Plovers & Lapwings in Durham

5 species matching this filter.

All birds in DurhamView family page

Durham's diverse landscapes, from the North Pennine moorlands to the North Sea coastline, provide 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 farmland and upland pastures, and the Golden Plover which gathers in impressive flocks on the moors. Coastal sites such as those around Teesmouth and the Durham Heritage Coast offer opportunities to spot passage migrants like 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)3 year-round residents
Golden Plover

Golden Plover

Pluvialis apricariaLC

An uncommon resident breeding on upland moors in summer. Large flocks gather on lowland fields in autumn and winter.

Year-round

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

Grey Plover

Pluvialis squatarolaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to the Durham coastline, found on mudflats and rocky shores mainly from late summer through winter.

Aug–Feb

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

Little Ringed Plover

Charadrius dubiusLC

A rare summer breeder favouring gravel pits and reservoir margins. One of the earliest spring migrants, arriving from April.

Apr–Aug

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

Northern Lapwing

Vanellus vanellusNT

A common resident of Durham's farmland and upland pastures year-round. Declining nationally but still seen in tumbling display flights over fields in spring.

Year-round

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

Ringed Plover

Charadrius hiaticulaLC

An uncommon resident nesting on shingle beaches and river gravels. Numbers bolstered by passage birds in spring and autumn.

Year-round

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

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