Small, dumpy and short-legged
The RSPB says, “The ringed plover is a small, dumpy, short-legged wading bird.” Read more. That’s not very complimentary, is it? I think they’re incredibly elegant and very beautiful, but then beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
![Ringed Plover - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Westray-The-Hall-of-Einar-2-7-725x483.jpg)
It’s on Mae Sands, and so am I, lying face down in wet sand with the sounds of waves breaking in my ears.
![Ringed Plover - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Westray-The-Hall-of-Einar-2-9-725x408.jpg)
It’s pottering along the tideline, making the occasional enthusiastic rush for a patch of wet sand.
![Ringed Plover - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Westray-The-Hall-of-Einar-2-13-725x483.jpg)
I can’t see what it’s doing. All the birds here seem so preoccupied with feeding, but I can’t see what they’re interested in. There must be something delicious here being rolled by the waves and abandoned or disturbed on the shore.
![Ringed Plover - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Westray-The-Hall-of-Einar-2-16-725x408.jpg)
Then I see it; this Ringed Plover has a sand shrimp firmly between its jaws. Fabulous.
![Ringed Plover - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Westray-The-Hall-of-Einar-2-8-725x408.jpg)
There’s a Ruddy Turnstone joining in what I can’t refer to as a feeding frenzy, more afternoon tea amongst old friends.
![Ringed Plover - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Westray-The-Hall-of-Einar-2-15-725x483.jpg)
They have a real dignity and poise.
![Ringed Plover - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Westray-The-Hall-of-Einar-2-24-725x408.jpg)
The light is beginning to disappear now, and I’ve got a very wet leg after misjudging one of the larger waves.
![Ringed Plover - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Westray-The-Hall-of-Einar-6935-725x408.jpg)
It’s time for me to leave them to forage along the strand.
![Ringed Plover - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Westray-The-Hall-of-Einar-6981-725x483.jpg)
Small, dumpy and short-legged, indeed.
![Ringed Plover - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Westray-The-Hall-of-Einar-6994-725x408.jpg)