LIVING ON THE EDGE...

Have you ever seen a Spur-Winged Plover? Until this morning, I had seen these birds but didn't know much about them. Plovers are shore/wading birds, but for some reason you see them all around NSW - specifically our local dog park. The other day, one of the plovers swooped down at a dog and a dog buddy mentioned the name of the bird and the fact that they lay their eggs in the open grass. I've heard of women having babies in strange places (e.g., taxis, elevators), but on the lawn? It gets worse.

Well, this morning there were two plovers swooping down around one entrance to the park. A nice man and his dalmation, Julia, were unquestionably the object of the birds' fury. Once inside the park, "Julia's Dad" (I forget "his" name!) told us there was a plover nest right next to the gutter on the road -- on the pavement! He said that one of the chicks had already been killed by a passing car. At this point I was imagining a tiny, just-hatched chick in a nest. There was another man coming towards the park with his dog, so I warned him and mentioned why the birds were swooping and screeching. My information was not needed, because he told me about the black spurs on the wings that can hurt you if the plover feels you are too threatening. I think I was talking to a "plover expert". Anyway, while standing there watching the plovers swooping and walking around on the street, a plover chick starting running out into the street! Talk about cute .... and funny - all legs! It was clear now what happened to the dead chick, and it looked like it was going to be a likely ending to this little guy as well. The street isn't busy, but one car went directly over the chick - fortunately straddling the little guy. I couldn't watch anymore!!! You can't help without wearing anti-plover mother protective gear! And if you rescued the chick... then what?

And so it is... another example of "Life on the Edge."

--Judi