Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Killdeers

Alison Bell2 When Nature Calls by Earl Plato

Mr. “K“ that‘s whom I call Ken Benner of Sunset Drive, Fort Erie.
Why “K”? Since 1980 Ken has had a love affair with Killdeers.
In the area behind his house killdeers have nested each year until recently. On the driveway to his large storage barns Mr. K. would find various circles of stones and often there were four pale buff spotted eggs nestled on a bed of sparsely lined grass. On bare stone too? Yes. You know the scenario, eh. The adult killdeer feigns injury. Hobbling along with wings dragging as if badly wounded it leads the predator away from its nest. Time and time again Ken saw the killdeers’ reactions. An amazing sight to see every year. Not so in 2007 but maybe in 2008. Ken wants to hear that familiar call, “Kill-DEEE, Kill-DEE repeated over and over this year. This robin-sized plover loves open country. Ken Benner has plenty of open space. However, we learn that one of the top 10 decreasing bird species in Ontario in 2007 we our Killdeer? Sorry Mr. K. What are some reasons for the decline in killdeer numbers? E-mail me at: plato1@cogeco.ca if you wish to share reasons for the dramatic decline in numbers. Thanks.
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The January 30th Ontario Bird Count Report show some not so surprising news about the increase in our bird populations. Name three species that have greatly increased in numbers. Yes, Canada goose, Wild turkey, and Turkey vulture. I agree. Another bird in increasing numbers is our American friend, the American Bald Eagle. I have seen them in greater numbers in Fort Erie in recent years. A beautiful eagle landed in a tree on our Niagara Parkway across from Grand Island. We stopped and had a good look. They have been seen at Erie Beach and the Lake Erie shore line. See one and you won’t soon forget this huge raptor.

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