Plovers are small shorebirds that are very protective of their nests and young. During breeding season, plovers will often aggressively “swoop” to drive away any perceived threats that get too close to their nesting area. While plover swooping is mostly harmless, it can be startling and annoying to deal with. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to avoid being swooped when plovers are nesting.
Why do plovers swoop?
Plovers swoop to protect their nests, eggs, and chicks. Swooping is an instinctive behavior designed to scare off potential predators and threats. When a plover feels its nest is endangered, it will take to the air and dive bomb the intruder. This is the bird’s way of signaling “back off and leave my family alone!”
Plovers are ground-nesting birds that lay their eggs directly on sandy beaches, lakeshores, riverbanks, and other open habitats. Their nests and camouflaged eggs blend right into the surroundings. Plover chicks hatch out fully mobile and leave the nest within hours, but they are very vulnerable at this stage. With increased human activity in coastal areas, plovers now face many threats including unleashed pets, vehicles, litter, trampling, and curious beachgoers who get too close to nests.
To protect their offspring, adult plovers take an aggressive stance against anything they perceive as dangerous. Swooping is meant to startle and intimidate – by flying directly at the head they hope to drive the intruder away. While scary for us, it’s the plover’s line of defense for its family.
When does plover swooping occur?
Plover swooping happens during breeding season as the birds try to protect their nesting areas. The exact timing varies by region and species, but it generally corresponds to spring and summer in most places.
Here are the typical plover swooping seasons for some common species:
- Masked lapwings: August to February, with peak activity in October and November
- Spur-winged plovers: September to March, peaking in October
- Pied oystercatchers: July to January, most intense in September/October
- Red-capped plovers: August to January
- Hooded plovers: August to January
Swooping is initiated shortly after the plovers have laid their eggs and continues until the chicks are able to fly. Nests with very young chicks tend to elicit the most aggressive defense.
Outside of the breeding season, plovers are generally quite approachable and docile. It’s only when nests or chicks are present that their protective instincts kick in and swooping behavior occurs.
Where are the plover swooping hot spots?
Plovers nest on open sandy or pebbly beaches and shores, so these areas typically see the most swooping activity when breeding is underway. Some swooping hotspots include:
- Beaches along coastlines
- Lakeshores
- Riverbanks
- Estuaries
- Reservoirs
- Recreational areas like parks, ovals, golf courses, and racecourses
- School grounds or university campuses
- Airports
Nests may occur anywhere with an open expanse and can even be found in urban areas. If you see a plover acting territorial in a location, there is likely a nest site nearby.
How to avoid plover swooping
Here are some tips to prevent plover attacks and stay safe during swooping season:
Be aware of signage and designated zones
Many places with known plover nesting areas will cordon off zones and post signs during breeding season. Pay attention to these markers and avoid entering cordoned areas, as this is where the birds are most likely to be nesting. Abide by any access restrictions in protected nesting habitats.
Steer clear of nests
Give nests a wide berth of at least 30-50 meters. Watch where parent birds are hovering and do not approach. Plover nests are difficult to spot as the eggs blend in perfectly with the surroundings, so when in doubt maintain a safe distance from any potential nest site. If you do encounter a nest, quietly backtrack the way you came from.
Avoid sudden movements
Make slow deliberate movements without excessive arm waving or abrupt changes in direction when moving through swooping zones. Sudden movements can trigger an attack response. Move smoothly and steadily away if dive bombed.
Keep pets leashed and supervised
Dogs off leash near nests often elicit aggressive swooping. Keep dogs and other pets on a short leash and prevent them from harassing birds. Pick up and remove any dog droppings which may attract predators like ravens and gulls to nest sites.
Do not feed or interact with chicks
Parent birds will attack to protect young, so avoid interacting with chicks. Never feed plover chicks as this can have detrimental impacts on their development.
Cover or tie up hair
Plovers often aim for the head when swooping. Protect your head by wearing a hat, helmet, or covering long hair.
Be extra cautious near fresh nests
Nests with eggs or young chicks elicit the strongest defense. Use extreme care when new nests have appeared in an area.
Keep eyes on the sky
Keep a watch overhead for incoming birds and use your arms to shield if necessary. Scan regularly for swooping plovers if walking through known nest zones.
Travel in groups
There is safety in numbers. Plovers are less likely to attack large groups. Walk with others when possible in swooping areas.
Don’t hang around nest zones
Limit time spent loitering or lingering in territories defended by aggressive birds. Pass through swiftly and calmly.
Avoid going outside at dawn/dusk
Plovers are most active defending nests at dawn and dusk. Try to visit nesting zones outside of these peak periods if possible.
Carry and use deterrents
Some evidence shows umbrellas, party poppers, plastic eyes on the back of hats, and helium balloons can help deter attacks. Deploy deterrents if repeatedly targeted.
Report incidents
Inform authorities if repeatedly swooped in problematic hotspots so they can take measures like signage, closures, or fines.
Be patient and give plovers space
Don’t antagonize nesting plovers. Remember they are just being protective parents. Avoid nests and tolerate swooping incidents with patience and understanding.
What to do if you are swooped by a plover
In case a plover does launch an aerial attack, here is how to respond:
- Crouch down with arms over your head to protect your face
- Move away calmly and slowly from the nest area
- Do not flail arms or run, as this can provoke continued attack
- Take a different route on return to avoid the territory if possible
- Alert authorities if the aggressive behavior persists in a public area
Most swooping incidents do not result in any injury beyond sometimes minor scratches or bumps. But multiple or prolonged attacks should be reported so officials can take action to protect both the birds and public.
Why you shouldn’t harm or disturb nesting plovers
It’s important to remember that plovers are protected species and it is illegal to disturb their nesting areas or eggs. Some reasons not to interfere with nesting plovers include:
- They play an important role in the ecosystem, like eating ticks, bugs, and weeds
- Several plover species are endangered or threatened
- Breeding birds and nests are legally protected – disturbing them can result in large fines
- Peaceful coexistence maintains healthy shorebird populations
- Nests may be hard to see, so maintaining distance is safest
- Survival depends on successful nesting each season
With some planning and care, it’s possible to responsibly share recreational areas with these seasonal nesters. Avoiding and respecting nest zones goes a long way towards harmonious coexistence.
Conclusion
Plovers are charismatic shorebirds that provide great enjoyment for bird watchers…until nesting season arrives! Swooping plovers can certainly be annoying, but understanding their behavior provides the keys to avoiding conflict. By being aware of swooping seasons, hotspots, nest warning signs, and deterrent methods, we can all better coexist with these protective parents each year. With some planning and caution, there’s no reason plover swooping should prevent enjoying the beach or your favorite waterside destinations during breeding months. So cover up, give nests a wide berth, and don’t provoke attacks – with these basics in mind, you’ll be swooping with the best of them in no time.