Male Lapwing of Nicasio LbNA #56990

The Lapwing is a migratory bird of northern Europe, the UK and Asia, and certainly of Scotland. “The name lapwing has been variously attributed to the "lapping" sound its wings make in flight and from its irregular flying progress, or from its habit of drawing potential predators away from its nest by trailing a wing as if broken.” Kind of like the killdeer around here I guess. In Scotland the lapwing is commonly seen on farmland and in marshes. It is migratory and reportedly on the decline. We don’t see lapwing around here and its letterbox sighting is a rarity indeed. In this case we have a male lapwing.

At Nicasio Reservoir on Pt. Reyes Petaluma Road find the small pullout opposite house number 12000 on the water side. From the somewhat less than grand entrance walk about 85 step, toward the water on the path. Look right to an obscure perhaps deer trail. Walk about 44 steps on this. Stop. About 8 steps on your right you will see two rocks, one larger than the other. It almost looks like one cleft boulder. On the south side of the boulder and at its base behind another big rock under a ledge will be the Male Lapwing of Nicasio Letterbox.

The above directions are a little vague because the path, once you’ve walked your 85 steps, is unclear. However, if you persevere and don’t let yourself become frustrated and just find the two rocks which look like one cleft boulder you’ll be fine.

Thanks for visiting the Male Lapwing. Please close it all up tightly and rehide so the casual walker cannot see it.