A Follower

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Following...

I have noticed
a plover strolling
on the nature strip
a few times now

so I decided to follow him
I call him a plover
as he was once called
a Masked Plover
but his real name
is Masked Lapwing

I know
that he will lead me
into the park
in the middle
of our circular street

we turn in here
this is where
in the past
I would come daily

to hit tennis balls
to the dog
who is no more...










we pass the orange grevilleas










with glorious blooms











that the birds love
so much

and enter the large,
open playing field

You know what I am looking for right?
Now where would a plover pair
lay their eggs -
around the perimeter
in the long grass
under the trees
safe from dogs
and kids
and lawn mowers

No...


Can you see it...


Slap bang
in the middle
of the park

just a small indentation -
like the plovers
at the lighting store
I took you to recently,
these plovers are not fussed
over making a nest
they'd rather find
a small dip in the ground
hardly even a hollow

to lay their eggs

four speckled beauties

I wonder how many of you
will survive gestation

Some thoughtful soul
has placed a stake
to warn walkers and mowers
of the new life
beginning

meanwhile
the parents are off foraging
not that interested in me
but come hatching time
they won't let me near the progeny









I have borrowed this image
from Michael Seyfert
at the Australian Museum
of a southern Lapwing -
he is bigger
and has darker markings
than the Northern speicies

But
I wanted to show you
his yellow wattle
and
the thorny spur on the wing
that you want to avoid
when you are watching
plover chicks




Unfortunately
in past years
the chicks decrease in number
over the weeks

sometimes
one lucky plover chick
survives...


I have just read
that the eggs
take 28 days to incubate
The plovers have been around
for a few weeks already...
so excuse me now,
I am just going to
put my ankle brace on
rush over to the park
and check on the nest status...



I will report back...








Post Script:


four eggs are still
sitting safely
it's not time yet...





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