Banded Lapwings

By an earthen stock water dam beside the Adavale-Blackall Rd in an open area with a carpet of short vegetation we found a pair of Banded Lapwings. Using the vehicle and van as cover the following photos were captured of the two adults. One stayed in the short vegetation while the other moved to the top of a small pile of soil and timber left by fence line clearing – it was barely half a metre high but gave the bird a better view of the flat surrounds and no doubt it felt more secure there given our presence on the road nearby. It was very likely this was a breeding pair.

Please click on photos to enlarge.

A few days later heading west out of Blackall on the Isisford Road on our way to Idalia National Park we found two adults with two advanced young on bare cleared ground beside the road. Like the Masked Lapwings, Banded Lapwings seem comfortable breeding in bare open areas and beside roads.