Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubius
Feadóigín chladaigh
Status All Ireland: Breeding (Republic only)
Population estimate all Ireland: < 2 pairs
Trend (12 years): Stable
Trend (40 years): Stable
Survey timing: April to July
Habitat: Wetlands
Occurrence: Inland sites in southern and eastern counties.
Habitat preference (simple description of preferred nesting habitat): Lakes, gravel pits, disused waterworks. Ground nester on shores and fringes of lakes, ponds, gravel pits, sand pits etc with stoney/sandy margins.
Preferred ways to establish breeding status: Only a recent colonist and still very scarce. If suspected at a suitable site, watch for territorial display flights over potential breeding grounds (bare sandy or gravelly shore of waterbody). If breeding taking place, adults will become agitated and feign injured wing (like Ringed Plover) in distraction display, which is sufficient for proof of breeding.
