWf8SBN8u3UgFiC-v1RUIfgiLYMptXkgf6IwxyIvIhW7RUEZFb-Vrtcw/s400/Grey+Plover_Kapar_040411_IMG_5923.jpg)
A Grey Plover acquiring breeding plumage.
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