Alternate plumage

Sometimes called "breeding plumage" the red chest of the male Tuturiwhatu (NZ dotterel) is seen at this time of the year when the birds are pairing up to start breeding.

In past years I've generally seen only small numbers of these bright little birds. They run very fast for a few seconds, then stop and check alertly , before running on again. Occasionally, they will run without the short pauses, which appears to be when they have been unsettled. 

This afternoon I saw about ten scattered over an area the size of a couple of football fields. Mostly they were comfortable enough to do their darting short runs with only one long run by one bird.

I enjoyed my similar run/walk on the exposed sand, seaweed and mud (managed to avoid the mud mostly).