masked lapwings help please

["Philip Veerman" <>]

I would be very surprised if hanging a hawk shape above the guttering had any impact at all. And only if the nest is directly under the guttering.  (They usually nest out in the open). I doubt they would recognise a hawk shape other than the real thing as being of any significance. That said, if they wish to try the experiment, it would be interesting to know if I am wrong. I wonder why the gardener apparently takes the eggs and tosses them. Apart from this being presumably illegal without a permit (as a native and protected species). As the species has a quite long breeding time and regularly nests in precarious places (like beside busy roads and sometimes on roof tops), I think removing the eggs just extends the time that the problem happens, as they are clearly just nesting again. Unlike magpies and various raptors, I have never known of masked lapwings to actually hit someone, so as far as I know they are of no danger to kids, even though their defensive displays are impressive. I remember being scared of them when I was young. So I suggest tell the kids they are not a real danger, signpost the nest site, try to reduce use of the area for a short time and let the kids learn something from them as an alternative to learning about the garden beds which they wish to attend.

 

Philip

 

 -----Original Message-----
From: jude hopwood [
Sent: Monday, 19 August 2013 4:57 PM
To: COG
Subject: [canberrabirds] masked lapwings help please

Dear All Informed and Knowledgeable Ones,

I teach in a school in Goulburn with an enclosed courtyard.  A pair of lapwings has now made its third attempt to raise young here and the gardener has removed the first two sets of eggs.  The children have raised garden beds which they wish to attend and are continually attacked by the lapwings. 

Is there any way we can discourage the birds from continued nesting attempts?  I fear greater retribution will be wreaked otherwise. Would hanging a hawk shape above the guttering help in anyone's experience?

 I would like the birds to suffer less stress and find another more suitable spot - but I can see why they like it.  Protection from wind and land-based predators - other than human, that is. Apparently they have done this each year for the past few years since renovations, but no-one much used the courtyard at this time and the gardener apparently takes the eggs and tosses them!  Would the CSIRO be interested in any further eggs removed, does anyone know?

In anticipation of Offerings of Great Wisdom,

Jude