Here's our Plovers in Peril Project Officer, Wynona, with an update on what's currently happening on our North West Norfolk beaches...
On a vast stretch of beach each spring a battle is unfolding amongst the tideline. The heroes on these beaches wear black masks and a helmet of grey, the battle cry is a soft rhythmic “toodle-toodle-toodle” and the arena - a tideline littered with sun bleached hornwrack and washed up cuttlefish bones. I am of course talking about the Ringed Plover. These birds may be small but don’t be fooled – this time of year the male Ringed plover message is a clear one - “this beach aint big enough for the both of us”
Unlike some beach nesting birds like the little tern which nest in colonies, ringed plover nest alone or in loose neighbourhood groups. They need space to find the perfect spot to make a nest (a shallow scrape made in the sand and shingle) and on a narrow stretch of beach these quiet spots hard to find. Especially as other pairs are on the lookout too – competition is fierce.
These beautiful beaches lining our coast are not just popular with Ringed Plovers – and as we fight our own battles with a national pandemic – our beaches bring us all some much-needed solace. This means Ringed Plover pairs are also competing for space with people – making those perfect nesting spots harder and harder to find – and definitely something to fight for and guard with their life.
So, what are they looking for? A sea view? A sunny veranda? Think more the perfect mix of shingle and sand and sparse vegetation cover above the tideline and now we are talking!
If you have been on a walk along Snettisham beach this month you will have undoubtedly been serenaded by those toodle-toodle-toodle calls of males as they establish territory and if you’ve ever stopped a while to watch the drama – and you’re anything like me – you would have been totally gripped by the best drama of 2021 – move aside Netflix!
The males will perform what is known as a “butterfly” display-flight accompanied by courtship display calls said to establish boundaries as well as attracting females – a form of self-advertisement! If you’ve seen it, I think you’ll agree its utterly mesmerising. As the bird makes a circuit over a small section of beach, the flight mimics that of a butterfly – with slow flapping and deep wingbeats – almost as though the bird was a puppet on a string. This flight will often follow on from an aggressive encounter with another male.
This is where the real drama lies, because for a male ringed plover - three is a definitely a crowd.
As the male begins to establish territory and capture the attentions of a female, they will stay close and defend both from any approaching rival male. These disputes can be explosive and if you stick around to watch it play out, you’ll likely be entranced by a showy dance of tail fanning, sparring, bowing and high-speed chases. Who knew the Snettisham tideline could be the scene for such a skirmish?
As April approaches, beach nesting birds are well on their way to finding their perfect nesting spots so give them a thought when you’re out walking on the beach. By walking on perimeter paths or walking along the shoreline and staying close to the sea, you can watch the action unfolding on the upper shore without disturbing them.
Remember #RespectProtectEnjoy
All the best until next time.
Wynona.
Images: Ringed plovers by Phill Gwilliam
#PloversinPeril #SnettishamBeach #RSPBSnettisham