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Description
Spur Winged Plovers or (Masked Lapwings) nest on the ground (they prefer places like sporting fields the most)!
For some strange reason?

They use those spurs on their wings, to attack anything within 50 meters of their nest!
They are keen parents!
They can inflict a mean wound,
and are not to be messed with when they are nesting.

Here is some info from the Tasmanian Gov on how to deal with swooping Plovers....................

Why Plovers Swoop......

* Masked lapwings swoop because they are defending eggs or young that are not capable of defending themselves from potential predators such as humans and dogs. How long the defense is maintained is very variable.
* Some pairs defend large mobile territories around chicks rather than the nest. Such attacks will usually cease after the eggs hatch and chicks are mobile.
* Most swooping behavior is to threaten or bluff to warn off intruders. Contact is rarely made.
* Always bear in mind that these birds are only rightly defending what is theirs and following their instincts, just as humans would.

What To Do......

1. If the problem is minor or only occasional or does not threaten your lifestyle or business, consider tolerating it as it is a small price to pay to have wildlife around;
2. Avoid the birds while the swooping occurs by choosing a different route;
3. Travel in a group. Most birds only swoop individuals;
4. Wear a hat;
5. Hold or wave a stick or flag above your head. A supply of decorated sticks with flags on can be stocked where, for example, schoolchildren have to cross swoop-prone open spaces;
6. Cyclists should always dismount and walk through the swoop-zone.

Do Not.........

1. Stare at the birds when being swooped. This may deter them, but it can also result in eye damage. It should not be attempted without wearing eye protection.
2. Panic or run. It may encourage lapwings to continue to attack;
3. Search for the nest or young;
4. Do not remove eggs or destroy nests as birds will re-lay or re-nest;
5. Harass, interfere or throw objects at the birds.

Description
Spur Winged Plovers or (Masked Lapwings) nest on the ground (they prefer places like sporting fields the most)!
For some strange reason?

They use those spurs on their wings, to attack anything within 50 meters of their nest!
They are keen parents!
They can inflict a mean wound,
and are not to be messed with when they are nesting.

Here is some info from the Tasmanian Gov on how to deal with swooping Plovers....................

Why Plovers Swoop......

* Masked lapwings swoop because they are defending eggs or young that are not capable of defending themselves from potential predators such as humans and dogs. How long the defense is maintained is very variable.
* Some pairs defend large mobile territories around chicks rather than the nest. Such attacks will usually cease after the eggs hatch and chicks are mobile.
* Most swooping behavior is to threaten or bluff to warn off intruders. Contact is rarely made.
* Always bear in mind that these birds are only rightly defending what is theirs and following their instincts, just as humans would.

What To Do......

1. If the problem is minor or only occasional or does not threaten your lifestyle or business, consider tolerating it as it is a small price to pay to have wildlife around;
2. Avoid the birds while the swooping occurs by choosing a different route;
3. Travel in a group. Most birds only swoop individuals;
4. Wear a hat;
5. Hold or wave a stick or flag above your head. A supply of decorated sticks with flags on can be stocked where, for example, schoolchildren have to cross swoop-prone open spaces;
6. Cyclists should always dismount and walk through the swoop-zone.

Do Not.........

1. Stare at the birds when being swooped. This may deter them, but it can also result in eye damage. It should not be attempted without wearing eye protection.
2. Panic or run. It may encourage lapwings to continue to attack;
3. Search for the nest or young;
4. Do not remove eggs or destroy nests as birds will re-lay or re-nest;
5. Harass, interfere or throw objects at the birds.