Where do golden-plovers live?

Are there golden plovers in the UK?

There are two other species of Golden plover: the American golden plover (which breeds in Canada and Alaska and winters in South America), and the Pacific golden plover (which breeds northern Asia and winters in South Asia and Australia). Both species are extremely rare visitors to the UK each year.

Where can I see golden plovers?

They will also eat plant material including berries, seeds, and grass. Where can I see golden plovers ? Golden plovers can be seen all year round in the UK. During the summer they can be found in the Highlands of Scotland. In winter they move to the rest of the UK to farmland where they form large flocks with lapwings.

How many golden plovers are in the UK?

British birds make up 80 per cent of the local subspecies of golden plovers ( Pluvialis apricaria apricaria ), with perhaps between 38,000 and 59,000 breeding pairs, and this concentration of the subspecies in one country justifies their amber listing within the UK’s Birds of Conservation Concern 3, produced in 2009.

Where does the Pacific golden plover migrate?

The migration of the Pacific Golden-Plover is remarkable: from the Arctic breeding grounds, many travel over 8,000 miles to wintering grounds in the Pacific and Indian Oceans! The winter range of the Pacific Golden-Plover extends across nearly half of the earth’s circumference, from California, to Hawaii, to Asia, to northeastern Africa.

Is the golden plover protected in the UK?

Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. The Golden plover is a little smaller than the Lapwing, with which it often gathers in large numbers on farmland and coastal flats during the winter. In summer, it is found in upland moorland habitats where it breeds from May to September.

What is the scientific name of the golden plover?

Scientific name: Pluvialis apricaria From spring, look out for the beautiful, speckled gold-and-black breeding plumage of the Golden Plover. Classified in the UK as Green under the Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the Red List for Birds (2015).

What time of year do golden plovers breed?

Golden plovers are solitary nesters and they breed between late March and late July. The male builds the nest which is a shallow depression in the ground lined with moss, leaves, and stems. Golden plovers lay 3-4 olive eggs with dark markings.

Where can I find plovers?

Plovers may be separated into smaller groups, including the ‘ringed’ plovers (several species worldwide, two in the UK) and the ‘golden’ type, with spangled upperparts and extensive areas of black beneath in breeding plumages. Many are long-distance migrants and several can be found in large flocks on dry ground, well away from water.

How does the golden plover adapt to its environment?

The closely related Pacific Golden-Plover adapts readily to human-modified habitats on wintering grounds, but American Golden-Plovers do not. Wind farms, hunting in the Caribbean and South America, and pesticides pose additional challenges to populations of this species.

Where can I see a golden plover in Australia?

In Australia it is widespread along the coastline. The Pacific Golden Plover is found on muddy, rocky and sandy wetlands, shores, paddocks, saltmarsh, coastal golf courses, estuaries and lagoons. The Pacific Golden Plover is migratory, arriving in Australia in September and leaving again mostly in April.

What is a Pacific golden plover?

The Pacific golden plover ( Pluvialis fulva) is a migratory shorebird that breeds during Alaska and Siberia summers. During nonbreeding season, this medium-sized plover migrates widely across the Pacific. The genus name is derived from pluvia, Latin for “rain.” It was once believed that golden-plovers flocked when rain was imminent.

Where do golden plovers migrate to?

The Pacific golden plover is migratory, breeds during May, June, and July in Alaska and Siberia. Migrates south to Asia, Australasia, and Pacific islands in August and September, and stays until April or May. A rare vagrant to western Europe.

Where can I find a grey plover?

The Grey plover can be found along the coast, preferring sandy and muddy estuaries. Although a small number of birds stay during summer, this is really a winter migrant, arriving here from July, peaking in autumn, and leaving from April onwards the following year.

What is the difference between a grey and golden plover?

The Grey plover is a chunky plover, larger than the similar Golden plover. The Grey plover can be found along the coast, preferring sandy and muddy estuaries. Although a small number of birds stay during summer, this is really a winter migrant, arriving here from July, peaking in autumn, and leaving from April onwards the following year.

Is the American golden plover in decline?

The group rates American Golden-Plover a 15 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score and includes it on their Yellow Watch List for species with declining populations. Market hunting in the 19th and early 20th centuries caused major declines in American Golden-Plover numbers.

What time of year do plovers nest?

Plovers like to nest in short grass on flat ground with plenty of open space around them, which is why they are often seen on sporting ovals. Breeding season is from November to June each year, and they usually lay 3 to 4 eggs in a small depression in the ground, with eggs taking 28 days to hatch.

What does a Pacific golden plover look like?

This is a Pacific Golden Plover. These birds vary from species to species, each of which has different plumage with a variety of colors and patterns. For the most part, these birds are relatively small, and usually have light or dark colored feathers to match the beach or rocks.

What is the difference between a lapwing and a golden plover?

The Golden plover is a little smaller than the Lapwing, with which it often gathers in large numbers on farmland and coastal flats during the winter. In summer, it is found in upland moorland habitats where it breeds from May to September. It nests on open ground among heather and grass, and the female lays about 4 eggs.

What does the Pacific golden plover eat?

The Pacific Golden Plover is found on muddy, rocky and sandy wetlands, shores, paddocks, saltmarsh, coastal golf courses, estuaries and lagoons. The Pacific Golden Plover eats molluscs, insects, worms, crustaceans, lizards and is known to eat birds’ eggs and small fish.

Is the Pacific golden plover a migratory shorebird?

Like many migratory shorebirds, the Pacific Golden Plover is a sight to behold when in breeding plumage.