Little Ringed Plovers - They are finally back from Africa

Last week I was still disappointed that I couldn't find the Little Ringed plover and I posted some old pictures of this bird here, but this last weekend I was already able to find it at the Rivershore that I use to visit often for some bird photography here near Linz at the Water Power Plant. It is still a bit shy but with a little patience it is possible to get some nice pictures of this cute little fellow.

I know that I have alredy several picturs with more closer encounters of the little ringed plover but since they are not yet used to the spot and to me they need to gain a little more trust before comming really close. I really like to watch them when they look for small insects in between the gravel. They run some centimeters then they stop, pick for an insect and keep on running to the next spot and this can be their "job" for hours.

Little ringed Plover at the river shore. Picture: Florian Glechner.

Now that spring is approaching with big steps more and more bird species will come back to Austria and I am already looking forward to the next weeks when it is also getting warmer and I hopefully have some time to take some more pictures of birds. I also want to make some Macro shots of flowers, insects and all the beautiful things that make spring something special every year. The Little ringed plover has a very good camouflage color when hiding in between the gravel and the sand of the river. When it is sitting on the gravel or sand and not moving than it is very difficult to see them since their feathers on top have pretty much the same color as the sand and the stones.

Cute little bird running in the gravel and mud. Picture: Florian Glechner.

Near the water there are the best spots for finding some insects inbetween the gravel. Picture: Florian Glechner.

The little ringed plover has a pretty good camouflage color from above. Picture: Florian Glechner.