Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover can be seen in the area of Dundalk harbour during most of the year, but especially in winter when large flocks gather following migration, typically from Iceland. They feed on a variety of freshwater and marine invertebrates which they pick with a characteristic stop-start feeding method. A small resident population breeds in Ireland. Their nest is a bare scrape on the ground in sand or shingle near the waters edge. If their nest or young are threatened by predators, in a behaviour known as "distraction display", they will call plaintively and drag their wing across the ground as though it were injured in order to draw off the predator.