Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricaria
Overview
Golden plovers breed on the high moorland. You need to get up there. Great Gable, Helvellyn, the Coniston range. That mournful pee-oo call carries a long way. In winter they form flocks on farmland.
At a Glance
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Habitat | Mountain moorland · Blanket bog · Farmland in winter |
| Diet | Invertebrates, especially beetles and worms |
| UK population | Around 38,000 breeding pairs. Upland specialist. |
| Lake District | Breed on the highest Lake District fells. You need to walk to find them. Listen for the mournful call. |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
High fells in summer. Great Gable, the Helvellyn range, and the Coniston fells hold breeding birds. Winter flocks on farmland around the Lakes.
Identification
Medium wader. Golden speckled back in summer. Black face and belly in breeding plumage. Winter birds are duller.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Walk the high fells in May and June. They're ground-nesting so stick to paths. The call is distinctive once you know it.
Conservation Status
UK Amber List
This species is on the UK Amber List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating moderate concern. Population monitoring and habitat management remain important for its continued recovery.
Plan your visit to the Lake District
RSPB Haweswater, Grizedale Forest, Leighton Moss. Practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.