Plovers & Lapwings in Cambridgeshire

5 species matching this filter.

All birds in CambridgeshireView family page

Cambridgeshire's expansive fenlands, arable fields, and gravel pits provide important habitat for five species of plovers and lapwings. The Northern Lapwing is a familiar sight across the county's farmland, while passage migrants such as the Golden Plover and Grey Plover can be seen in impressive flocks during autumn and winter. The county's former gravel workings and reservoir margins also attract breeding Little Ringed Plovers and Ringed Plovers during the warmer months.

Little Ringed Plover
Little Ringed PloverSmallest · 14cm
to
Northern Lapwing
Northern LapwingLargest · 31cm
Ranges from the Little Ringed Plover (14cm) to the Northern Lapwing (31cm)1 year-round resident
Golden Plover

Golden Plover

Pluvialis apricariaLC

Winters in flocks on ploughed fenland fields, often alongside lapwings. Absent during the summer breeding months.

Aug–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Grey Plover

Grey Plover

Pluvialis squatarolaLC

A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally stopping at flooded fields and washland scrapes in May en route to Arctic breeding grounds.

May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Little Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover

Charadrius dubiusLC

An uncommon summer breeder from March to September, favouring gravel pits, reservoir margins and bare ground near water.

Mar–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Northern Lapwing

Northern Lapwing

Vanellus vanellusNT

A common resident of farmland and wet grassland year-round, though breeding numbers have declined significantly across the fens.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Charadrius hiaticulaLC

Breeds uncommonly at gravel pits and reservoir edges from spring into autumn, favouring bare shingle and sandy margins.

Mar–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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Plovers & Lapwings in Cambridgeshire | Birdfact