A Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva) was found at Djerba Island, Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia) on the 5th January 2015 by Italian ornithologists Andrea Corso and Michele Viganò and observed also by Loris Golinelli and Chiara Sibona from Italy and Leslie Parks from the US. This is the 4th record for Tunisia.
Un Pluvier fauve (Pluvialis fulva) a été observé à Djerba, dans le golfe de Gabès (Tunisie) le 5 janvier 2015 par les ornithologues italiens Andrea Corso et Michele Viganò et observé aussi par un groupe de bird-watcheurs (voir ci-dessus). C’est la 4ème observation pour la Tunisie de cette espèce rare qui se reproduit au Nord et l’Est de la Russie et l’Ouest de l’Alaska.
Andrea kindly sent us this observation along with the excellent photographs of the bird that Michele took. The following is the email of Andrea:
“Hello my friend
I am a true lover of N African birds and fauna and I visit Tunisia, Morocco, Sinai every year 2 to 5 times.
So, I send here with photos of the 4th Tunisia Pacific Golden Plover, I found with Michele Viganò (who made these photos for the documentation) at Djerba Island, Gulf of Gabès, on 5th January 2015. You may like to put them on line on your wonderful webpage that I like so much !!
In Tunisia, previous records were:
1) Killed on 7 November 1915 at Sousse (Blanchiet 1955)
2) Observed on 24 February 1999 at Mahras / Sfax (Aye & Roth 2001);
3) On 29 February 2004 again at Mahras / Sfax.
Thanks to my friend Ridha Ouni”.
Many thanks to Andrea Corso for sending this record and for his kind words, and to Michele Viganò for the excellent set of photographs and also to their friend Ridha Ouni and to the rest of the group.
North African Birds 
Beautiful!
Beautiful rare bird indeed! Thanks.
The species may also be seen in other places in Tunisia, and in greater numbers, during winter months. A lack of field exploration may explain the rarity of reportings.
Yes, the species may visit Tunisia and other North African countries annually, but lack of experienced observers who can detect it (because it looks like its European cousin “Pluvialis apricaria” which visit North Africa in great numbers) means that the few birds that visit the region each year can go unnoticed. Thanks!