With some birds it is possible to get close. Very close sometimes. Dotterel, it is said, can be stroked while they are sitting on eggs; although why you would want to stroke a Dotterel is beyond my understanding.
Some birds however remain at a distance simply because it’s not possible to get closer and so it was with the Pacific Golden Plover at the end of last month on the reserve at Cley. Always distant never photographable but a great find.
Letter From Norfolk 