Plucky Parent

.The other day I went to check on the Killdeer nest near the campus tennis courts. Although I didn't go very near the nest, the parent leapt off it and came running over to confront me.

In typical Killdeer fashion, the bird then moved off, screeching and feigning wing injuries.

As I let it lead me away from the nest, I noted that the nest had lost one of its four eggs. It seems strange that any predator would take one egg but would leave the others alone but I suppose a snake might have managed to get one egg before the parents drive it away. I hope the other eggs survive until they hatch, which should be some time in the next week.
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