Dunlin- Calidris alpina
by Bryce W. Robinson
I’ve been on the Arctic Tundra now for a few weeks, and I’m loving it. The birds are everywhere, and they are all new to me. Everything is my favorite, everything is the most interesting, and everything excites me more than the next. To say that I’m immersed in learning is an understatement. My experiences in the past few weeks have been invaluable.
The above photo features a female Dunlin, returning to her nest. I’ve found two Dunlin nests thus far. They are in fact my favorite.
In the next few weeks everything will be hatching. The tundra will be crawling with fuzzy precocial birds, and I will be there to soak it all in. I’ll try to share along the way, but the nesting season is keeping me very busy, and very tired. In the end, I’ll have a lot to share. Photos, video, illustrations, and stories. Till then, happy birding.
ornithologi.com 
Hey B, what is it about Dunlins that make them your favorite?
Everything, Mike. Everything that makes the Stilt Sandpiper my favorite as well. 😉
Bryce,
I’ve seen & photographed Dunlins in Florida in nonbreeding and near breeding plumage, this one is spectacular and on the nest? Amazing!
I will be looking forward to hearing more about your experiences on the Arctic Tundra and seeing your images.
I’m drooling.
Mia, it has been so incredible to see the same species on their breeding grounds that I saw earlier this year in south Texas and California. That alone is a treasure, and something every birder needs to experience at least once in their life.
I bet the drool ration is skewed to my end, as your photos are always so impressive. It is good to know you like something I’ve shown you that much though!
Love your posts! I’ve been seeing a good amount of dunlins as well. I am also up here on the tundra. As there aren’t many accessible parts of the arctic tundra, and it isn’t exactly a common place to hang out… We may be in similar places, looking at similar things. I am in Prudhoe bay, if you pass through look me up. Birds are my living 🙂
Hi Heather. I am actually in Prudhoe Bay as well. I’m staying on the BP oil field in the Prudhoe Bay Operations Camp. If you are around, let’s go birding. Still keeping my eye out for a few birds, so having you as a contact would be great!
Hi there! Send me an email and we will arrange something from there. I am busy throughout much of the day but usually have a gap in the afternoon and time in the evening. It would be great to have someone to bird with. I will happily do my best in helping you track down a few species.