At the moment the WILVOS 5441 6200 Hotline is receiving calls about plovers (masked lapwings). The Hotline received a call about a chick that was injured at a local school. Fortunately, one of our WILVO carers was there, collecting her children, and was quickly able to pick up the little one. She knew to cover her head with towel, hat or umbrella against the protective parents. This little one had twine wrapped around its legs, and hopefully after removal and rehabilitation it will soon be returned to its family.
Plovers have wonderful ways to protect their young chicks, which are often difficult to see on the ground as they lay low, hiding from danger. A parent bird will feign injury and head off in a separate direction, hoping to trick predators into moving away from the chicks location.
They don’t have the dangerous beaks of birds such as magpies, but plovers will still try to chase everything away from their youngsters. As always, when possible, it is best to avoid any areas where birds are nesting. Many calls come through after school ovals have been all nicely mown and undisturbed over the September school holidays. When school resumes the plovers are most upset!
Occasionally, we are able to move eggs a short distance and the parents will follow. Usually this is unsuccessful, in which case we will incubate the eggs. They are delightful little birds to rear, being very capable at eating the food offered to them. Nevertheless, it is always best if eggs and chicks can be left with their parents. Sadly, nesting has become very difficult for these masked lapwings and they will even lay eggs on rooftops.
Donna Brennan Wildlife Volunteers Assoc Inc (WILVOS) PO Box 4805 Sunshine Coast Mail Centre Q 4560 PH 5441 6200 www.wilvos.org.au