The ringed plover (Charadrius hiaticula) is a small wader bird that is native to Europe, Asia, and North America. It is a migratory species, and spends the winter in Africa and Asia. In the UK, ringed plovers are most commonly seen on the coast, but they can also be found inland on river banks and gravel pits.

Physical characteristics

The ringed plover is a small bird with a short bill and long legs. It has a brown back and white underparts, with a black chest band and black and white head markings. The male and female birds are similar in appearance, but the male is slightly larger.

Habitat and diet

Ringed plovers are found on a variety of coastal habitats, including sandy beaches, shingle beaches, and mudflats. They can also be found inland on river banks and gravel pits. Ringed plovers feed on a variety of small invertebrates, such as worms, insects, and crustaceans.

Breeding

Ringed plovers breed on the coast and inland. They build a simple nest on the ground, hidden in vegetation. The female ringed plover lays 3-5 eggs, which she incubates for about 24 days. The chicks are precocial, meaning that they are able to feed themselves and leave the nest soon after hatching.

Ringed plovers in the UK

The UK has a breeding population of around 100,000 ringed plovers. The birds breed on the coast around the UK, and inland in some parts of England and Scotland. Ringed plovers are most commonly seen on the coast in the summer, when they are breeding. However, some birds stay in the UK all year round.

Conservation status

The ringed plover is not currently considered to be threatened. However, the population has declined slightly in recent years, due to a number of factors, including habitat loss and disturbance.

How to help ringed plovers

There are a number of things that you can do to help ringed plovers:

Be respectful of ringed plovers and their breeding grounds when you are visiting the coast.
Avoid disturbing nests and chicks.
If you are a dog walker, keep your dog on a lead in areas where ringed plovers are breeding.
Support organizations that are working to protect ringed plovers and their habitat.
Interesting facts about ringed plovers

Ringed plovers are very good at camouflage. Their brown and white plumage helps them to blend in with the sand and rocks on the coast.
Ringed plovers are very protective of their nests. If they feel that their nest is threatened, they will perform a distraction display. This involves the adult bird pretending to be injured and fluttering away from the nest. This lures the predator away from the nest and gives the chicks a chance to escape.
Ringed plovers are migratory birds. In the UK, most ringed plovers migrate to Africa and Asia to spend the winter. However, some birds stay in the UK all year round.
Ringed plovers are a popular bird for birdwatchers. Their distinctive plumage and interesting behavior make them a very attractive bird to see.
Threats to ringed plovers

The main threats to ringed plovers are:

Habitat loss: Ringed plovers rely on coastal habitats for breeding and feeding. However, coastal habitats are under threat from development, erosion, and pollution.
Disturbance: Ringed plovers are sensitive to disturbance. Disturbance from humans and dogs can cause ringed plovers to abandon their nests and chicks.
Climate change: Climate change is causing sea levels to rise and sea temperatures to increase. This is having a negative impact on coastal habitats and the species that rely on them, including ringed plovers.

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