such as grasslands, coastal mudflats, salt marshes, edges of alkaline lakes and mangroves, and breeding does not extend more than a few kilometers inland. The Madagascar plover is not known to migrate. Behaviour and ecology The breeding success of Madagascar plovers is very low, with an estimated 22.9% nest success, long re-nesting intervals (52 days), and a low rate of re-nesting. Lake Tsimanampetsotsa and Marambitsy Bay have the highest number of nesting plovers. The breeding season is between August and June, with peak egg laying between April and December. Two clutches of eggs are laid each season. Madagascar plovers are long-lived birds with life-expectancies of approximately 9 years, although there is evidence that individuals can live much longer than this. Nesting A Madagascar plover nest comprises a small scrape in the ground, most commonly in dry soil in grasslands, open mudflats, bordering mangroves and alkaline lakes. Scrapes are lined with material from plants, both fresh and dry, and can also include small pebbles and shell debris. One to two eggs are usually laid at 2-3 day intervals. They measure about 33 x 24 mm and have a volume of 8–9 cm3. Nests are commonly found near living vegetation (varying with environment) and are on average located 2–50 m away from the water's edge, as water bodies are vital for feeding. Both parents help to build and defend the nest, with mate site fidelity and pair-bonding being high. Both sexes contribute to the incubation of the eggs with equal effort, with incubation beginning 1–3 days after the last egg is laid. Eggs may be shaded from the sun before incubation begins. Eggs are incubated for the majority of the day and shaded during the hottest parts of the day. The incubation period lasts for 27–28 days after the last egg is laid. When eggs are unattended they are covered for protection and camouflage, and when approached by predators they are defended by both parents. Eggs take approximately 30 days to hatch, and both parents participate in brood care. Chicks are able to fly around 27–37 days after hatching, and fledge 1–5 days later. Conservation The Madagascar plover is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, and may have to be uplisted to Endangered status soon. The small population is believed to be undergoing continuous decline due to pressure on its wetland habitat. The species is the rarest breeding plover in Madagascar, and