Close encounter of the rare kind

[Dinusaur]

Yep, I made the trip to Hanlan's point In Toronto Island this evening and managed to see two lifers in the form of a pair of Piping Plover and a lone Wilson's Plover. Great opportunity to see them up close. The male Piping Plover was showing territorial behaviour by chasing the Wilson's Plover around and droving him close to 15 feet to where we were sitting.  A great vantage point to observe both. Apparently half an hour before I arrived, the Piping Plovers were mating - that's encouraging. They may build a nest there on the beach. The male Piping is banded while the female isn't.

1&2: Wilson's Plover



3&4: Female and Male Piping Plover

[thouc]

Excellent pictures. The Wilson's was still there today and I saw one Piping. There are now fences and signs in place to protect the Piping Plovers, so you are only allowed to walk along a narrow strip by the water.

/Thomas

[Dinusaur]

That's good news Thomas. One doesn't need to approach the bird in order to get good shots. I noticed yesterday that they tend to come to water's edge and will pass you by very close range if you stay seated in one place.

[Dinusaur]

Read in today's Toronto Star that the Plover nest with two un-hatched eggs at Hanlan Point was destroyed in a recent flood from overnight rain. Very unfortunate.

[Rotarran]

Ah nuts.  Is there time for them to try again?