© Photo by Derek Moore Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius A small, rotund wading bird, the little ringed plover nests on bare gravel around flooded gravel pits, sandy riverbanks and reservoirs. © Photo by Tom Hibbert It is a migrant species, arriving in this country in mid-March and leaving again in July. How to Identify Daintier than the ringed plover, the little ringed plover has a black bill, pale, creamy-brown legs and a bright yellow ring around the eye. It is sandy-brown above, white below, with a black chest-band and black bridle markings on the head. When it flies, it has only a very thin, pale wingbar. Where to Find Daintier than the ringed plover, the little ringed plover has a black bill, pale, creamy-brown legs and a bright yellow ring around the eye. It is sandy-brown above, white below, with a black chest-band and black bridle markings on the head. When it flies, it has only a very thin, pale wingbar. How People Can Help Little ringed plovers are a success story, breeding here as suitable habitats became available. They are not currently declining, but their wetland and coastal homes are under threat from development, drainage and pollution. The Wildlife Trusts manage many wetland nature reserves for the benefit of the wildlife they support. You can help by supporting your local Trust and becoming a member; you’ll find out about exciting wildlife happenings, events on your doorstep and volunteering opportunities and be helping local wildlife along the way. And don’t forget to keep dogs on leads in areas where ground-nesting birds are breeding. Did you know? Little ringed plovers first nested in the UK in 1938 and have successfully spread through England and Wales. This colonisation has been attributed to the increased availability of their preferred gravelly habitats; man-made gravel pits, reservoirs and quarries have provided just the right breeding grounds for this little bird. Key FactsLength: 14-16cmWingspan: 45cmWeight: 40gAverage lifespan: 4 years Donate Donate to help support Little Ringed Plover 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 Golden Plover 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 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