The nest-marking strategy sometimes backfires. Last year, a Kildeer pair
put their nest in one of the grassy islands in the middle of a parking lot
at Magnuson Park (Seattle). Concerned park regulars marked it with a ring
of stakes. The first weekend after it was marked, the nest was found and
destroyed by children.....attracted by the marking. Presumably, the
nursery has better control over their property, though.

Kelly Cassidy
WA Coop. Fish&Wildlife Research Unit
Box 357980
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington, 98195
kelly at u.washington.edu

On Sat, 19 Apr 1997, Marty Witt wrote:

> While plant browsing at the Sweetbriar nursery in Kirkland I came upon an
> alarmed Kildeer. I continuied on the rocky path and saw 4 brown spotted
> eggs that the nursey had staked and roped off so the eggs wouldn't get
> stepped on.
>
> Marty Witt
> Snoqualmie Valley
>