Grey Plover

Habitat: Open tundra near rivers and lakes. In winter and during migration, often found in estuaries and on mud flats.

Appearance: Breeding bird of the arctic tundra north of the breeding grounds of the Golden Plover. A common winter visitor and migrant in southern and western Europe. In Belgium and the Netherlands, it is a year-round visitor, migrant and winter visitor in large numbers.

Breeding season: Late May to August, ground nest, 3 to 4 eggs.

Characteristics: Length 27 to 30 cm, wingspan 71 to 83 cm, weight 190 to 250 grams, age 14 years.

Food: In the north insects, supplemented with seeds. At sea, small crustaceans, snails and shellfish.