5/5 In addition, a huge effort is made to protect the #critically #endangered southern #dunlin. With expertise of Vroni Rohr-Bender and others, 26 chicks got an advantage be growing up in our aviary, before they got released back in the meadows, hopefully successfully #boosting the #population.

4/5 Most time of the field season was spent searching for nests and to ringing the #chick and #adult ruffs. We found 65 nests in total which is an excellent result. Adult birds also got a radio or #GPStag to investigate #habitat use and behaviour. Aren't the chicks cute?

3/5 Independent males have striking colours and are #aggressive. #Satellite males are mostly white coloured and have more #sneaky behavior. Female-looking faeders are extremely rare.

Here an independent male is pecking a satellite to show its dominance.

More:
simonvandepitte.com/i-am-sexy-an...

2/5: Fieldseason started in early May when the #ruffs arrived in the coastal meadows of the #BothnianBay. Male ruffs are known for their fascinating #lekking #behavior! A true spectacle! The existence of the different male morphs is unique.

Exactly, head starting alone is "a" solution, not "the" solution. Habitats are deteriorated and I also think a better cooperation between farmers-nature organizations-policy makers is needed in order to hold the decline of waders living en anthropogenic meadows...

Thanks for sharing Graham!