The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge.
We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
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February 14, 2019
Salish Sea, PNW
It might be a sign of spring. Otherwise not sure why else one killdeer would be chasing another on the beach relentlessly. Sources describe this as “ground-chasing”.
Territorial defense? killdeer do not actually nest on the beach, rather on fields nearby, but Mundahl in his 1982 paper ROLE SPECIALIZATION IN THE PARENTAL AND TERRITORIAL BEHAVI OR OF THE KILLDEER
describes that as including feeding territory:
”Almost all feeding was done on the territory.”
There were 4-5 killdeer, spread out along the beach. As well as I could tell it was just two in particular chasing and chased. Seems odd that territories might be so narrowly defined.
Or might it be practice for same?
I was thinking maybe some form of courting? (it was valentine’s day) But most descriptions of those have birds echoing each other’s behavior.
Or maybe one is just feeling cranky?
Whatever the event, nobody got hurt in the action, and I watched them for 20 minutes or so. Lots of vocalizing.
Short video of the action. After the car goes by you can hear the vocalizing.
(for better resolution click on settings wheel lower right corner and pick HD)
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Weather in the islands today is partly cloudy and cooler than normal for this time of year, 34°. Light north wind.
What’s up in nature in your area today?
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