Observations of nesting Little Ringed Plovers at Għadira Nature Reserve in 2011-2012

Abstract

The Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius is a common passage migrant from early March to late May and from late July to early November, generally in singles or in small flocks, but sometimes flocks of up to 25 or even occasionally up to 50 birds have been recorded. The Little Ringed Plover is mainly seen in Malta in the few wetlands such as Għadira nature reserve (largest wetland area in the Maltese Islands), saltpans and also in open grassy areas including the Malta International Airport. The species nests on bare ground often on terrain covered with sand, shingle or gravel; at Għadira nesting habitat was created in 1980 with patches of shingle on some of the islands. A study of the Little Ringed Plover was carried out by the author through observation at Għadira nature reserve in a two year period (2011–2012). Six pairs nested in 2011 and four pairs nested in 2012. In this paper pairs are given numbers but pair 1 of 2011 does not necessarily mean that it is the same pair 1 as in 2012. The Little Ringed Plover started nesting at the reserve in 1995. Generally pairs have two broods, sometimes three. Four to five breeding pairs normally nest at Għadira, but eight pairs nested in 2008.