Kentish plover: Red Data Book of Armenia

Plovers and lapwings - Charadriidae

Status. A rare species of limited distribution in Armenia. Listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 3.1) as Least Concern. According to IUCN criteria categorized as Vulnerable VU D1.

Distribution. Spread from Portugal to Japan, southwards to the Cape, islands of Ceylon and Tasmania, USA, West India and Chile.

Distribution in Armenia. Nestles on the Ararat Province’s Armash fish ponds and, possibly, in the vicinities of Armavir town, Armavir Province.

Habitats. Salt marshes, salt and clayey lands.

Biological traits. Migratory in Armenia. In nesting sites occurs from March–April to September. Nestles on the ground. Eggs (2–4, usually 3) are laid once a year in April–June. The brooding period is 24–27 days.

Population size and its trends. The nesting sites are known only on the Armash fish ponds. The population numbers approximately 30–40 pairs.

Major threats. Small population size. Loss of suitable habitats because of their human use. Livestock grazing near the putative nesting sites.

Conservation measures. Not protected. The species demands for urgent conservation. It is essential to fence off the known nesting sites in the Ararat Province in order to prevent their destruction by people and livestock.