Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricaria
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Golden Plovers often mix with Lapwings in winter on the flat farmland behind the sea wall. When the flock takes to the air together — Lapwings with their slow wingbeats, Golden Plovers with rapid, flickering wings — the aerial display is extraordinary. In summer plumage (April–May) birds develop a striking black face and belly bordered by white. They breed on northern and upland moors and winter across the Sefton Coast plain in large numbers.
At a Glance
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Habitat | Farmland · Rough grassland · Coastal fields |
| Diet | Earthworms, beetles, seeds, berries |
| UK population | Around 300,000 wintering birds |
| Sefton Coast | Flocks of hundreds to several thousand on Sefton Coast farmland in winter |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
Farmland around Hesketh Bank and Crossens. Often with Lapwing. Fields immediately behind Marshside sometimes hold large flocks.
Identification
Round-headed plover. Golden-speckled brown above. Black face and belly in summer, pale below in winter. Rapid wingbeats. High-pitched whistle.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Look in fields with Lapwings in winter. They tend to feed slightly separately then flush together. The whistling call helps locate flocks.
Conservation Status
UK Amber List
This species is on the UK Amber List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating moderate concern. Population monitoring and habitat management remain important for its continued recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tell Golden Plover from Grey Plover?
In winter, Golden Plovers are warm golden-buff above, while Grey Plovers are cooler grey. In flight, the definitive feature is the 'armpit' — Grey Plover has black axillary feathers; Golden Plover has pale armpits. Golden Plovers also form huge dense flocks on farmland, which Grey Plovers rarely do.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.