Coming or going?

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I've been down south the last few days and today I was very pleased to see two male Ruffs in more-or-less full breeding plumage at Clifford Hill in Northampton (worth a look if you're in the area). They even managed a bit 'lek style' posturing! My question is this: are these birds more likely to be heading north to their breeding grounds or on their way back south post-breeding? I know what I think, but would be interested in other views.

And while we're at it, the Broad-billed Sand in Staffordshire last week - on its way north or coming back south?

[Michael Frankis]

Hi Andrew,

The Ruffs are probably post-breeding - males take no part in incubation or care of the young, so they clear out pretty fast; also they're lowland temperate breeders (Netherlands, Denmark, etc, as well as further north), so they can get off to a reasonably early start on nesting. BWP Concise: "Breeding: laying begins around beginning of May".

The Broad-billed Sand is probably pre-breeding - it nests on tunrdra, which is only clear of snow in early to mid June, so they're late nesters. BWP Concise: "Breeding: egg laying from early or mid June to early July".

Michael

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Hi Michael,

That's what I thought too. It's often a bit of a shock how early waders starting moving away from their breeding grounds. The nights'll soon be drawing in!

[robinm]

The nights'll soon be drawing in!
About a week !