At Windsor Park in Riverside, just outside Launceston in northern Tasmania, a masked lapwing has claimed prime real estate in the middle of a community sports ground, showing complete indifference to the weekend cricket matches taking place around it. Warming a nest of eggs, the bird has been affectionately dubbed “Faf Swoop Plessis” by locals – a play on former South African cricket captain Faf du Plessis. Because the species is protected under state law, carrying fines of up to $21,300 for disturbing nests, ground staff have had to mow around the site, while players steer clear.
During a match early in the season, Great Northern Raiders player Caleb Brewer drew the short straw and was stationed directly beside the nest. The following weekend, Riverside first-grade opener Josh Partridge was tasked with fielding near the plover, but reached a peaceful “mutual understanding”, according to The Examiner. Everyone has learned to live with each other.” While masked lapwings – widely known across Australia as plovers – have an intimidating call and reputation for swooping during spring nesting season, choosing a wide-open lawn is actually a calculated survival tactic.
Sports ovals are a “fantastic place” for them to nest, Holdsworth said, because unobstructed views mean parent birds can spot threats early. Sean Dooley from BirdLife Australia also said that what looks like eccentric behaviour to humans makes sense for plovers. So by nesting on an oval, they have a clear view in all directions.” He said that when people give the bird a wide berth, lapwings generally realise they are not under threat.
They’re just being good parents and doing all they can to protect their young.” Lapwing eggs hatch after 28 to 30 days of shared incubation by both parents. If a clutch is infertile, incubation can continue for several weeks, while birds will often nest again at the same site if their eggs are destroyed. Once hatched, the chicks quickly leave the nest.
Dooley said parent birds carry stray egg fragments away to avoid attracting predators, before guiding their offspring across the turf. The West Tamar mayor, Christina Holmdahl, said council maintenance teams look after dozens of parks and sporting grounds across the municipality, encountering at least 10 nesting sites every year. Council workers maintain strict buffer zones around the birds and their nests when conducting maintenance.
The standoff coincides with the annual Aussie Bird Count which runs from Monday 19 October. Now in its 13th year, the national citizen science project invites the public to record bird sightings to help researchers track how native species are coping with urban development and a changing climate. Last year, the Australian magpie was the most commonly spotted species, while the rainbow lorikeet recorded the highest overall tally.
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