Dotterel

We headed back south today, as our Swedish bird tour began to wind down. In the afternoon we drove part way up a mountain (Nipfjället) to search for Dotterels (Charadrius morinellus), in the plover family. In the span of an hour, in chilly light rain (note the dots in the image) and brisk, gusty wind, we found just this one bird on the plateau, probably a female (the male would likely have less dark on the lower belly and be sitting on eggs at this time). These birds are uncommon and difficult to find, nesting at fairly high altitudes.

It rained most of the day. The only other significant bird we had--at least as notable as the dotterel--was a female Capercaillie, the largest member of the grouse family, and seen very infrequently.