MEININGER PL & ARTS FA (1997) The Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus as a breeding bird in The Netherlands during the 20th. LIMOSA 70 (2): 41-50.

Based on an extensive survey of literature, files and unpublished notes, an attempt was made to reconstruct the number and distribution of Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus breeding in The Netherlands (figures 1-9). Between 1900 and 1950 the population size varied between 900 and 1000 pairs, then decreasing to a level of c. 600 pairs in the 1960s. During the 1970s there was a temporary increase again to over 800 pairs. Since then the population has been continuously declining to 350 pairs in 1995, of which 80% in the Delta area. The most dramatic decrease occurred in the Wadden Sea area: from 500 pairs around 1900 to less than 50 nowadays. The population in The Netherlands maintained a relatively high level as a result of human activities during the century: creation of large polders, construction of dikes, and damming of estuaries. There will be no comparable infrastructural projects in the near future, and therefore the Kentish Plover population is likely to continue its decline. The remaining breeding areas in salt, dynamic areas, deserve extra attention!

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