Plover chicks ...

Our local resident Plovers have chicks again this year.  Three this time - we can only hope they manage to get them all to adulthood.  Most years they lose one or two along the way - from dogs and cats and careless drivers.    These little guys are past the tiny baby stage and might have more of a fighting chance.  Mum and Dad are extremely protective of the babies and challenge anyone that comes too close - they call constantly to the chicks to keep them together.

So very cute.