M is for Nuisance
Nuisance #1. The Masked Lapwing These plovers are all over the place and are always vocalizing. The noise is a high pitched caw . They are always concerned or finding fault and need to voice their opinion. They are great at having cute little chicks but this means more vocalizing. I see them on rooftops but mostly on the ground and yelling. They do fly (obviously) but I don't see them flying enough to readily recognize them. I didn't get any good pics of this years chicks but here is one from last year While mostly shorebirds, we have seen them a fairways inland! Nuisance #2. The Magpie A magpie alert map exists. They apparently come in different forms, including aggressive swoopers. We saw one of these in Canberra. It was dive bombing a lone cyclist. Seems to be another good reason to wear a helmet (from the magpie alert site ) This one was on the headlands near Potato Point, demanding snacks --or blood? The peewee (magpie lark) shares coloring but not attitude! Nuis...