Wilson's Plover (Anarhynchus wilsonia) is in the Plovers and Lapwings family (Charadriidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 4,014 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Wilson's Plover: observations by month (U.S.)
About Wilson's Plover
Wilson's plover (Anarhynchus wilsonia) is a small bird of the family Charadriidae.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Wilson's Plover by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 1,658 | June | May–Apr |
| Texas | 1,303 | April | Mar–May |
| South Carolina | 300 | March | Mar–Jul |
| Louisiana | 258 | June | Apr–Jul |
| North Carolina | 206 | May | Mar–Jul |
| Georgia | 146 | May | Mar–Jul |
| Mississippi | 58 | April | Apr–Jul |
| Alabama | 35 | April | Apr–Apr |
| New Jersey | 11 | May | Apr–May |
| Virginia | 8 | March | Mar–Mar |
| Massachusetts | 6 | September | Sep–Sep |
| Washington | 6 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Rhode Island | 5 | March | Mar–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Plovers and Lapwings)
Killdeer
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Snowy Plover
Piping Plover
Pacific Golden-Plover
American Golden-Plover
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Wilson's Plover?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to August.
Where is Wilson's Plover most often seen?
The most observations come from Florida, Texas, South Carolina.