Friends of the Kentish Plover

The Kentish Plover (

Charadrius

alexandrinus

) is a small wader, that is, one of those species that live mainly in wet environments characterised by shallow water and feed on insects and other animals found in the mud. In addition to the Italian beaches, it nests in Spain, Africa, Asia and Japan. It has a small, stocky body, with a small round head, a thin beak and the characteristic black “mask”: unmistakable black markings on the sides of the chest and between the beak and the eyes.

To make its nest, it chooses saline and muddy soils with little vegetation, near the water but sheltered from possible flooding, such as the wildest dunes of our beaches or sometimes even the most crowded ones.

It is a bird that represents one of the most threatened species in Italy and is considered Endangered in the latest update of the national Red List.

The coastal profile and the numerous wetland areas within the perimeter of the Sinis Peninsula – Mal di Ventre Island MPA represent a delicate habitat rich in animal and plant species that coexist in a single ecosystem. There are numerous bird species that live in and share the territory, some of which nest near the coast, near the numerous ponds, including temporary ones, and in the marshes (sites identified as SCI – Sites of Community Importance).

The species nests on sandy coastal shores and in back-dune wetlands. It is threatened by the high human disturbance on beaches, particularly during the summer bathing period, by the mechanical cleaning of beaches that causes the removal of vegetation and consequent destruction of nests, by the disturbance and predation by dogs, and by other natural causes such as predation by corvids and yellow-legged gulls.

The project, funded by the Department for Environmental Protection of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, aims to launch a series of informative, educational and awareness-raising activities on the delicate topic of the protection and conservation of biodiversity, specifically of the Kentish Plover, an endangered species.

The Kentish Plover is the species most threatened by the dangers represented by human activity and by the lack of information on the rules of conduct and good practices to follow in order to respect the animal and plant ecosystem present in the area. The recipients of the project action are, in addition to the general population:

• schools
• productive activities along the coast
• tourists and visitors

• spread a culture of respect for the environment and protection of biodiversity;
• promote the sustainable development of the territory;
• promote permanent environmental education;
• spread the adoption of good practices on the topic.

Aims

• raise awareness of biodiversity in the Sinis Peninsula ecosystem and SCI areas;
• prevent the desertification of coastal areas and protect plant biodiversity;
• protect faunal biodiversity, in particular the Kentish Plover species;
• ensure the long-term availability of educational content on the topic;
• create in the Sinis area a zone dedicated to the protection of faunal biodiversity.

Our partners

• If you find a nest, report it on 1515;
• Do not approach the nest and do not remove the eggs;
• Walk on the boardwalks and stay away from the dunes;
• Always keep your dog on a lead