Killdeer can be found in northern Utah all year long, and it isn’t unusual to see flocks of them during the winter.

Springtime Killdeer on Antelope Island, UtahSpringtime Killdeer on Antelope Island – Nikon D300, f10, 1/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light (2012)

However, some of these plovers may head to warmer climates when it gets really cold and then migrate back here in the spring. Lately, I’ve seen more Killdeer than I have all winter, and some of these birds may be heading to their breeding grounds even further north than I am.

A few nights ago, I opened the door to check out the cloud cover and weather conditions before going to bed. For the first time since I moved to Utah, I heard a flock of calling Killdeer flying past in the pitch-black night. I couldn’t help but laugh because it seemed so odd to hear them calling out in the dark. To my ears, there seemed to be quite a few of the birds flying past.

You can listen to a Killdeer calling in flight here.

I did some research and found that they do migrate during the night as well as during day. So perhaps the birds I heard were winging their way north and were attracted by our city lights. I enjoyed hearing the Killdeer flying past after dark, even though I couldn’t see or photograph them.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Killdeer photos plus facts and information about this species.