Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticula
Overview
Ringed Plovers breed on Formby and Ainsdale beaches in small numbers — look for the nest scrapes on the upper beach in spring. They run and stop, run and stop, picking at invertebrates between. The bold black and white head pattern and orange bill are distinctive. Breeding birds are very vulnerable to disturbance — a Ringed Plover doing a distraction display (dragging a wing) means a nest nearby — back away.
At a Glance
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Habitat | Sandy beach · Shingle · Mudflat · Coastal lagoon |
| Diet | Small invertebrates, insects picked from surface |
| UK population | Around 5,500 breeding pairs in the UK |
| Sefton Coast | Breeding birds on Formby Beach; wintering birds from Greenland and Iceland |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
Formby Beach and Ainsdale Beach. Ribble Estuary. Marshside lagoons on passage.
Identification
Small brown plover. Black breast band, white collar, black and white head pattern. Orange bill with black tip, orange legs. White wing bar in flight.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Run-and-stop feeding behaviour is characteristic. If a bird is doing an injury display (dragging wing), retreat — nest very close.
Conservation Status
UK Amber List
This species is on the UK Amber List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating moderate concern. Population monitoring and habitat management remain important for its continued recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Ringed Plover injury display look like?
If a Ringed Plover drags one wing along the ground and runs away from you, it is performing a distraction display to draw predators away from a nearby nest or chicks. If you see this, stop moving, back away slowly and leave the area — the nest is very close. This behaviour is most common May–July.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.