1954 LRP

Extract from:

Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle upon Tyne. Ornithological Report for 1954.

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

On May 1^st at a flooded brick-field near Shotton Colliery, Durham, a single bird was seen in company with Dunlin and a Green Sandpiper. It was under observation for three hours with x8 binoculars down to range of c. 10 yards and was seen at rest and in flight. By the following day it had gone and was not seen again. (D.W. Simpson)

From a detailed description and sketches made on the spot, there is no doubt about its correct identification. This is the first record of this species in Co. Durham and it has not yet occurred in Northumberland.  As it is now breeding no further away than Yorkshire, it is possible that it may yet spread further north. It is particularly partial to inland shingle-beds on river banks and to gravel pits.

The status has changed somewhat and it is now an annual passage bird and a rare breeder in the County.

This little beauty was at Cresswell this morning.