During June 2021 a rare White-tailed Plover was discovered at Stodmarsh in Kent. It was then re-located at RSPB Blacktoft Sands reserve in Yorkshire, on 26th August. The bird eventually left in December and was then re-discovered in Lincolnshire at East Halton on 31st December to 6th March 2022 (presumed same bird). Re-discovered at RSPB Frampton Marsh reserve in 9th March – 3rd April 2022. Presumed same bird was re-discovered at Rimac, Lincolnshire on 26th -28th May, then Ken Hill Marsh, Norfolk 9th – 10th April, then Bickershaw, Greater Manchester on 29th May, Woolston Eyes, Cheshire on 31st May and then Sandwell Valley on 1st June. Quite a remarkable tour of England.
I re-visited this bird several times during its stay, but my best photographs were taken of it on March 29th 2022, at RSPB Frampton from the East Hide. The bird showed exceptionally well for 30 minutes or so, before moving back into cover of vegetation.
The White-tailed Plover or White-tailed Lapwing, is a wader and a very rare visitor to the UK. Its breeding range is in Iran, Iraq and southern Russia. A very distinctive looking bird, with long yellow legs, pure white tail and obvious brown, white and black wings.
There have been 6 previous records of White-tailed Plover in the UK.
