They are one of the most unique ground nests in the bird world. I found my first one of the year Tuesday. While walking I flushed a female off of her new nest with four eggs. I backed way off for several minutes and waited for her return and took a few quick photos and one video with the long telephoto lens.

If the eggs haven't fallen victim to predation, I hope to get some quick close-up shots of the nest today.

Jonathan





VIDEO
https://flic.kr/p/LqTfbA

Very camoflaged...they are cool birds!

Mostm annoying bird for me, especially when they are on the nest.

WOW! That is a great picture.

Been chasing babies around here. Trying not to run over them. Not sure I could though. They are fast.

I can hear them all night long. Something usually bumps them up at night.

The last 3 years I have had one nest right by the door I drive the sprayer out every morning. I think it may be the same one as the nest is always in the exact same place. Every year she seemed a little less bothered, well this year she would not get off the nest when I opened the door. I was only a few feet away so I decided to see how close I could get. Got real close, so I just reached down and touched her. Still can't believe it but I hope she comes back next year. Mike

They sure do have some weirdly shaped eggs. They are tapered down to a point at the bottom and are arranged so they fit neatly in the nest with all points down and together.

Its neat the way they try and draw you away from the nest. My niece claimed they had a bird with a broken wing in the field beside the house. She couldn't catch it to help it.

Cool little bird, babies are fun to watch after they hatch

They are ground nesting birds, that prefer Gravel beds near water. Around here, they will nest on the flat roofs industrial parks that have the old gravel on rubber roofs, that will hold water puddles after a rain. I see them frequently along Railroad spur line tracks while running my Beagles.

Good find, Jonathan .... I like hearing them and watching them bob up and down while standing still ,lol

They like farmland too

That nest is 40 miles from home! I thought I eyeball-marked the location with the female right on the nest decent enough, but when I went back yesterday to photograph the eggs, a pair was feeding 15+ yards away from where I thought I "marked" the nest.

It was hot and humid - 95*F. When I got out of the Jeep both adults flew off. I hunted the location for about half an hour and couldn't find it. So, I figured they may have hatched, or got snapped up by a predator.

I went back real early this morning, and there she was. Walla! Took a few close-up photos and video, and was close enough to touch her beak. I turned the audio on for the video so you can hear the defense peeping.

Jonathan







VIDEO
https://flic.kr/p/27BVNVE

Wow, Jonathan, I dont think anyone has ever been able to get that close as you did.

When I rode horses in Ocala , Fla. , the roadsides were all that small gravel , and the KIlldeer would make their nests in that gravel , just as yours has.

I would always worry in the nesting season then, and would do my best to stay out of those gravel spots when Id see them nearby.

Great captures ! Would be great if you can catch the wee ones when they hatch !