GOLDEN PLOVER

Although their numbers have sadly decreased alarmingly in recent decades, Lapwings are still easily identifiable in their winter flocks, because of their pied appearance and broad, flappy wings. But if you see them, look closer, because outside the breeding season, Golden Plovers are often close by. On farmland, they’re much more unobtrusive, generally feeding in a loose scatter that could be mistaken for winter thrushes, but a close look should reveal the gilded upperparts. In flight, they form large flocks, often flying high, but their pointed wings should be obvious on closer inspection, and the flocks ‘twinkle’ as they turn to and fro.