Little Ringed & Ringed Plover Breeding Survey 2007

During 2007, the BTO ran a UK-wide survey of breeding Little Ringed and Ringed Plovers, the first national survey for these species since 1984.

The first pair of Little Ringed Plovers in the UK nested at Tring Reservoirs in 1938. Ever since, breeding numbers have been increasing steadily, accompanied by a west- and northwards range expansion. In 1944 there were three pairs, by 1950 c. 30 pairs, in 1956 74 pairs, in 1959 98 pairs and by 1967 223 pairs at 154 sites in 26 counties. In 1973, a survey of Little Ringed Plovers summering in Britain revealed at least 467 pairs, at 261 localities (Parrinder & Parrinder 1975). The last national survey in 1984 showed that the population had further increased to 608-631 pairs recorded at 370 sites in most counties in England and Wales; there were no breeding records from Scotland and Northern Ireland (Parrinder 1989). The latest population estimate of 825-1,070 summering pairs comes from the 1988-91 New Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland (Gibbons et al. 1993).

The 2007 survey had three main aims:
To obtain updated population estimates for the two species in the UK and its constituent countries. Considering that Ringed Plover is now on the Birds for Conservation Concern Amber list, and that the UK and the Republic of Ireland together hold around 80% of the temperate breeding population of the nominate race of this species, it is clearly important that the national population should be monitored on a regular basis.
To investigate the species' current distribution and habitat associations. The 1984 survey revealed that Ringed Plovers had undergone several local and regional population declines and a distinct spread from the coast to inland sites since the 1970s. Meanwhile Little Ringed Plovers extended their range, taking advantage of man-made habitats such as gravel pits.
To census all those Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated for their importance for breeding Ringed Plovers (no sites are designated for Little Ringed Plovers).

Survey Methods and Coverage

For both species, a set of ‘Core' survey tetrads was identified, based on occupation in 1984 and up to 2006. A stratified selection of ‘Sample' tetrads was also covered to provide estimates of the number of plovers away from these Core sites and thus ensure completeness of the overall population estimates.

Survey coverage was very good with around 67% of the 1,137 Core tetrads and 64% of the 1,357 Sample tetrads covered and a very good geographical spread. Little Ringed Plovers typically breed on recently disturbed ground and take advantage of temporary habitats. Consequently, at a local scale, several new breeding localities were reported. Nevertheless, the species' broader breeding range has shown only a slight expansion. The core of the species distribution is found in central England, between Lancashire / Yorkshire and the home counties (Figure 1a) though there has been an increase in the number of records in southern Scotland since 1984. The species is absent from southwest England, northern Scotland and Ireland.

A high level of coverage was also obtained in the Ringed Plover survey, with 65% of the 4,171 Core tetrads and 63% of the 1,521 Sample tetrads covered. This is particularly good considering the remote nature of many Scottish sites and the limited number of available surveyors there. Most Ringed Plovers breed on or near the coast (Figure 1b), with a small scatter of inland records in Central England but more within Scotland. Approximately two thirds of the species' population is found in Scotland, with a large proportion of these birds found in the machair habitats of the Outer Hebrides.

Data from the survey are currently being analysed and it is hoped that a paper reporting the new population estimates for the two species will be published in 2009.

Gibbons, D.W., Reid, J.B. & Chapman, R.A. (1993) The New Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland: 1988-1991. London: Poyser.

Parrinder, E.D. (1989) Little Ringed Plovers Charadrius dubius in Britain in 1984. Bird Study 36: 147-153.

Parrinder, E.R. & Parrinder, E.D. (1975) Little Ringed Plovers In Britain in 1968-73. Brit. Birds 68: 359-368.

Prater, A.J. (1989) Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula breeding population of the United Kingdom in 1984. Bird Study 36: 154-159.

Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Countryside Council for Wales, The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, Anglian Water and Environment & Heritage Service (Northern Ireland); BTO funding comes from the legacy-based fund Birds in Trust, and the Christmas and New Year Bird Count.

We are also grateful to Scottish Natural Heritage and the RSPB for funding the 2007 surveys in the Outer Hebrides and to the Joint Nature Conservation Committee for their help.

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