The Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius altifrons is a common migrant and winter visitor to
coastal areas. Autumn movement commences early with family groups moving
through the region from the third week in June, continuing until September. In
the Eastern Province. It is a winter visitor and passage migrant. In
the 1980s it was abundant along the coast from August through May with smaller
numbers of non-breeding immatures in June and July but now it I less common
although still seen in good numbers. A count in January & February 1986 was
estimated at 28,000 with the ICBP/NCWCD Waterbird Survey (November to December)
1991 - Mainly in Tarut Bay, counting a maximum of 2332 at Zur on 26 November. Kingdom
wide it has the following ststus: Common migrant and winter visitor to the Gulf
coast where a few are present throughout the summer. Uncommon migrant and
winter visitor to the Red Sea coast. The only inland records are from Riyadh
and Tabuk.
