Grand Gravelot

Habitat: During breeding season on sandy banks, usually near the sea, but also near freshwater and sometimes brackish water.

Appearance: Widespread summer visitor in Europe along northern coasts and tundras. In winter in groups in river estuaries. In Belgium and the Netherlands, a scarce breeding bird – year bird – partially migratory – passage migrant in fairly small to large numbers – winter visitor in very small to small numbers.

Breeding season: April – July, ground nest – the nest is a bowl in the sand and is usually close to the tide line. Sometimes it is lined with pebbles. Both parents incubate and often take turns without any ceremonial display, 4 eggs.

Characteristics: Length 17 – 19.5 cm, wingspan 42 – 78 cm, weight 48 – 57 grams, age 16 years.

Food: Small animals near water, which are picked up with the beak. They shake the mud with their feet, causing the organisms living in it to rise to the surface.