Years ago, we went for a family walk to the Sand Dunes early on a winters afternoon, it was great, my brother and I trying to splash each other, Mum and Dad strolling hand in hand and the dog running about jumping in and out of the Waitohu stream. It was a great way to spend the afternoon. I wasn't particularly fashion conscious when I was 12, so a pair of jeans, kung foo shoes and black and white striped top did the trick! As we walked further down the beach, I wasn't really aware of two birds flying above us, until they dive bombed me!
Being the over dramatic, screechy 12 year old that I was, I ran! Causing the two birds to chase and continue to dive bomb me, I was absolutely mortified! Mum and Dad started laughing, my brother was rolling around in the sand in hysterics and the dog darted around my feet barking. All that was needed was Benny Hill music to complete the scene!
The two birds, were either very offended by my choice of clothing, or like my Dad explained were, Mr and Mrs Pied Stilt just defending their nest. I wanted to know more about these Kamakasi birds, so I looked up Pied Stilts when I got home, they began mating in August, and make a great fuss if anyone goes near their nest, flying to a height, and then dashing straight at the intruder, and giving a harsh cry as they pass close overhead and turn upwards again. Intimidation failing, they try to divert attention to themselves by simulating injury, shamming broken broken legs or wings in a most realistic manner. Click here to find out more about Pied Stilts.
This Pied Stilt incident certainly never stopped me going back to the Sand Dunes, it may not have just been my stripy top that in sited the Pied Stilts, but I'm not taking the chance, and will never wear a black and white striped top again!
Claire Roper
Share Your Thoughts