June 15 - Lisa's Musings (on killdeer) and Every Day Life
This is only the second time I've spent any time with these quirky little birds; my first meeting was at a dog show in Indiana.
Today, it was on the grounds of the Washtenaw County Road Commission headquarters on Zeeb Road.
Actually, when I saw them, I wasn't sure what kind of bird would hang out in the middle of the driveway, then just skitter away -- not fly -- when I approached.
The moment I drove by, first one bird, then a second one returned to the pavement. So I asked someone if they knew what kind of birds they were.
The answer I got was a killdeer.
I was told that the birds try to lure away onlookers from their nests. So I looked for a nest in the opposite direction of where the birds were trying to take me -- but I didn't see one. I wouldn't have disturbed it, I just thought it might be neat to see what one looked like.
So, after yet another quick meeting (did I mention I really LIKE covering these mid afternoon, very short meetings?) I went back outside to find the killdeer.
I tried to get a photo of them but for all their skittering while I was standing at a distance, when I tried to get too close, they flew away ... guess they figured they couldn't out run me, which I'm quite sure they could.
So when I got home, I looked them up. They are supposed to be a shorebird, according to All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Humm ... there aren't too many shores anywhere near the Road Commission HQ -- at least none that I know about.
Second, they are "graceful plovers common to lawns, golf courses, athletic fields and parking lots."
Ahhh.
And they run across the ground in spurts -- yup -- "stopping with a jolt every so often to check their progress, or to see if they've started up any insect prey."
It's all coming clear to me now.
And as I read further, I learned that they are the least water-inclined of all the shorebirds, which begs the question, then why call them one?
They have a distinctive kill-deer call, according to their description, but I didn't hear it. Plus, they do like muddy lagoons and I think there might be one of those in the back of the Road Commission property.
So today I learned more about upcoming road projects and killdeer.
I just never know what I might find when I set out to cover a story. It's one of the reasons why I love this job so much.
Labels: Jan. 6 - Lisa's Musings on Every Day Life, June 15, killdeer, Road Commission
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