© Andrew Parkinson Golden Plover Pluvialis Apricaria The golden plover is just a little smaller than the lapwing, with which it often gathers in large numbers on farmland and coastal flats during the winter. © Golden plover (c)Andrew Parkinson2020VISION In summer it is found in upland moorland habitats where it breeds from May to September. How to Identify In the summer, adult golden plovers have a black throat, chest and belly, surrounded by a band of white and topped with a distinctive, spotted-gold and black back and cap. In winter, adults lose the black and have a yellow throat, chest and belly. In mixed flocks, golden plovers can be distinguished from lapwings by their sharp, pointed wings – lapwings have bluntly rounded wings. As individuals, the golden plover can be distinguished from the larger grey plover by its golden spots and delicate bill. Where to find Nests on moorlands in Scotland, northern England, Wales and Devon. Spends the winter on farmland and on muddy estuaries around the coast. How People Can Help Golden plovers are under threat from changes in land use and farming practices. Local Wildlife Trusts across the country are looking after wetland and moorland habitats for the benefit of birds like plovers. Ensuring breeding birds are not disturbed, wetland and moorland nature reserves are well-managed and farmers use wildlife-friendly farming practices are just some of the ways we’re helping. You can help too: volunteer for The Wildlife Trusts and you could be involved in everything from clearing scrub to monitoring populations or raising awareness about nesting birds. And don’t forget to keep dogs on leads in areas where ground-nesting birds are breeding. Did you know? There are two other species of golden plover: the American golden plover (which breeds in Canada and Alaska and winters in South America) and the Pacific golden plover (which breeds northern Asia and winters in South Asia and Australia). Both species are extremely rare visitors to Britain each year. Key FactsLength: 26-29cmWingspan: 72cmWeight: 220gAverage Lifespan: 4 years Donate Donate to help support Golden Plovers and other wildlife. Donate Similar Species Barn Owl Birds Black-Headed Gull Birds Blackbird Birds Blackcap Birds Blue Tit Birds Bullfinch Birds Buzzard Birds Canada Goose Birds Carrion Crow Birds Chaffinch Birds Chiffchaff Birds Coal Tit Birds Collared Dove Birds Coot Birds Crossbill Birds Cuckoo Birds Curlew Birds Dipper Birds Dunnock Birds Fieldfare Birds Goldcrest Birds Goldfinch Birds Goosander Birds Great Crested Grebe Birds Great Spotted Woodpecker Birds Great Tit Birds Greenfinch Birds Grey Heron Birds Grey Wagtail Birds Hen Harrier Birds Herring Gull Birds Hobby Birds House Martin Birds House Sparrow Birds Jackdaw Birds Jay Birds Kestrel Birds Kingfisher Birds Lapwing Birds Lesser Redpoll Birds Linnet Birds Little Egret Birds Little Grebe Birds Little Owl Birds Little Ringed Plover Birds Long-Eared Owl Birds Long-Tailed Tit Birds Magpie Birds Mallard Birds Mandarin Duck Birds Marsh Harrier Birds Meadow Pipit Birds Merlin Birds Mistle Thrush Birds Moorhen Birds Nightjar Birds Nuthatch Birds Osprey Birds Oystercatcher Birds Peregrine falcon Birds Pied Wagtail Birds Raven Birds Red Grouse Birds Red Kite Birds Redstart Birds Redwing Birds Reed Bunting Birds Reed Warbler Birds Ringed Plover Birds Robin Birds Rock Pipit Birds Rook Birds Sedge Warbler Birds Short-Eared Owl Birds Siskin Birds Skylark Birds Snipe Birds Song Thrush Birds Sparrowhawk Birds Spotted Flycatcher Birds Starling Birds Stonechat Birds Swallow Birds Swift Birds Tawny owl Birds Teal Birds Tree Sparrow Birds Treecreeper Birds Tufted Duck Birds Water Rail Birds Waxwing Birds Wheatear Birds Whimbrel Birds Whinchat Birds Whitethroat Birds Wigeon Birds Willow Warbler Birds Wood Pigeon Birds Wood Warbler Birds Woodcock Birds Wren Birds Yellow Wagtail Birds Yellowhammer Birds