Bird Watching or Twitching in Andalucia Southern Spain

June 2005, Ringed Plover, Charadrius hiaticula

Two Ringed Plovers were seen in the estuary at Sancti Petri on the 15th May. Normally this bird only winters here so they were either late returning to northern Scandanavia, northern Europe or the UK coast or planning to become residents, which would be rare if not unique. With its distinctive black neck and facial markings and orange beak and legs this robust wader is easy to recognise. The other two plovers that are seen in this area, Little Ringed and Kentish, are smaller and have black legs and beaks. The Ringed Plover's keen eyesight allows it to spot wormholes in the mud and its fast 'dip' into a hole usually results in a meal. In flight it normally stays low over the mud banks and water with a characteristic swoop and flair when making a precision landing.