| Some birds need a special approach. Dotterel is one to point. They winter in North Africa then return to our shores in May. Shores is not really accurate since they are a plover of high ground. They migrate through traditional lower hills before getting to the high tops. It is said that they are very approachable. My take is that this is not the whole story. Care must be taken. Dotterel are what is called Schedule 1 which means that it is an offence to disturb them near to the nest or when they have dependent young. For that reason, I simply leave them alone. I only look for them when they first arrive. Over the years I have noted that I see them more often on wet Springs. I believe the reason is that the wetness produces food for them. In dry Springs they move through quickly to find food elsewhere. The picture opposite is the brighter, more marked female bird. |  |
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