A masked lapwing (Vanellus miles novaehollandiae) nesting beside a busy road.
A family of birds whose nests are particularly vulnerable are the plovers and lapwings, who simply scrape a shallow depression in the sand in which to lay their eggs.
Two species of plover, also known as dotterels, are nesting around Esperance at present. They are the Hooded Plover (Thinornis rubricollis) found nesting in the sand near beaches and Red-capped Plover (Charadrius ruficapillus) which will nest on the seashore, lakeside sand or mudflats.
While the Red-capped Plover has “least concern” conservation status, the Hooded Plover is considered endangered.
Esperance Bird Observers’ Group president Kim Norris said the WA sub-species was thought to comprise only about 2500 Hooded Plovers.
“One some of our surveys we have counted 250 of them, that’s 10 per cent of the whole population,” he said.
Plovers will often try to distract intruders from their nests, sometimes by pretending to drag a “broken” wing as it runs along the ground.
The Masked Lapwing or Spur-winged Plover (Vanellus miles) has also been known to try the “broken wing” trick, but has the advantage of a pair of sharp spurs on its wings and will not hesitate to attack.
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Wildlife rescuer L-A Shibish said it could be aggressive when it felt its nest was threatened.
“One stays on the nest while the other is on guard, watching out for predators,” she said.
Earlier this month Ms Shibish received several calls from people who noticed lapwings sitting on the newly-mowed grass beside a busy road.
She said they had returned to almost the same spot they used last season, but in a much more vulnerable position.
“Last year the nest was on the other side of the road, down the swale in the long grass,” she said.
They were seen repeatedly standing on the bitumen, far more visible than its well-camouflaged eggs nearby.
Anyone finding an injured or distressed bird may contact WA Seabird Rescue on 6102 8464.
