Grey Plover
Scientific Name: Pluvialis squatarolaMaltese Name: Pluviera Griza
Family: Plovers and lapwings (Charadriidae)
Occurence: Scarce
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The Grey Plover, is a medium-sized plover breeding in arctic regions. It is a long-distance migrant, with a nearly worldwide coastal distribution when not breeding. In spring and summer, the adults are spotted black and white on the back and wings. The face and neck are black with a white border; they have a black breast and a white rump. The bill and legs are black. Their breeding habitat is Arctic islands and coastal areas across the northern coasts of Alaska, Canada, and Russia. They nest on the ground in a dry open tundra with good visibility; the nest is a shallow gravel scrape. They forage for food on beaches and tidal flats, usually by sight. The food consists of small molluscs, polychaete worms, crustaceans, and insects. It is less gregarious than the other Pluvialis species, not forming dense feeding flocks, instead feeding widely dispersed over beaches, with birds well spaced apart. They will however form dense flocks on high tide roosts.
Status:
Scarce and Irregular Migrant.
When to See:
Mostly recorded in August and September in small numbers. Also recorded in late April and in May.
Where to See:
Mostly seen migrating from the coast. Good places are Qawra, Ghallis and Marsascala where Grey Plovers can be seen both flying offshore and resting on the rocky shores. Sometimes also seen inside Ghadira Nature Reserve and Salina Saltpans.
Photographs:
 |
Non-breeding Grey Plover, Ghadira Nature Reserve |
 |
 |
| Summer Plumage Grey Plover, Marsascala, 27th August 2006 | Summer Plumage Grey Plover, Salina, 6th August 2006 |
Back to Bird Species List