A Killdeer in Chattanooga

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March 13, 2007

A Killdeer in Chattanooga

A Killdeer in the parking lot of the American Hiking Society office
from 2004. They are nesting here again for the 4th year in a row.

Although lots of folks think my job is glamorous, and that I spend lots of time out on trails, I actually spend the vast majority of my time behind a desk. Thankfully, there is usually some wildlife around the office to entertain me.

For example, for the fourth year in a row, Killdeer are nesting here at my office. A Killdeer is a small ground nesting bird. They are not rare, but their habit of nesting in parking lots (that happened here in 2004) or in school athletic fields draws a lot of curiosity from people.

This morning I video taped a Killdeer flying off the nest and trying to distract me by feigning a broken wing. This one time filming the bird will have no impact on nesting success. I certainly wouldn't do that regularly, nor would I do it in the heat of the day as the eggs would be exposed to the sunlight and heat.

What's the point? Lots of birds here in the southeast are ground nesters. In the woods we have the Ovenbird, Wild Turkey, Ruffed Grouse, and the Whip-poor-will to name just a few. All of these birds nest on the ground. So please, when you're out hiking in the woods, stay on the trail! If you stray off the trail, you could cause erosion, trample native plants (including poison ivy!), or unknowingly destroy a bird nest.

Checkout the video below to see our resident Killdeer and her nest containing 4 eggs. Enjoy!