Rain dance
Question: I’ve noticed that early in the morning, if it has just rained,
seagulls will stamp their feet on the wet grass. What are they up to, and why
haven’t I seen any other birds doing the same?
Answer: This kind of rain dance is not restricted to seagulls: waders also
like to dance, oystercatchers in particular. Unlike the seagull’s flat-footed
version of an Irish jig on the spot, oystercatchers perform a dance more like a
reel. They move rapidly in straight lines and circles, then stop and repeat the
sequence over again. Not only can you see…
