Golden Plover - Pluvialis apricaria

A medium sized plover with a distinctive gold and black summer plumage. In winter the black in replaced by buff and white. They typically stand upright and run in short bursts. Very wary on the breeding grounds.

In summer they inhabit upland moorlands in the S Uplands and Highlands of Scotland, the Western and Northern Isles, the Peak District, N Yorkshire, Wales and Devon. In winter they move to lowland fields, forming large flocks, often in the company of Lapwings.

They occupy their breeding grounds from May to September. Winter flocks start to appear and build up after the breeding season with largest numbers between November and February.

In winter they form large flocks which fly in fairly tight formation with rapid, twinkling wingbeats. They feed on worms and beetles.

Fairly frequent throughout Britain as a breeding bird and bird of passage.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.