Distribution
The dotterel (Charadrius morinellus) is a member of the plover family that winters in Northern Africa or the Middle East and breeds in northern Europe, the Scottish Highlands and mountainous parts of central Europe. They nest at places above the tree line, even at altitudes above 2000 metres (6500 feet) in Alpine regions, and thus are rarely seen except when at rest during their Spring and Autumn migrations, such as in eastern England, when they can be found in groups as they pause on their way to and from central Scotland.
Appearance
The dotterel measures about 21-22 centimetres (8.5 inches) in length, is generally fat-bodied and has a small bill. Like other plovers, it tends to stand upright and to run in short bursts, pausing and tilting the body to pick up food.
Dotterels are unusual in that the females are more highly coloured than the males, although the patterning is similar. This reflects the fact that the males incubate the eggs, and have therefore evolved better camouflage. The same role and colour reversal is noticeable in the red-necked phalarope, for example.
The summer plumage of the dotterel is generally brown and grey above and chestnut below. The chest is grey-brown, separated from the lower parts by a white stripe. The underside, behind the legs and towards the tail, is white. The crown of the head is brown, the face and throat white, and there is a white line sweeping from front to back of the head above the eye. The lines on each side meet to form a V behind the head.
Breeding and behaviour
The dotterel returns to its breeding grounds in April or May, and will prepare a nest in late May or early June (they migrate south in August and September). The nest comprises a hollow in the ground, lined with a few grass stems, leaves and pieces of lichen. The clutch is usually of three eggs which, as mentioned above, the male bird incubates on his own, for up to 24 days. Meanwhile, the female birds congregate in groups.
Dotterels have a reputation for being remarkably tame, even to the extent of allowing themselves to be handled while sitting on the nest. This may have something to do with the remoteness of their nesting sites and the fact that most birds will live their whole lives without human contact.
When the chicks hatch they will only remain in the nest for a single day, after which they will stay close to their parents as the latter forage for food, keeping themselves hidden by day and sheltering under their parents’ wings at night.
The diet of the dotterel consists mainly of flies, beetles, spiders, small molluscs and worms. They will also eat seeds and small fruits on occasion.
The UK population of breeding male dotterels is no higher than 750 in total, which means that the dotterel is on the amber list of bird species under threat.
More information is available on this page of the RSPB website.
© John Welford
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