On arrival I saw what looked superficially like a male Shoveler facing me running around on the island on tip-toes. Looking through bins then scope I could see it was unmistakeably a male Ruff in breeding plumage, a medium sized shorebird with a shortish bill, It had a black head with rear head feathers looking like a pair of small horns and a bright white chin to lower chest. The body was largely blackish and legs yellowish. After about 5-10 minutes, the bird took off over Pond 1 and headed north, gaining height until I lost it in the scope.
Details
On arrival I saw what looked superficially like a male Shoveler facing me running around on the island on tip-toes. Looking through bins then scope I could see it was unmistakeably a male Ruff in breeding plumage, a medium sized shorebird with a shortish bill, It had a black head with rear head feathers looking like a pair of small horns and a bright white chin to lower chest. The body was largely blackish and legs yellowish. After about 5-10 minutes, the bird took off over Pond 1 and headed north, gaining height until I lost it in the scope.