Plovers & Lapwings in Cheshire

5 species matching this filter.

All birds in CheshireView family page

Cheshire's diverse landscape of estuarine mudflats, farmland, and upland moors provides excellent habitat for plovers and lapwings throughout the year. Five species from this family have been recorded in the county, including the iconic Northern Lapwing on lowland fields and the striking Golden Plover on winter pastures. The Dee Estuary and Mersey Estuary are particularly important sites for passage and wintering waders such as Grey Plover and Ringed Plover.

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)4 year-round residents
Golden Plover

Golden Plover

Pluvialis apricariaLC

A rare resident, with winter flocks on lowland fields and a few pairs breeding on eastern moorlands. Absent midsummer.

Aug–May

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

Grey Plover

Pluvialis squatarolaLC

A rare visitor mainly found on the Dee Estuary and Mersey coast, with numbers peaking during autumn and winter passage.

Aug–Jun

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, nesting on gravel pits and reservoir margins across the county.

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 wetlands, with large winter flocks on the Cheshire Plain. Breeding numbers are declining.

Year-round

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

Ringed Plover

Charadrius hiaticulaLC

A rare resident found on gravel shores and coastal margins. Breeds sparingly and more often seen on passage.

Feb–Dec

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

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