02/04/2026
Help the Ringed Plovers have another successful year breeding at Ynyslas. The fence and signs marking the edge of the breeding enclosure are now up - please do not go beyond the fence, and when near to the fence please keep dogs on leads. The Ringed Plover is vulnerable to disturbance whilst on the nest, and also when the chicks hatch, as they leave the nest almost immediately. They can be found anywhere from the dunes down to the shoreline - that is why they need such a large area. Over the last four years, 4-7 pairs have successfully fledged young. The numbers have been gradually increasing between 2018 and 2020, and have plateaued in the last 4 years (which is fantastic, considering that between 2009-2017 no pairs were successful!)
Smaller areas at the front of the dunes are also fenced off occasionally when breeding pairs on eggs are found. Please avoid these areas and keep dogs on leads when near to them. We also advise visitors to keep dogs on a lead within the dunes themselves throughout the bird breeding season to prevent disturbance of ground nesting birds, such as Skylarks and Meadow Pipits. Thank you! Photos: J Ibbotson
