Two Dotterel on Pendle Hill this morning in the summit mist (which explains the slightly foggy looking photos)
Some unfoggy photos
here. Please take care not to disturb the dotties by following these tips. They stop on Pendle for a reason, to rest and feed.
1. Try not to approach them from uphill, they do not like figures appearing above them on the skyline
2. Sit down when you are watching them, like most waders they will not perceive you as a threat if you present a lower profile
3. Do not repeatedly approach them, pick a spot and stay there, very often they will come and check you out. This may take some time and you might feel daft for a while but this usually works. If they are feeding in the traditional favourite area around 100m SW of the trig point leave enough space between you and the path that runs SW towards Ogden Clough. Hikers, often with dogs off the lead, will go up and down here and when they do, the dotties will often move towards you. If you do not leave enough space they might fly.
4. If someone is sitting down photographing them already do not walk up to them and stand next to them. It may have taken them some time to get into this position without scaring the birds.
Dotterels vary in approachability over the course of their stay on Pendle. They can sometimes be wary when they arrive and then after some hours, or days, become more confiding. Watch for alert posture (standing bolt upright) or wing raising (usually means they are going to fly a second or two later). However, this sometimes happens for other reasons, like hikers on the skyline, dogs off the lead etc.
Do us a favour and if you see any folks with out of control dogs tell them to put them on the lead, as well as breeding birds, there are sheep on Pendle and one of the local farmers has said he will shoot dogs worrying his sheep.
Good luck, Mike
