Butterflies & Dragonflies          Contact          First Sightings          Links          On This Day          S. Glos Listers          Systematic List          Where To Watch

 

The Birds Of South Gloucestershire          Dotterel - charadrius morinellus

 

Dotterel breed in the arctic tundra of northern Eurasia from Norway to eastern Siberia and on suitable mountain plateaux such as the Scottish highlands and the Alps. As with the phalaropes the female is brighter than the male the latter being responsible for incubation. Some historical names for Dotterel include; Dot Plover, Stone Runner and Wind. The name Dotterel is derived from their tame and approachable nature, they were considered simple minded, thus, dotard or dotty.  The scientific name 'morinellus' means 'little fool'.

 

There have been around thirty Dotterel reported from S. Gloucestershire;

 

2011: (11)

A trip of eleven birds were seen in flight north east over New Passage in the morning on May 2nd.

 

1995: (3)

On May 16th three were noted 'near' Marshfield. Not specific location age or sex were given. (Paul J Chadwick)

 

1992: (14) HIGHEST COUNT (14)

Twelve were seen on May 8th west of Tormarton viewed looking east from a lay-by on the A46 just before the M4, J18 heading towards Old Sodbury. The count increased to fourteen on May 9th with just two remaining until May 11th. (Paul J Chadwick, Harvey Rose)

 

1982: (1)

On May 11th a female was trapped and ringed at Pucklechurch. (CJ, RJ Simpson)

 

1974: (1)

One in winter plumage was reported from Severn Beach on September 14th and was present until September 17th. It was apparently approachable to within a metre allowing a detailed description to be made. This occurrence constitutes the first report of this species for S. Gloucestershire. (RG Thomas)

 

©TBOSG November 2005 - All rights reserved