Now Dotterel are a bit of a bogey bird for me, I dipped the 2007 Shropshire birds over three days, I've climbed Ben Macdui in (vain) search of them and now finally there they were - a perfect pair feeding in the short grass 100 metres in front of me! Bit of a celebratory bird too - Shropshire tick, UK lifer and UK bird no 300 (OK, I know, I know, just another 100 to go....)
Setting the scene (after nearly flattening a Red Grouse near Pole Cott)....
At this early hour, the glider station isn't active and the temporary use of a 'car hide' meant there was no chance of disturbance!
Males are usually the 'good looking' ones in the bird world leaving the children to the female. Dotterel turn that upside down with the male undertaking the nest duties, chores, hanging out the washing etc
Never mind the open field poses which, after I'd got over the initial excitement, are about as demanding as a 'raptor on a post' shot, this is probably my favourite image from the session.....
Here's the lovely lady.....
There were a few of the residents on view, the early Meadow Pipit catching the creepy crawly thing.....
Plus one of several Northern Wheatear fresh in?
What a start to the day, the road from Asterton yielded not just one but two Red Kites another two more County year ticks were to follow......
