Nature on the beach

A long flight.

/ Andy Finnegan / 4 Comments

As winter approaches, the number of Sanderlings increase on Meon Shore. This is because the small number of resident birds increased with migratory birds from their breeding grounds in the Arctic Circle arriving.

This ringed bird

This ringed bird has been on the beach for a few weeks. Ringed as an adult bird on a nest in NE Greenland on nesting grounds in summer 2025. I am always amazed at how a bird weighing just 60 grams makes this journey each year, then returns to their breeding grounds in the spring.

Focus on Ringed Plovers

/ Andy Finnegan / 4 Comments

Over the past few weeks, the number of Ringed Plovers resting on the spit at Meon Shore has been increasing. This post is concentrating on this small wader.

 

Ringed plovers are described as small and dumpy wading birds with orange legs and a black and white head and breast pattern. They can be seen foraging for small invertebrates and crustaceans in a characteristic “stand and watch, run, peck” pattern.

UK numbers ; breeding birds 5,450+ pairs; wintering 42,500 birds

The birds group up beach and will fly together in small flocks.

Note in the last picture, a Dunlin has tagged on!