Spur winged Plovers attack!!

Protecting their remaining 3 eggs... 1 has hatched, please hatch the others...PLEASE...

[@graemedross]

no stress from me. We offer them safe haven to nest on my 2.5h. a couple of different pairs have several broods a years of baby ploovers. The parents are vigilent, but stupid. They nest mostly on my driveway, literally a couple of meters from everything. Have been living with them for a long time now. They only time they dont fire up and swoop is when you are on the tractor, in a car, walking withing 200m will have them swooping. Sounds like you have never lived with Plovers, if you did you would understand. The frantic swooping is contant my friend, they are not stressed by humans on my property.

[@garynewton1263]

Why are you stressing them? Why can't you leave them alone? They are 100% fully protected by law these birds whether on private property or crown land.

[@graemedross]

not streesing them at all. I drive past that nest site within a meter everyday. You may notice how close it is to everything. Plovers get safe haven on my 2.5h property. We have a several pairs that raise a several broods a year. They almost always nest on the gravel driveway. They are not being stressed by me. The swooping is constant, as soon as you are in eye shot. This particular nest I am getting sick of because it is so close to everything, and the constant swooping. All eggs hatched, 3 survived that brood. Doesnt sound like you have had much experience living with your house hold being a few meters from a plover nest. The agitated squaking/swooping is not a streesful event for them. They do it everytime they see you.

[@garynewton1263]

@@graemedross Ok. Much experience? Not owning a home, you don't do that in Australia anymore. Lots of experience with Masked Lapwings though, been studying them for 5 years, observing and interacting with them. They are not intelligent birds and nesting on the ground is a big risk especially from lawn mowers, foxes, dogs, cats, etc. They need shade and water during the warm months otherwise they suffer heatstress. I'm glad to hear that you respect and help them. I guarantee if you were to offer them bugs and worms they will no longer swoop you if they know you are helping their family. Could I ask you one thing please? Could you please put out some large bowls, bird baths or buckets with water so they can drink and keep cool? That would make their lives there a lot easier on hot days. They are 100% fully protected too. If they weren't native birds I wouldn't be so concerned but I really love these Lapwings. Thank you. ✌