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Masters of the Open Fields FED. OF ONT. NATURALISTS WOODS, WATER AND WILDLIFE By Mike Singleton "Killdeer...killdeer!" They punctuate punctuate the silence over fields and va cant lots, as quickly as the landscape' landscape' turns from snow to mud. Skimming low across the meadows, each male commences a ritual that will last for weeks.' In broad circles, he flies, his plaintive "killdeer-, killdeer" continuing, often for hours without interruption. Finally, a femalé- rises. Instantly, the tag- match is on. With quickened song, the flight becomes a rapid, jerky dance. 'Round and 'round they race, spiralling upward, 'till they're but specks above. Then down they plummet, levelling out an instant before impact to repeat the ritual again and again. Killdeer are among the first birds to return from wintering grounds throughout the southern US, and have been piling in for weeks, along with robins, meadowlarks, red wings and song sparrows. Immediately Immediately distinguished by their song and shorebird form, killdeer are also instantly recognized from their plumage - if you can see them. Standing about a hand high, both males and females are mottled brown above and bright-white below, with 2 striking black necklaces across their white neck. , Killdeer are the odd-man-out among shore birds. While most adhere rigidly to the sand-and-mud strip between water and land, killdeer venture far inland, staking meadows, roadsides, farm fields and even schoolyards as breeding territory. This ritualistic flight not only bonds the pair, but also stakes breeding territory - often 5 acres or more. Mated, they immediately set to nesting, and therein lies an intriguing intriguing adaptation. Killdeer have 'adopted' the strategy that, the best place to hide is in the open. They do not choose a protected or hidden location, but rather seek out as open and barren a spot as possible. Sometimes it's a - bare spot of slightly-raised earth; other times it may be a pebbly beach. There, the birds build their 'nest' - if you can call it that. They simply scrape a small depression - like the cupped palm of your hand - in the surface, and plunk a few pebbles pebbles or chunks of bark around the edge. The epitome of camouflage - even the 4 eggs are mottled browns, black and buff - the nest is impossible impossible to find except by watching the' parents. Both parents will take turns tending tending the eggs over thé next month or so - a long incubation - but the male spends more of the time away,, continuing that ritual flight. The adults, when seated on the nest, are almost indistinguishable from the earth, and utilize the strategy of "freezing" to avoid detection. 1 have often walked within a few feet of a nest, without realizing it, only to have the parent rise at the last instant. Thus frightened, killdeer employ another strategy. Limping away from the nest dragging one wing, shrieking all the while, the parent feigns injury. injury. Half limping, half running, the bird draws the predator off. In the excitement, the nest's location is forgotten by all but the parents. The long incubation is for good reason. Even at hatching, the chicks are fantastically developed - fluffy miniatures of the adult,, already with eyes wide and excellent coordination. coordination. As quickly as the down dries, they'll be off the nest in ragtag ragtag pursuit of the adults, themselves freezing to harmonize with the landscape whenever danger approaches. approaches. Killdeer are important birds - especially so in agricultural settings. Killdeer consume vast numbers of insects and other invertebrates - ' particularly pests. Under normal conditions they eat about 40% grasshoppers, caterpillars and flies, 40% beetles, and about 2% seeds - all of them weèd seeds like nightshade, foxtail grass and smart- weed. During pest outbreaks, they feed almost completely 'upofi the culprit. Next time'you're outdoors, listen for the plaintive "killdeer". Watch for their low, circling flights. And rediscover a friend forgotten since childhood. 10% OFF PURR-TY SPRING Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, April 9, 1986-9 Want Ads Work 983-5301 Just Arrived Spring Fashions BLOUSES/ SKIRTS PANTS BOLEROS ALL WEATHER COATS Reg. $85.00 $76.95 J'Me Fashions Main St. 983-9341 HAT Go Whole Hoff On Profits S teer away from marginal gains. Meet vitamin/ mineral mineral and'protein requirements <vith our fortified feeds DURHAM COUNTY Taunton and Hwy. 115