Little Ringed Plover

Charadrius dubius (Scopoli, 1786)

		summer plumage juvenile
2011-03-26 Sorbulak lakes, Almaty oblast 2011-07-16 Kanshengel, Taukum sands, Southern Trans-Balkhash area	© Gennadiy Dyakin © Askar Isabekov

Distribution

Breeds in plain Kazakhstan everywhere on the shores of the plain waters and mountain steams, rivers and highland lakes, including Markakol lake. On migration occurs also widespread.

Biology

Common breeding migrant. Inhabits the river valleys, fresh and salty lakes, ponds, reservoirs in plains, small streams, rivers and lakes in mountains up to 1850 m too, prefers the sandy, stony or silt shores with lack or scarce vegetation. In spring appears in March in southern areas, or in April – early May in northern ones and in mountains. Migrates in small flocks of 10-20 birds; flight is very rapid, at Chokpak Pass latest birds registered 13 May 1969. Breeds in separate pairs not far one from another. Nest is located not far than 200-300 m from the water in the shallow hole and is lined with some dry grass or small pebbles. Clutch of 3-4 eggs is produced in April or in early May, but nests with eggs were found until the end of June. Incubation lasts 22-26 days. Chicks hatch from May until the end of July. Probably has two broods per breeding season, repeated breeding after the loss of first nest was also observed. In autumn migrates in small flocks of up to one-two dozen birds; migration begins in August. At first the adult birds migrate, juveniles fly off somewhat later. From mountains and northern areas the birds migrate in early or mid-September, from southern ones in end of September.

Subspecies

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Урала, Приуралья и Западной Сибири". Екатеринбург, Изд-во Уральского университета, 2000.