Common Ringed Plover

A charismatic wader with a compact body and a short orange bill with a black tip. It is easily identified by a bold black-and-white head pattern and a wide black 'necklace'. It breeds on sandy and shingle beaches across Northern Europe. During migration and winter, it is common on shorelines and inland gravel pits. It is a hardy bird that stays further north in winter than similar plovers.

This plover hunts with a 'run-and-pause' motion. It darts across the sand and stands perfectly still to scan for insects. On breeding grounds, adults may feign a broken wing to lure predators away from the nest. Their call is a melodious, rising 'too-li'. This sound is a quintessential part of the European coastline.