The banded dotterels are in full breeding plumage and some are even beginning to sit on eggs. Dougal and I visited Onoke Spit today and saw many of these delightful little birds in pairs spread out on the Spit. Let’s hope they’re not too early with their breeding behaviour as a late winter/spring storm could still be a possibility.

Pair of banded dotterels

We also saw four Caspian terns and plenty of black backed gulls enjoying the sunshine.

Caspian tern in flight