Wait, you missed a bit

If you’ve been past the re-turfing of the netball courts at John Fisher Park lately you might be wondering why there is a small rectangular empty patch in a paddock of lovely fresh grass.

It’s to accommodate a pair of Masked Lapwing (or more commonly known as plovers) who have made this little patch their nest and are guarding it with the tenacity of any prospective mum and dad.

Respecting their space, our teams bravely turfed around them but left their nest intact and will leave them be until the chicks hatch.

It is common for plovers to nest in unusual places and they are often seen in large parks, school playgrounds and, in this case, grass netball courts.

Some might think they make themselves a target being out there in the open, but experts say they like to have a 360-degree view of potential predators and they enjoy the plentiful worms and insects found in the grass.

How great to live amongst such interesting native wildlife!

Learn more about the Masked Lapwing.