Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricaria
Length 28cm

Both sight and sound of this species are evocative of desolate upland areas favoured during breeding season. Male in breeding season (A) has spangled golden upperparts with white on underparts and black belly grading to greyish on neck and face; breeding birds from N Europe with black face, neck and belly sometimes seen on migration. Female has similar upperparts to male but less distinct dark markings on underparts. Winter birds (B) lose black on underparts. In flight, shows white 'armpits'. Nests on moorland in N and W, often favouring newly colonised areas of burnt ground. Winters throughout much of Britain and Ireland, mainly on farmland; flocks sometimes mix with lapwings. Numbers boosted at this time by influx of birds from continent. Flight call peeoo. Song haunting and fluty.