Plovers & Lapwings in England

8 species matching this filter.

All birds in EnglandView family page

England is home to six species of plovers and lapwings, found across a diverse range of habitats from upland moorlands and coastal mudflats to farmland and gravel pits. The Northern Lapwing, with its distinctive crest and tumbling display flight, remains one of the most iconic farmland birds, while scarcer species such as the Dotterel can be encountered on high mountain plateaux during the breeding season. Coastal estuaries and beaches provide vital wintering and passage habitat for Grey Plover, Golden Plover, and both Ringed and Little 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
American Golden-Plover

American Golden-Plover

Pluvialis dominicaLC

A rare transatlantic vagrant, mostly recorded on coastal grasslands and ploughed fields in autumn. Often found among Golden Plover flocks.

Jun–Nov

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

Dotterel

Eudromias morinellusLC

A rare passage migrant, pausing on high hilltops and ploughed fields in spring and autumn. Traditional stop-over sites attract dedicated observers.

May–Oct

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

Golden Plover

Pluvialis apricariaLC

Breeds on upland moorlands in the north and winters in large flocks on lowland farmland. Present year-round, with numbers boosted by continental birds in winter.

Year-round

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

Grey Plover

Pluvialis squatarolaLC

An uncommon wader of muddy estuaries and coastal flats, most numerous in winter. Its plaintive three-note whistle and black axillary patches in flight aid identification.

Year-round

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

Little Ringed Plover

Charadrius dubiusLC

A summer visitor breeding on gravel pits, reservoirs and river shingle across England from March to September. Distinguished from Ringed Plover by its yellow eye-ring.

Mar–Sep

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

Northern Lapwing

Vanellus vanellusNT

A common but declining farmland bird, resident year-round. Winter flocks gather on ploughed fields, while breeding birds favour damp pastures.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Pacific Golden-Plover

Pacific Golden-Plover

Pluvialis fulvaLC

A rare passage visitor in summer, occasionally turning up on coastal mudflats and estuaries, easily confused with the commoner European Golden-Plover.

Jun–Aug

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

Ringed Plover

Charadrius hiaticulaLC

A common resident of sandy and shingle beaches, also found at inland gravel pits. Numbers increase in autumn with passage birds.

Year-round

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

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