03 May 2010

Dotterel at Cefn Cadlan

When it comes to performing for the camera, it's hard to beat Dotterel. This female and male Dotterel were found by Graham Smith yesterday. Graham also posted very good directions and the birds were showing very well this morning.

Like with Phalaropes, the female Dotterel(above) is brighter-coloured than the male (below). The males of these species also tend to the eggs and young.

Dotterels on passage can be found to stick around for a few days in some cases and if you want to try for theses birds, the route I took is as follows. From the A4059 in Penderyn take the sign posted road to Cefn Cadlan.Travel along this single track road to the second cattle grid just before the forestry and park here SN991114. Climb the hill WNW to SN983116 which is the closest peak shown on the map, contour 458'. The terrain here is limestone pavement.

Thanks very much Graham.

6 comments:

Paul tabor said...

excellent video

Barry Stewart said...

The female bird is absolutely stunning - great shot Mark. Now find one in West Glamorgan please...

Jeff said...

Great photos Mark and a very nice video clip,records the "jizz" beautifully,nice to bump into yourself and your dad Charles this morning and put faces to the names I recognise from the various blogs and our GBC sightings page.

Richard G. Smith said...

Very envious seeing as I dipped on these this afternoon

Mark Hipkin said...

Thanks Paul - Thanks Barry. I would love to find my own in the county. - Thanks Jeff, good to meet you too. I hope they behaved themselves for you. - Smudger, sorry to hear that. I hope you catch up with some soon.

Neil Donaghy said...

Great pix from both Mark and Jeff