Dotterels

I went on my first 'twitch' in a long time this evening! A group of four Dotterels have been at Therfield Heath for a few days and it was a bird that I've always wanted to see - they're fascinating! These four have stopped off on their journey from Africa/Iran up to the Scottish Highlands where they breed in summer. Dotterels often visit the same place each year in South-Eastern England, like a favourite service station! The females are actually brighter than the males - an indication of their role-reversal in raising the young, which is very unusual! The males are a duller colour in order to be well-hidden from predators when incubating and caring for young.