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PhotoSpot

Photographs of birds in display are always of

interest as the photographs freeze the momentto reveal details which are not always

appreciated by the observer in real time. The

accompanying photographs of Little Ringed

Plovers Charadrius dubius displaying illustrate

this point well, although, as BWPshows clearly

(Vol. 3: 118-124), the displays used by Little

Ringed Plovers are quite well understood.

As with many members of the genus

Charadrius, Little Ringed Plovers may often be

sexed in the field at moderate range since the

males usually have entirely black head markings,

particularly the ear-coverts, whereas the females

often have variable amounts of brown admixedwith the black head markings and breast-band.

This is usually seen most easily by direct

comparison of male and female in a breeding

pair. In plate 240, however, the female is more

similar to the male than is usually the case, even

taking into account the probability that they are

both full adults; first-summer females may show

much browner ear-coverts.

Plates 237-240 were all taken at the same site

in Kent, plates 238-240 within minutes of each

other.

Breeding displays of Little Ringed Plover

237. Little Ringed PloverCharadrius dubius, Kent, July 1987.The horizontal display is described as a smooth glidingrun towards a rival, with flank feathers puffed out over folded wings.The line-drawing of this display in BWP could

have been made from this photograph, an observation which emphasises the stylised nature of such displays. In thisinstance, the rival was another male Little Ringed Plover, out of sight behind the photographers small hide.

Richard J. Chandler

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343 British Birds 96 July 2003 342-343

PhotoSpot

Prof. Richard Chandler, 4 Kings Road, Oundle, Peterborough PE8 4AX

238. Little Ringed PloverCharadrius dubius, Kent,April 2000.The scrape display is generally performed by themale, tilting forward on his breast, scratching backwards with his feet, while flagging his partly spread tailfrom side to side. Note the heap of small stones behind the bird.The small amount of brown feathers

in the ear-coverts of this individual, however, suggest that, in this case, it may be a female.

239. Little Ringed Plovers Charadrius dubius, Kent,April 2000. If the female is close by, the scrape ceremonymay follow the scrape display, the male moving to the edge of the scrape, with his back to the female

(her legs and feet can just be seen behind), his tail fanned over the scrape.

240. Little Ringed Plovers Charadrius dubius, Kent,April 2000. Following the scrape ceremony, the female thenenters the scrape, under the males tail, with mating following once the female leaves the scrape. It is difficult

to be sure in this rather oblique view, but the female does appear to have the browner ear-coverts.

Reston

Kilgour

Reston

Kilgour

Reston

Kilgour