I was interested this morning to read of a European Honey Buzzard that had just landed in Finland after a 42 day flight from Reitz in the Free State in South Africa - a distance of over 10 000km. I was even more interested in this amazing fact because yesterday afternoon our first masked lapwings arrived in preparation for nesting. They are ground dwellers and nest in a scrape in the ground and fiercely defend their nests and babies. A loud warning cry alerts all of any predators in the area. The distinguishing features of this particular species are clearly visible - the yellow mask, the black shoulder bands and the yellow spurs on the wing. Egg laying usually starts after the winter solstice which is just over two weeks away. Just enough time for them to settle in and prepare.
Great shot of these birds which we usually call Plovers. They nest in the middle of our golf course, and on footpaths, and bomb-dive when you go too near especially with the dog! They won't let you get anywhere near their babies for a shot!
Are they migratory up there Margaret. In Brisbane, especially on the golf course, they seem to be there all year round (although I will pay more attention now.)
June 6th, 2015
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