That dear bird is only one of a family of the same birdies who are driving me to an early grave. I have no idea what breed of bird it is, but they walk around the ground a lot, and they squawk like mad, generally at me!
I was digging another veggie patch and they supervised me the whole time, squawking like mad. When I was cutting the grass they were going mad. I looked around to see if there was a nest but I couldn't see one. I have tried to talking to them nicely, even taken to yelling at them to shut up, all to no avail. If someone had told me a month or two ago I would be talking to the birds, I would have thought they were crazy!!!
Anyhow when I had finished cutting and watering, I decided to take a photo of the dratted birds, only to discover all but one of them had disappeared. So I decide to take a photo of the one that was left. Now they had been very close to me when I was in the garden and were obviously not frightened of me. So I walk up to the bird, and it flies away. Fine, I get one photo, and decide to go inside. As I am walking back to the house, it flies by and settles on the grass a little way from me, so I turn around to take its photo and it flies away, so I start walking back to the house, and the same happens again, it flies close to me, then as I turn to take its photo, it flies away. The bird does this a couple of more times, and by this time I have had enough.
I also had a close encounter with either House Martin's or Swallows, as they were diving for bugs, and I was cutting the lawn.....
I must say there is never a dull moment in the country!!
11 comments:
I thought at first, maybe a Killdeer...or that family...this bears investigation...it's a remarkably pretty bird, I think. Lucky you to have the wildlife willing to chat!
Sandi
Hello Gill
Theres only one thing for you to do - don't mow the grass lol
Maybe thats why it was such a mess - the previous owners were harassed so much they didn't go out there lol
Take care
Cathy
I think just maybe you were getting too close to their nest or nests or too close to their newly out of the nest fledglings. You'd behave madly, too, if someone was threatening your family. Watch for young ones.
I was thinking a Killdeer too, however not quite sure. They squawk a lot. Soon you won't even notice they are there...well at least I hope that happens. Awe the joy of country living!
It's certainly a kildeer, but looks like a Southern Lapwing, or quero-quero for us.
Oh what fun you are having. I do so much miss living in the countryside. Can't wait to hear of more of your adventures.
Margaret
I'm thinking too, that you have Killdeer mothers getting protective of their nestlings or nest. They will fly very close to people or marauding animals and give loud calls to lure the intruder away from their nest or babies. They flutter close to the ground as if they are injured to get your attention. The babies run very fast and get away from the nest as soon as they are hatched. They look like little puffballs on tiny stilts. Their nests are nothing more than a shallow spot on the ground and very hard to spot. I once spied a mother Killdeer on her nest at the edge of a graveled road and roped it off with orange safety tape to keep farm tractors from running over it until the babies hatched.
Enjoy your new country life and be sure to take the time to notice the the wonder of nature's awesome creatures.
He looks like a Killdeer Plover. There some information about them and photos here: http://deafpagancrossroads.com/2008/05/06/i-brake-for-killdeer/
Kildeer. They nest on the groung and are very protective of their young. You were likely too close for their liking to a nest.
Definitely a killdeer. Looks just like the ones around here. I have audio (it's a video actually, but had it on the wrong setting so you can't see it) if you'd like to hear and compare at http://s97.photobucket.com/albums/l204/CannedAm/?action=view¤t=Zooz-BirdChirp.flv . This video's sound makes the cats in my house crazy. I love the killdeer's antics...it will pretend to be wounded to draw prey away from its nest. And once the prey is upwind of the nest it'll fly off. Pretty neat. Love all the wildlife around you. I've heard of northern tree frogs taking over birdhouses hung in trees. Something to think about, I suppose. I wouldn't mind them though. They'll eat enough bugs to keep a garden clear.
Doh...I said prey and meant 'predators'. Quitting smoking has seriously short-circuited a few wires in my brain. I'm thinking they'll find their connections again one day.
:)
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