What do golden-plovers eat?

What is the size of a mountain plover?

The mountain plover is 8 to 9.5 inches (20 to 24 cm) long and weighs about 3.7 ounces (105 grams). Its wingspread is 17.5 to 19.5 inches (44.5 to 49.5 cm). The mountain plover’s call consists of a low, variable whistle.

Does the weather affect the breeding success of golden plovers?

There was no significant effect of weather during the breeding season upon Golden Plover population size, implying that any effects which spring and summer temperature or rainfall may have upon fledging success are masked by other factors.

Does recreational activity affect the breeding of golden plovers?

When the Countryside and Rights of Way Act is fully implemented in 2005 (Countryside Agency, 2002), people will have the right to access any areas mapped as open access land under the Act. The results from our study suggest that an increase in recreational activity could have an adverse impact on breeding golden plovers, and potentially other

Are golden plovers sensitive to human disturbance during chick-rearing period?

This study concentrated on the chick-rearing period, as previous research has shown that golden plovers are particularly sensitive to human disturbance at this time ( Yalden and Yalden, 1989, Yalden and Yalden, 1990a ). 2. Methods 2.1. Study site Data were collected from the Peak District National Park, northern England, between 1986 and 1998.

Is there a long-term trend in golden plover distribution?

Data from 1986, 1987 and 1989 were omitted from the investigation of long-term trends in golden plover distribution as bad weather had prevented surveys from being carried out during the holiday weekend at the end of May. Results from the remaining 10 years accorded well with those obtained from the two intensive survey periods.

How many golden plovers breed in the Snake Summit?

The population size of golden plovers breeding within the Snake Summit study area increased twofold during the course of this study from an estimated 15 breeding pairs in the late 1980s to 30 breeding pairs in the mid 1990s (Yalden and Pearce-Higgins, 1997 and data from this study).

Are dunlin and golden plovers affected by recreational activities?

Golden plovers have been found to be disturbed by recreational activities within 200m, while dunlin appear less susceptible to disturbance beyond 50m (Pearce-Higgins et al. 2007; Finney et al. 2005).

What habitat do golden plovers prefer for breeding?

Habitat type had a significant influence on the distribution of breeding golden plovers at the study site. During the chick-rearing period, golden plovers were predominantly found in areas with a high percentage cover of bare peat and crowberry but avoided areas of heather or grass.

Are golden plovers sensitive to visitor disturbance?

These findings are consistent with those from an earlier study (Yalden and Yalden, 1989), which used the alarm-calling behaviour of adult birds to estimate the sensitivity of golden plovers to visitor disturbance.

Does recreational activity on the Pennine Way affect breeding golden plovers?

A case study on the Pennine Way in northern England showed that despite increased recreational activity, the level of disturbance to breeding golden plovers (Pluvialis apricaria) was reduced by resurfacing a heavily used path, resulting in fewer walkers straying from the path (Pearce-Higgins and Yalden, 1997; Finney et al., 2005).

How far do golden plovers react to human intruders?

The anxious calling (alarming) used by Golden Plovers when they are guarding their chicks has been exploited to determine the distance at which they are sensitive to human intruders. On average, they reacted at a distance of 164 paces, approximately 187 m, though there was a significant difference in this distance between two study sites.

Do golden plovers move closer to footpaths on weekends?

At weekends, when disturbance levels were highest, golden plovers were 54% less likely to occupy areas within 200 m of the footpath and 62% less likely to occupy areas within 50 m of the footpath. Furthermore, golden plovers did not appear to move closer to the footpath on weekdays, when levels of disturbance were lower.

How far do golden plovers stay away from roads?

Previous research found that European golden-plovers (Pluvialis apricaria) exhibit avoidance of human activity at a distance of up to 50 m (Finney et al. 2005) and a similar pattern was noted in our data set out to 40 m from roads. Therefore, we left truncated the data at 40 m for American golden-plovers.

Do golden plovers avoid areas close to the Pennine Way?

The area around the Pennine Way that was avoided by breeding golden plovers fell from 200 m before the footpath was resurfaced to just 50 m following the resurfacing work. Golden plovers were 24% less likely to occupy areas within 50 m of the footpath at weekends, but did not appear to avoid areas close to the footpath on weekdays.

Do wind farms affect the distribution of golden plovers and grouse?

A single site study at an operational wind farm, showed no evidence for any sustained declines or altered distribution of golden plover or red grouse. However, a more detailed study covering a baseline, construction and operation found a 79 per cent decline in golden plovers during operation and a shift in distribution away from turbines.

Do golden plovers with chicks have chicks?

Only data from birds with chicks were used in the analyses of golden plover distribution and reproductive performance. Adults were classified as having chicks if they showed a characteristic alarm response (Yalden and Yalden, 1990b). Hatching date was taken as the date when adults were first observed showing the alarm response.

Does recreational disturbance impact on golden plovers on the Pennine Way?

Following resurfacing, over 96% of walkers remained on the Pennine Way, which significantly reduced the impact of recreational disturbance on golden plover distribution; golden plovers only avoided areas within 50 m of the footpath at this time.

How close to a footpath do golden plovers nest?

Golden plovers tended to avoid areas within 200 m of the footpath during the chick-rearing period. At weekends, when disturbance levels were highest, golden plovers were 54% less likely to occupy areas within 200 m of the footpath and 62% less likely to occupy areas within 50 m of the footpath.

Are the numbers of golden plovers in the dryer bog underestimated?

It is also possible that numbers of Golden Plovers inhabiting the dryer bog areas are underestimated as surveys concentrated on the so called wet ” aapa ” fens (Väisänen & Järvinen 1976). … The demographic value of existing habitat can be affected by changes in predator populations.

Do hen harriers pose a risk to wind farms?

Data on the flight heights and behaviour of hen harriers has been collected in relation to collision risk, as part of an ongoing study. A PhD project is aiming to improve our knowledge of bird flight behaviour and habitat use, which are leading factors in species’ vulnerability to wind farms.

Are there any species at risk from onshore wind farms?

Table A1: Widespread species potentially at risk of impacts from onshore wind farms. These species are likely to be found at many wind farm sites and should be considered at scoping as possible species that may be present. White-fronted goose is red listed.

Are wind turbines killing golden plovers?

However, a more detailed study covering a baseline, construction and operation found a 79 per cent decline in golden plovers during operation and a shift in distribution away from turbines. No changes in breeding success were detected, suggesting birds were responding to turbines rather than being indirectly affected.

How far do golden plovers fly to feed?

A radio tagging study (J.W. Pearce-Higgins and D.W. Yalden 2003) established that female Golden Plover fly from 6.6 – 7.2 km from the nest to feed during the day and males travel 2.4 – 2.7 km to feed at night.

How far apart should footpaths be for golden plovers?

However, human disturbance may become a problem in areas where there is a network of footpaths, particularly if paths are spaced less than 400 m apart, as this may exclude golden plovers from otherwise suitable habitat.