After the floods
Nature Trail by Malcolm Palmer
There should be ample supplies of mud for waderwatching for months after the disastrous gota fría that struck southeast Spain in September. I found a big mixed flock of waders in the Vega Baja this week, and was slightly surprised to find that it comprised largely of Ruff – an interesting species
The Ruff is so-named for the male’s extravagant plumage, that he carries for only a few short weeks, as he undertakes the elaborate breeding ritual, known as the ‘lek’ – a Scandinavian word for a process the Ruff shares with a wide variety of species, the bustards (various), Capercaillies and Black Grouse, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock and various species of Manikin to name but a few. This gives rise to the Ruff’s sometimes equally puzzling Spanish and scientific names: Combatiente and Philomachus pugnax – earned because the males adopt a fighting posture when at the lek, competing for the favours of a female.
At other times, as when they are on passage (now, for instance) Ruff are not too hard to identify. The male is considerably larger than the female (sometimes called a ‘Reeve’) but both have ‘scallopy’ backs, orangey-yellow legs, shortish, and slightly downcurved bills. Both sexes are virtually silent, and you should look for them on freshwater margins, flooded fields and the like, probably in the company of other waders.
Ruff have bred in Britain (East Anglia mainly) but the bulk of the breeding population is centred on Scandinavia and northeastern Europe. Many birds winter in the Mediterranean basin, and North Africa. Should you have any queries, or observations, do contact me at malcaves@yahoo.es