Ringed Plover
Photo credit: RSPB
The Ringed Plover is a small, dumpy, short legged wading bird that breeds on vegetated shingle around estuaries in the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape.
They are vulnerable to habitat loss and disturbance, hence their population has declined by 59% in the UK in only 25 years.
Between April-July they lay 4 tiny eggs in a scrape on the ground which are neatly arranged with the pointed ends always in the centre of the nest.
As part of a project between the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape and the Harwich Haven Authority, work is being done to raise awareness of the ringed plover and educate visitors and local residents in Shotley on how they can help support the ringed plover population and avoid some of the behaviours that can cause disturbance.
Conservation efforts
Between February – March 2022, volunteers surveyed a stretch of shingle beach north of Shotley Marina on the lookout for prospecting Ringed Plover that were
looking for suitable places to breed and rear their chicks.
The hope was their preferred nesting locations would be identified and those areas fenced off to protect the nests from beach users and walkers to avoid disturbance.
In 2023, three ringed plover chicks fledged and four oystercatcher eggs were also spotted in a nest. Volunteers were out surveying the beach from the seawall footpath to record bird sightings.
A fantastic effort by volunteers over three days in March 2024 ensured we have two decent sized enclosures erected again this year, which will hopefully protect nesting ringed plover and oystercatchers from disturbance.
Surveying Ringed Plover at Shotley
A key part of understanding the population of ringed plover in Shotley and the success of National Landscape projects to support them is surveying and mapping.
The ArcGIS mapping software has allowed sightings of ringed plover and other wading birds to be recorded and mapped visually.
Ringed Plover Postcards
You can also download our postcards which provide more information on Ringed Plover and what you can do to help!