The Little Ringed Plover in London

Abstract

IN 1947 little ringed plovers (Charadrius dubius curonicus) bred in the London area for the fourth year in succession, and there was a remarkable increase in numbers (British Birds, 41, No. 2 ; February, 1948). Eight nests were found, and four other broods seen. Because of the possibility that at least two pairs changed their sites after disturbance the exact number present is unknown ; but there were certainly eleven and possibly fourteen pairs. Although the majority of the birds were again in Middlesex, there was an extension of range to three other counties and first breeding records were obtained for Essex (four pairs), Kent and Berkshire (one pair each). It is probable that the apparent sudden increase from four pairs in 1946 to a minimum of eleven pairs in 1947 is in part due to a lack of observation in previous years. It is curious that the known breeding range in Britain is, so far, restricted to Tring (where it bred in 1938 and 1944) and the London area (where it has bred annually since 1944). This may simply be due to lack of observation in other suitable places.