In north-east Norfolk dotterel are often discovered in coastal fields between Paston and Waxham and the sugar beet fields near Bacton. Typical plovers and ever restless, each bird runs on twinkling yellow legs, stops and runs again, tilting to pick insects. The females, in particular, produce striking plumage complete with prominent white eyestripes circling the head and meeting on the nape. Cheeks and throat are white and upper breast fawn-grey. Below, another white band like a ribbon of an illustrious imperial order followed by warm chestnut lower breast and jet black belly.
Early works covering Norfolk ornithology make fascinating reading.
Stevenson records a flock of 50 dotterel once arriving in the parish of Eccles. The birds' arrival locally each spring was eagerly awaited. . . According to Victorian collectors, one of the main migration routes of British dotterel passed through the borders of west Suffolk and south Cambridgeshire. These ancient inland routes are still followed. Each spring groups of observers scan the hilltop fields on the chalk-warrens and sheepwalks, especially in Breckland.