Nesting season is underway
Over recent weeks, the Space for Shorebirds ranger team and our brilliant volunteers have been patrolling the coast for nesting ringed plovers. These birds are very well camouflaged amongst the sand and shingle. Their eggs are laid in shallow scrapes on the ground, and look just like pebbles. (See photo). Finding them is no easy task!
Our efforts have gladly paid off, as we’ve recorded our first nests at Buston, Dunstanburgh, Beadnell and Seahouses.
With a bit of patience and keen eyes, if you’re out on the coast you might spot some of these birds yourself. (See photo). Ringed plovers are theatrical performers; when a competitor dares step onto their turf, they are warned off with tail-fanning, chasing and sometimes quite aggressive scrapping!
When feeling more flirtatious, ringed plovers show their interest in one another with much friendlier games of chase and paired circular flights.
While looking out for these behaviours, listen for the ringed plover’s distinctive calls; their usual ‘contact call’ is a mellow ‘too-lee’ with an upward inflection, whereas their alarm call is a slightly lower pitched and harsher ‘too-weep’. When performing display flights, they sing a repeating ‘tee-leea, tee-leea’ or ‘leea, leea’.
If you do spot ringed plovers on the coast, please remember to give them plenty of space. At this time of year, they need all their energy to stay fit and raise their young.
If you see any of our rangers or volunteers, come say hello and ask us all about the birds!
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @SpaceforShorebirds to stay updated throughout the season.
