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June 2010:

There are currently 7 killdeer nests cordoned off in the field to the right just before the Read Sanctuary's visitor's center.  Military helicopter landings for a Memorial Day demonstration threatened their survival.  Our curator Michael Gambino and volunteers Ken Cook, Lorraine Kennery and Melanie Gambino removed the nests, eggs, debris, and all, marked them carefully, and set them in boxes on the nature center's deck to stay warm in the sun. We pulled all the stakes out, and then the Marines landed a short time later. All in all a great military show, but the field was blasted clean of every scrap of paper and fleck of leaf! Areas of grass were burned by the engine exhaust from the MV-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft. Crowds flooded onto the field to inspect the machines and greet the Marine pilots and troops.  County police were very helpful and even gave Michael a police escort through the traffic and crowds so he could get things done before the Marines arrived.  A few hours later, with crowds and helicopters gone, our curator and volunteers put everything back.  Jill Doornick, a local wildlife rehabilitator, reported that the birds were back on their nests shortly afterwards. Now we just hope and wait for the chicks to hatch in mid-June.

Killdeer next to her nest

Michael trying to capture killdeer on her nest

Michael collecting eggs and nesting material

MV-22 Osprey blasting the ground prepping for takeoff

Four aircraft departing

Osprey on the field and Michael pointing to the nest location

Michael replacing eggs and nesting material