Features

The little ringed plover is approx. 14–16 cm in size, has a long body and medium-long legs. It uses these to run swiftly and nimbly across the ground. Its natural range spans from western Europe to east Asia.

Habitat and way of life

The little ringed plover needs open, even terrain, ideally near water. Having adapted to the morphology of gravel-bed rivers, it was originally reliant on river dynamics. Nowadays, it survives in anthropogenic, substitute habitats created by people. For example, it inhabits gravel and sand harvesting pits and the banks of artificial quarry ponds. In Munich, the bird is often found in construction site areas.

Reproduction

As a ground-nesting bird, the little ringed plover relies on the unobstructed visibility provided by unvegetated, even surfaces. It nests in a small depression, which it builds in the sandy, gravelly substrate. There, it lays at most four eggs, which hatch after around 25 days.

Protection and endangerment

In Bavaria, the little ringed plover is classed as endangered. On the Red List for Migrating Birds, it is listed as not endangered. Like all wild bird species, it is subject to special protection.
Its habitat has been steadily reduced by the engineering and regulation of rivers and watercourses. Rapid overgrowth (succession) of the once unvegetated gravel banks also impedes little ringed plover populations. In Munich, it is particularly affected by recreation during the nesting period, and unleashed dogs, which disturb the birds. In its original habitat, especially along the banks of the Isar, the little ringed plover is rarely seen in Munich anymore.