File:2024-07-26 Anarhynchus leschenaultii leschenaultii, Newbiggin, Northumberland 1.jpg

Greater Sand-Plover

7 months ago door Jeroen

Points: 90

Spotted

The Greater Sand Plover is a relatively large and robust plover with a powerful bill and stout legs. It has a sandy-brown back and, in breeding plumage, develops a broad reddish-chestnut band across its breast.

Where to spot

Breeds in arid and semi-arid regions of Central Asia and the Middle East, wintering along coastal areas from East Africa to Australia. Found on sandy beaches, mudflats, and exposed coral reefs.

How to spot

Look for its robust size compared to other small plovers, strong bill, and sandy-brown upperparts. In breeding plumage, the broad reddish-chestnut breast band is diagnostic. In winter, it is paler brown and harder to distinguish from Lesser Sand Plover without careful observation. Its call is a short, sharp 'chip' or 'drrr'.

When to spot

Best observed during winter (autumn to early spring) in its extensive coastal wintering grounds, or during migration (spring/autumn) at stopover sites. Breeding plumage is seen late spring/early summer.

Where to spot

Breeds in arid and semi-arid regions of Central Asia and the Middle East, wintering along coastal areas from East Africa to Australia. Found on sandy beaches, mudflats, and exposed coral reefs.

How to spot

When to spot

Credits: Door Chung Kiu, Ryan Cheng from Hong Kong - Greater Sand Plover %u9435%u5634%u6C99%u9D34, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9387625

Credits: Wikimedia Commons

The Greater Sand Plover is a long-distance migrant, traveling thousands of kilometers between its Central Asian breeding grounds and its extensive wintering areas across East Africa, Asia, and Australasia.

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