Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover are meant to breed on the coast. Human destruction of the environment means they now breed in gravel pits and on industrial sites.

This one has very little orange on its beak so I think it might be an adult in winter plumage:

This one looks like a youngster:

I’ve seen very young ones on Papa Westray this summer:

Don’t try that old broken wing trick on me, Sandy Laverock

The youngsters are very endearing and have legs the colour of seaweed:

There are only 5,400 breeding pairs in the UK. The Ringed Plover is on the ‘Red List’ of Birds of Conservation Concern.

I hope that this one will be back to nest in its natural habitat; on an unspoilt coastline.