I work in the maintenance department of the Coupeville School District. For
the 4th year in a row a Killdeer pair has chosen to nest in the elementary
school courtyard. We put up a perimeter of survey tape to keep the students
from running through the nest site. In the previous 3 years the parents have
successfully fledged a total of 5 young. They accept the hustle and bustle
of kids running around and classes moving from 1 building to another. The
kids monitor the nest and make sure nothing happens to the young. I think
there's just enough activity to keep crows from raiding the nest or
grabbing a young chick. Killdeer sure pick the oddest places for nesting!
Steve Ellis
Coupeville, Wa
sellis at coup.wednet.edu