An Australian sports field will remain off-limits for a month after a protected native bird decided to nest right in the centre of the pitch.
Soccer players who arrived at Jerrabomberra Regional Sports Complex last weekend were redirected to a nearby field when a plover laid an egg on the synthetic turf.
Plovers are notorious for their aggressive defense once their chicks hatch, often dive-bombing intruders and making loud warning calls to protect their nests.
A plover laid an egg on the synthetic football field at the Regional Sports Complex, the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council told Yahoo News Australia.
“Following advice from the local native wildlife service, Wildcare, the sporting club moved the games to an adjacent field.”