Killdeer Diary 2007

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April 18 This is young Kildeer #3 and #4.
April 18 This is young Kildeer #2.
April 18 This is young Kildeer #1.
April 18 When the mother calls to them they crouch close to the ground hiding.
April 18 I found the Kildeer with their parents looking for insects to eat. 
April 18 The young Kildeer have left the nest.
April 17 516pm The mother Kildeer spreads her wings over the young Kildeer to keep them warm as the day starts to cool.
April 17 515pm The young Kildeer are looking fine.  They are resting.
April 17

250pm  All of the chicks are looking quite fluffy.  They huddle together as the proud Kildeer parents watch closely.
April 17
130pm 11/2 hours later all 4 chicks are hatched and dried.
April 17 1200 15 minutes later a small hole appears in the last egg.
April 17 1145am  11:45am Wow! The eggs started to hatch.  There are two dry chicks in the nest, 1 wet check and one eggs not yet hatched.
April 16 The Kildeer is acting funny today.  She does not want me near her nest.
April 16 The eggs look fine and are not hatching yet.
April 13 The eggs are still sitiing and I am wondering if they will ever hatch!
April 9
On warm days the Kildeer leave the nest to find food.
April 9 The nest is still safe and all 4 eggs are still in the nest.
April 7 The nest is still there and I am wondering when the eggs will hatch.
April 4 While the Kildeer is hunting insects I sneak another photo of the eggs.
April 3
The Kildeer still sitting on the eggs.
March 29 It is warm today.  The female stays near the nest while she looks for small insects to eat.
March 29 The eggs are doing fine.
March 27 The male is finding small insect to eat.
They both are ignoring me!
March 27 The female is sitting on the nest today.
March 26 I am happy to report she still has 4 very healthy looking eggs.
March 26 The male is nowhere to be seen, so the female decides to put on a
great broken wing act.
March 26  
March 23 The Killdeer flies back to her nest.
March 23 Female Killdeer warming eggs in the nest.
March 23 Surprise! The Killdeer laid another egg.
March 21 The female has laid a third egg.  Killdeer typically lay 3 eggs. The Killdeer do not display a broken wing act when I drop by for a visit.  I think that they are use to my visits. They scurry around looking for food while I watch. I am careful only to stay a few minutes each visit so I do not disturb them.
March 20 This afternoon it is snowing. 

The female Killdeer is sitting on her eggs to keep them warm.
March 19 Now there are two eggs in the nest. I am worried because the area is so unprotected.  The meadow has not recovered yet from being bulldozed and there are no places to hide.  I am placing stakes and colored tape to keep people and dogs away from the nesting area. 
March 19 The male Killdeer was protecting the female Killdeer who is sitting on the
nest. 
March 19 As I approach the nesting area the male displays a broken wing act.
March 18 When walking through the meadow the Killdeer put on their broken wing act.

They must have a nest that they are protecting.
March 18

When walking through the meadow the Killdeer put on their broken wing act.

They must have a nest that they are protecting.

March 12

 The Killdeer are staying in the meadow area.
 I think that they are going to nest. 
March 7 The Killdeer have been seen exploring the reseeded meadow area.  The grass has not sprouted yet and offers little protection from predators.  Killdeer prefer open flat grassy areas for nesting. 
Feb. 22 The Killdeer left.  A Killdeer was spotted by the retention pond on February 22nd.  Usually Discovery has two nesting pair of Killdeer.  We are not sure if this is the same pair or our second returning nesting pair. 
Jan. 28 This is what their nesting area looked like before.  Grasses, sedges and rushes that fill a meadow.  The Killdeer Find a gravel opening in the grasses and nest. 
Jan. 28

Their nesting area has been changed and is no longer suitable for nesting Killdeer.

Jan. 15

 

On Jan 15th one of Discovery Elementary regular nesters arrive looking for their nesting area.