This bird has gold and black feathers on its back and a black chest and belly in summer breeding plumage. In winter its chest and belly change to a paler buff colour.
During the summer months, Golden Plovers live in our uplands and islands, with high numbers in the Western Isles and Shetland. In the winter they come down into agricultural grassland and river estuaries and mix together with Lapwings.
Action Needed
We need funding for additional research into actions that could help Golden Plover in addition to funding for peatland restoration. We are working as part of the Working For Waders partnership to support farmers, crofters and land managers to provide Golden Plover habitat. We’re also researching how to minimise recreational disturbance in the countryside while still encouraging people to go out and enjoy the benefits of connecting with nature. For example, if people stick to paths and keep any dogs under close control, disturbance is more manageable.
The new Scottish Government has the power to set legally binding targets for nature restoration, which should include targets to maintain common species at appropriate levels, and this should be done without delay.
Threats
While Golden Plover is still seen as relatively common, the area it breeds in throughout Britain has got 20% smaller in the last 40 years, with the biggest loss in the southern uplands of Scotland. We’re still researching what’s driving the loss of Golden Plover breeding habitat. Golden Plovers need a mosaic habitat with a mix of heather and grass, including wetter areas with soft rush or cotton grass, and this may be getting harder to find due to intensification of farming and forestry in the uplands. Disturbance by hillwalkers also seems to be a factor. Another concern is that the craneflies that Golden Plovers eat are likely to shift north due to climate change.
MSP Nature Champion
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