Ringed Plover - Charadrius hiaticula

The Ringed Plover is a small, dumpy, short-legged wading bird. It is brownish grey above and whitish below. It has a orange bill, tipped with black, orange legs and a black-and-white pattern on its head and breast. In flight it shows a broad white wing-stripe.

You can see this species on suitable beaches and coasts around the UK. Inland, look for it at the edges of flooded gravel pits and other water margins

All year round.

Breeds on beaches around the coast, but has also now breeding inland in sand and gravel pits and former industrial sites. Feeds on flies, spiders, marine worms, crustaceans and molluscs.

Many UK birds live here all year round, but birds from Europe winter in Britain and birds from Greenland and Canada pass through on migration.

Occasional in Leicestershire & Rutland.