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The golden plover breeds on heather moorland and blanket bog where they are primarily associated with areas of short vegetation. The golden brown upperparts and black underparts can make this species difficult to detect on moorland nesting sites. It is the mournful territorial call in spring and early summer which is often the first indication that golden plovers are around. Although the nest sites are on the fell tops, adult birds will fly up to 5km away to feed on meadows and pastures on the moorland fringe.
Between 1200 and 1400 breeding pairs were located during survey work on moorland areas of the Yorkshire Dales National Park in the early 1990s. One of the reasons for the designation of many of the heather moorland sites as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) in the National Park are the nationally important number of breeding golden plover that are found here.
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Golden plover
