Since they do lay on the ground, I would think they are prepared to lose lots of nests and have been equipped to do so. I don't know much about them as they are not in my direct area but I see quite a few of them when I am out and about so there must be plenty that do make it. Has anybody tried to enclose the nest so cats & coons cant get them with any success? The ones I have walked near did not seem to be to skid dish so I wonder if they would accept an enclosure where only something their size could get in?

She probably was in the process of laying the eggs, but if one has been taken, it does not look good for the others.I've put barriers around them to keep people off but never tried to partially close the area. Good Luck.

I usually post on the bluebird forum but have the same situation as danscaper except there are no eggs missing yet. Nest in the middle of drive with about 2 1/2 more weeks of incubation. I put big boulders around the area so no one would drive over it but am worried that anything else I do will attract coons. Do they brood at night? Thanks for any info, Sue

Thanks to all who posted. Here's the update (very late, but I came across the link to my thread I had saved).

After a few weeks under baking 90-100 degree heat, our first killdeer chick hatched. We're happy to say it came out a runner. The mother killdeer really kicked her broken wing display into high gear every time we drove in and out, got the mail or took the garbage out. She was probably pretty annoyed with the frequency she had to 'deter' us from trying to 'get her baby'. I even took to driving through the yard to give her a break.

Anyway, for about a week and a half she herded the little killdeer all over the yard to 'protect' it from our disturbance. No cats or other predators ever noticed them. The remaining two eggs didn't seem to be hatching and then, one morning, she and the baby were gone.

She's been gone for over a month and the two eggs we assumed weren't viable, are still in the middle of our driveway. At least there's one more little killdeer out there running around.

Thanks for the update. I'd call that successful. I'm amazed that she was able to keep her eggs safe in a driveway. It's hard enough keeping them safe in a secure nestbox! You should pat yourself on the back for a job well done. At least there is now one more Killdeer in the world. It always amazes me when Killdeer are successful since they lay their eggs on the ground. Why snakes, raccoons, squirrels or cats don't devour them is a mystery.

My kildeer nesting was not succesful, they abandoned the eggs about three weeks into incubation. i believe the driveway gravel must've cooked the eggs during the 100 degree days we had. Really sad.

The mother was a trooper. We had that string of 95+ degree days and she sat out there on those eggs all day, every day, I'm guessing to keep them cool(er). Maybe the other two succumbed to the heat.

Yes i think they lay extra eggs if they get missing . i saw 4 eggs my friend took 3 eggs 1 egg broke 2 again kept as it is it took his 1 egg far away the new nest i saw the new nest again i took 2 eggs and kept in new nest now their are six eggs how it is possible i am not Understanding

I also had killdeer nest in the driveway almost ever year and seems no matter how careful they don't seem to survive,but I also have some in the front pasture that do well almost ever year.such a persistent bird

I knew nothing of killdeer last year... this year.. all I see are killdeer nests yet I have yet to see one to its fruitful babies :( we have one in our court right now. she had two eggs.. I left for a week and a half and came back and as of yesterday there was one egg... unfortunately the plot thickens... totally weird to find a "dead" killdeer egg in my yard. it had a dead baby chick in it. I have two cats.. but I can't see them actually grabbing the egg and carrying it over my very tall fence just to drop it in my yard and not actually do anything with the egg?? and then today I left and an hour later came back and the mom was gone. the dad was gone and now the egg is just there. there is a bird rescue I could take the egg to tomorrow if mom and dad don't come back.. but I just cant put all the pieces together... how does the mom and dad disappear within an hour?? I can understand if one jumped ship or got hit or something, wouldn't the mate come around for a little bit?? also the heat here in California has bee awful... between 100-110 everyday for a while, could this have made the mama finally just quit??

I have a nest at end of driveway under poplar tree...4 eggs still in there but mom has disappeared about 4-5 days ago? Probably close to hatching if I count the days.... not sure if something got the mom or do they abandon if eggs not viable?

Still haven't seen the 'straight' answer to.... Can a Kill Deer bird move their eggs? Every year (March), I get one mom to lay usually 4 eggs, last year we had two nights that got into the low 20s and the Mom just left and the eggs froze. One week ago, a Mom laid 4 eggs and I just noticed on the way to the mailbox that all 4 eggs and Mom are gone. It's been cold, but not freezing. I can't imagine how she could pick up and move those eggs. Amazing birds.

I had a killdeer nest last summer. We had a horrible rainstorm just a few days before the eggs were to hatch, and the morning after the storm, no sign of eggs......I suppose they washed away. This summer has been good. The pair nested in almost the same spot, and hatched three. I got to see the little ones twice down the hill and near a stream. Now, the birds are back. She has layed two eggs and will probably lay two more before setting them. I have built up trust with the birds.......I walk out to the nest everyday and stop about 15 feet away. I whistle at them with the same method each day, and talk to them for a couple minutes before I leave. They look apprehensive, but don't fly away anymore.....neat birds!!

A Killdear has made a nest in my flowerbed on rocks. Had 2 real cold nights. Have not seen mommy killdear for 2 or 3 weeks there's 4 eggs will she come back or are they no good. I can't fine a answer anywhere.

Male Killdeer are also cannibalistic and will eat the eggs.

See link below to see video of the act.

https://youtu.be/tKmsg9lOKw4