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There could be a bird's nest hidden in the sand right where you're about to put your towel down
The Kentish plover nests on Spanish beaches between March and August, and its eggs are almost impossible to spot. Here's what to do if you find one
Every summer, while beachgoers are busy settling in for a day in the sun, a small and rather remarkable bird is fighting quietly for its survival in the very same sand. The Kentish plover, known in Spanish as the chorlitejo patinegro, nests directly on the ground in the dunes and sandy areas of Spain's coastline, and its breeding season runs from March to August, right through the busiest months of the year.The problem is that you almost certainly wouldn't see it coming. The eggs and chicks have plumage almost identical in colour to the sand around them, perfect camouflage against natural predators, but completely useless against an unsuspecting beachgoer who simply hasn't noticed them. The population of this bird has fallen sharply in recent decades, and human pressure on coastal ecosystems is a significant part of why.
So what should you do if you happen to spot a nest or a chick during a walk along the shore?
The first and most important rule is simple: don't touch anything. It sounds obvious, but well-meaning interference is one of the biggest risks. If you stop to take photographs or linger too close, the parents will abandon the nest out of fear. Once that happens, the summer heat takes over quickly. Sand temperatures under the full summer sun can destroy a clutch of eggs within minutes if the adults are not there to protect them.
Move away calmly and at a safe distance, then contact the authorities. The quickest routes are calling the Policía Local in your municipality or dialling 112, which has specific protocols for passing reports to environmental units. Local wildlife associations are also worth alerting, as many actively monitor and census the species along the coast.
A few other things are worth keeping in mind during the summer months. Dogs should be kept off beaches where restrictions apply. Even the scent of a dog nearby is enough to cause severe stress to nesting birds and can lead to permanent nest abandonment. Stick to the wooden walkways provided, and respect any fenced-off areas, which are there to protect nesting sites rather than to inconvenience anyone.
The Kentish plover has been sharing this coastline for a very long time. With a little care, it might continue to do so.
Image: Mike Knibbs/Pexels
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