Kentish Plover
Scientific Name: Charadrius alexandrinusMaltese Name: Monakella Zghira
Family: Plovers and lapwings (Charadriidae)
Occurence: Scarce
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The Kentish Plover a small plover, smaller, paler, longer-legged and thinner-billed than Ringed Plover. Its breast band appears as dark lateral patches on the sides of the breast. Breeding males oblack forehead bar and a black mask through the eye. This species breeds on sandy coasts and brackish inland lakes. It nests in a ground scrape and lays three to five eggs. Despite its name, this species no longer breeds in Kent, or even Great Britain. It breeds in a wide range, from southern Europe to Japan
Status:
Scarce spring and autumn migrant. Usually seen in singles or pairs.
When to See:
Mid-March till June in Spring and mid-July till November in Autumn.
Where to See:
Best place to see is Ghadira Nature Reserve but may bee seen on any rocky coasts.
Photographs:
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Adult Kentish Plover, Ghadira Nature Reserve |
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Juvenile Kentish Plover, Ghadira Nature Reserve, 1st October 2006 |
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