Black-fronted dotterel (Elseyornis melanops)

Early today we went up to the Laratinga Wetlands at Mt. Barker so that I could see what could be achieved with the new lens while trying a slightly lower ISO than I used yesterday.

Not a lot of birds to be seen, but soon after arrival we spotted a single Black-fronted Dotterel, paddling around in the shallow water and on to the muddy bank. Fortunately I was able to get many different shots of him and this one was taken when he came reasonably close to me.

The Black-fronted Dotterel is a small wader with a distinctive black face-mask and breast-band and prominent shoulder feathers. Legs are pink-orange, and the bill is red with a black tip. The dark eye is ringed with red.

In flight the wings look broad and the tail short, while the black and white contrast is striking. Flight is slow with almost hesitant wing beats. This species is also called the Black-fronted Plover.

The Black-fronted Dotterel is reasonably common and is widespread throughout Australasia. It is found in the shallow margins of wetlands, lakes, rivers, sewage farms, storm drains and marshes. It is normally always near freshwater and is not often seen on the coast.

The Black-fronted Dotterel eats small molluscs as well as aquatic and terrestrial insects. When it forages, it keeps its body horizontal while bobbing its head to look for food, often running then stopping suddenly to peck at food items.

Bigger beak

This dotterel was not shy of the mud, or my presence, and was diving his beak in and out of the mud along the water’s edge. This was the first time I have been quick enough, or close enough to photograph this species.