Q
Plover flocks all facing the same way when roosting: I have noticed that when roosting in flocks, plovers and lapwings all face the same way, why do they do this? Surely it would be safer if some looked behind them?
The Guru’s answer: These flocks will all be facing the same way for both safety and comfort. They will all be facing into any breeze or wind that is occurring at the time. If they need to take off suddenly to escape danger the airflow will already give them lift when they open their wings. Also the contours of their body, being streamlined for flight, reduce buffeting and prevent the ruffling of the feathers, which would allow cold air and even water to get into the downy feathers, thus causing the birds to lose precious insulation and body temperature. Read full answer here.
Q
Which sites around the world do you think have the best shorebird spectacles?
The Guru’s answer: Wow! That is a big question, for which there is obviously no short answer. So please take a look at the full answer which follows, which is not, an exhaustive list by any means. Read full answer here.
Q
Associative breeding of waders: We always wondered about the nesting situation of waders. Specifically, do different species nest together in the tundra? For example: Curlews, Sanderling, Knots, how close do they build their nests to each other?
The Guru’s answer: Of the species you mentioned, among the tundra breeding Curlews (Numenius), the Little Curlew N. minutus forms loose colonies. The Bristle-thighed Curlew N. tahitiensis has just a small population that only breeds in two areas. In those areas the Curlews nest close enough to one another that several broods will join together in creches, guarded by a small number of adults, sometimes only one male, but that group will always include the male of at least one of the broods involved. Hudsonian Whimbrels N. hudsonicus and Eurasian Whimbrels N. phaeopus tend to be solitary nesters. Sanderlings Calidris alba too are solitary and do not travel far with the chicks from their breeding site and Red Knots Calidris canutus, whilst also solitary, range beyond the breeding site for feeding once the chicks have hatched. Read full answer here.
Q
Mystery wader: I’m not very good at wader identification, but I’ve seen a mystery wader at my local reservoir (Thornton Reservoir) that I just can’t seem to spot with my very poor scope, but I hear it calling really loudly! I mistook it for a Kingfisher but when it flew out of the reeds it was definitely wader shaped! It flew just above the water, it had white underneath and greyish on the top, it flew with a stiff but manic flapping in action. It surprised me to see it as Thornton reservoir has no mud flats or anything (I call it a blue desert) so was totally shocked to see it there. Even with the water low, there are some mud flats but its easily accessible to dogs, unfortunately.
The Guru’s answer: You mentioned the Kingfisher-like call and the call of the Common Sandpiper does sound a bit like that. Read full answer here.