Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria)
Species
Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria). Taken at Titchwell, Norfolk, on November 4th 2024.
Taken at Titchwell, Norfolk, on November 4th 2024. (© David Hastings)
(1/800th sec at f7.1. Click image for larger version)

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

30-Nov-2024 : Cote, Oxon (300+)
08-Nov-2024 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (50+)
08-Nov-2024 : Welney, Norfolk
05-Nov-2024 : Cley Marshes, Norfolk (4)
04-Nov-2024 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (800+)
27-Oct-2024 : Aston, Oxon (1000+)
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+)

27-Nov-2011 : Slimbridge, Glos

31-Oct-2009 : Otmoor, Oxon
12-Apr-2009 : Otmoor, Oxon

24-Feb-2008 : Otmoor, Oxon

16-Dec-2006 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon