A small plover with a distinctive black and white head pattern, similar to ringed plover. It has a black beak and pale (not orange) legs. Close views reveal a distinctive yellow eye-ring. In flight it shows a plain brown wing without the white wingbar that ringed plover has. It first bred in the UK in 1938 and since then has successfully colonised a large part of England and Wales thanks to man-made habitats such as gravel pits.
Key ID Features
Similar to Ringed Plover but smaller with key differences:
Pale, sandy brown upper parts contrast with clean white under parts and throat separated by a narrow dark neck ring.
Sandy brown cap with black and white striped forehead but with a white line between the sandy crown and black forehead band.
Dull pink legs and a stubby black bill.
Bright yellow eye ring.
Plain wings without white bars in flight.
Overview
Scientific name: Charadrius dubius
Family: Plovers and lapwings (Charadriidae)
Where to see them:
Virtually confined to England and Wales, uncommon in the latter and very occasionally in Scotland. Gravel pits, reservoirs, sewage works and shingle river banks are all worth checking for this wading bird.
Seen in UK:
Arrives in the UK in March and leaves again in late June and July.
What they eat
Insects
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
For more information click here
Location: Blashford Lakes, Hampshire
Photographer: Tim Tapley
