[Leica] IMG: Airport Mama Killdeer

[CartersXRd]

Killdeeer are wonderful—they love rocky parking lots and factory roofs for nesting—I suppose a hangover from rocky beach nesting in their distant past. They do an entertaining nest defense by running and feigning injury to attract predators away from the nest. the young be walking as soon as they hatch and leave the nest behind running around near their parents—thanks to all for putting the cones there

ric


> On May 19, 2019, at 5:03 PM, Jim Nichols <jhnichols at lighttube.net> wrote:
> 
> A bird's choice of a nesting place is sometimes puzzling.  One of my airport friends showed me a female Killdeer who chose a grassy, tarred expansion joint in the airport parking ramp.  This concrete dates back to the late 1930s, so it has seen a lot of wear and patching over the years.  She chose a cluster of grass in the joint, and I'm told the nest contains 4 spotted eggs.  She holds her place defensively, but isn't bothered by the approach of humans or the roar of the jump plane as it passes near her.  The airport crew have marked the nest with two traffic cones.
> 
> The cones mark and protect the nesting spot:
> 
> http://www.gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/20190519-DSCF1229.JPG.html
> 
> And the female Killdeer keeps an eye on visitors:
> 
> http://www.gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/20190519-DSCF1216.JPG.html
> 
> So much for news in a small town!
> 
> -- 
> Jim Nichols
> Tullahoma, TN USA
> 
> 
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