in Normandy, an association at the bedside of an endangered bird

With their color similar to that of the sand of Hermanville-sur-Mer (Calvados), the gravelots are invisible to the naked eye. The adults do not measure more than 15cm and never far from them, their newborn chicks. During the nesting period, Viviane comes to spot new nests almost every day. About twenty pairs have settled on this beach and the eggs are laid on the sand and make themselves vulnerable to human presence and predators.

A plover is five times more likely to survive with these precautions

“People are not used to living with wild birds. That’s why we put in place a number of protections to try to maintain the species., explains Jean-Marc Savigny of the Norman ornithological group. With these protections, a small plover has five times more chances of surviving. Raising awareness among walkers is also an important tool. In connection with the associations, the French office for biodiversity also ensures the preservation of the species. Thanks to these actions, the plovers population is stable this year with 250 pairs in Calvados and Manche.