Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria)
Species
Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria). Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on February 18th 2020.
Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on February 18th 2020.
(1/2500th sec at f10. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

Length: 26 - 29cm; WS: 67 - 76cm

The Golden Plover is a medium-sized plover with a distinctive gold and black summer plumage. In winter the black in replaced by buff and white.

In summer Golden Plovers inhabit upland moorlands in the southern uplands and highlands of Scotland, the Western and Northern Isles, the Peak District, North Yorkshire, Wales and Devon. In winter they move to lowland fields, often in the company of Lapwings.

Breeding habitat is upland moorlands. Nests are made on the ground.

Golden Plovers typically stand upright and run in short bursts. In winter they form large flocks which fly in fairly tight formation.

It has Green status on the UK list. Between 38000 and 59000 pairs breed, and 420000 birds spend the winter here.

Sightings

31-Jan-2024 : Slimbridge, Glos
05-Dec-2023 : Cote, Oxon (1500+)
25-Nov-2023 : Cote, Oxon (2500)
14-Nov-2023 : Cote, Oxon (1500+)
06-Nov-2023 : Cote, Oxon (1500)
05-Nov-2023 : Cote, Oxon (1500+)
15-Mar-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon (200+)
30-Jan-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon
19-Jan-2023 : Slimbridge, Glos (1000+)
07-Feb-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (5000+)
05-Jan-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (1000+)
26-Oct-2021 : Port Meadow, Oxford, Oxon (c.200)
22-Mar-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (200+)
28-Feb-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon
23-Jan-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (c.5000)
15-Dec-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (2500+)
19-Nov-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon
04-Nov-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (1000+)
13-Oct-2020 : Overy Marshes, Norfolk (50+)
18-Feb-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (5000+)
08-Feb-2020 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (500+)
03-Feb-2020 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (500+)
12-Jan-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (5000+)
02-Jan-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (5000+)
09-Dec-2019 : Otmoor, Oxon (2000+)
04-Oct-2019 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (50+)
05-Mar-2019 : Otmoor, Oxon (200+)
11-Feb-2019 : Otmoor, Oxon (1000+)
17-Jan-2019 : Slimbridge, Glos (1000+)
30-Jan-2018 : Otmoor, Oxon (1000+)
18-Jan-2018 : Slimbridge, Glos (800+)
16-Nov-2017 : Otmoor, Oxon (100+)
10-Oct-2017 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (100+)
09-Oct-2017 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (500+)
29-Apr-2017 : Otmoor, Oxon (c30)
19-Feb-2017 : Otmoor, Oxon (1500+)
04-Feb-2017 : Otmoor, Oxon (50+)
25-Mar-2016 : Otmoor, Oxon (1000+)
13-Mar-2016 : Otmoor, Oxon (500+)
23-Jan-2016 : Otmoor, Oxon (1000+)
24-Oct-2015 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk
22-Feb-2015 : Otmoor, Oxon (100+)
11-Jan-2015 : Otmoor, Oxon (200+)
29-Nov-2014 : Otmoor, Oxon (500+)
09-Mar-2014 : Otmoor, Oxon (1000+)
19-Jan-2014 : Otmoor, Oxon (500+)
29-Oct-2013 : Slimbridge, Glos
17-Feb-2013 : Otmoor, Oxon (500+)
30-Dec-2012 : Otmoor, Oxon (1000+)
02-Jan-2012 : Otmoor, Oxon (500+)