And now there are four....

It's been over a week since I last checked on the nesting pair of semipalmated plovers.  To my delight there are now four eggs in the nest.  According to The Birder's Handbook the incubation period is between 23-25 days.

I spent a few minutes observing and photographing the nest as both parents took turns at incubating their clutch.  Every so often they would switch while one flew to the marsh in search of food. 

I've also included an image of the plover ruffling its feathers as it was about to preen itself.

Semipalmated Plover

Can you spot the nest with eggs?  Click on image to enlarge

Good evening once again!

Late this afternoon I decided to check out the ducks and sandpipers at a nearby marsh (Pelly Crossing, Yukon).  I was delighted to spot a pair of semipalmated plovers scurrying about on the gravel road.   Their broken wing tactic lead me to believe that a nest was close by.

After a careful search of the area I discovered their nest with three brownish-olive eggs marked with dark spots.  The simple nest consisted of a small depression in the pebbles and was lined with nothing but a few blades of dried grass and shrivelled leaves woven together (no down to act as insulation).  It was well concealed under the branches of a small shrub.

While trying to compose my shots both plovers went about their business feeding, preening and trying to lure me away from their nest by pretending to be injured.  

I'll return in the coming days to capture more images and to record their progress.

Neat little critters!

Good night!