The RSPB: Grey plover

Grey plover

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Latin name

Pluvialis squatarola

Family

Plovers and lapwings (Charadriidae)

Overview

In summer it has silver and black spotted upperparts, a black face, neck and belly and in winter, it loses the black feathers and takes on a browny-grey look. In both plumages, the rump is white and in flight in winter it shows distinctive black 'armpits'. Like most plovers it stands very upright and tends to run and then suddenly stop to feed. It is generally seen in small numbers, although flocks can form when there is a high tide.

Where to see them

Found only along coasts, preferring large muddy and sandy estuaries. Largest numbers are found on the Wash, Ribble, Thames, Blackwater, Medway, Dee and Humber estuaries, and Chichester and Langstone Harbours.

When to see them

A few birds stay through the summer and the first migrant adults arrive in the UK in July and the young in August and September. Peak numbers are seen between November and March and birds leave in April and May.

What they eat

Shellfish and worms.

Estimated numbers

Europe	UK breeding*	UK wintering*	UK passage*
-	-	53,300 birds	70,000 birds (spring)

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Find out more

Videos

Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100)