Go in search of the ringed plover

On the open, sandy, and muddy edges of the Oosterschelde, you might encounter this small plover. Searching for insects and small bottom-dwelling creatures like crustaceans, snails, worms, and sand fleas. They have a characteristic way of foraging: a quick run, then a brief pause, snatch a prey, and move on.  Ringed plovers are true coastal residents. They do not live according to a day-and-night rhythm but follow the constantly changing rhythm of the tides when sleeping, searching for food, and engaging in other activities.

Bontbekplevier met jong

The characteristics of this migratory bird 

This little plover isn't bigger than a starling. The beak is yellow-orange at the base with a black tip. The head has a distinctive pattern of alternating white and black bands. The legs are bright orange-yellow. When it flies by, you can see the striking wing stripes. Its call is soft and whistling "tju-wíe!" and it goes from low to high.

Where and when to see?

The migration pattern of the ringed plover is known as ‘leapfrog’. Breeding birds from the far north migrate to the Mediterranean and beyond, while our own breeding birds remain in Western Europe. In August/September and in May, they pass through here in large numbers. A smaller group stays to overwinter.

The ringed plover is a rare breeding bird in the Netherlands. Most of them breed in the Eastern Scheldt. The nest is nothing more than a hollow in the ground, lined with some stones, shells, or plant material. When they sit on their nests, they are almost invisible. The chicks immediately start foraging for their food and can fly after about 24 days. The breeding season runs from mid-April to mid-July. Peace during breeding and rearing the chicks is of great importance.

Afzetraster bontbekplevier

Protecting and Monitoring Nesting Sites 

For a few years now, the Oosterschelde National Park has started, with an enthusiastic group of volunteers, to inventory, protect, and monitor the nests and chicks of coastal breeding birds, including the ringed plover. They do this on several dyke sections around the Oosterschelde. In some vulnerable locations, the nests were fenced off with a temporary flexible fence and provided with an information sign explaining their purpose.