Plovers nesting on the courts at Wynnum

Our club has had generations of plover chicks born on our courts, and it is always a delight when the little fluffy chicks run around being "rounded up" by their very protective parents.

Recently our latest plover parents had their four chicks killed whilst crossing the road outside our club. It wasn't long before they began the process again, and she laid one egg right at the penalty point between courts 1 and 2. It takes about 28 days for the eggs to hatch.

Their nests are always on low ground to enable them to see any prospective enemies or danger. To protect her nesting on the egg, we provided a barrier with an irrigation pipe.

Plovers have spurs on their wings; however, despite common belief, these are not poisonous. As players, we avoid the area, and try not to walk directly towards the birds or make eye contact with them.

We look forward to seeing the new little hatchling in the near future.