Staff at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve were tasked with returning a ringed plover chick to its parents after two visitors mistook it for being lost.
The nature reserve explained that ringed plover chicks are ‘precocial’, meaning they explore by themselves with parents nearby.
Fortunately, staff were able to return the chick to its parents.
Staff were able to return the bird to its parents (Image: Arthur Sloman) Rye Harbour Nature Reserve said: “We had an unexpected delivery to the front desk last week when two visitors mistakenly thought they were rescuing a ‘lost’ ringed plover chick found wandering by itself on the shingle beach at Rye.
“Wading birds like this tiny ringed plover are ‘precocial’ which means they’re independent from day one.
“They can explore by themselves and find their own food with mum and dad never far behind.
“Luckily we found this chick’s parents again and quickly returned it to the shingle beach where it is naturally camouflaged against predators.”
The ringed plover chick (Image: Sarah Watson) The Wildlife Trust describes a ringed plover as: “A small, rotund wader.
“The ringed plover nests on bare gravel, shingle and sand at the coast and around flooded gravel pits and reservoirs.
“Like other plovers, it forages for invertebrates and crustaceans in a particular way: standing and watching, running forward, pecking, then standing still again.
“The ringed plover tempts underground prey to the surface by ‘foot-trembling’: tapping its feet fast on the ground to mimic raindrops.”
An adult ringer plover (Image: Charles J Sharp) They also offered advice on what to do if you find a baby bird out of the nest.
If you come across a baby bird outside of its nest, the first thing to check is whether the bird is visibly injured.
If it is, you should immediately contact an animal welfare organisation.
Sussex Wildlife Trust provides a list of local organisations at www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildcall.
If the bird is not injured, the next step is to determine whether it has feathers. If the bird does have feathers, it is likely a fledgling.
The returned chick back in its natural environment (Image: Gesine Garz) Fledglings are young birds that have left the nest and may spend a few days on the ground as they wait for their feathers to finish developing so they can fly.
If the fledgling is in immediate danger—such as near cats or cars—move it to a sheltered spot nearby, like under a hedge.
If it is not in immediate danger, the best thing to do is to leave it alone.
The ringed plover chick (Image: Sarah Watson) Read more:
If the bird does not have feathers, it is a nestling and still depends on its nest. Look around to see if you can locate the nest. If you find it, gently place the nestling back in.
Contrary to popular myth, touching a baby bird will not cause its parents to abandon it.
If you cannot see a nest or are unsure what to do, contact an animal welfare organisation for guidance.
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