A year ago, when I was first introduced to our resident Killdeer pair, I became enamored by them. The pair of them found their way to our front yard to make their nest and lay their eggs. I watched them everyday.
This spring, once again I've come across a Killdeer pair. Not in our front yard, but down on the ranch near the milking parlor, amongst the walnut orchard.
They lay their eggs in a nest they've built on the ground, usually in a gravel area. The amazing thing about this species is when they see a 'predator' coming in their direction, like me, the male or female, whom ever happens to be watching over the nest at the time, immediately run from the nest and fake a broken wing in hopes to draw the predator towards them and then fly away when he gets closer.
My first attempt in trying to find the nest of eggs was unsuccessful, but I knew I was close. Whomever was watching over the nest, mama or daddy, spotted me before I spotted her and ran in the opposite direction, and played the broken wing maneuver he had mastered.
I carefully searched for the camouflaged nest of eggs by slowly walking through the orchard, careful not to step on the nest of eggs. I was unsuccessful.
But today, knowing the vicinity of where the nest might be, I snuck up on mama or daddy, who happened to be nesting at the time and was able to pinpoint the nest. Looking very similar to the nest I found last year, here it is.
Jackpot!
Unlike last year, I'm hoping this nest will survive and I'll be able to capture some pics of the babies. But for now, I'm thrilled to have participated in this egg hunt today.
I'll keep you posted.
Related Posts:
"Killdeer, My Very Own Egg Hunt 2010"
"A Bit of Bad News on the Killdeer 2010"
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10 comments:
they have the cutest babies! cotton balls on toothpicks with stripes painted on them! :)
Looking forward to seeing these babies. We have a Chipping Sparrow nest in our porch fern and it is incredibly tiny.
I love them! In Holland we call them Kievit (which to me is a far better name then Killdeer). The first time i heard the name i had to ask several times, "what???" before i got it. Thanks for posting about them!
Leontien
@texwisgirl, the babies sound adorable, I hope I get the chance to see them here!
@Leontien, I like the Holland name much better than Killdeer:)
Pretty eggs!
Oh how sweet! We used to have a pair that would build their nest in our driveway and we would have to make sure to drive around each time. It amazes me where they end up having their nests.
such devotion to their little ones! i love seeing them run on their gangly legs.
How interesting this was. I hope you get to see the babies hatch too, as I would love to see them. I agree, Kievit does sound better, haha...Have a wonderful day!
We have a pair of Killdeer that visit us each year as well. I know I got some pics of the babies somewhere. They are hard to capture, the little ones will hunker down and blend in while the parents will do the broken wing dance. Good luck getting your photos!
The eggs are so sweet, I hope you get a photo of the babies;-)
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