The Perils of Nesting Killdeer Part II

The perils of nesting Killdeer have returned to the Tales of the Nishiki posts.

In 2011, I provided updates for two nesting pairs of Killdeer. So far this spring, one pair is nesting on the property where I work. Though this pair selected a site that is a safe distance from the warehouse entrance and courier traffic, it's not without danger. Last week while working in the warehouse part of the building, I could hear the rumble of the lawn cutting crew outside. Hmmm. Sounds like they have started cutti...Killdeer! Though it was not confirmed, it was apparent the pair were incubating eggs. Right along the edge where the ornamental rocks end and the grass begins.

When I emerged outside, I could see a freshly mowed path along the edge and no Killdeer. I approached the nesting site expecting to see broken eggs. Somehow, the wheels and cutting blades of the lawnmower missed the four eggs sitting in a shallow depression between rocks 2 to 3 times larger in size. All was fine and I alerted the lawn maintenance worker of the existing nest.

Today, I placed pieces of cinder block on both sides of the nest to mark its location. Crisis averted and updates to continue.

Niagara Digiscoping: Easter Sunday Eagles

A nice way to end a holiday weekend!

After ticking a few firsts of the year at the Niagara Hawk Watch Open House on Good Friday and then successfully finding one sweet and extremely rare visitor at Jaeger Rocks on Saturday, Jean and I headed to another spot within the Niagara Region after receiving a tip from a friend.

The Sir Wilfrid Laurier Look

It was not too long ago that the population of Bald Eagles was greatly reduced in eastern North America. With the banning of pesticides and the implementation of recovery plans, the stunning raptor can now be observed year-round in the Niagara Region.

At our last Peninsula Field Naturalists meeting, it was announced that a nesting pair was found near Lake Erie. Though we have seen photographs, Jean and I have not had a chance to view the Port Colborne nesting pair.

So with no spare time to stop in Port Colborne after the Jaeger Rocks lifer tick, we pocketed the tip and went for a Sunday afternoon drive the next day. After picking up a steak from my favourite butcher shop we travelled along rural roads familiar to the Nishiki. Near the start of the Moyer Street t.t.,  we found a FOY Eastern Phoebe.

We descended the Niagara Escarpment on a winding road (another cycling memory but usually going the opposite direction) and continued towards the area where eagles dare (high school memories of my younger brother's record collection). As we approached the "spot", both Jean and I scanned the trees without the aid of binoculars. We were not sure of its exact location and for a brief moment, I actually thought we may not find it. I did not want to "dip" on the tip. That would just be downright embarrassing.

Finally, there it was. It was one huge nest and not only did it contain two adults. It also contained two eaglets.

I'm sure we'll revisit the spot so I'll keep you updated on the chicks' development. But before then, there's the hawk watch and a lifer to discuss.

The Perils of Nesting Killdeer: Raising Young in a Parking Lot

It was the holiday weekend. Despite the distraction of three days of beautiful weather and the start of the 2011 Tour de France, I still managed to find time to inspect the nesting Killdeer on the property of my employer.

On Canada Day, Jean and I checked on the progress of the two clutches after completing our third and final survey for the Marsh Monitoring Program. The adult was still incubating the eggs.

Over on the other side of the building, the second breeding pair had momentarily left their eggs unattended.

No emergence on Saturday either but on Sunday afternoon Jean and I made a quick inspection on the way home after visiting friends. As we watched the adult rise from the spot it has tended the last few weeks, two chicks popped out and ran a short distance. Finally! After an incubation of approximately 27 days, two of the eggs had hatched. The other half of the clutch still sat in the gravel. Since they were not laid until two days after the first two, it appeared there was still some incubation time required.

Walking into work Monday morning I noticed the gravel area was empty and there was hardly any evidence that Killdeer had nested near the entrance to the building. All that was left was a shallow depression created by the shorebird. Jean and I returned Monday evening with our scope to capture some digiscoped images. We found both adults but only two young. It's possible the other two eggs were preyed upon.

We kept a safe distance from the family and though it was not easy, Jean snapped a few pictures. The young are quite small and the camera preferred to focus on the nearby rocks and clumps of grass.

The second pair still had some incubating to do.

I'll continue to monitor the development of the young and will look forward to the day they can finally fly. Until then, it's best they stay as close as possible to their mum.

The Perils of Nesting Killdeer x2

The four Killdeer eggs I've observed every morning since early June will soon hatch, so I thought Jean and I should return for one last chance of digiscoping the Killdeer while it sat motionless on the eggs.

Even with its back turned to us, the Killdeer kept a close eye on our movements.

The breeding pair watching over their clutch have demonstrated great care and dedication while incubating the eggs. Whether it was a hot and humid afternoon or a thundering down-pour of rain, the adult Killdeer have held their position over the eggs.

It was recently brought to my attention that there is a second Killdeer nest on the property. Another reason for returning with the spotting scope and digital camera on Tuesday evening.

It's a holiday weekend, so somewhere between a final survey for the Marsh Monitoring Program and visiting family, I'll be at work, running from one side of the property to the other, in order to determine which clutch hatches first.

Stay tuned. The next posting of The Perils of Nesting Killdeer, may contain baby Killdeer.

Niagara Digiscoping: The Perils of Nesting Killdeer

At the start of my work week last week, the perils of nesting Killdeer near the employee parking area began and by Thursday June 9 there were 4 eggs resting in a small depression in the gravel.

There was no point lamenting the fact that I would be unable to attend the Darlington ptarmigan viewing on Sunday morning. So instead, I placed the scope in the car and after dropping Jean off at work, I went to observe the progress of the nesting pair of Killdeer and try a bit of digiscoping.

One of the Killdeers was sitting on the eggs when I arrived and did not raise a fuss as I walked by to enter the building. After checking on a few things I emerged from the building and the Killdeer left the nest as I started to setup the scope. The main reason I was there was to capture images of the bird sitting on the nest. Now I would have to wait as the Killdeer strolled the area near the eggs.

Eventually the Killdeer returned to the nest and resumed its position on top of the eggs.

Its mate was on sentry duty and remained alert while I stood in the parking area deciding on the best location from which to capture additional digiscoped images.

I was mindful of ethical birding practices and kept my disturbance of the birds to a minimum.

After capturing a sufficient amount of images, I left the Killdeer pair to enjoy the quiet of an empty parking area and loading dock.

Incubation will take 24-26 days so we should see the first of the young emerging at the end of the month and then the parental duties of both adults will increase greatly. Until then, check out these other images of birds from around the world that were recently posted for World Bird Wednesday 30 at The Pine River Review.

The Perils of Nesting Killdeer

Killdeer will nest in a variety of open areas especially in gravel or on gravelled rooftops. During the breeding season I usually observe Killdeer peering down at me from the roof of my company's building but this year a pair selected a site at ground level. Arriving at work earlier this week, I noticed a Killdeer standing on the grass near the rear of the building and as I continued walking towards the door, the bird became alarmed and started its dee-dee-dee call. I am accustom to this species of shorebird frequenting the parking area and loading bay at this time of year and continued on my way to start another work week.

Later that day, a coworker informed me that the Killdeer laid two eggs in the gravel at the back of the building. Killdeer are known to nest in areas near human activity and this site is no exception. It's right near the warehouse entrance to the building. Not only do I and a few of my coworkers enter and exit the building here, couriers making daily deliveries also drive up the ramp that is adjacent to the narrow strip of gravel beside the building.




As of today, there are three eggs on the nest and until the eggs hatch and the young are ready to fly, I'll be greeted by the Killdeer's alarm call and injury-feigning display every morning during the work week. And so begins, the perils of nesting Killdeer.