The parking lot kids - update

The parking lot kids ar just three days short of six weeks old and doing well.

Over this period, this is the first time I have managed to photograph the two chicks together - and they parted company very quickly. It must be something about the survival instinct that makes them separate from each other. On a few occassion this week I could not find them, but their colouring is so amazing that they just disapear in the grass.

It wont be long before they lose all the baby feathers and start looking more like the adults. Tgis one is already taking on that sleak appearance.

The shot below was taken on 15 December 2008, the day the eggs hatched. I thought I would put it in just to show the progress.

If you want to see the progress just click on "crowned lapwing" under labels

Crowned lapwing chick

These little guys are growing up fast - I can already see a difference in this chick after a few days. I find it amazing how they survive in the harsh environment of the parking lot. It has been extremely hot in Uitenhage this week and there is no available water - I assume they make do with the dew in the morning.

If you are interested in birds, pop over to Firefly who has posted some delightful pictures of a Cape Glossy Starling feeding her young.

Avian update #2

About three weeks ago I did a post, Avian Update, on the arrival of two Crowned Lapwing chicks. For the South Africans, it is a kiewietjie.

After being away from Uitenhage for three weeks, I was delighted to see that the chicks are flourishing. The only problem is that whenever I am near enough to photograph them, the light is poor or they are running around. Also true to form the chicks do not remain together. As soon as an intruder arrives they retreat in different directions

Mother is warning me off . Come any closer she says and I will attack. They are very protective of their young.

Nesting Kiewietjie

This morning when walking past the Cape St Francis lighthouse I came across this Kiewietjie (Crowned Plover), sitting on her nest.


I first noticed the male and knew that there would be a female nearby, because of his behaviour, which is to lead intruders away. Plovers nest in the open and the female will sit on her eggs until the absolute last moment. They usually produce two to three young and both the male and the female will rear them.



If you get too close, she will "scream" at you and if you drive her from her nest she will attack. By the way I did not drive her from her nest and kept at a respectable distance from her.