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.....
On May 2nd 2011 in great light, it was all about improving the image quality?
I was sat at Manchester Airport Sunday evening witing for Gemma when news of an amazing NINE Dotterel present on the Longmynd surfaced. Knowing I wouldn’t be back in Shrewsbury before 9 o’clock, getting there was out of the question! The other question – would they stick??
Rob Stokes had seen them the previous evening but sensing there may be a pic or two in the offing, joined me to check out the glider station first thing. We were up there for 7.30 and yes they were still there! They were a little bit flighty, taking off once or twice before returning to the grass of the runway.....
Here's six of them!
Marching in a line towards us.....
Ever closer!
A Renault Megane (or come to think of it any car) makes a perfect hide and did so for the first 45 minutes or so. The glider station personnel decided otherwise and we were asked to leave!
One of the males busily feeding and posing....
The Dotterel were still obliging as we returned on foot. How about this awesome female?
I like to pick a favourite!
Eventually, the departure of a bright yellow Gyro-copter was too much for them and they flew off – this time for good!
It had been a feast and another was to follow. Another visitation from the glider club personnel took place but this time it was friendly fire – an offer of breakfast in fact!!
It was an offer too good to refuse as we tucked into the ‘glider bap’.
The gyro had spooked the Dotterel from the area and despite searching they were not seen again that morning!
And finally in 2019, the weather put a dampener on proceedings!!
It had to happen, early May is prime time Dotterel to pass through the county and this pair were spot on with their timing! Found by Meirug Garbutt in a mown section of bracken stubble near to the top of the burway...
The weather was atrocious, with torrential downpours with an occasional dry spell to get the camera out! A couple of shots of the quietly attractive male...
And ditto for the crowd pleasing female?
