UK Wildlife

Dotterel Alpine Passage Migrant

The dotterel is a small, beautifully marked wader that breeds on Scottish mountain summits and passes through England in small groups on migration, notable for reversed sex roles.

Key Facts

In dotterels, sex roles are reversed - females are more brightly coloured and males incubate eggs
UK breeding population fewer than 500 pairs on Scottish mountain tops
Migrating birds form small 'trips' that rest on traditional inland fields in spring
Males perform most childcare duties after egg-laying
Breeds on bare arctic-alpine tundra above 800m in Scotland

Welfare Considerations

Dotterel breeding success on Scottish summits depends on arctic-alpine plant community quality. Climate change is reducing suitable habitat extent. Traditional spring stopping-over sites in England need protection from disturbance.

What You Can Do

Follow access codes on Scottish mountain summits during June-July to avoid dotterel disturbance
Record dotterel trips at traditional English stopping-over sites through BTO Birdtrack
Support climate action that protects arctic-alpine breeding habitats