Masked lapwings at Yanchep National Park

The Masked lapwing is not common around where I live in Perth, although I have seen them on the golf course at Rottnest Island some years ago. 

At Yanchep National Park in May this year there were a couple wandering around on the lawns beside the lake. They seem partial to open lawn areas and are quite used to being photographed!

The masked lapwing is sometimes referred to as the spur winged plover because of the yellow spur on its "elbow".
 

One very cheeky parrot

This very cheeky Ring-necked parrot was hanging around our table outside the Yanchep Park coffee shop, trying to beg for some sugar.

 

They really are a very pretty bird close up when you can see the subtle colour variations of their feathers. Ring-necked parrots are not as common as they used to be in Perth. One suspects that the growing numbers of introduced pest species, such as the Rainbow lorrikeets, have taken nesting sites away from the Ring-necks. But up at Yanchep National Park there are still plenty of Ring-necks and thankfully no Rainbow lorrikeets.

Here he is again proudly promoting Yanchep National Park!

According to the Noongar people the ring-necks keep the evil spirits away.